Spring Ball showed me 9 wins for 2018

[butchna]

True, but Pruitt never took over a defense that wasn't already running a 3-4. This will be his first time converting the front 7.

Florida State ran a 4-3 when he took over.

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

There’s a difference in uniting to cause an outrage the inspired politicians and business owner to pitch in. THAT led to Schiano not getting hired and a few guys on a message board demanding our new coach win a non-consensus mandated number of games or the university is going to pay them to go away and we start all over. Everything is set in place. Whine or be optimistic, it’s out our hands right now. The coaches recruit and develop the players to win...or they don’t. We have NO EFFECT.

Simmer down there, Lyle.

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

With Lyle and staff no longer ruining the show, I could see 8-9 wins. Good OP.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I honestly see 8 wins.

But unfortunately I see us getting blown out against UGA & Bama.

 

[BeardedVol]

So Florida has a brand new coaching staff too btw....

Losing to West Virgina wouldn't surprise me. But I like how we match up with the team I think we will field. Should have beaten South Carolina last year

You ran over all those reasons of what Butch did...
Which shows me you (circling back to the original point of the thread) that you don't see nor understand the change that has already happened thus far. In 5 months...

This team is already stronger.
Better situated personnel.
Better coached.
And most of it is just Pruitt taking out the distractions (loud music) and putting players where they best fit.

Jarret Gauratano has improved in his progression and ball placement
The line run-blocks better already.

You'll see...no real use in debating with someone who can't notice the present situation

You are pretending that UT is in some sort of vacuum with their improvement, everyone else is improving as well, and many of our opponents didn't have to suffer anything like the S&C and position development issues under Butch that Pruitt now has to fix. There's a reason teams typically see the most growth in the second year of a new HC's tenure.

JG was atrocious last season, he has no choice but to improve as it would be pretty difficult to perform any worse, but touting 6-12 and 87 yards in a glorified scrimmage, is nothing to crow about.

As for Florida, they already have more proven and developed talent on their team than we do at the moment, and Mullen, whether you want to admit it or not, is a proven HC who does an excellent job in coaching QB's which is where Florida faltered the most under McElwain. Is that game impossible to win, no, but is it likely that we will win? No, we are 1-13 against them, and that's with Florida having 3 different head coaches over that time period, having a new head coach has had zero effect on them owning us for over a decade.

 

[MaTaLa]

There’s a difference in uniting to cause an outrage the inspired politicians and business owner to pitch in. THAT led to Schiano not getting hired and a few guys on a message board demanding our new coach win a non-consensus mandated number of games or the university is going to pay them to go away and we start all over. Everything is set in place. Whine or be optimistic, it’s out of our hands right now. The coaches recruit and develop the players to win...or they don’t. We have NO EFFECT.

Moving the goal post

 

[HoptownVol]

Lol

My sentiments exactly. We're going to kill em with route anticipation. lol:

 

[Behr]

My sentiments exactly. We're going to kill em with route anticipation. lol:

At least you have alcohol as an excuse.

 

[RavinDave]

Somebody struck a nerve. Chill for a moment.

I wouldn't drink a Busch NA or not... unless it WAS chilled.

 

[KBVol]

OP, I see 9 wins too....................over the next 3 years

You REALLY don’t like that Pruitt hire, eh Fade?

 

[RavinDave]

Winning games, as we all know, is SO much more than just about having more talent. Otherwise, 4-8/0-8 doesn’t happen last year since we were supposedly more talented than everyone we played other than 3-4 teams.

Imho, the biggest problem with this team is it’s mindset and general culture. It just doesn’t compete the way it needs to....and when you combine it with being poorly coached over the last few years with regards to fundamentals and technique, you get a pretty talented team losing 8 games. Kongbo is the poster child for this imo. He’s obviously physically talented, but he plays with no technique, no awareness, no smarts.

KB... if I may be so bold... I think you were talking about last year's team, right? "That team" (under Jones) not "this team"? Because we won't know enough about "this team" (to rank them relative to "that team" much less their competition) until after it's been through some games.

 

[KBVol]

Wholeheartedly agree.
Kongbo is the prime example.

Which is why I look for new blood to get thrown in the fire early rather than playing the bad habit but talented veteran the whole way.

Fotr example.
Peterson will beat out Austin Smith.
Theo Jackson beats out TK imo as well

100% agree.

 

[KBVol]

KB... if I may be so bold... I think you were talking about last year's team, right? "That team" (under Jones) not "this team"? Because we won't know enough about "this team" (to rank them relative to "that team" much less their competition) until after it's been through some games.

Why, of course you may be so bold, by all means, please do.

I’m only addressing what we’ve seen of the team/players that Pruitt is now dealing with. A fairly talented bunch in general who by and large showed poor technique, poor competitive spirit, and a lack of mental toughness last year. I would add “not nearly as talented as the recruiting rankings suggest they should be”, but that’s a different discussion for another time.

By all accounts the team under Butch last year was dysfunctional on the field and in the clubhouse....and the vast majority of the players JP is now coaching are those same players who only know what it’s like lose due to a defeatist mentality. I’m suggesting is that changing that attitude and mentality is the biggest chore in getting this team on the winning track. I believe the opening step to changing the mindset has already begun with Fitzgerald in the weight room and with JP making some of the statements he’s already made, the latest being “some of the players who’ve played a lot of football for Tennessee (the last couple years) won’t be playing a lot this year”, or something to that effect. Jmo.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

Florida State ran a 4-3 when he took over.

Butchna you know you aren't allowed to make pertinent points like that.....

