Tennessee football: 5 questions the Vols must answer in 2020

2. Will the rushing attack thrive behind elite O-line?

Ty Chandler has had 115 or more carries in each of the last two seasons with the Volunteers but, as he enters his senior campaign, Tennessee should be looking for more from their rushing attack. That’s because Pruitt has constructed possibly the best offensive line in college football, headlined by a now-healthy Trey Smith and Georgia transfer Cade Mays along with another stud at tackle in Wanya Morris.

To be sure, Chandler has not been bad by any stretch throughout his college career. Over the past two seasons when he’s been a big contributor in the offense, he’s combined for 1,285 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. But with the offensive line that’s in place, Tennessee will look for the rushing attack to be their bread and butter, especially with uncertainty at wide receiver.

Yes, the line inherently will help Chandler be more consistent but the question becomes if Pruitt and the coaching staff will look to give the rushing attack a jolt by giving Eric Gray a larger role than he saw last season. Gray had 101 carries, third on the team, but finished with 539 yards and four touchdowns. That including a 200+ yard outburst against rival Vanderbilt.

For my money, the flashes that Gray has shown to this point are simply more impressive than what Chandler brings to the table. He should usurp Chandler as the featured back behind this offensive line. Doing so will make the offense more dynamic and explosive, which means more dangerous.