My annual game by game prediction for 2015

#101
#101
LittleCat said:
That'd be the first in a long time I assume.
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Here is ESPN's way too early top 25 following NSD. Ohio State Buckeyes lead post-signing day the 2015 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings - ESPN

Tennessee at 20.
Arkansas at 22.
Missouri at 24.
Oklahoma.....UNRANKED.


whether ya'll like it or not, we are right now favorites against EVERY opponent on our schedule except Alabama and Georgia (if we go by the top 25 forecasts). this notion that Oklahoma will be a stiff test is simply not shared by most of the college football prognosticators for next season.
 
#102
#102
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Have you paid attention at all this offseason? Tennessee will NOT be an underdog for 5 or 6 games. Right now the only games they will be underdogs is Alabama and Georgia. We're the popular dark horse pick to win the division. And almost unanimously second to Georgia in all forecasting. You just had an ESPN insider on Paul Finebaum's show pick us to win the East. Another ESPN guy has us making it to a New Years Day Bowl.

The whole underdog role for Tennessee is DONE. We are gonna be the favorite going into almost all of our games next season.
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I have paid attention for more years than you have been on the planet.

I can also read and have been to Vegas more than a couple of times.

1>Don't bye into all the hype. Its great but wait for the product to get onto the field.
2>You are never as good as you think you are but you are not as bad as someone thinks either. Vegas knows how to establish a line.
3>It's college football so intangibles do matter.
4>If we go on Feb predictions of just past year we are 4-8 with a loss to UTAH State. That was an excellent bet BTW a week before the game.

If you read above in earlier post we be underdogs in 4 - 6 games at present in Feb. As we get into the season it will change based on our success.

Just to clarify without a down being played and on paper alone. Tennessee is at present, an underdog in the following games.

OU, @FL, GA, @AL, @MO
 
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#103
#103
Sudden Impact said:
I have paid attention for more years than you have been on the planet.

I can also read and have been to Vegas more than a couple of times.

1>Don't bye into all the hype. Its great but wait for the product to get onto the field.
2>You are never as good as you think you are but you are not as bad as someone thinks either. Vegas knows how to establish a line.
3>It's college football so intangibles do matter.
4>If we go on Feb predictions of just past year we are 4-8 with a loss to UTAH State. That was an excellent bet BTW a week before the game.

If you read above in earlier post we be underdogs in 4 - 6 games at present in Feb. As we get into the season it will change based on our success.

Just to clarify without a down being played and on paper alone. Tennessee is at present, an underdog in the following games.

OU, @FL, GA, @AL, @MO
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Nice post my friend but according to VN rules you're cheating, LOL!

Here on VN you're simply not allowed to use any facts or any intelligent logic when you post, LOL!

That's hard for us old timers to do so we'll just continue to cheat whenever we feel like it.

I'm still on the 8 regular season Win bandwagon for next season and that's decent improvement IMHO with so many sophs and true freshmen expected to play a major role.

#BrickbyBrick...VFL...GBO!!!
 
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#104
#104
Titan&Volfan4life said:
Nice post my friend but according to VN rules you're cheating, LOL!

Here on VN you're simply not allowed to use any facts or any intelligent logic when you post, LOL!

That's hard for us old timers to do so we'll just continue to cheat whenever we feel like it.

I'm still on the 8 regular season Win bandwagon for next season and that's decent improvement IMHO with so many sophs and true freshmen expected to play a major role.

#BrickbyBrick...VFL...GBO!!!
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Thanks being an "ole conger" can be nice.

Except when it comes to the Women----which is A lot like hanging out here, where some posters let their Fantasies overload their capabilities.
 
#106
#106
skasper06 said:
Preseason AP Ranking: #22

9/5 vs Bowling Green (at LP Field)
Bowling Green won their division in the MAC the last two seasons in a row, beating NIU in 2013, then losing to NIU in 2014. They just added a new defensive coordinator in Brian Ward who won a coach of the year award in 2009 at the NAIA level. So what does all the mean? It makes a cupcake team look better on paper. Dobbs should have a field day and I expect both Kamara and Hurd will collect close to 100 rushing yards. Vols win 42-13 to start 1-0 and #20 in the AP.

9/12 vs Oklahoma (time already announced for 11am/12 eastern)
If Tennessee had a decent offensive line, the Vols may have had a chance in this matchup last season (as is the theme for many losses in 2014). In 2015, the offensive line should be much improved and fans should get to see Joshua Dobbs reall tested. Oklahoma will still have a lot of playmakers including Sterling Shepard and Eric Striker, both of which had their way with Tennessee last season. But an improved offensive line mixed with an elusive quarterback in Dobbs could be exactly what makes this season different from the last. Throw in a Vols defensive line ready to showcase their talent and it should be a very different game from last year. If this game were in Norman again, I would be tempted to go with the Sooners. But it’s not. Vols win 31-21 and get a bump up to #18 in the AP poll.

