2018 Outlook (part 1 of 2)

#1
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HeyHeyUT

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#1
Now that the dust has settled a bit, here is my optimistic view (Pessimist in me will post an alternative Outlook tomorrow)...

Preface:

Butch Jones did a lot of good things for this program. And he is not the bad guy. But he ran off the coaches that made our team play better than their talent (Jancek and Mike Bajakian). And in 2016 he made a living off of Josh Dobbs being impossible to stop.

He turned the Vols into the classic athlete who has all the tools, but is in his head, thinks too much, and as a result gets injured too much and sh**s the bed.

Optimistic Assumptions:

1. JJ, DKJ, and Hall return.

2. Being the most injured team 2 years running was a result of the Butch Jones program and culture more than anything else.

3. Rashaan Gaulden does not return, but Byrd moves to D. Go make your millions as a VFL, RG- he has very little to gain by staying (but hey, neither did peyton so here's for hoping). I believe Byrd will be an instant as a DB

4. Oline Depth improves with JUCO recruits who can contribute immediately.

5. Will Friend as good as I think he is (look at UGA before and after Friend... as well as CSU). This guy can get 4 and 5 stars playing like it.

The Outlook

The best way I can put it is this. 2017 team is Alvin Kamara with Butch Jones at the helm. The 2018 team is Alvin Kamara in his NFL rookie season.

The Kamara problem wasn't a 'player under-utilization problem'... It was a 'team under-performing problem' that only 2 players were too good to be victim of: Barnett and Dobbs.

If the new staff can get the team playing to its potential then there are only 1 team we should be, in the preseason chalking up as a L: Alabama and 2 teams as likely losses: UGA (who will lose 10 starters on D) and Auburn.

8 - 9 wins... We beat someone we shouldn't (UGA or Auburn). But we lose 1 or 2 games that we should win.
 
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#2
#2
HeyHeyUT said:
Now that the dust has settled a bit, here is my optimistic view (Pessimist in me will post an alternative Outlook tomorrow)...

Preface:

Butch Jones did a lot of good things for this program. And he is not the bad guy. But he ran off the coaches that made our team play better than their talent (Jancek and Mike Bajakian). And in 2016 he made a living off of Josh Dobbs being impossible to stop.

He turned the Vols into the classic athlete who has all the tools, but is in his head, thinks too much, and as a result gets injured too much and sh**s the bed.

Optimistic Assumptions:

1. JJ, DKJ, and Hall return.

2. Being the most injured team 2 years running was a result of the Butch Jones program and culture more than anything else.

3. Rashaan Gaulden does not return, but Byrd moves to D. Go make your millions as a VFL, RG- he has very little to gain by staying (but hey, neither did peyton so here's for hoping). I believe Byrd will be an instant as a DB

4. Oline Depth improves with JUCO recruits who can contribute immediately.

5. Will Friend as good as I think he is (look at UGA before and after Friend... as well as CSU). This guy can get 4 and 5 stars playing like it.

The Outlook

The best way I can put it is this. 2017 team is Alvin Kamara with Butch Jones at the helm. The 2018 team is Alvin Kamara in his NFL rookie season.

The Kamara problem wasn't a 'player under-utilization problem'... It was a 'team under-performing problem' that only 2 players were too good to be victim of: Barnett and Dobbs.

If the new staff can get the team playing to its potential then there are only 1 team we should be, in the preseason chalking up as a L: Alabama and 2 teams as likely losses: UGA (who will lose 10 starters on D) and Auburn.

8 - 9 wins... We beat someone we shouldn't (UGA or Auburn). But we lose 1 or 2 games that we should win.
Click to expand...


If we win 6 if would be considered a successful season..
 
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#4
#4
HeyHeyUT said:
What's your logic?

We should have won 6 this year with terrible coaching and over half of our starters and backups out.

I would love to hear some explanation.
Click to expand...

We have an horrible OL, huge question at QB and very few total difference makers on both sides of the ball...Also, basically installing a new everything takes a while
 
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#5
#5
Beat the Non-conference teams they should beat.

Beat Vandy.

Beat Kentucky.

Make the games interesting for the rest of the SEC schedule plus WVU (win some, lose some). The most important thing is to not get boat raced.