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Butchna you know you aren't allowed to make pertinent points like that.....

But the part he left out was it was with a WAYYYYYY more talented roster!

 

[bamawriter]

Butchna you know you aren't allowed to make pertinent points like that.....

It's not really a pertinent point since FSU stayed with a 4-3 that year. Again, this will be the first time Pruitt has had to make the conversion.

 

[Behr]

 

[volfannbama]

With Lyle and staff no longer ruining the show, I could see 8-9 wins. Good OP.

Weird, i remember when butch took over for dooley, people said the same thing.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

- And it's not because...we have a bunch of talent. We have "good" talent. It's the improved fundamental across the board I saw. Coaching improvement is already evident.


- Banks and Chryst. Yes London will have a say, but Banks is a future star. Chryst will either win the job OR push Jarret Gaurantano to a knew level.
I saw improved route anticipation in all our QB.

- Defensively...still. a work. But Sapp, Theo Jackson showed starting ability as backups.
But overall the defense showed some speed. Need to get better at point of attack. Bituli and Kirkland will bring the needed juice from the middle.

We showed improvement on offense in our concepts and speed. Banks will bring the power. We already have an idenity. And were not even at full strength. Run to set up the pass. Dobbs basically gave us an identity for 3 years by accident.

So I believe, spring showed that this team has already improved.

We'll able to run the ball.
Can we stop the run?? I believe that will happen when we are full strength defensively. There are 2 teams on our schedule that are just more talented. They're also well coached.

We beat Florida
West Virgina and
Missouri all because we will be able to handle their line of scrimmage...both sides.

I always like to hear opinions from Pessimists like you!

 

[Behr]

OMG. Someone on the Internet was wrong.

 

[RavinDave]

Why, of course you may be so bold, by all means, please do.

I’m only addressing what we’ve seen of the team/players that Pruitt is now dealing with. A fairly talented bunch in general who by and large showed poor technique, poor competitive spirit, and a lack of mental toughness last year. I would add “not nearly as talented as the recruiting rankings suggest they should be”, but that’s a different discussion for another time.

By all accounts the team under Butch last year was dysfunctional on the field and in the clubhouse....and the vast majority of the players JP is now coaching are those same players who only know what it’s like lose due to a defeatist mentality. I’m suggesting is that changing that attitude and mentality is the biggest chore in getting this team on the winning track. I believe the opening step to changing the mindset has already begun with Fitzgerald in the weight room and with JP making some of the statements he’s already made, the latest being “some of the players who’ve played a lot of football for Tennessee (the last couple years) won’t be playing a lot this year”, or something to that effect. Jmo.

Definitely dysfunctional it was, Yes, and it will take some time and a lot of effort and commitment to completely purge the "Jones effect" (or call it what you will) but I have confidence in Pruitt & staff and only expect things on the field and in the locker room to get better going forward.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

It's not really a pertinent point since FSU stayed with a 4-3 that year. Again, this will be the first time Pruitt has had to make the conversion.

They ran multiple looks actually to include a 3-4 in several instances. Pruitt said he was going to do a 3-4 base and also mix things up so.... Yeah, plus he is known for simplifying the defense for his players. I am sure we will be fine.... Honestly can't be any worse than we were last year, we were picked apart in both the run and pass game.... Must I bring up Mizzou?

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

Weird, i remember when butch took over for dooley, people said the same thing.

It’s a never ending cycle. Hang on for the ride.

 

[smokey0625]

- And it's not because...we have a bunch of talent. We have "good" talent. It's the improved fundamental across the board I saw. Coaching improvement is already evident.


- Banks and Chryst. Yes London will have a say, but Banks is a future star. Chryst will either win the job OR push Jarret Gaurantano to a knew level.
I saw improved route anticipation in all our QB.

- Defensively...still. a work. But Sapp, Theo Jackson showed starting ability as backups.
But overall the defense showed some speed. Need to get better at point of attack. Bituli and Kirkland will bring the needed juice from the middle.

We showed improvement on offense in our concepts and speed. Banks will bring the power. We already have an idenity. And were not even at full strength. Run to set up the pass. Dobbs basically gave us an identity for 3 years by accident.

So I believe, spring showed that this team has already improved.

We'll able to run the ball.
Can we stop the run?? I believe that will happen when we are full strength defensively. There are 2 teams on our schedule that are just more talented. They're also well coached.

We beat Florida
West Virgina and
Missouri all because we will be able to handle their line of scrimmage...both sides.

We win 9 in 20 game schedule. I feel ya.

 

[Wylo]

- And it's not because...we have a bunch of talent. We have "good" talent. It's the improved fundamental across the board I saw. Coaching improvement is already evident.


- Banks and Chryst. Yes London will have a say, but Banks is a future star. Chryst will either win the job OR push Jarret Gaurantano to a knew level.
I saw improved route anticipation in all our QB.

- Defensively...still. a work. But Sapp, Theo Jackson showed starting ability as backups.
But overall the defense showed some speed. Need to get better at point of attack. Bituli and Kirkland will bring the needed juice from the middle.

We showed improvement on offense in our concepts and speed. Banks will bring the power. We already have an idenity. And were not even at full strength. Run to set up the pass. Dobbs basically gave us an identity for 3 years by accident.

So I believe, spring showed that this team has already improved.

We'll able to run the ball.
Can we stop the run?? I believe that will happen when we are full strength defensively. There are 2 teams on our schedule that are just more talented. They're also well coached.

We beat Florida
West Virgina and
Missouri all because we will be able to handle their line of scrimmage...both sides.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

I'll take that bet all day....