My predictions for the 2017 season

#51
#51
General Jack said:
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.
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unfortunately i agree, and this is another one of those "if's" we need the right answer to. in regards to this particular issue, it's the trust factor that concerns me, in the past when there's uncertainty among the ranks, he goes in to a shell and relies on the chart, rather than expect, and allow, the team to get it done. what you have to be ready for is....if he does do it, and it doesn't get the result. 4th and goal from the 1, and he goes for it, and doesn't get it......."should've gone for the FG" can't apply then. 3rd and 5 with decent field position, in 2 min offense trying to ice a game, and he throws it, and it's a drop or incomplete...."why didn't we run it" cant apply then. those calls, while not maybe netting the result, would show a departure in his traditional decision making processes, and would have to be considered "positive", even if we don't get the desired result. and we could still wind up 7-5 or 8-4, even if he does make those changes personally.

i think for us to exceed expectations, it's going to take a combination of most all of the "if's" getting right answers.

so we'll see if all these changes taking place can translate in to a change here as well. i'm sure there'll be spots during the season where this will have opportunities to manifest itself, so we'll see.
 
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#52
#52
SGMVols said:
Better chance a unicorn flies out of my ass than this team wins 10 games.
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Lol, no it's not.

There is however, a better chance of you hoping Butch loses this season, just so he gets fired than him winning 1 game.
 
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#53
#53
jakez4ut said:
i think for us to exceed expectations, it's going to take a combination of most all of the "if's" getting right answers.
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This.

At the end of the day, coaches are gamblers. From Sunday to Friday, they do everything they can to stack the deck in their favor, then on Saturday, there are going to be at least a handful of times when they have to roll the dice. The safe, sure bet for three points? Or the risky 4th down gamble for six?

No matter what their choice, if it fails, they were wrong. Sometimes, even if they succeed, they were wrong ... like a successful field goal in a lost game.

So the only sure answer, to stop most of the critics from criticizing, is to win. Over, and over again.

And then we're still going to have Bearded complaining about HOW we won, and Wylo complaining about what Butch said to the press after the game, and IknoxvolsI making up some crap about how he's been a fan for ages but everything in the program still sucks.

*shrug* It's the life of a coach in the modern era.

So, yep, Jake, its mostly about getting right answers (wins).
 
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#54
#54
VFL-82-JP said:
This.

At the end of the day, coaches are gamblers. From Sunday to Friday, they do everything they can to stack the deck in their favor, then on Saturday, there are going to be at least a handful of times when they have to roll the dice. The safe, sure bet for three points? Or the risky 4th down gamble for six?

No matter what their choice, if it fails, they were wrong. Sometimes, even if they succeed, they were wrong ... like a successful field goal in a lost game.

So the only sure answer, to stop most of the critics from criticizing, is to win. Over, and over again.

And then we're still going to have Bearded complaining about HOW we won, and Wylo complaining about what Butch said to the press after the game, and IknoxvolsI making up some crap about how he's been a fan for ages but everything in the program still sucks.

*shrug* It's the life of a coach in the modern era.

So, yep, Jake, its mostly about getting right answers (wins).
Click to expand...

eh, there's just a lot of hearburn over the losses to vandy and sc last year. win those two games, go to SEC title or Sugar, and the flaws we all saw thru out the year, while still able to be acknowledged, could be explained away with the w's and ultmatley the results thru out the season.

that we didn't win those two games, makes all the flaws we saw thru out the year, even in the w's, stick out all that much more.

121 will have flaws. i think 121 will flash at times, and leave you scratching your head at times.

the question will be does that continue all season long like last year, equate to significant injuries like last year, opening the door for the notion that this IS TN football under CBJ? if it doesn't, and the team stays healthy, and gets better as the yeaar progresses....who knows.

Jones will have moments in each game where he'll have the opportunity to bet on his team. not the chart.

we'll see if he does it, and if they perform....
 
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#55
#55
As I said. Win. Over and over again. Only a hard core of irrational critics will remain if you do that. No matter what choice you make on any given play.
 
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#57
#57
jakez4ut said:
eh, there's just a lot of hearburn over the losses to vandy and sc last year. win those two games, go to SEC title or Sugar, and the flaws we all saw thru out the year, while still able to be acknowledged, could be explained away with the w's and ultmatley the results thru out the season.

that we didn't win those two games, makes all the flaws we saw thru out the year, even in the w's, stick out all that much more.

121 will have flaws. i think 121 will flash at times, and leave you scratching your head at times.

the question will be does that continue all season long like last year, equate to significant injuries like last year, opening the door for the notion that this IS TN football under CBJ? if it doesn't, and the team stays healthy, and gets better as the yeaar progresses....who knows.

Jones will have moments in each game where he'll have the opportunity to bet on his team. not the chart.

we'll see if he does it, and if they perform....
Click to expand...

So much truth in that.

*I know, we did lose those two and it is what it is.
 
#58
#58
jakez4ut said:
unfortunately i agree, and this is another one of those "if's" we need the right answer to. in regards to this particular issue, it's the trust factor that concerns me, in the past when there's uncertainty among the ranks, he goes in to a shell and relies on the chart, rather than expect, and allow, the team to get it done. what you have to be ready for is....if he does do it, and it doesn't get the result. 4th and goal from the 1, and he goes for it, and doesn't get it......."should've gone for the FG" can't apply then. 3rd and 5 with decent field position, in 2 min offense trying to ice a game, and he throws it, and it's a drop or incomplete...."why didn't we run it" cant apply then. those calls, while not maybe netting the result, would show a departure in his traditional decision making processes, and would have to be considered "positive", even if we don't get the desired result. and we could still wind up 7-5 or 8-4, even if he does make those changes personally.

i think for us to exceed expectations, it's going to take a combination of most all of the "if's" getting right answers.

so we'll see if all these changes taking place can translate in to a change here as well. i'm sure there'll be spots during the season where this will have opportunities to manifest itself, so we'll see.
Click to expand...

