Im not going to answer all your questions because I dont have time to start looking and comparing depth charts (Mizzou's) and I do lack in that area. I really just wanted to see what your reasoning is, I dont necessarily believe your wrong, my real point is were going to have to prove we are up to and above Mizz before we are and we havent showed it yet. We still have some MAJOR issues at positions all over the field that could crush UT as contendors if their underdeveloped and not ready for SEC play (O-line and QB esp). Do I believe Coach Butch Jones is the man for the job, I like him as head coach alot! I'm afraid he knews a few more cycles of recuiting though because at the end of the day the coaches are cruicial but do not win games and we are young. Do I think he has the right players to do that, who knows? I cannot forecast how many sacks, tackles for losses, interceptions, and fumbles, 20+ yard gains, touchdowns, completions, 1st downs Tennessee's new guys and young vets will achieve....... As a fan, Im always hopeful for every game that we can win even against Alabama and Oregon, but also am realistic about what kind of lineman we have and what kind of QB and defensive play we showed last year. (young, amateur, physically underdeveloped, lack of playing time) I do want them to surprise me. I do expect a turning point with the vols soon, but to say its now before the season starts.. hard to say
GO VOLS!!!
I have stated it NUMEROUS times. Mizzou struggled in '12 in large measure because they were missing some of their playmakers due to injury. They SHOULD have been a 4-8 team... if not for UT's choke.
Those players returned in '13 and the schedule laid down for them. It seemed that every time they were set to face a tough SEC game the opposing team lost players or had something go wrong. All that said, they lost those players again... they lose Sam, Ealy, 2 of 3 LB's, 3 of 4 starting DB's... and remember they were a "good" not great D to start with. The lose their best QB, best RB, 3 best WR's (by a very wide measure), their best OL, and maybe another OL. The loss of DGB alone changes the whole complexion of their O. The DO NOT have a WR that anyone will be afraid of.
They were hit worse by player losses than possibly any team in the SEC including UT. And what do they replace them with? They do not have anyone on their roster with the potential to be nearly as good as the 3 WR's they lost. Britt cannot be replaced in kind from the returnees. They don't have DL's who can replace Ealy or Sam. Their secondary is going to be difficult to repair.
In short, you like so many others are basing everyone else's strength on what has happened over the past few years without respect to THEIR problems.
UF still has O issues and has holes to fill.
USCe loses their QB and leader along with their best two DL's... from a team remember that UT beat and it WAS NOT a fluke. UT matched up well with them and will this year as well.
UGA has mediocrity issues and problems in their secondary. They're beatable by most of the teams on their schedule but will likely win 10 games and the East.
Vandy lost the coach that made it go and a bunch of players.
UK isn't close yet.
EVERY coach in the East is dealing with some level of problem right now. Mizzou's and Vandy's for certain are worse than UT's. Frankly, I don't see Jones' situation as all that bad. He has excellent skill players, 3 QB options, and an OL made up primarily of 2-3 year players. LT is the biggest issue. On D his back 7 will have experience coupled with youth and talent. That's not horrible... compared say to Mizzou or Vandy. IMHO, the DL's quality depends largely on Saulsberry.
Coaches DO win games. That's how Mizzou wins the East and Franklin lifts one of the most historically hapless programs in college football to respectability. I agree that it may take more players and some seasoning before UT can compete for championships. I do NOT agree that it should take that for them to get back to beating the likes of Vandy and Mizzou (this year's talent).