ESPN SEC East Preview

[Jaws]

Lol. UF isn’t winning the East.

They’re beating Georgia. And so is Tennessee. So we’ll see what happens from there.

 

[VOLnMiami]

You could be on the money! If it doesn't happen by year 3... Pruitt aint the guy, IMO.

I still don't think Pruitt is the guy but I am holding out hope I am wrong.

 

[08Vol]

Which would explain half of the problems UT has had in the last decade. Lack of patience with a coach to complete a full cycle +. Now that I think about it......isn’t that the definition of insanity? I mean some of us are expecting different results right?

So half of UT’s problems have been in not giving Dooley a 4th and 5th year or Butch a 6th year? Dooley didn’t recruit a single O-lineman in 2011. Butch’s 5th year with a roster full of only his players was his worst. UT’s problems were both of those coaches were garbage and couldn’t handle the pressure at this level.

 

[secking]

You’ve got as many catches at Georgia’s best WR and I’m better than their backup QB if Fromm goes down. Florida is deep and talented and their coaches have a track record of developing o-linemen.

Kirby Smart, despite having all this talent on paper, craps his pants in big games.

Sad season coming for Georgia as they lose to both Florida and Tennessee.

Actually Smart is 5-3 against top 10 teams whereas Mullen is 10-33.

 

[1vol8]

So half of UT’s problems have been in not giving Dooley a 4th and 5th year or Butch a 6th year? Dooley didn’t recruit a single O-lineman in 2011. Butch’s 5th year with a roster full of only his players was his worst. UT’s problems were both of those coaches were garbage and couldn’t handle the pressure at this level.

I don’t think Butch should’ve gotten 1 year, much less 6. That’s on the previous administration. Truthfully I wouldn’t have hired him to be an assistant at a HS. My overall point is the last time this program seen the success we are chasing today was with a steady coach that happens to be our AD now. We’ve been playing “musical coach” every since so it’s no wonder things are the way they are. Calling for a coaches job after year 3 when he was handed a sh*t sandwich yr 1 is ridiculous. That’s the fastest way to remain right where we are.

 

[checkerboards09]

I still don't think Pruitt is the guy but I am holding out hope I am wrong.

Pruitt will have us in the college football playoff in year 3 or 4. Bold as hell but hes got elite written all over him.

 

[VOLnMiami]

Pruitt will have us in the college football playoff in year 3 or 4. Bold as hell but hes got elite written all over him.

Yeah...I don't believe that but lets hope I'm wrong.

 

[Atlanta917]

You’ve got as many catches at Georgia’s best WR and I’m better than their backup QB if Fromm goes down. Florida is deep and talented and their coaches have a track record of developing o-linemen.

Kirby Smart, despite having all this talent on paper, craps his pants in big games.

Sad season coming for Georgia as they lose to both Florida and Tennessee.

lol kirby is 2-2 in his biggest games. 1-1 in the playoffs and 1-1 in the SECC. Tyler Simmons, D-Rob, and Cager all have receptions as well. Acting like freshman can't contribute at WR is a bit ridiculous considering how many have made an impact recently. Devonta Smith, Justyn Ross, Tee Higgins, Jerry Juedy, etc.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Pruitt will have us in the college football playoff in year 3 or 4. Bold as hell but hes got elite written all over him.

I hope you aren’t serious here. We are easily 4-5 years away from being even close to winning the SEC. Playoffs next year? We will be lucky to finish 2nd in the East next year and in 2020.

 

[Jaws]

lol kirby is 2-2 in his biggest games. 1-1 in the playoffs and 1-1 in the SECC. Tyler Simmons, D-Rob, and Cager all have receptions as well. Acting like freshman can't contribute at WR is a bit ridiculous considering how many have made an impact recently. Devonta Smith, Justyn Ross, Tee Higgins, Jerry Juedy, etc.