The good news: Butch went for the TD against Fl last year.

The better new: We didn't get it and still won.

Passing on 3rd down while trying to ice the game, I've got to see that to believe it. If it's a shootout it wouldn't surprise me as much.
 
#59
#59
I can see the OP's prediction happening or some form of it to get to 10 regular season wins. Of course around 8 wins this year is more likely in my opinion if the normal things take place.
 
#60
#60
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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Dude this was an amazing read. Not bc it was favorable to the Vols either but rather it read like an engaging nsrritive. Keep it up!
 
#61
#61
Iam4utalways said:
The good news: Butch went for the TD against Fl last year.

The better new: We didn't get it and still won.

Passing on 3rd down while trying to ice the game, I've got to see that to believe it. If it's a shootout it wouldn't surprise me as much.
Click to expand...

obviously circumstance will be different etc....really just talking about past tendencies...playing not to lose, instead of playing to win.

we'll all know those situations when they present themselves. and it's usually in situational football, where you're at a point in the game where the play, the result of the play etc....can help determine which way the game may go.
 
#62
#62
VFL-82-JP said:
This.

At the end of the day, coaches are gamblers. From Sunday to Friday, they do everything they can to stack the deck in their favor, then on Saturday, there are going to be at least a handful of times when they have to roll the dice. The safe, sure bet for three points? Or the risky 4th down gamble for six?

No matter what their choice, if it fails, they were wrong. Sometimes, even if they succeed, they were wrong ... like a successful field goal in a lost game.

So the only sure answer, to stop most of the critics from criticizing, is to win. Over, and over again.

And then we're still going to have Bearded complaining about HOW we won, and Wylo complaining about what Butch said to the press after the game, and IknoxvolsI making up some crap about how he's been a fan for ages but everything in the program still sucks.

*shrug* It's the life of a coach in the modern era.

So, yep, Jake, its mostly about getting right answers (wins).
Click to expand...

Nah 82, for me it would be how he won. That is, if he won
 
#66
#66
IknoxvolsI said:
It keeps it real.
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Being happy with a win is about as real as it gets.

Complaining about a loss is keeping it real.

Complaining about a win is poor form. Don't get me wrong I'm all for identifying areas of improvement and spending time to fix them, but for fans to complain about wins, well that's just a sign of being ungrateful.
 
#69
#69
Iam4utalways said:
Being happy with a win is about as real as it gets.

Complaining about a loss is keeping it real.

Complaining about a win is poor form. Don't get me wrong I'm all for identifying areas of improvement and spending time to fix them, but for fans to complain about wins, well that's just a sign of being ungrateful.
Click to expand...

That's why prime football programs delve into mediocre. That's all fans like you desire.

It's one thing to play at the level your program is. It's also another thing to rise and play at a higher level. Then, you have Butch and Co that seem to play down-and get beat! It's not being ungrateful at all. It's being accountable.
 
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#70
#70
IknoxvolsI said:
That's why prime football programs delve into mediocre. That's all fans like you desire.

It's one thing to play at the level your program is. It's also another thing to rise and play at a higher level. Then, you have Butch and Co that seem to play down-and get beat! It's not being ungrateful at all. It's being accountable.
Click to expand...

Fans like him desire mediocrity and that's why prime programs delve into it?

Instead of being ungrateful, you're being accountable?

I'm not following.
 
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#73
#73
IknoxvolsI said:
That's why prime football programs delve into mediocre. That's all fans like you desire.

It's one thing to play at the level your program is. It's also another thing to rise and play at a higher level. Then, you have Butch and Co that seem to play down-and get beat! It's not being ungrateful at all. It's being accountable.
Click to expand...

I've got to complain about wins to want to show I want to win?

I've been doing it all wrong for a while now.

I complain about losses and celebrate wins.

Is there ever a reason to celebrate?

Blame Butch for the losses, blame Butch for the wins, does the guy get credit for anything?
 
#74
#74
jakez4ut said:
eh, there's just a lot of hearburn over the losses to vandy and sc last year. win those two games, go to SEC title or Sugar, and the flaws we all saw thru out the year, while still able to be acknowledged, could be explained away with the w's and ultmatley the results thru out the season.

that we didn't win those two games, makes all the flaws we saw thru out the year, even in the w's, stick out all that much more.

121 will have flaws. i think 121 will flash at times, and leave you scratching your head at times.

the question will be does that continue all season long like last year, equate to significant injuries like last year, opening the door for the notion that this IS TN football under CBJ? if it doesn't, and the team stays healthy, and gets better as the yeaar progresses....who knows.

Jones will have moments in each game where he'll have the opportunity to bet on his team. not the chart.

we'll see if he does it, and if they perform....
Click to expand...

Spot on. Win those two gimmes last season, go 10-2 regular season, play Bama in the SECCG and all would've been right with the world.....I'd have started a thread about extending Butch and getting him a sizable raise....all the warts/flaws apparent vs App State, VaTech, Ohio, etc, wouldn't have meant much of anything in the grand scheme, just would've been tertiary discussion that paled in comparison to a great season where we finally broke through and reached all expectations on the way to putting Tennessee football back on the map. If only......
 
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