2016 Goals -- Hit and Miss

[VFL-82-JP]

So, how we doing?

We're in the heat of the hunt, progressing toward the end of the season, so 40% of VolNation are freaking out and declaring Butch a pariah, the team a hot mess, and our chances of anything good happening null and void. The other 60% are trying to have reasonable conversations around their diatribes.

So far, so normal.

Given all that, thought maybe it would be a good time to review the big team goals for the year (or at least those we imagine being team goals). How are we doing compared to all the metrics of success? REALLY doing, not mouth-breathing in either direction.

• Play in and Win the most-attended football game in history: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Florida: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Bama: Miss. But we may get another shot...so make that Too Early to Tell.
• Defend Neyland: Miss -- with one home game still to go, we could end up 6-1 at home, but the Bama loss prevents us from declaring this 100% success.
• Win the East: Too Early to Tell.
• Win the SEC: Too Early to Tell (but a tall order, we recognize).
• Get into the Playoffs: Miss.
• Win National Championship: Miss.

So that's a mixed bag. Some good things, some misses, and some still in play.

One thing's for sure: it has been an exciting season, with a ton of nail-biting finishes, some of which went our way. Team 120 are a great bunch of lads, and the departing seniors (and some juniors) can hold their heads high for helping bring the Vols back to relevance, if not yet prominence.

Go Vols!

 

[madbamahater]

I predicted an 8 or 9 win team this season and possibly a 10 win team. So, from an expectation standpoint, they are likely going to finish right where I thought they would.

Never saw USCjr as a loss. That one is still very hard to swallow.

 

[SDV]

No matter how this season ends, we will take a step back next season. Losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball

 

[VolBricks]

Am I the only one that feels let down by this season? We have a chance to be a 10 win team, win the SEC East, and possibly go to a great bowl game and I feel let down.

Why?

I think it is because of the What-Might-Have-Been syndrome. All of the injuries, P. Williams and Hurd issues, and losing to SC have somehow taken away the joy of what could easily be the best season we have had in a LOOOONG time.

Back to the Goals for the season, I never thought this was a national championship caliber team. Too many new things and unknowns (like new DC, can Dobbs throw a pass further than 7 yds, is the OL going to block). I thought there was an outside chance TN makes the 4 team playoff. The rest of the goals, we should have made except maybe being undefeated at home. I never really thought we would beat Bama.

 

[JC61]

No matter how this season ends, we will take a step back next season. Losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball

Our VOLS will lose some talent, for sure....but, there is talent behind those guys and quite a few are getting quality reps this year due to multiple injuries. We need another solid recruiting class to continue building quality depth.

QB is the only spot, and a huge one, where we really have no idea what next year will bring. I think our guys will be fine...the O may actually improve.

I also trust another year under Shoop will see a better overall D; more development in the trenches, as well as an improved back 7.

We'll see, but don't think the VOLS slide "that" much.

 

[JC61]

Am I the only one that feels let down by this season? We have a chance to be a 10 win team, win the SEC East, and possibly go to a great bowl game and I feel let down.

Why?

I think it is because of the What-Might-Have-Been syndrome. All of the injuries, P. Williams and Hurd issues, and losing to SC have somehow taken away the joy of what could easily be the best season we have had in a LOOOONG time.

Back to the Goals for the season, I never thought this was a national championship caliber team. Too many new things and unknowns (like new DC, can Dobbs throw a pass further than 7 yds, is the OL going to block). I thought there was an outside chance TN makes the 4 team playoff. The rest of the goals, we should have made except maybe being undefeated at home. I never really thought we would beat Bama.

No, I think quite a few are somewhat disappointed, but there are shinning moments like JP mentioned.

Could, probably should, have won the TAMU game...injuries notwithstanding, if not for miscues and execution I think our VOLS would have beat them...convincingly too.

