CFN: TN Ranked 6th in SEC in 2017

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Thank you! How can they miss this? Its so obvious. Georgia is not that great.

Based on what I've read and not my opinions or desires, people think there was a learning curve with Pittman's zone blocking scheme last year (his first year on the job) which should be overcome this year. Also, this is the first time in a few seasons that UGA has had the same OL coach in back to back seasons. So people expect better results based on understanding and execution of the scheme.

Also, I don't think UGA brings anyone to the OL under 300 lbs. They're bigger than last year. They have a freshman who may start RT who is 350 lbs. I don't know if they're conditioned to get push but it's gonna take a hell of a lot of muscle to move them off the line.

I think those two things are what the experts are looking at.

 

[LA Vol]

Maybe the experts know something UT fans can't see?

Then again the experts didn't see last year coming.

Oh well.

Dormady's a big unknown to fans and media alike-- just like Franks, Zaire and Fromm. Who knows who'll step up... and who will be a disappointment?

 

[KBVol]

Georgia #2 and Florida #3? I don't know who's gonna be 2 and 3, well behind Bama, but I see little to no reason to believe Georgia and Florida will be.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

Mcelwain won the SECe after Butch handed it to him not once, but twice by losing to two inferior teams that both lost to UF. Oh yeah and until last year he was undefeated against Butch as both a head coach and coordinator.

Mcelwain is not a better coach than Butch. If the schedules were switched and UF had to play Bama in the regular season every year he would have had the same or worse record than Butch. Its hilarious how you dismiss UT's victory last year that was the most lopsided out of the last three and then defend Mcelwain's narrow victory. And Mac certainly isn't as good a recruiter as Butch. Heck, he isn't as good of a recruiter as Zook.

 

[CTM]

So Freeze must be better coach than Saban since he beat him twice. All coaches lose games they should not for many different reasons, does not make them a bad coach, just had a bad day or game. It happens to all of them. They make poor decisions at critical times, ask Saban about the "Kick six".

 

[The Artful Dodger]

How does anybody actually know that UGA has no O-line?

I remember when everyone said we had the greatest most experienced O-line in the country. Fat lot of good it did us. How does UF returning only 3 starter mean anything? I remember when we returned practically our whole defense. Again, it meant nothing.

So its gotten to the point that you will make excuses for rival SEC squad's shortcomings, but not your own team. Wow. The Butch trolling is reaching a new level of ridiculousness.

 

[checkerboards09]

Lol @ Georgia. It's gonna be 3 in a row after this year and they'll be another 7 win team.

 

[Behr]

So its gotten to the point that you will make excuses for rival SEC squad's shortcomings, but not your own team. Wow. The Butch trolling is reaching a new level of ridiculousness.

My favorite with a few of the diehards that spend so much time arguing their points, no changing their opinions, they are right and will go to any and all lengths to make sure you know they are right. They "know" they're right. They'll tell you they know Butch will not win a championship here, ever..........but they really hope they're wrong. Lol. Yea, I believe them.:crazy:

 

[MWAVolfan]

So its gotten to the point that you will make excuses for rival SEC squad's shortcomings, but not your own team. Wow. The Butch trolling is reaching a new level of ridiculousness.

Not making excuses for anyone. I'm simply pointing out that you can't just base an opinion on someones supposed lack of an O-line when your own damn team was supposed to have the best O-line in the SEC and it didn't mean squat.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Mcelwain is not a better coach than Butch. If the schedules were switched and UF had to play Bama in the regular season every year he would have had the same or worse record than Butch. Its hilarious how you dismiss UT's victory last year that was the most lopsided out of the last three and then defend Mcelwain's narrow victory. And Mac certainly isn't as good a recruiter as Butch. Heck, he isn't as good of a recruiter as Zook.

If schedules were switched.... OK.

UT was favored to win every game on their schedule except one. They had supposedly the best and most experienced team. A senior QB drafted by the NFL. They were supposed to walk away with the SECe. They even beat UF and UGA. They only left the state of Tennessee THREE TIMES. And two of those games were against first year head coaches. You please name me one coach in the country that wouldn't LOVE to have that set up for their season. Nobody had it easier.

I'm sure Mcelwain is jealous because he isn't a champion of life and doesn't have a five star heart. He will just go sit in the corner with his two SECe titles over Butch Jones.

