My predictions for the 2017 season

#26
#26
jakez4ut said:
this is just a difficult year to predict. so many changes on field and on the sidelines, it's a lot to ask for it all to mesh and come together in a single off season.

i think most of the coaching changes were good ones, and i think there's a lot of potential from a talent standpoint.

so, IF we get more right answers than wrong, then i could see is exceeding expectations and winning 9+ games. if we don't, then i still think it's probably another 8-4/7-5 type season.

just hard to look at match ups right now and say we're definitively better at this/that position group when compared to the competition's groups against.
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Couldn't agree more, and I'll add in the factor of CBJ's propensity to lose at least one game per season against lesser talent.

I'd be thrilled with 10-2 but I don't expect it. 7-5 is just as much, if not more likely IMO.
 
#28
#28
volpreacher said:
Why are we always wanting an opinion on Butch? Leave it alone. He's our coach and will be for a long while unless he wants to leave. :thud:
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Why would a fan/donor not want to have an opinion on the head football coach? (Especially one who has been so polarizing both on the field and in public opinion.)

My question was obviously not meant for anyone who thinks Butch is above reproach. I should have been clearer.
 
#29
#29
Volfanstucknga said:
"If" the season goes as the OP has described. I believe Butch will have earned his keep. However, there will still be those angry because we didn't beat Bama or LSU and lost in the SEC championship game.
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That's crap. Not a living Vol soul alive that wouldn't be thrilled with 10-2 this year. That very likely means a SECCG appearance, a top 10 ranking and a top tier bowl game.
 
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#30
#30
BeardedVol said:
A win in the swamp with a new QB and a first time ever OC? Bold prediction OP.
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That's an excuse we should reject. Other schools win big games with new QB's every year. Championship coaches do it as a course of habit. UT has two quality QB's competing for the job. The "right" coach will have one of them ready to win anywhere they play.
 
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#31
#31
Volfanstucknga said:
"If" the season goes as the OP has described. I believe Butch will have earned his keep. However, there will still be those angry because we didn't beat Bama or LSU and lost in the SEC championship game.
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He will have taken a major stride in the right direction after taking a step in the wrong direction last fall.

But the goal isn't nice seasons. The goal is championships. That's when we can say we are "satisfied" and that he's "earned his keep".
 
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#33
#33
NO SIR EEE said:
9/4 vs GA TECH (Neutral Site)- Without a doubt, the triple option offense is very tough to prepare for. The defense will get a million looks and even though you've gone over it a million times, it'll still be a tough task to completely shut down. I see a tight game for a bit, but eventually Tennessee pulls away in the new Georgia Dome. Tennessee 35 Georgia Tech 21

9/9 vs Indiana State- It's the home opener, the players will be a little fatigued on a very short turn around but don't expect much out of Indy State, Tennessee rolls, letting up a late score.
Tennessee 49 Indy State 7

9/16 @ Florida- The streak is officially over as of last season. Malik Zaire joins the Gators this week as a dangerous addition to the offense. We've all seen Zaire, he isn't always the sharpest tool in the shed but he can make plays. The defense is going to have to be in complete lockdown mode and again looking at a thousand different looks. At the end of the day, Zaire makes just one mistake too many and the streak bumps to two for the Vols.
Tennessee 24 Florida 17

9/23 vs Umass- The defense will get a bit of a break after a tough game down in the ever so much hated swamp. The offense will flourish, look for a big game in the air and on the ground. Tennessee rolls no problem.
Tennessee 56 Umass 3

9/30 vs UGA- Revenge will have been on the minds of the dawgs all summer long after the heartbreak in Athens last year. This will without a doubt be a trap game in Knoxville. Georgia boasts a returning Nick Chubb who looks to be in better shape than he was all last year. Georgia, like Tennessee though will be a little young this year and with this possibly being a afternoon or night game, Neyland will be rocking and Tennessee wins again.
Tennessee 28 Georgia 24

10/14 vs South Carolina- A much needed bye week will be key here and the theme of the game will once again be revenge, but on Tennessee's side this time. Let's face it, that loss to South Carolina was a fluke but was riddled with enough mistakes to allow Carolina's freshman qb pull off a great victory in Columbia. Tennessee may not roll here, but Muschamp just doesn't have the horses.
Tennessee 24 South Carolina 14

10/21 @ Alabama- Will this finally be the year? Will the drought finally end? Let's face it, it may be just a couple of more years. Alabama won't roll but they'll close it by a couple of scores as the clock dwindles down. It'll be a barn burner for sure with two undefeated teams, but we'll have to wait just a little longer.
Bama 35 Tennessee 21