USC is the outlier...pitiful performance and no way our guys should have lost that game. Too many distractions...maybe...but they should have persevered through it...especially with everything else being on the line.

Win out, give UA a fight and win the bowl game will somewhat salvage "what could have been".

 

[madbamahater]

No matter how this season ends, we will take a step back next season. Losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball

Is that you Butch?

 

[Nash_Vol97]

No matter how this season ends, we will take a step back next season. Losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball

We definitely lose a lot of talent, I get it, but that's what we have been recruiting so hard for. Depth. We have quality players all around.

Dobbs, Barnett, Sutton and Kamara are all big losses. The latter three will all be high draft picks (I see second or third round for Kamara) and it will be hard to make up for them.

There will be a dropoff but it's also a team that can compete for the East. Florida looks awful and will lose a lot off their defense. Georgia will be better, but they will be beatable. Who else can compete in the east?

We won't have the experience, but we will have the talent. The SEC east is still there for the taking next year.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

No matter how this season ends, we will take a step back next season. Losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball

I don't think so.

I mean, that's always the conventional wisdom when a team loses its experienced senior QB and shifts to a guy with limited college snaps, sure.

But hello there, Tee Martin and the '98 NC Vols.

We're losing a lot of talent this year, sure. But there is a HUGE amount of young talent right behind them, waiting their turn. John Kelly just being the most evident example.

From this point on, every year is a potential championship year for the Vols.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I predicted an 8 or 9 win team this season and possibly a 10 win team. So, from an expectation standpoint, they are likely going to finish right where I thought they would.

Never saw USCjr as a loss. That one is still very hard to swallow.

Same here. I predicted 9-3 with losses to Georgia, A&M, and Bama. The USCe loss sucked. However if we win the East and go to Atlanta, I certainly won't feel too bad!

 

[jakez4ut]

I don't think so.

I mean, that's always the conventional wisdom when a team loses its experienced senior QB and shifts to a guy with limited college snaps, sure.

But hello there, Tee Martin and the '98 NC Vols.

We're losing a lot of talent this year, sure. But there is a HUGE amount of young talent right behind them, waiting their turn. John Kelly just being the most evident example.

From this point on, every year is a potential championship year for the Vols.

i tend to agree with the sentiment...i don't know that the schedule will allow for it next year, results wise, but maybe actually be better on the eye test.

a lot depends on what happens personnel wise, on the defensive side of the ball...lots of development there, replacing a lot of leadership and talent.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

i tend to agree with the sentiment...i don't know that the schedule will allow for it next year, results wise, but maybe actually be better on the eye test.

a lot depends on what happens personnel wise, on the defensive side of the ball...lots of development there, replacing a lot of leadership and talent.

Agreed. With our most dominant DL (Barnett), our best LB (JRM), and our best DB (Sutton) all departing this year, we have huge talent and leadership holes to fill on defense.

Even with Dobbs leaving our O, it's the D that has the most and biggest questions to answer.

And yet, there is still so much really good talent waiting in the wings, young talent, true freshman and sophomore talent, that I think we're gonna be fine.

We may even help raise the SEC East a step or two back toward respectability in 2017.

Go Vols!

 

[vtvol98]

So, how we doing?

We're in the heat of the hunt, progressing toward the end of the season, so 40% of VolNation are freaking out and declaring Butch a pariah, the team a hot mess, and our chances of anything good happening null and void. The other 60% are trying to have reasonable conversations around their diatribes.

So far, so normal.

Given all that, thought maybe it would be a good time to review the big team goals for the year (or at least those we imagine being team goals). How are we doing compared to all the metrics of success? REALLY doing, not mouth-breathing in either direction.

• Play in and Win the most-attended football game in history: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Florida: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Bama: Miss. But we may get another shot...so make that Too Early to Tell.
• Defend Neyland: Miss -- with one home game still to go, we could end up 6-1 at home, but the Bama loss prevents us from declaring this 100% success.
• Win the East: Too Early to Tell.
• Win the SEC: Too Early to Tell (but a tall order, we recognize).
• Get into the Playoffs: Miss.
• Win National Championship: Miss.