Get to 7-5/8-4. Get a solid foundation to get recruiting back to a healthy level.

On to bigger & better things than an 8-4 ceiling.
 
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#6
#6
DisgruntledVol said:
Beat the Non-conference teams they should beat.

Beat Vandy.

Beat Kentucky.

Make the games interesting for the rest of the SEC schedule plus WVU (win some, lose some). The most important thing is to not get boat raced.

Get to 7-5/8-4. Get a solid foundation to get recruiting back to a healthy level.

On to bigger & better things than an 8-4 ceiling.
Click to expand...


7-8 regular season wins would be good-great.
Based on history of down programs, it’s not a high probability of 8, with a new HC with no HC experience. Plus it’s the SEC. 8 W’s =huge regular season accomplishment.
 
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#8
#8
HeyHeyUT said:
What's your logic?

We should have won 6 this year with terrible coaching and over half of our starters and backups out.

I would love to hear some explanation.
Click to expand...

But they didn't..6 with everyone healthy THIS year would have been a miracle. Next year? Double miracle.
 
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#10
#10
No increase in talent or depth over this year and a schedule that is as hard or harder than last year's. No improvement and highly possible regression. 4-6 wins would be first-year mission accomplished for new staff. How they handle themselves while doing it will matter, though.
 
#11
#11
We got to 4 wins with a no coach and playing with our 3rd string this year... how is that a mission for next year’s team?
 
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#13
#13
A lot of injuries, new staff, but, lots of potential.

Pessimist forecast 5-6 wins.

VFL forecast 7-8 wins.
 
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#14
#14
OnlyGodForgives said:
No increase in talent or depth over this year and a schedule that is as hard or harder than last year's. No improvement and highly possible regression. 4-6 wins would be first-year mission accomplished for new staff. How they handle themselves while doing it will matter, though.
Click to expand...

No possible way this team regresses in 2018....2017 was rock bottom with Jones here, nowhere to go but up. I don’t know what the record will be but I’m certain this team will play with more effort, more discipline, more physicality and will execute a better scheme/system more efficiently than the ish show we just witnessed at the end of Sgt Carter’s tenure.
 
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#16
#16
Long time lurker first time poster. My expectations for 2018 are a total change in culture and physicality, a healthier team in better shape, and a coaching staff with a winning mentality. If that happens the wins follow.
 
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#17
#17
OrangIceTea said:
Long time lurker first time poster. My expectations for 2018 are a total change in culture and physicality, a healthier team in better shape, and a coaching staff with a winning mentality. If that happens the wins follow.
Click to expand...

Even if Pruitt is as good as Smart, UGA is loaded at QB , RB and WR. We will not beat GA for the foreseeable future. They have the #1 QB and RB coming in, compared to our class. It just does not make sense:crazy: we can't beat them in the near future...but that's just logic.
 
#18
#18
I have some serious expectations...

1..I expect that CJP and staff will demand 2 things right from the beginning...

A...Serious discipline

B...Rock solid commitment and consistent hard work

2...Because of the above, I expect some lazy losers to transfer out and run to look for a easier team that will let them play anyway, transfers are normal when a new coaching staff comes in but I think our new staff will lay the law down fast.

3...I expect that we'll become much more physical and worked harder to be in top notch shape.

4...I honestly believe CJP when he says that this is a new start and that nobody is a starter right now and that everyone will have to work hard and earn the right to start or to get many rotation reps.

5...CJP knows exactly what a Team must do to build up to a Championship level and I don't think he's going to ask our players to do anything, I believe he's going to flatout DEMAND they do what he says and that this staff will push our players VERY hard to help them become the type of players they want to become if they have any dreams at all of a future in the NFL.

6 WINS and back in a bowl are minimal expectations but I believe that if we can stay healthy and get any type of play from true freshmen and any JUCO players we might sign that 7 or 8 WINS is a realistic goal.

Those are some things I honestly EXPECT to see even in year 1 with CJP as our new HC.

VFL...GBO!!!
 