10/28 @ Kentucky- The Cats have gotten a little better year by year and there's no denying it. They will put up a definite fight and I figure Tennessee will be a bit tired on their second road game in a row, but in true Kentucky fashion, they'll make mistakes down the stretch and Tennessee leaves with a bounce back victory.
Tennessee 31 Kentucky 17

11/4 vs Southern Miss- The Big Orange is back home after two road games and Southern Miss will be looking for the huge upset victory in the middle of a tough grind. There's nothing to see here though folks, let's move along.
Tennessee 42 Southern Miss 17

11/11 @ Mizzou- It'll be cold, there might even be some snow falling out of the night sky. Mizzou has went through some struggles, they're not the best team as of now, and Tennessee continues to roll after dropping a tough one to Alabama.
Tennessee 24 Mizzou 10

11/18 vs LSU- Everyone knows this will probably be a night game, LSU will most likely be sitting second in the west as I don't see Auburn rising to the occasion and giving Alabama a run. Neyland will be rocking, LSU is going to be a better team than everyone thinks. I honestly think this game is a slug fest, and it is a three point difference. LSU wins on a late field goal.
LSU 17 Tennessee 14

11/25 vs Vandy- The battle of the state will be on full display and The Vols will be more than ticked they were just handed their second loss. Tennessee should roll here with Atlanta on their mind.
Tennessee 30 Vandy 10

At the end of the season, Tennessee should be staring a 10-2 record right in the face, I say they win they East scraping by a 9-3 Florida team. Tennessee faces either Alabama or LSU right back in Atlanta where they started the season. Although it is tough to beat a team twice in one season, I think Tennessee comes up just short and finishes 10-3 with a really good bowl game and the best finish of Butch's tenure.
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Pretty rosy but possible if the staff changes work and some things fall in line. UT has the talent along the lines if properly developed and coached to win the LOS in almost every game.

I think LSU is a more like win than UGA or UF.... but if UT is good enough to beat UGA and UF... I see no reason to think LSU will beat them. In that respect, I think 9-3 or 11-1 are more likely than 10-2.
 
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#34
#34
KBVol said:
That's crap. Not a living Vol soul alive that wouldn't be thrilled with 10-2 this year. That very likely means a SECCG appearance, a top 10 ranking and a top tier bowl game.
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If we are good enough to beat Fl in the swamp, why can't we beat LSU at home?

bama needs to watch out. With a bye week then a warm up against SC, we'll be rested for our trip to tuscaloserville.

I like our chances.
 
#35
#35
What if in addition to losing to Bama, UT loses the last 3? (never say never...)

CBJ would need asbestos-fruit-of-the-loom.

I'm hoping for at least 9-3 and beat teams UT is supposed to beat.
 
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#37
#37
utvols74 said:
What if in addition to losing to Bama, UT loses the last 3? (never say never...)

CBJ would need asbestos-fruit-of-the-loom.

I'm hoping for at least 9-3 and beat teams UT is supposed to beat.
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The only time I can actually remember fans being OK with an 8-4 record after high expectations was in '94 when Manning was a freshman.
 
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#39
#39
WildTurkey said:
Should the above play out as the OP suggests, what would the opinion be of Butch and his future?
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10-3 with first time starting QB, RB, WR on O after losing 6 to NFL, THREE of which left early and the would be all time UT RB bolting to play TE or WR??? I shouldn't have to answer this, but reminds of Gladiator when he starts to win the crowd, or The Natural when he starts to piss people off by winning.

Butch will turn some heads with that record and people will be looking at TN to win the NC the next year more than they did the year before.

Four years ago, I had us pegged to be in the playoffs and potentially the NC this year. But with all of those players that would have been here gone, I think this is Butch's third 9-4 season, and next year is another year like last year when it comes to preseason hype. That said, I think odds are we go 9-4 this year with Ls to Bama, LSU, FLA and either Georgia or Kentucky. Hopefully the former. We win our Bowl game again. Really proud of our off-season performances. I don't think I have felt as comfortable in the off-season as I have lately... ever. Maybe I have a bad memory. Or subliminally selective. 😬😬😬

I think next year is the year we get 10+ wins. I think JG's RS Junior year is our year. He's already competing for the starting job as a RS Freshman and we will have a very experienced line with ridiculous talent with Trey Smith running the show on that line as a Junior.

Men and women, if Jones keeps recruiting like he is and continues to fine-tune our staff... we have some nice years ahead of us. Definitely playoff appearances. If only we had a strength coach last year.
 
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#45
#45
Boca Vol said:
If Butch goes 10-2 this season with a close loss to LSU who in their right mind couldn't live with that?

