2018 Schedule - I dare

[1TheCoach1]

What is with all of the negative comments. Maybe we should just go ahead and forfeit all of our games next season. I don't personally think we will go 10-2 with our schedule but our team has a lot of talent. It isn't the new staffs fault Jones was an idiot and didn't know how to use talent or develop players. It isn't the players fault Jones was possibly one of the worst head coaches in the history of our program if not the worst. Pruitt and staff will get the most out of the players and he certainly won't leave All American players sitting on the bench because he doesn't know where to play them. I think 8-4 is a real possibility and depending on how quick players pick up on his defensive scheme we could surprise a lot of people.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

In year 1, don’t lose to Vandy or Kentucky and I’m good.

 

[Catbone]

Lol

 

[jasonvol18]

I'll just give one word of warning.

Pruitt, since coaching in college, has worked at Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State.

Not once in his college coaching career has he had to try to hide his unit's or team's deficiencies.

He didn't even have to worry about injuries. That's how loaded the rosters were on the defensive side of the ball where he happened to be.

Just keep that in mind

Alabama had tons of injuries on the defensive side especially at LB all year. That's how AU was able to gash them and Miss St also. They were healthy by the Clemson game. He also had injury problems when he was at GA. Yes Ala is loaded on the defensive side but they had tons of injuries all year that hurt them in some games. They didn't play many good offense's that could capitalize on it outside of AU and Miss St. This was from top to bottom the worst the SEC has been in a long time. I definitely don't see 10-2 or us beating Ala. I think Ala and AU are the only 2 guaranteed losses though. GA is losing a ton and who knows what Kirby can do without Richts's players. Both sides of the ball takes a huge hit for GA. Not saying they won't be good and they should easily win the East. We should win all 4 OOC games,should be able to beat UK, Vandy and Mizzou so that's 7 wins. Flor will be very beatable also. I think we go 7-5 at the very worst and predicting 8-4 if we can stay reasonably healthy. Think we lose to GA, Ala and AU. After that the other 9 are winnable. I'm not say we win all 9 just that they are games we could win. Between W.Va, Flor, S.Car and Mizzou we need to win 3 or at the very least go 2-2.That gets us to 7-8 wins and should be considered a helluva first year by JP.

 

[jasonvol18]

What is with all of the negative comments. Maybe we should just go ahead and forfeit all of our games next season. I don't personally think we will go 10-2 with our schedule but our team has a lot of talent. It isn't the new staffs fault Jones was an idiot and didn't know how to use talent or develop players. It isn't the players fault Jones was possibly one of the worst head coaches in the history of our program if not the worst. Pruitt and staff will get the most out of the players and he certainly won't leave All American players sitting on the bench because he doesn't know where to play them. I think 8-4 is a real possibility and depending on how quick players pick up on his defensive scheme we could surprise a lot of people.

I agree 100%. I think our 4 losses next year are Ala, GA, AU and maybe at S.Carol. We cannot lose to Vandy, UK or Mizzou. Really shouldn't lose at home to Fla either.S.Carol is always close and could go either way no matter where it's played.

 

[jasonvol18]

We are playing 3 top 5 teams in a row and that’s not counting Florida and South Carolina. Unbelievable.

Also no way in hell we hold West Virginia to 10 points.

Doubt all 3 will be top 5 when we play them. GA and AU both could have losses when we play. Ala will probably be the only top 5 team by time we play. I do think we lose all 3 though. S.Car could be a loss but there's no reason we should lose at home to Fla. We definitely won't hold W.Va to 10 but should beat them.

 

[jasonvol18]

We are going to beat the reigning national champs whose Freshman won the game for them and are all coming back? I like to think of myself as an optimist but, damn.

Alabama has 24 Seniors and I'm betting a lot of the JRs declare too. They just reload but they will take a huge hit on both sides of the ball. But I agree we aren't beating Ala next year regardless.

 

[jasonvol18]

These are unrealistically high expectations. Expect to see growing pains since our coaches are installing a completely new scheme and coaching system. I'm thinking our absolute best is around 8-4 with losses to Georgia, Auburn, Bama, and Florida.

Our absolute worst is 6-6 with losses to USCjr and Missouri in addition to the four teams above.

Florida is going through the exact same thing we are. Think we lose to S.Carol before we lose to Fla. I do think 8-4 is where we end up barring tons of injuries.

 

[jasonvol18]

You lost me at the opening game. WVU finished #23 in total offense. Grier threw for 34 touchdowns and didn't even play the final 3 games due to injury. Both Grier and their WR Sills who had 18 touchdowns are returning for their senior seasons. We may score 16, but they will score a lot more than 10.

Losses: Bama, Georgia, Auburn,

Can go either way: WVU, Florida, USCe, Missouri

Should win: ETSU, UTEP, Charlotte, Kentucky, Vandy

I see 6-6 realistic with 7-5 the likely ceiling.

W.Va also put up huge numbers against bad teams and Defense's. They struggled when they played physical and faster Defense's. I think we beat W.Va something like 34-24 or 31-28. Their D is Horrid.

 

[jasonvol18]

Early predictions has WV ranked #10 in the country to start the season. It would be great to start the season with a win against a top 10 team. If only it could happen.

Can't see W.Va being a top 10 team. Maybe top 20 at best.USA Today's early rankings don't even have them ranked, neither did CBS, Sports Illustrated or Sporting News . SB Nation has them 19 and ESPN 10.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

OP you did dare but unfortunately, I disagree. Big time. We will be lucky to win 6-7 games.

Well, ya know, we's awl gots a'right to hour opinyon. Ur ya mice saye eyes awl fedup wid the negatim 'bout oui teem. An the contenyud ***us onna coach thad ain't heah no more. Maye Vol-talk proseed.

