I do remember Tenn was pretty much riding the hype train with the media last year. Y'all were bringing back a lot of talent and expectations were screaming. Looks like it's going to be much more intense this time around. Y'all know the routine, "when much is given"...................
People tend to misremember last year's hype. We weren't picked to win the East, and in fact, we haven't been picked to win it since 2005. Also, last year was the first time we've been picked to finish higher than 4th in the SECEast in years. We just weren't being completely dismissed last year like we have been for nearly the last decade and people were pointing out a lot of our talented players and calling us a dark horse....but never the favorite.
That being said, the bullseye is squarely on Butch and the boys now and we're gonna have to see how they respond. I hope they man up and embrace the expectations and we don't get anymore far-reaching, mealy-mouth excuses from the head coach. It's set up for Tennessee to assume its rightful place atop the East and as a perennial SEC championship contender. Let's see if they can do it.