That’s why it is tough to make accurate predictions about a season. Many teams thrive in an underdog role. Many teams collapse in a favorite’s role.
For instance, Tennessee will be picked by most to win the SEC East in 2016. Are the Vols ready to handle it?
They weren’t in 2015, when a number of “experts” pegged UT as the best in the East. The Vols were in position to win their first East title since 2007. But they couldn’t hold a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter against Florida. They couldn’t hold a 14-point first-quarter lead against Arkansas.