9/19 vs Western Carolina
Unfortunately for the Catamounts (yes that’s their name if you didn’t know), they are coming to Neyland Stadium to get their butts kicked. To put this game in to perspective, Western Carolina lost to UTC last season 51-0 – the same UTC that Tennessee played and easily handled in Neyland Stadium last season. With early scores and defensive turnovers, this game could get ugly fast. Vols win 52-14 and remain at #18 (unless someone big loses).

9/26 @ Florida
This was the only game of the season I predicted incorrectly last year. And my prediction is remaining the same. Jim McElwain may end up bringing Florida back to elite status, but it’s not happening in 2015. It’s been over 10 years since Tennessee beat Florida, and it will be all the sweeter to end the streak on their field. I expect this game to be extremely physical and even a little chippy. Tennessee’s defensive front will have a field day collecting at least 4 sacks. And the trio of Dobbs, Kamara, and Hurd will be more than Florida’s defense can handle. Vols win 35-13 and improve to 4-0 as well as being bumped to #17 in the AP.

10/3 vs. Arkansas
This could be Tennessee’s first game versus a ranked opponent and maybe even a potential ESPN Gameday location. This game could be a clash of the running backs with Arkansas’ Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins going head to head with Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara. This game could potentially showcase four future NFL running backs. The difference is Tennessee will also be showcasing talent at several other positions. While I do believe Arkansas is a worthy adversary, I don’t see the Vols losing this one at home. Vols win 27-17 and get a nice bump in the AP to #14.

10/10 vs Georgia
Tennessee has had Georgia’s number for several years. Had Justin Worley not been injured in last season’s game and missed an entire quarter, it’s very possible Tennessee could have won. And although Todd Gurley will be gone, they barely miss a step with rising star Nick Chubb – arguably the best back in the SEC, if not the entire country. Both Chubb and Sony Michel make a great one-two punch for Georgia, but whoever takes over at quarterback for Hutson Mason will likely have some growing pains to go through. And against this Tennessee defense, it’s hard to see less than 2 interceptions and a few sacks going down. Georgia should have a decent season and will likely be somewhere around #12 when they come to Knoxville having gone undefeated until losing to Alabama the week prior to playing Tennessee. But Georgia will not be up to the task of stealing one in Neyland. Vols win 35-31 staying undefeated (6-0) and getting a bump to #11 in the AP poll.

10/17
BYE

10/24 @ Alabama
Losing TJ Yeldon, Blake Sims, and Amari Cooper seems like a lot, but for Alabama it’s just another year for some new star to step up (maybe someone from those three #1 recruiting classes). But early games against Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas A&M should give a better gauge at how good this Alabama team will be with those new stars. I expect this game to be extremely close and honestly wouldn’t be surprised with an upset, but only because it’s in Tuscaloosa I’m taking the Tide – handing Tennessee their first loss of the season. Alabama wins 31-30 and Tennessee’s rating takes a hit down to #15.

10/31 @ Kentucky
Believe it or not, I believe UK is getting better. And I think Mark Stoops is the answer for the Wildcats to at least be more than the SEC’s punching bag. That being said, they are still Kentucky. Patrick Towles is a decent quarterback if he can stay consistent throughout the whole season. And their defensive line is absolutely massive. But too much talent and better coaching will win this game for the Vols. Vols win 35-14 moving to 7-1 on the year and maintaining the #15 spot in the rankings.

11/7 vs South Carolina
Steve Spurrier. What a guy, right? I’m sure he still has a bad taste in his mouth the way his team lost to the Vols the last two years in a row. But with Dylan Thompson gone, the Gamecocks’ best talent will remain Pharoh Cooper, which isn’t a bad talent to have. But if you want to beat Tennessee in 2015, you need more than an Egyptian man-god. Vols win 42-27 and get a slight move to #14 in the rankings.

11/14 vs North Texas
North Texas went 4-8 last season in the Conference USA and they didn’t exactly live up to their “Mean Green” name. Don’t be surprised if Tennessee plays a backup QB the second half *cough* Dormady! *Cough cough* Vols win 51-14 and stay at #14 in the rankings.