Mullen could have hung from Urban Meyer’s sack as an assistant for several more season’s until a Florida-like job opened up, like Kirby did from Saban’s sack at Bama. But Mullen, because he’s got more stones than redneck Kirby, went to Miss State and only became their best coach ever. He did that while Kirby was “yessir-ing” it and bringing Saban coffee. So Kirby hops into all that Richt talent and basically does the same underwhelming job. Mullen is about to go on an absolute tear in the east, so I hope Georgia enjoyed those cute little non-Championship season’s over the last couple years. That’s over.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Mullen could have hung from Urban Meyer’s sack as an assistant for several more season’s until a Florida-like job opened up, like Kirby did from Saban’s sack at Bama. But Mullen, because he’s got more stones than redneck Kirby, went to Miss State and only became their best coach ever. He did that while Kirby was “yessir-ing” it and bringing Saban coffee. So Kirby hops into all that Richt talent and basically does the same underwhelming job. PRUITT is about to go on an absolute tear in the east, so I hope Georgia enjoyed those cute little non-Championship season’s over the last couple years. That’s over.

Fyp

 

[WoodsmanVol]

If the Solomon news that’s floating around is true then that will help a lot IMO. He’s of greater need than Gibbs, I’ll be excited if both are eligible. We’ll go as far as the two sides of the LOS will take us but the OL is the more critical of the two IMO

Putting all our hopes on one guy isn't smart. One injury (remember the dirty hit on Shuttle?) and he's out. Personally, I believe the Vols are going to make a liar out of the ESPN predictions and do better than predicted. I think Pruitt & Co. have our guys' attitudes mason jarred correctly now. That they play with a level of aggression and readiness we haven't seen for a good while now.

 

[08Vol]

I don’t think Butch should’ve gotten 1 year, much less 6. That’s on the previous administration. Truthfully I wouldn’t have hired him to be an assistant at a HS. My overall point is the last time this program seen the success we are chasing today was with a steady coach that happens to be our AD now. We’ve been playing “musical coach” every since so it’s no wonder things are the way they are. Calling for a coaches job after year 3 when he was handed a sh*t sandwich yr 1 is ridiculous. That’s the fastest way to remain right where we are.

A coach isn’t good because he is with a team for long time. A coach is with a team for a long time because he is good. Calling for a coach’s job after year 3 is perfectly acceptable if that sh*t sandwich has barely improved. The AD looks at more than just wins and losses when determining a coach’s future.

Things are the way they are due to the UT administration seeing football as a cash cow and being cheap while also allowing a big money donor influence major decisions in a game that has changed drastically since he played it.

 

[Jaws]

Fyp

I like it! So many people here and elsewhere are way too quick to fling themselves at Kirby’s feet and hail to Georgia’s greatness.

Not me or you! I fully expect my and your team to kick their asses.

 

[secking]

Mullen could have hung from Urban Meyer’s sack as an assistant for several more season’s until a Florida-like job opened up, like Kirby did from Saban’s sack at Bama. But Mullen, because he’s got more stones than redneck Kirby, went to Miss State and only became their best coach ever. He did that while Kirby was “yessir-ing” it and bringing Saban coffee. So Kirby hops into all that Richt talent and basically does the same underwhelming job. Mullen is about to go on an absolute tear in the east, so I hope Georgia enjoyed those cute little non-Championship season’s over the last couple years. That’s over.

I could argue that Jackie Sherrill is the best coach they have had, not Mullen. In Nine seasons, Mullen was only better than 4th in the division once whereas Sherrill was top 3 in the division in 6 of his first 10 seasons, just for comparison, Sherrill had a winning SEC record 36-32 in his first 9 vs 33-39 for Mullen’s 9. Sherrill also won the West, Mullen did finish 2nd in his one year above 4th. I do take into account different foes (coaches) thus cant just throw the crown at Sherrill, Mullen should be included for debate, no doubt,

 

[Jaws]

I could argue that Jackie Sherrill is the best coach they have had, not Mullen. In Nine seasons, Mullen was only better than 4th in the division once whereas Sherrill was top 3 in the division in 6 of his first 10 seasons, just for comparison, Sherrill had a winning SEC record 36-32 in his first 9 vs 33-39 for Mullen’s 9. Sherrill also won the West, Mullen did finish 2nd in his one year above 4th. I do take into account different foes (coaches) thus cant just throw the crown at Sherrill, Mullen should be included for debate, no doubt,

I think it’s Mullen, easily. Sherrill went 75-75 at Miss State during a time when the conference was dominated by the east, Bama and LSU certainly weren’t the juggernauts they are now. He was a .500 coach, 75 wins in 13 seasons. Sherrill averaged 5.7 wins a year.