Oh yeah, doesn't Florida play LSU and FSU every year? But I mean I'm sure Mcelwain would never want to have what Butch had last year. You're right. I don't know anything.

 

[sjt18]

Criticism of UT is fair based on what happened last year. What went unsaid is what it would look like if UT actually played to the potential of their talent. IOW's, if they were coached to potential.

If the staff changes work and Jones can stay out of his own way... the Vols could surprise.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Criticism of UT is fair based on what happened last year. What went unsaid is what it would look like if UT actually played to the potential of their talent. IOW's, if they were coached to potential.

If the staff changes work and Jones can stay out of his own way... the Vols could surprise.

Gee wiz, common sense based on actual observed outcomes and not irrational speculation. Shocking.

 

[bignewt]

Man are you one miserable s.o.b.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

Not making excuses for anyone. I'm simply pointing out that you can't just base an opinion on someones supposed lack of an O-line when your own damn team was supposed to have the best O-line in the SEC and it didn't mean squat.

That is a textbook example of making excuses. The funny thing is you are totally ok with it for UF or UGA, but not for the team you supposedly support.

 

[MWAVolfan]

That is a textbook example of making excuses. The funny thing is you are totally ok with it for UF or UGA, but not for the team you supposedly support.

I think you must be confused about what I'm saying. I'm not making an excuse for anyone. What I'm saying is that you can't claim a team is going to be bad because they "don't have an o-line". You also can't claim a team is going to be good because they "have the most experienced o-line".

I don't get what your criticism of my comment is. It couldn't be more neutral. I'm not bashing UT or promoting UGA. I'm simply pointing out the fallacy of the argument.

 

[jakez4ut]

just depends on which teams get the most right answers to all the questions that exist at TN, FL and GA. the East is still pretty wide open imo.

i'd hedge and say UGA and FL probably should be the top 2 as well, but as stj points out....there's a realization of potential for TN that could get us there....IF....

 

[Volanta]

Based on what I've read and not my opinions or desires, people think there was a learning curve with Pittman's zone blocking scheme last year (his first year on the job) which should be overcome this year. Also, this is the first time in a few seasons that UGA has had the same OL coach in back to back seasons. So people expect better results based on understanding and execution of the scheme.

Also, I don't think UGA brings anyone to the OL under 300 lbs. They're bigger than last year. They have a freshman who may start RT who is 350 lbs. I don't know if they're conditioned to get push but it's gonna take a hell of a lot of muscle to move them off the line.

I think those two things are what the experts are looking at.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info!

 

[TJ1985]

The east is up for grabs. And, truth is, none of us really know what to expect from this Vols team and staff. I'm hopeful that they'll surprise a lot of people, in a good way.

 

[barrylee]

Mcelwain won the SECe after Butch handed it to him not once, but twice by losing to two inferior teams that both lost to UF. Oh yeah and until last year he was undefeated against Butch as both a head coach and coordinator.

Do us a favor and switch teams!

 

[Behr]

The east is up for grabs. And, truth is, none of us really know what to expect from this Vols team and staff. I'm hopeful that they'll surprise a lot of people, in a good way.

Oh that "some of us" group does.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Really wish the media would stop hyping up UGA every year. Kirby Smart is no Mark Richt and the results are starting to show. Not to mention his recruiting is slipping this year so far.

 

[TJ1985]

Oh that "some of us" group does.

Lol..yep.

 

[sjt18]

The east is up for grabs. And, truth is, none of us really know what to expect from this Vols team and staff. I'm hopeful that they'll surprise a lot of people, in a good way.

TBH, that's a pretty serious indictment of a coach headed into his 5th season. By now... you really should KNOW what to expect from Jones.

Or... maybe we do and don't want to think about it? We'll see soon enough.

 

[Behr]

Haha.

 

[TNnative]

Maybe the experts know something UT fans can't see?

Then again the experts didn't see last year coming.

Oh well.

Then again, maybe none of them know their ass from a hole in the ground. It's June, and they are still trying to draw conclusions from spring intersquad scrimmages. Before the season starts, we will hear reports from the summer S&C program and then fall camp.

Just as last year was not seen coming because of deficiencies in the S&C program, they may underestimate Gullickson this year. I say let them rank us sixth, or for that matter 14th. They rarely ever get us right anyway. And since the Vols preseason ranking never got me "lucky", DILLIGAF?