If the season plays out like that then Butch's AND UT's future looks bright.
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Better chance a unicorn flies out of my ass than this team wins 10 games.
 
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#46
#46
WildTurkey said:
Why would a fan/donor not want to have an opinion on the head football coach? (Especially one who has been so polarizing both on the field and in public opinion.)

My question was obviously not meant for anyone who thinks Butch is above reproach. I should have been clearer.
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Being a donor makes you special? My point is every other crazed fan wants undefeated every year and it just ain't happening. Burch has done a great job. Have I been disappointed a few times? Yes. But its a game and unless he folds completely, firing a coach shouldn't even be discussed
 
#47
#47
NO SIR EEE said:
9/4 vs GA TECH (Neutral Site)- Without a doubt, the triple option offense is very tough to prepare for. The defense will get a million looks and even though you've gone over it a million times, it'll still be a tough task to completely shut down. I see a tight game for a bit, but eventually Tennessee pulls away in the new Georgia Dome. Tennessee 35 Georgia Tech 21

9/9 vs Indiana State- It's the home opener, the players will be a little fatigued on a very short turn around but don't expect much out of Indy State, Tennessee rolls, letting up a late score.
Tennessee 49 Indy State 7

9/16 @ Florida- The streak is officially over as of last season. Malik Zaire joins the Gators this week as a dangerous addition to the offense. We've all seen Zaire, he isn't always the sharpest tool in the shed but he can make plays. The defense is going to have to be in complete lockdown mode and again looking at a thousand different looks. At the end of the day, Zaire makes just one mistake too many and the streak bumps to two for the Vols.
Tennessee 24 Florida 17

9/23 vs Umass- The defense will get a bit of a break after a tough game down in the ever so much hated swamp. The offense will flourish, look for a big game in the air and on the ground. Tennessee rolls no problem.
Tennessee 56 Umass 3

9/30 vs UGA- Revenge will have been on the minds of the dawgs all summer long after the heartbreak in Athens last year. This will without a doubt be a trap game in Knoxville. Georgia boasts a returning Nick Chubb who looks to be in better shape than he was all last year. Georgia, like Tennessee though will be a little young this year and with this possibly being a afternoon or night game, Neyland will be rocking and Tennessee wins again.
Tennessee 28 Georgia 24

10/14 vs South Carolina- A much needed bye week will be key here and the theme of the game will once again be revenge, but on Tennessee's side this time. Let's face it, that loss to South Carolina was a fluke but was riddled with enough mistakes to allow Carolina's freshman qb pull off a great victory in Columbia. Tennessee may not roll here, but Muschamp just doesn't have the horses.
Tennessee 24 South Carolina 14

10/21 @ Alabama- Will this finally be the year? Will the drought finally end? Let's face it, it may be just a couple of more years. Alabama won't roll but they'll close it by a couple of scores as the clock dwindles down. It'll be a barn burner for sure with two undefeated teams, but we'll have to wait just a little longer.
Bama 35 Tennessee 21

10/28 @ Kentucky- The Cats have gotten a little better year by year and there's no denying it. They will put up a definite fight and I figure Tennessee will be a bit tired on their second road game in a row, but in true Kentucky fashion, they'll make mistakes down the stretch and Tennessee leaves with a bounce back victory.
Tennessee 31 Kentucky 17

11/4 vs Southern Miss- The Big Orange is back home after two road games and Southern Miss will be looking for the huge upset victory in the middle of a tough grind. There's nothing to see here though folks, let's move along.
Tennessee 42 Southern Miss 17

11/11 @ Mizzou- It'll be cold, there might even be some snow falling out of the night sky. Mizzou has went through some struggles, they're not the best team as of now, and Tennessee continues to roll after dropping a tough one to Alabama.
Tennessee 24 Mizzou 10

11/18 vs LSU- Everyone knows this will probably be a night game, LSU will most likely be sitting second in the west as I don't see Auburn rising to the occasion and giving Alabama a run. Neyland will be rocking, LSU is going to be a better team than everyone thinks. I honestly think this game is a slug fest, and it is a three point difference. LSU wins on a late field goal.
LSU 17 Tennessee 14

11/25 vs Vandy- The battle of the state will be on full display and The Vols will be more than ticked they were just handed their second loss. Tennessee should roll here with Atlanta on their mind.
Tennessee 30 Vandy 10

At the end of the season, Tennessee should be staring a 10-2 record right in the face, I say they win they East scraping by a 9-3 Florida team. Tennessee faces either Alabama or LSU right back in Atlanta where they started the season. Although it is tough to beat a team twice in one season, I think Tennessee comes up just short and finishes 10-3 with a really good bowl game and the best finish of Butch's tenure.
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This year is one thing. I say 9-4, but look at us next year!



