We all know Helton is what he is as OC....but improving the OL under Friend should be the top issue. Coach Friend is a good field coach but was a horrible recruiter (at least at UGA). Also, improvement in S&C would help as well.
About what most expected record-wise for the Vols. To me, the key is demonstrating to the recruits how many holes the Vols have to fill. Freshman will start and play a bunch which can only help in Pruitt's efforts to build this program. This weekend does not affect recruiting for this year.
That is where Murray has it wrong. The major issue was not with Richt, per se, but the Athletic Director by Pruitt going public with the push for an indoor practice facility. The AD who wanted Pruitt to stay quiet asked Richt to keep Pruitt's mouth shut. Pruitt and Richt's relationship began...
Smart through the AD asked Pruitt to leave UGA, and Pruitt did not want to stay anyways. Tucker was named to replace Pruitt. With that said, Smart would be an idiot to run up the score against us because he has to travel to our place next year.
Smart's cupboard was hardly bare when he took over, unfortunately the Vols are not where Georgia was when Smart took over, maybe in 3 or 4 years the Vols will be on top