11/21 @ Mizzou
Mizzou has been the odd-ball of the SEC East the last two seasons. They keep winning when they shouldn’t! I didn’t know how they would beat Tennessee last season, but it was my preseason prediction (although offsides on that onside kick was garbage). With star defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden off the NFL, the Tigers will lose some talent on defense. Maty Mauk will return at QB for Mizzou, but that isn’t saying much since he isn’t exactly the prettiest thing to look at on the field. I see a very good defensive game for the Vols and possibly a special teams touchdown just for fun. Vols win 28-21 moving to 10-1 and slide up the rankings to #11.

11/28 vs Vandy
If Vanderbilt loses to Western Kentucky to start the season, Derek Mason will have an uphill battle to keep his job. With only two or three potential wins on the schedule, I don’t see it happening. And if you were wondering, Tennessee is not one of those potential wins. Vols win 42-21 and hit #10 in the polls.

This puts Tennessee at 11-1 (7-1) on the season, finishing at #10 in the regular season and winning the SEC East, setting the state for a rematch of Tennessee vs Alabama in Atlanta.

12/5 vs Alabama (SEC Championship)
By now, Lane Kiffin will have Alabama’s offense clicking as if they never missed a beat from 2014. At the same time, Tennessee will be tuned up with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Tennessee will be hungry after such a close loss in Tuscaloosa earlier in the season, but Alabama will likely be playing for a playoff spot with much more on the line. With so much on the line it will come down to youth versus experience – where Alabama has the advantage. Bama wins 38-17.

The loss against Alabama puts Tennessee at 11-2 on the season and a knock down to #13 in the polls, coming in second in the SEC still puts the Vols in a New Year’s Six Bowl game. In this case, I’m going to predict Tennessee plays #8 Michigan State in the Peach Bowl, sending the Vols right back to Atlanta.

12/31 vs Michigan State
Michigan State had their chance to dethrone Ohio State in the Big 10 and missed it. That conference belongs to Urban Meyer now and the best Michigan State can do is a game like this. But that doesn’t mean the Spartans are a bad team. It seems every year they run the ball well and play pretty good defense. Tennessee may be young, but they do have experience in bowl games and this will be their opportunity to grow from their loss against Alabama. This game could go either way, but being in Atlanta is too close to home for the Vols to not be considered a home game. Dobbs finished his junior season strong and Curt Maggitt ends his career as a Vol a Peach Bowl Champion. Vols win 31-28.

Tennessee finishes the 2015 season 12-2 and ranked #9 with another top 5 recruiting class lined up for 2016.
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If you are correct with every game, we will be ranked much better than that. If we're 11-1 going into the SEC title game off of that schedule, we won't be #10.
 
#107
#107
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Next year's Alabama will have arguably the most talented roster in the history of college football (if we're looking solely at recruiting rankings). I believe they're the first team (in the modern internet rankings era) to have 4 straight #1 recruiting classes. An incredibly unprecedented feat. They're whole roster is pretty much made up of high 4 star and 5 star prospects.

Now we all know alot of high profile recruits become busts and alot of superstars come outta nowhere. However, at the end of the day its a numbers game. And they simply have more chances at finding those game breaking stars than everyone else because they have so many highly touted recruits. That is why they get their respect year in year out.

They can still be beat, don't get it twisted. But they get their respect because of the amount of talent they are able to accumulate each year.
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They also lose nearly the entire offense, not sure the D. But thats neither here nor there.
I'm just saying if I think UT can beat OU by doublle digits and blow out Florida there's no reason theycant beat Bama. Bama isn't the same and UT shouldn't be the same. Dobbs and this O has a good chance to put up points and the DL could overpower the new offense of Bama.
NOT saying it will happen, just don't see how. this game is such a definite loss yet blowing out Florida and beating OU is going to.happem.
 
#109
#109
If your scenario plays out, Tennessee would be ranked in the single digits long before January. There's not that many teams that would look better than 11 wins and an only loss by 1pt loss to Bama.

GBO.
 
#111
#111
Is this the first or second installment of your "annual" pick every game thread?
 
#112
#112
Other_Guy said:
They also lose nearly the entire offense, not sure the D. But thats neither here nor there.
I'm just saying if I think UT can beat OU by doublle digits and blow out Florida there's no reason theycant beat Bama. Bama isn't the same and UT shouldn't be the same. Dobbs and this O has a good chance to put up points and the DL could overpower the new offense of Bama.
NOT saying it will happen, just don't see how. this game is such a definite loss yet blowing out Florida and beating OU is going to.happem.
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Have you guys paid attention at all to what happened last season? Oklahoma fell off a cliff after beating us. Florida is in disarray. They'll both start the season UNRANKED while we'll be in the top 25.