Seriously... this year could be surprising BUT look T next year:


99 Reginald Kahlil McKenzie Jr. DL 6-3 325 SENIOR

98 Alexis Johnson DL 6-4 295 RS
SENIOR

76 Chance Hall OL 6-4 318 SENIOR

73 Trey THE BEAST Smith OL 6-6 313 Sophomore

68 Marcus Tatum OL 6-6 265 Junior

66 Jack Jones OL 6-4 307 SENIOR

55 Quay Picou DL 6-1 277 SENIOR

53 Colton Jumper LB 6-2 224 RS SENIOR

51 Drew Richmond OL 6-5 301 RS JuNIOr

50 Venzell Boulware OL 6-3 306 RS JUNIOr

35 Daniel Bituli LB 6-3 235 JUNIOr

34 Darrin Kirkland Jr. LB 6-1 230 SENIOR

28 Baylen Buchanan DB 5-11 190 JUNIOR
27 Carlin Fils-aime RB 5-11 175 JUNIOR
26 Ben Powlas WR 6-5 205 RS FR

22 Micah Abernathy DB 6- SENIOR

19 Darrell Taylor DL 6-4 240 RS JUNIoR

18 Nigel Warrior DB 6-0 186 JUNIOR

17 Brandon Johnson WR 6-2 180 JUNIor

17 Dillon Bates LB 6-3 220 RS SENIOR

15 Jauan Jennings WR 6-3 205 SENIOR

14 Quart'e Sapp LB 6-2 220 RS JUNIOR

12 Quinten Dormady QB 6-4 216 SENIOR

11 Austin Smith LB/DL 6-3 236 RS JUNIOR

10 Tyler Byrd WR 6-0 195 JUNIoR

9 Marquez Callaway WR 6-2 190 JUNIOR

8 Latrell Williams WR 5-11 175 RS sophomore

7 Rashaan Gaulden DB 6-1 185 RS SENIOR
5 Kyle Phillips DL 6-4 259 SENIOR
4 John Kelly RB 5-9 212 SENIOR
3 Marquill Osborne DB 5-11 188 JUNIoR
2 Shy Tuttle DL 6-2 311 SENIOR
2 Jarrett Guarantano QB 6-4 205 RS So
1 Jonathan Kongbo DL 6-6 270 RS SENIOR

Not to mention all upperclassmen will have had 3 years of Shoopfence and at least 2 years of whatever else including strength and cond by the rock. Count us in for the playoffs friends. Last year we were there minus a S&D coach.
 
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#48
#48
vegasvolfan said:
10-3 with first time starting QB, RB, WR on O after losing 6 to NFL, THREE of which left early and the would be all time UT RB bolting to play TE or WR??? I shouldn't have to answer this, but reminds of Gladiator when he starts to win the crowd, or The Natural when he starts to piss people off by winning.

Butch will turn some heads with that record and people will be looking at TN to win the NC the next year more than they did the year before.

Four years ago, I had us pegged to be in the playoffs and potentially the NC this year. But with all of those players that would have been here gone, I think this is Butch's third 9-4 season, and next year is another year like last year when it comes to preseason hype. That said, I think odds are we go 9-4 this year with Ls to Bama, LSU, FLA and either Georgia or Kentucky. Hopefully the former. We win our Bowl game again. Really proud of our off-season performances. I don't think I have felt as comfortable in the off-season as I have lately... ever. Maybe I have a bad memory. Or subliminally selective. 😬😬😬

I think next year is the year we get 10+ wins. I think JG's RS Junior year is our year. He's already competing for the starting job as a RS Freshman and we will have a very experienced line with ridiculous talent with Trey Smith running the show on that line as a Junior.

Men and women, if Jones keeps recruiting like he is and continues to fine-tune our staff... we have some nice years ahead of us. Definitely playoff appearances. If only we had a strength coach last year.
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This post kinda reminds me of how '93 and Heath Shuler turned out.
 
#49
#49
vegasvolfan said:
10-3 with first time starting QB, RB, WR on O after losing 6 to NFL, THREE of which left early and the would be all time UT RB bolting to play TE or WR???
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FTR, this is only king of half true.

Kelly started one game lass year and led the team in rushing for RBs in 2016. Jennings started just about every game at WR last year. Smith has started games multiple seasons. I'm pretty sure Byrd started a game or two.
 
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#50
#50
10 is doable. Remember, we have a new strength and conditioning coach! Seriously, though, really, it is doable as long as we have team spirit and not the disgruntled player(s) spoiling the barrel. We need only gruntled players.
 
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