Picked to win SEC Championship

#1
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NcVolfan24

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#1
On SEC NOW, during a rapid fire segment, they asked "If Georgia and Alabama do not win the SEC Championship next year, which team would you pick to win." It was Benjamin Watson's turn to answer and he answered with "Tennessee"

I was surprised to say the least. I understand that's eliminating two monsters... and you have to consider that we have to play BOTH of them and still win the east to get to that championship game.

With Hooker looking like he's back, and the recent discussion displaying how his performance this year should point to another super productive year next year, do you buy or sell?

I'm not sold that our defense is ready, along with deficiencies you could point to on both sides of the ball.

Pretty nice to be getting back in the conversation, even if hypothetical.
 
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#2
#2
Even if we could cherry pick the portal, I have a hard time imagining how we could have such a dip with both UGA and bama in such a short time that we could overcome their level of talent and win the SECC. Still, we can get much, much stronger if things go our way in the portal. What I'm watching with interest is how our administration responds to the NIL. Can we get our house in order in time to level the playing field? When I read what Texas is doing, I think we're operating at a severe disadvantage. Still, it's very, very nice to actually be in the conversation again. Been a while since we had even the hint of respect in college football.
 
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#4
#4
I'd say '23 is our earliest reasonable shot at the SEC East. Let's win the East first, then we'll worry about who we play in Atlanta.

I do think we beat UF, UGA, or Bama next year. Just got that feeling. But we're at least one more year away from being contenders for the SEC. If we win the East next year, it will be because we got some help along the way.

Go Vols.
 
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#5
#5
TENNESSEE Off Season CHAMPONS AGAIN!!!!

600x600.jpg
 
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#7
#7
Well, College Football is driven by a dynamic QB. Check
We should have a complete line back next year minus Cade, lots of injuries had a lot of different starters. Check
If Tillman comes back, Hyatt and Keyton and Fant, and Warren@TE check
The Defense will be the part that will need to grow.
New coach at LSU that usually would help us but Kelly may be an instant success
Think USCe will be breaking in new QB
Levis will be back for UK but we play them in Knoxville
Vandy will be better but should be a W
Pitt losing QB will come back to earth
Missouri losing Badie about 60% of their O we got them in Knoxville
Florida new coach and maybe a new QB it's a mess right now
I'm assuming this scenario was set up with Bama & Georgia having somehow 2 or more losses and we would either meet Bama or some surprise west winner. It would be a steep hill but it looks like if we could somehow win 5 or 6 close games as we did in 98 it is a possible longshot. Example games like Ole Miss this year, in 98 we found a way to win those like Arkansas, Syracuse, Florida OT, Auburn, Miss State, and Florida State. All these wins were within a TD & Extra point difference except SECC was a 10 point W.
 
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#8
#8
74charger said:
If he had to bet his life on who’d win it Id say he wouldn’t bet on Tennessee. 8-9 wins is the ceiling, yes anything is possible but reality is always most likely.
Click to expand...

After Bama and Georgia, who on the schedule should be favored over Tennessee? Not Florida, not Pitt, not South Carolina, not Kentucky, not Missouri. Maybe LSU, but I doubt it.

I’m not saying one of those teams might not beat Tennessee, but to say 8 or 9 is the ceiling when you’ll probably be favored in 10 of the 12, is a bit off. 10-2 is very possible.
 
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#9
#9
That is certainly the correct answer in the east. But in the west I'd have to examine the rosters of TAMU, AUB, and LSU.
 
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#11
#11
NcVolfan24 said:
On SEC NOW, during a rapid fire segment, they asked "If Georgia and Alabama do not win the SEC Championship next year, which team would you pick to win." It was Benjamin Watson's turn to answer and he answered with "Tennessee"

I was surprised to say the least. I understand that's eliminating two monsters... and you have to consider that we have to play BOTH of them and still win the east to get to that championship game.

With Hooker looking like he's back, and the recent discussion displaying how his performance this year should point to another super productive year next year, do you buy or sell?

I'm not sold that our defense is ready, along with deficiencies you could point to on both sides of the ball.