Oklahoma and Florida are no where close to Alabama in terms of talent ON PAPER. Yes, this is college football and anything can happen. But ON PAPER, Alabama has nothing but 4 star and 5 star highly touted high school all-americans up and down their roster. Oklahome does not have that. And neither does Florida anymore (thanks to Muschamp). ON PAPER, thanks to the last two recruiting classes, we're as talented if not more talented than Oklahoma and Florida. Thats why I'm projecting us to beat them.

However, I'm giving Alabama the RESPECT they deserve given that they have outrecruiting EVERYONE in the nation for 4 straight years. We can definitely beat Alabama. But its more of a hopeful projection than it is to beat Oklahoma and Florida.
 
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#113
#113
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Have you guys paid attention at all to what happened last season? Oklahoma fell off a cliff after beating us. Florida is in disarray. They'll both start the season UNRANKED while we'll be in the top 25.

Oklahoma and Florida are no where close to Alabama in terms of talent ON PAPER. Yes, this is college football and anything can happen. But ON PAPER, Alabama has nothing but 4 star and 5 star highly touted high school all-americans up and down their roster. Oklahome does not have that. And neither does Florida anymore (thanks to Muschamp). ON PAPER, thanks to the last two recruiting classes, we're as talented if not more talented than Oklahoma and Florida. Thats why I'm projecting us to beat them.

However, I'm giving Alabama the RESPECT they deserve given that they have outrecruiting EVERYONE in the nation for 4 straight years. We can definitely beat Alabama. But its more of a hopeful projection than it is to beat Oklahoma and Florida.
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Scary posts on this thread by many. Please go back on the meds....
 
#114
#114
IMO we only lose to Bama and one of Arky or OU. If our run D has improved we beat Army. If Bama doesn't have a solid QB option or another Cooperesque player we may win a really close one with them (again if our run D has improved).
 
#115
#115
UGADawg4Life said:
If losing 5 in-a-row to us means you have our number, I hope you keep it. I know this is a UT board, but you really have to be a homer to make a statement like that. Records aren't a matter of opinion. We're 11-4 in the last 15! I know, I know....."those were the years we sucked". Losing is what sucking is! You can't just say, "well, the reason we lost was because we were not good all those years". Yea, and............
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I wouldn't say we have had your number, but you have to admit you guys haven't really whiped the floor with us the last couple of years despite having a significantly more experienced and talented roster. You barely beat us at your place last year and we fielded a team full of true freshman.

Richt is king of doing less with more. I think it catches up with him next year in Neyland.
 
#116
#116
Yea. If the QB is exception. Trevor Knight is not that. He's decent but I wouldn't say he's a QB to be feared. Is it possible Oklahoma comes in here and beats us? Yes. Is it likely? I don't think so. I think alot of folks here are giving them too much respect based on their name and the fact they dominated us early last season. Do you guys not see how much better our team was by the end of the season compared to week 2? Did you guys not see how badly Oklahoma regressed throughout the season? Did you see how Baylor embrassed them in Norman? Did you not watch NSD and see us snag another top 5 class and Oklahoma rank in the mid-to-late teens?

1) Nobody sees T. Knight being the starting QB at Oklahoma next year. IF...Baker Mayfield lives up to expectations, he will be the starter and not Knight. Many believe had he been eligible last year, he was way ahead of Knight.
2) Some teams progress while other regress. Different things will/can cause this.
3) Being embarrassed by Baylor and thier coach, Art Briles is nothing to be ashamed of. Baylor is no joke anymore.
4) 4 and 5 star recruiting classes are great. Ask Texas. And they were still getting thier arses handed to 'em by 3 and 4 stars at OU and any other Big12 school.

OU is still recruiting and doing well. Not great, but well enough. A wounded animal is still dangerous and maybe even more so. Clemson was an ugly loss. A way to wipe that away is for a team to go into Neyland and lay a thumping, if possible. OU's RB stable is full, a new OC in Lincoln Riley, new faces on the DEF coaching staff...who knows. For me, it may very well come down to coaching. Jones is a great coach. Stoops is worried and rightly so, but the man can coach. I wouldn't be too quick to chalk it up as a win, even at Neyland Stadium.
 
#117
#117
JohnD13 said:
Scary posts on this thread by many. Please go back on the meds....
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Why do I need meds for saying that ON PAPER we're better than Florida and Oklahoma but not Alabama?

Its almost a lock that we'll start the season ranked HIGHER than Florida and Oklahoma. Right now, based on almost every early projection, the media has us in the 20-25 range and has Oklahoma and Florida UNRANKED. Alabama on the other hand is in the top 10 unanimously. Only teams on our schedule currently ranked higher than us are Alabama and Arkansas.