So that's a mixed bag. Some good things, some misses, and some still in play.

One thing's for sure: it has been an exciting season, with a ton of nail-biting finishes, some of which went our way. Team 120 are a great bunch of lads, and the departing seniors (and some juniors) can hold their heads high for helping bring the Vols back to relevance, if not yet prominence.

Go Vols!

Nice perspective OP.

 

[vik]

So, how we doing?

Representing the East in the SECCG is an improvement. I'm also very happy to have beaten Florida.

However, losing a game we so clearly should have won, to South Carolina, will always be that annoying itch that I just can't reach.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Representing the East in the SECCG is an improvement. I'm also very happy to have beaten Florida.

However, losing a game we so clearly should have won, to South Carolina, will always be that annoying itch that I just can't reach.

Yeah, Vik, I think just about all of us share that perspective with you. The season has had some good and some bad, that's for sure.

 

[jakez4ut]

Agreed. With our most dominant DL (Barnett), our best LB (JRM), and our best DB (Sutton) all departing this year, we have huge talent and leadership holes to fill on defense.

Even with Dobbs leaving our O, it's the D that has the most and biggest questions to answer.

And yet, there is still so much really good talent waiting in the wings, young talent, true freshman and sophomore talent, that I think we're gonna be fine.

We may even help raise the SEC East a step or two back toward respectability in 2017.

Go Vols!

i think that's going to be tough. we have those road games in Gainesville and Tuscaloosa, LSU comes to town and GA w/Eason and Co. with a solid year of development under their belt....

and GT...i think we're better than they are, man for man, but that style of football is just hard to play against when you don't see it very often. i still have nightmares of that Air Force game a few years ago.

i do like that our season is split up a little better next year, but i think, even if we're "better", we could still wind up 8-4....

from this year forward, it will literally be about keeping up with the jones's. who can maintain and keep building fastest? GA? FL? TN? i think it definitely remains to be seen. the East will get better with, and around, us.

 

[Orange&White]

If you're looking solely at outcomes then you would be led to believe that this season was roughly a success. I don't think anybody is upset that we have a possibility of being 9-3 and winning the SEC East, especially to where we have been in previous years. My problem has been the way we have gotten there. I know I'm not a part of this staff and I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but I have been concerned how the team has played this year, looked lackluster, and seemed to have actually regressed from last season. Now I know injuries have contributed to that, but I honestly believe our coaching staff is to blame to some extent. While winning the SEC East is great in any fashion, the East is a pile of hot garbage right now so we should be dominating it while we can. I'm glad to see the offense stepping it up the last couple of games and I hope the defense can get it together. Again I'm content with where we are right now in the season, but we have wet the bed and had the opportunity to achieve so much more this season. Regardless, I'll always support this team and our players 100%!

 

[jakez4ut]

If you're looking solely at outcomes then you would be led to believe that this season was roughly a success. I don't think anybody is upset that we have a possibility of being 9-3 and winning the SEC East, especially to where we have been in previous years. My problem has been the way we have gotten there. I know I'm not a part of this staff and I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but I have been concerned how the team has played this year, looked lackluster, and seemed to have actually regressed from last season. Now I know injuries have contributed to that, but I honestly believe our coaching staff is to blame to some extent. While winning the SEC East is great in any fashion, the East is a pile of hot garbage right now so we should be dominating it while we can. I'm glad to see the offense stepping it up the last couple of games and I hope the defense can get it together. Again I'm content with where we are right now in the season, but we have wet the bed and had the opportunity to achieve so much more this season. Regardless, I'll always support this team and our players 100%!

i think this is a good summary for a lot fans regarding this season, and the outlook going forward.:thumbsup:

 

[photovol]

How many wins would the Vols have without Josh Dobbs?