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#19
#19
overseasorange2 said:
Even if Pruitt is as good as Smart, UGA is loaded at QB , RB and WR. We will not beat GA for the foreseeable future. They have the #1 QB and RB coming in, compared to our class. It just does not make sense:crazy: we can't beat them in the near future...but that's just logic.
Click to expand...

I’m not even looking that far ahead, it’s the off-season I’m looking to see if the new staff can get the players healthy and faster stronger for next season. I’d rather see Georgia, Florida and Bama hit with the injury bug next year.:pepper:
 
#20
#20
HeyHeyUT said:
Now that the dust has settled a bit, here is my optimistic view (Pessimist in me will post an alternative Outlook tomorrow)...

Preface:

Butch Jones did a lot of good things for this program. And he is not the bad guy. But he ran off the coaches that made our team play better than their talent (Jancek and Mike Bajakian). And in 2016 he made a living off of Josh Dobbs being impossible to stop.

He turned the Vols into the classic athlete who has all the tools, but is in his head, thinks too much, and as a result gets injured too much and sh**s the bed.

Optimistic Assumptions:

1. JJ, DKJ, and Hall return.

2. Being the most injured team 2 years running was a result of the Butch Jones program and culture more than anything else.

3. Rashaan Gaulden does not return, but Byrd moves to D. Go make your millions as a VFL, RG- he has very little to gain by staying (but hey, neither did peyton so here's for hoping). I believe Byrd will be an instant as a DB

4. Oline Depth improves with JUCO recruits who can contribute immediately.

5. Will Friend as good as I think he is (look at UGA before and after Friend... as well as CSU). This guy can get 4 and 5 stars playing like it.

The Outlook

The best way I can put it is this. 2017 team is Alvin Kamara with Butch Jones at the helm. The 2018 team is Alvin Kamara in his NFL rookie season.

The Kamara problem wasn't a 'player under-utilization problem'... It was a 'team under-performing problem' that only 2 players were too good to be victim of: Barnett and Dobbs.

If the new staff can get the team playing to its potential then there are only 1 team we should be, in the preseason chalking up as a L: Alabama and 2 teams as likely losses: UGA (who will lose 10 starters on D) and Auburn.

8 - 9 wins... We beat someone we shouldn't (UGA or Auburn). But we lose 1 or 2 games that we should win.
Click to expand...

:lolabove: :lolabove: :lolabove:
Dear God............PLEASE give me the patience to wait for Part 2. Oh Please hurry............I need to know more redundant feelings about WHAT should be done.

2Nhip22.jpg
 
#22
#22
Looking at the schedule, I see three sure wins (ETSU, UTEP, Charlotte) (at least I hope they are sure). We should have a decent shot against KY, MO, and Vandy but could easily lose 1 or 2 of these. Possible wins against WVU and SC (could lose both). The rest are losses.

So 6-6; 7-5 absolute best.
 
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#23
#23
I can see 7 wins next season. A new coaching staff will breathe new life into some players. Our super predictable offence will likely be out the window. New schemes. Better player development on both sides of the ball. Juco's providing immediate depth (not necessarily top shelf depth, but just servicable bodies). The wildcard is injuries. Do the injured players come back and stay healthy? If no, 5 wins.
 
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#24
#24
Advol said:
:lolabove: :lolabove: :lolabove:
Dear God............PLEASE give me the patience to wait for Part 2. Oh Please hurry............I need to know more redundant feelings about WHAT should be done.

2Nhip22.jpg
Click to expand...

You do know how stupid you look right? If you don't see value in other peoples perspectives, but you go on a message board every day that's sole purpose is for people to give their perspective...

This is literally a Tennessee volunteer college football message board. It's our off season. Why are you clicking on threads if you don't want to read about peoples perspective on the future of the team and program?

Kind of sad, right?
 
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#25
#25
7 wins most likely. 6 wins the floor. 9 the ceiling.

We had a ton of starters out and bad coaching. Still could have won 7 or 8 with better coaching.

Our Qb qon't be a freshman anymore.

Last four games all vs SEC teams.
JG
67%
over 9 yards per attempt
3/1 td int ratio

With some Juco lineman and a few new contributors we should expect to win 7 or 8.

Stop with the loser mentality. CJP is a good choice and should be able to get us around 7 wins.
 
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