I don't think there is anything crazy or scary about agreeing with the GENERAL CONSENSUS.
 
#118
#118
Quote:
Originally Posted by Other_Guy View Post
They also lose nearly the entire offense, not sure the D. But thats neither here nor there.
I'm just saying if I think UT can beat OU by doublle digits and blow out Florida there's no reason theycant beat Bama. Bama isn't the same and UT shouldn't be the same. Dobbs and this O has a good chance to put up points and the DL could overpower the new offense of Bama.
NOT saying it will happen, just don't see how. this game is such a definite loss yet blowing out Florida and beating OU is going to.happem.

Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Have you guys paid attention at all to what happened last season? Oklahoma fell off a cliff after beating us. Florida is in disarray. They'll both start the season UNRANKED while we'll be in the top 25.

Oklahoma and Florida are no where close to Alabama in terms of talent ON PAPER. Yes, this is college football and anything can happen. But ON PAPER, Alabama has nothing but 4 star and 5 star highly touted high school all-americans up and down their roster. Oklahome does not have that. And neither does Florida anymore (thanks to Muschamp). ON PAPER, thanks to the last two recruiting classes, we're as talented if not more talented than Oklahoma and Florida. Thats why I'm projecting us to beat them.

However, I'm giving Alabama the RESPECT they deserve given that they have outrecruiting EVERYONE in the nation for 4 straight years. We can definitely beat Alabama. But its more of a hopeful projection than it is to beat Oklahoma and Florida.
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Definitely respect. As long as we play them solid again -- but this time, from the opening kickoff -- but can't get a W, no problem, as I believe the West will bring them down enough this year, and we meet Auburn.

We don't have to fly to OU, and we won't have 500 freshmen who had never even flown before -- we beat OU at home, we play AL solidly for either a W or L (again, somehow Saban will not plan for Dobbs to be playing !), we beat a recovering FL and we play AU in ATL ! 119
 
#119
#119
Would you rather go 8-4 and LOSE a Outback bowl or Cotton Bowl game OR go 7-5 and win a Belk Bowl or Liberty Bowl
 
#120
#120
Love the optimism, and it could in large part actually play out like that, though I must admit I'm not -- almost, but not quite -- as optimistic.

You said the Florida game was the only one you got wrong last year. I called it "close to a must win" in my thread at the time because I saw it as the difference between a winning season, and thus a bowl game, and yet another losing season. And except for the amazing come from behind win against So. Car., that's exactly what it would have been.

Therefore, I refuse -- refuse -- to predict a Vol win against Fla. until we finally end this humiliating streak. Again this year I say that unless the team goes to Gainesville with high emotion and, even a little anger, we are not going to beat them. A workman-like approach is just not going to get it done. It simply can't be treated as a "normal" game.
 
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#121
#121
Volteacher said:
Would you rather go 8-4 and LOSE a Outback bowl or Cotton Bowl game OR go 7-5 and win a Belk Bowl or Liberty Bowl
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I would rather have a 7-5 season but beat Bama and Florida. Any bowl game win would be secondary if we could do that and would TRULY signal that we are back.
 
#122
#122
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
But its talented. Give me talented freshmen and sophmores over less talented juniors and seniors. Just remember, that alot of our sophomores will have more experience next season in terms of actual GAMEPLAY than many of the redshirt juniors that will be getting starting roles for those other teams.
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There talent and then there's experience. There's a very good reason that Vegas pays attention to experience. You can be the most talented safety or corner in football, but if you're not experienced and you miss an assignment...........
 
#123
#123
UGADawg4Life said:
There talent and then there's experience. There's a very good reason that Vegas pays attention to experience. You can be the most talented safety or corner in football, but if you're not experienced and you miss an assignment...........
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yet somehow inexperienced sophmores and redshirt freshmen led Ohio State to a national title over the senior/junior laden teams in Alabama and Oregon.

at the end of the day superior talent will win out.
 
#124
#124
A lot of fans on here are just beat down and don't have faith. This is the first time since Fulmer's teams where we can actually be optimistic about possibly winning divisions, conferences and major bowls. I keep seeing on here - believe it when I see it etc. We saw last year what Dobbs and the team can do when they are all healthy and hitting on all cylinders. This team could sputter but like I have said and what experts see is the potential to win. So the Negavols and the timid fans won't say it until they see the results on the field which is fine but this team will be ready. Some I believe want experts to predict 6 wins so we will be the underdog but this isn't going to happen with this talent. The upperclassmen who we do have are good and will be pushed by the talent behind them. This team has the potential to very special and it may not happen but it is nice to actually have a chance. GO VOLS!
 
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