Butch says it takes 6 years to build a SEC team?

 

[Tin Man]

But... But... But... Bama always plays better on the road. They have home game let down syndrome. Next year, Team 121 will have better odds... Like Team 119, only, next year, Tennessee wins!

:yes: :yes: :yes:

 

[volfannbama]

Not sure the playoff or winning a Championship was a realistic goal to start. We all knew coming in that the team was talented but had some deficiencies. Pile on the key injuries and I think both players and coaches have done a pretty good job. They definitely need to win these next two and win the east.
It sucks that we could be 9-1 right now and in the playoff picture, but personally, I would have considered that over achieving for this year.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[volfannbama]

How many wins would the Vols have without Josh Dobbs?

Butch says it takes 6 years to build a SEC team?

I think you can take away a couple of wins each year over the last three seasons without Dobbs.

 

[Orange&White]

I think you can take away a couple of wins each year over the last three seasons without Dobbs.

The real question is how many wins could we have had if Kamara/Kelly were in the backfield. It's no doubt that Dobbs has had an impact on turning our team around, but it would have also been nice to see us running a true spread with an appropriate running back the entire time with Dobbs.

This is not a knock on Hurd, I know he had a great season last year. But it makes you wonder how effective our offense could have been.

 

[volfannbama]

The real question is how many wins could we have had if Kamara/Kelly were in the backfield. It's no doubt that Dobbs has had an impact on turning our team around, but it would have also been nice to see us running a true spread with an appropriate running back the entire time with Dobbs.

This is not a knock on Hurd, I know he had a great season last year. But it makes you wonder how effective our offense could have been.

Yeah, thats a tough call. I hate how it ended with Hurd, but kind of like the Kongbo situation, I think the coaches have to be extrememly patient with this kids, as they all have situation they go through. What bothers me the most about the Hurd situation is that he would go back in during the USC game. CFA caused that fumble and had Hurd gone in that likely changes the outcome of that play and maybe the drive.

I am a big fan of Kamara and Kelly looks like he is going to be a stud.

What I like about this crew playing their last home game saturday is the progress they have made since coming here. This season has had ups and downs but this groups should be proud of what they accomplished and how far they have brought the program.

But to answer your question, I think we are 9-1. I dont think we had a real shot at beating Alabama, but I think we beat the other two.

 

[BowlBrother85]

So, how we doing?

We're in the heat of the hunt, progressing toward the end of the season, so 40% of VolNation are freaking out and declaring Butch a pariah, the team a hot mess, and our chances of anything good happening null and void. The other 60% are trying to have reasonable conversations around their diatribes.

So far, so normal.

Given all that, thought maybe it would be a good time to review the big team goals for the year (or at least those we imagine being team goals). How are we doing compared to all the metrics of success? REALLY doing, not mouth-breathing in either direction.

• Play in and Win the most-attended football game in history: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Florida: Check.
• Break the losing streak to Bama: Miss. But we may get another shot...so make that Too Early to Tell.
• Defend Neyland: Miss -- with one home game still to go, we could end up 6-1 at home, but the Bama loss prevents us from declaring this 100% success.
• Win the East: Too Early to Tell.
• Win the SEC: Too Early to Tell (but a tall order, we recognize).
• Get into the Playoffs: Miss.
• Win National Championship: Miss.

So that's a mixed bag. Some good things, some misses, and some still in play.

One thing's for sure: it has been an exciting season, with a ton of nail-biting finishes, some of which went our way. Team 120 are a great bunch of lads, and the departing seniors (and some juniors) can hold their heads high for helping bring the Vols back to relevance, if not yet prominence.

Go Vols!

You need a separate list for realistic goals... I am the eternal optimist but did not expect us to beat Alabama or make the college football playoff. I thought we would go 10-2 in the regular season. With 9-3 still possible; I don't think anyone can declare this season more than a small disappointment with a long shot chance to make up for it.