Vol Power! Vol Power! Vol Power!

 

[Visiting Dawg]

I'll just give one word of warning.

Pruitt, since coaching in college, has worked at Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State.

Not once in his college coaching career has he had to try to hide his unit's or team's deficiencies.

He didn't even have to worry about injuries. That's how loaded the rosters were on the defensive side of the ball where he happened to be.

Just keep that in mind

That's not entirely true. Pruitt had a fairly weak secondary at UGA and hid it quite well and had a top rated defense. The only problem was he continued trying to hide a weak secondary against a UF team that had no passing threat and gave up 400 rushing.

Pruitt is a great defensive coach and UT's D will get much better very quickly. He will simplify the scheme and get the kids playing hard and fast.

 

[feathersax]

Weeeeeed doesn’t make you delusional bro.

Ahem.

 

[TNinSC]

lol, here's my predicitons...
wvu-no idea
etsu-W
utep-W
florida-no idea
uga-L
auburn-L
alabama-L
So. car- no idea
uncc-w
kentucky-no idea
mizzou-no idea
vandy-W

 

[OrebankVol]

I'll just give one word of warning.

Pruitt, since coaching in college, has worked at Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State.

Not once in his college coaching career has he had to try to hide his unit's or team's deficiencies.

He didn't even have to worry about injuries. That's how loaded the rosters were on the defensive side of the ball where he happened to be.

Just keep that in mind

That could not be farther from the actual truth, his first job under Saban was as Alabama's director of player development making. That might just be one of the hardest jobs on the coaching staff, nobody on the staff knows the players any better, and gets the least credit and paycheck for that job.

 

[Glocker_Alum_2005]

Can't see W.Va being a top 10 team. Maybe top 20 at best.USA Today's early rankings don't even have them ranked, neither did CBS, Sports Illustrated or Sporting News . SB Nation has them 19 and ESPN 10.

ESPN hyping WVU game is the reason they are top 10. WVU is OK State lite.

 

[Mccage]

Make an appointment now and get your medication changed!

 

[99gator]

That could not be farther from the actual truth, his first job under Saban was as Alabama's director of player development making. That might just be one of the hardest jobs on the coaching staff, nobody on the staff knows the players any better, and gets the least credit and paycheck for that job.

C’mon man.

I don’t remember anyone on this board ever discussing the director of player personnel on someone’s staff.

Everyone can nitpick all they want, but it’s a simple point.

He’s never been on the coaching staff (and director of player personnel doesn’t count) where he had to account for a distinct talent disadvantage when compared to his opposition.

Not saying he can’t. Not saying he won’t. And more importantly, I’m not saying he won’t be able to recruit so that he doesn’t have to deal with that problem in future years.

All I am saying is that he never has been in that situation and he will be in 2018. Knowing that, it is something I would consider with regard to expectations in 2018

 

[Titan05]

C’mon man.

I don’t remember anyone on this board ever discussing the director of player personnel on someone’s staff.

Everyone can nitpick all they want, but it’s a simple point.

He’s never been on the coaching staff (and director of player personnel doesn’t count) where he had to account for a distinct talent disadvantage when compared to his opposition.

Not saying he can’t. Not saying he won’t. And more importantly, I’m not saying he won’t be able to recruit so that he doesn’t have to deal with that problem in future years.

All I am saying is that he never has been in that situation and he will be in 2018. Knowing that, it is something I would consider with regard to expectations in 2018

Good post but with the off-season now in full swing, many here simply won't put up with that kind of logic and reason.

 

[HooahVol]

I have a serious question because I do think next year is going to be rough. Too many holes to fill. If we only have a 4 or 5 win season are people going to start griping or does everyone have a pretty realistic view of where we are at right now?

 

[Iam4utalways]

lol, here's my predicitons...
wvu-no idea
etsu-W
utep-W
florida-no idea
uga-L
auburn-L
alabama-L
So. car- no idea
uncc-w
kentucky-no idea
mizzou-no idea
vandy-W

Does "no idea" count as a prediction?

I don't pencil in losses.

But I do know every game we play shouldn't come down to the last drive or OT.

We have 8 games that shouldn't surprise us to win. Can we sleep walk thru them? Nope.

We have 4 games that will be highly contested. With the right game plan, some bounces/breaks in our favor, it could happen. Those teams will come ready for a fight, but I expect we will be ready too.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

I'll just give one word of warning.

Pruitt, since coaching in college, has worked at Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State.

Not once in his college coaching career has he had to try to hide his unit's or team's deficiencies.

He didn't even have to worry about injuries. That's how loaded the rosters were on the defensive side of the ball where he happened to be.

Just keep that in mind

You don't get it. He has national title rings. This solves everything for the Vols. Just ask posters on here

 

[Iam4utalways]

I have a serious question because I do think next year is going to be rough. Too many holes to fill. If we only have a 4 or 5 win season are people going to start griping or does everyone have a pretty realistic view of where we are at right now?

Some are already griping. Many upon many are not realistic at all, ever. Why would a coaching/staff change make it any better?

 

[VolFan..But]

Chill....relax.....it takes time. Give the man time. They will be lucky to take this dumpster fire and make it a 6-6 year. They have had a perennial losing SEC record since they run the Hall of Famer. Let the man build and stay off his back for a couple of years. Support, drink, cheer, play corn hole just knock off the expectations for awhile. Or it will continue to be a revolving door and will never get built with a solid foundation.

 

[VolsnRavens]

We are playing 3 top 5 teams in a row and that’s not counting Florida and South Carolina. Unbelievable.

Also no way in hell we hold West Virginia to 10 points.

It would be nice if we could at least pay back the QB and have him sacked 5 times, knocked down and looking through his Grier hole.