ATLANTA – Chris Doering isn’t settled on his SEC East prediction. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t aware of the improvement that Tennessee has made in just a year.
“I think we can all agree that Georgia is probably the creme of the crop…who is able to take that next step?”, asked the former Florida receiver on day one of SEC Media Days.
Doering, who has been an ESPN analyst since 2015, said he could envision either Tennessee or Kentucky nabbing the second-place position behind the defending national champions.
The first step for the Vols is to rid itself of the alligator-sized burden known as the Tennessee/Florida rivalry. Since 2005, the Gators have beaten the Vols every season except 2016.
“Tennessee has to find a way to get past Florida,” Doering said. “That dynamic is certainly much different than the one I experienced when I was at Florida.”
Doering said he has been impressed by Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. Doering reminded anyone listening that the Vols were in the midst of a total rebuild last year. Now, thanks to a successful season and some recruiting momentum, things are much more optimistic for the Tennessee faithful.
Doering recalled the significance of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry when he played for the Gators from 1991-95, the beginning of the rivalry’s rise to prominence. Both programs would go on to win a national championship in the mid to late 1990’s. Doering was one of the first players under former Florida coach Steve Spurrier to terrorize the Vols.
“Maybe the best thing you can get from an opposing fan base is how much they hate you.” Doering said with a sly grin, “and I’ve gotten a lot of hate from Vol fans over the years.”
