Acceptable win total for 2026

#53
#53
Need to be 6-3 in the conference, the buy games are fools gold and simply pad stats and the win total, e erybody saw through the record this year and it was apparent late in the season that Tennessee wasn't very good this season.
 
#54
#54
I think it’s probably unrealistic to expect 10 wins with our schedule next year but it will be year 6 for Josh and that’s just how I see it. Anything less than 10 wins almost for sure means no playoffs and just unacceptable in year 6 especially after going 8–5 in 2025. Let me add, looking at our schedule 10 wins seems like a real stretch.
9
 
#57
#57
I’m looking for quality of play and indication that Heupel can grow as a coach. Against next year’s schedule, that looks like 9 wins to me. 10/+ wins would be a very solid showing.

Can UT whack SC, AR, AU, UK, VU, and GT? With the two early season scrimmage games, that’s 8 wins. TX, AL, and LSU come to town, so find an upper tier, quality win or two there. That leaves TAM at Kyle Field dangling like a tasty carrot.
 
#60
#60
I just want to see some physical play out of this bunch. That schedule is hard but a few of theose teams are just about a name anymore. As you are seeing in this playoff, it's a different time in college football.
 
#63
#63
9 with quality wins. 10 with a bowl game win or at least a hard fought game.

Minimum.

Given we didn’t beat anyone with a pulse and struggled against SEC competition, the end result this year is unacceptable.
The post script on this year’s team is what we failed to do this time last year. We stood pat at every position except we added Hood and Star Thomas and the usual 2 OL starters in the portal. But nothing whatsoever on the defense. And our QB was looking around and we only brought in someone when he was already gone and all the top guys transferred in January.

That cannot happen again.
 
#64
#64
I have 0 clue, kind of giving up on this program. We won't be good again. We are going to be on Uncle Lou's "were back" list for all eternity because we don't play for Championships anymore.

We could really use another Neyland.
Dont worry! You may rest. My son is 7 and just getting into Vols sports. Your replacement is already here! =D
 
#65
#65
I think it’s probably unrealistic to expect 10 wins with our schedule next year but it will be year 6 for Josh and that’s just how I see it. Anything less than 10 wins almost for sure means no playoffs and just unacceptable in year 6 especially after going 8–5 in 2025. Let me add, looking at our schedule 10 wins seems like a real stretch.
I'd be happy with 8-9 wins. We may have to tread water for a year before Heup can take the next step. It sure would be nice if we could get a multi-year starter at the quarterback position one of these days.
 
#66
#66
Heupel needs a minimum of 9-3 for everything to stay on schedule and that the 2025 campaign was nothing more than a hiccup coupled with a spring distraction with the QB position. He's here through the 2027 season, but next year is about getting the program back to contending for the playoffs and off the bubble.
 
#67
#67
Not really. Gotta see what happens at QB and S&C.
So if he makes bad or ineffective decisions there and has a lower win total - say, 7 wins - that absolves him of having not made good, effective decisions and producing say, 9 wins? I don’t get the rationale.

He’s at an inflection point of needing to make good, effective decisions and erasing the dark smudge of 2025.
 
#70
#70
Different era and Majors was not making 10 million a year and you had no transfer portal. Big money requires you to win big here. Heupel can’t continue to go 8-4 or he is gone.
Heupel has still been a better coach for UT than Majors. All coaches make big money now. Probably because everyone wants to fire them after 3 years without winning a national championship.
 

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