Pretty nice to be getting back in the conversation, even if hypothetical.
Click to expand...
He's dreaming. Where are all the 4-5 stars players we need to build the depth we need? Bama & GA didn't get there with a roster full of 3 stars & a few 4 stars. How it would be great all right but we need a lot more ammo to beat both of those. However, with a couple of good recruiting classes we might be in the mix. Hopefully having Hooker back next year would be great, but if you don't have a good QB, a decent offensive line and a stout defense you're not going to beat those guys--too much talent against us right now.
 
#13
#13
NcVolfan24 said:
On SEC NOW, during a rapid fire segment, they asked "If Georgia and Alabama do not win the SEC Championship next year, which team would you pick to win." It was Benjamin Watson's turn to answer and he answered with "Tennessee"

I was surprised to say the least. I understand that's eliminating two monsters... and you have to consider that we have to play BOTH of them and still win the east to get to that championship game.

With Hooker looking like he's back, and the recent discussion displaying how his performance this year should point to another super productive year next year, do you buy or sell?

I'm not sold that our defense is ready, along with deficiencies you could point to on both sides of the ball.

Pretty nice to be getting back in the conversation, even if hypothetical.
Click to expand...
[URL=/gif/the-waterboy-vicky-vallencourt-aint-no-guess-final-score-prediction-XpBj91][/URL]
 
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#14
#14
Nope. Ole Miss is the third best team in the league right now. Of all the 7-5, 6-6 teams I don’t think UT is the best one. Defense has to improve significantly, and UT needs better players at multiple positions.
 
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#15
#15
GregAmsler said:
After Bama and Georgia, who on the schedule should be favored over Tennessee? Not Florida, not Pitt, not South Carolina, not Kentucky, not Missouri. Maybe LSU, but I doubt it.

I’m not saying one of those teams might not beat Tennessee, but to say 8 or 9 is the ceiling when you’ll probably be favored in 10 of the 12, is a bit off. 10-2 is very possible.
Click to expand...
Pitt?
 
#16
#16
We have a greater chance of taking a step back next year than winning the east. I'm afraid there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth from our fans if that happens. As another poster said, our climb back toward the top of the league may not be linear.
 
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#17
#17
Clad in Big Orange said:
We have a greater chance of taking a step back next year than winning the east. I'm afraid there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth from our fans if that happens. As another poster said, our climb back toward the top of the league may not be linear.
Click to expand...
May be true. Probably won't be linear. At the same time, preseason predictions seem to have meant precisely nothing to this team so far.
 
#18
#18
We should go 8-4 or 9-3 next season but winning the SEC nah don’t see it happening . Now in 2023 or 2024 heupel should have this team built up to win the East. The problem is kirby bringing in these number 1 and top 3 classes every year it’s tough to compete with that. Also at some point we have to get over the Florida hurdle. Heuoel will have to get the recruiting into the top 15 at least. I can forgive this years recruiting class with the mess that he stepped into I don’t think any coach could bring in a top ten class after Pruitt left us in limbo with the NCAA. Heup will pick up some talent and gems in the portal I do believe to offset that.
 
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#19
#19
chuck0303 said:
He's dreaming. Where are all the 4-5 stars players we need to build the depth we need? Bama & GA didn't get there with a roster full of 3 stars & a few 4 stars. How it would be great all right but we need a lot more ammo to beat both of those. However, with a couple of good recruiting classes we might be in the mix. Hopefully having Hooker back next year would be great, but if you don't have a good QB, a decent offensive line and a stout defense you're not going to beat those guys--too much talent against us right now.
Click to expand...
Auburn should have beat Bama and they don't have alot of talent. Georgia's QB is a walk on. Boise state beat Oklahoma with 3 stars and alot of other teams by out scheming them when Chris Peterson was there coach. Some coaches can find hidden talent and some can develop talent better I could see our coaching staff do more with less talent than Georgia's staff could and even Bama they have to have 5 stars because that is what they are used to.
 
#20
#20
If we get equal contributors in the portal as we did this year the high school recruiting class will not matter for success in 2022. Hooker, Payton Velus. McGrath, Turnage, Milton Terry Etc..The HS recruit is not as high of priority as in the past with the portal numbers through the roof. Need to lean to D portal help.
 
#23
#23
For neither Georgia nor Alabama to win the championship they must lose to somebody and since we’re on both schedules it might as well be us…we could lose to Bama but upset Georgia and then go 7-1 in conference and upset Bama in the SECCG…I like it! I vote we do that next year…
 
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