Along comes Mullen with 69 wins in 9 seasons and finished with a winning % of 64%, 14% better than Sherrill. Mullen dominated bowl games at Miss State, earning bowl berths in 8 of his 9 years and going 5-2 in those games (didn’t coach last bowl game due to taking UF job). Sherrill only went to 6 bowl games in his 13 years and went 2-4 in those games.

Mullen by a mile.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

I hope you aren’t serious here. We are easily 4-5 years away from being even close to winning the SEC. Playoffs next year? We will be lucky to finish 2nd in the East next year and in 2020.

We’d need at least three top 10 classes to even have a shot at the SEC in 3 years. One or two probably have to be top 5.

 

[secking]

I think it’s Mullen, easily. Sherrill went 75-75 at Miss State during a time when the conference was dominated by the east, Bama and LSU certainly weren’t the juggernauts they are now. He was a .500 coach, 75 wins in 13 seasons. Sherrill averaged 5.7 wins a year.

Along comes Mullen with 69 wins in 9 seasons and finished with a winning % of 64%, 14% better than Sherrill. Mullen dominated bowl games at Miss State, earning bowl berths in 8 of his 9 years and going 5-2 in those games (didn’t coach last bowl game due to taking UF job). Sherrill only went to 6 bowl games in his 13 years and went 2-4 in those games.

Mullen by a mile.

I don’t really hold the last 3 years against Sherrill bc of the recruiting violations/sanctions/cloud over that program, something else Mullen and Sherrill have in common. Only one coach in the SEC today that has had an investigation that was proven/admitted to cheating, would Mullen had the same result his last few years at MSU had Cam went to MSU? That would have been a much bigger deal had he chose MSU. I’m sorry but I can’t believe AU fans that actually believe he went to AU for free with 180k on the table from Miss St. IF they do, we need to sell them some oceanfront property in Montana.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

I like it! So many people here and elsewhere are way too quick to fling themselves at Kirby’s feet and hail to Georgia’s greatness.

Not me or you! I fully expect my and your team to kick their asses.

Lol you trolling but I’ll throw you a bone. Outside of the addition of Chaney, coming off of a bye week, and playing in Neyland, what makes you think UT will beat UGA? I mean you’re talking about a stacked, national contender, heisman nfl qb, 11-1 12-0 type team against a team that just 2 short years ago set the bar for the worst record in UT history, now with a second year head coach and a lot of the same players?
As I mentioned earlier my best friend growing up is a lifelong gators fan, but he admitted that for whatever reason, Tennessee was his second favorite team to pull for. You remind me a lot of him bc he would always hype us up

 

[Atlanta917]

Mullen could have hung from Urban Meyer’s sack as an assistant for several more season’s until a Florida-like job opened up, like Kirby did from Saban’s sack at Bama. But Mullen, because he’s got more stones than redneck Kirby, went to Miss State and only became their best coach ever. He did that while Kirby was “yessir-ing” it and bringing Saban coffee. So Kirby hops into all that Richt talent and basically does the same underwhelming job. Mullen is about to go on an absolute tear in the east, so I hope Georgia enjoyed those cute little non-Championship season’s over the last couple years. That’s over.

You are beyond delusional. Mullen had a ton of first round defensive talent at MSU, as evidenced by the last draft, and Kirby drug them 31-3. To call kirby’s first 3 years at UGA underwhelming is ridiculous. I mean, I understand UF fans are upset Kirby has owned Mullen, but at least have an honest discussion. When Kirby got to UGA the classes averaged around 8-9. When Mullen got to UF the classes averaged around 11-12. Your talent disparity narrative is incorrect. Kirby just owns Mullen, which is why he’s undefeated against him. This why I see UT and Pruitt as a bigger threat to UGA. Pruitt and UT did better against UGA than Mullen with less talent. He can match Kirby in recruiting and defense.

 

[GreyWolf1129]

You are what your record says you are.

I heard that somewhere before...

 

[1vol8]

A coach isn’t good because he is with a team for long time. A coach is with a team for a long time because he is good. Calling for a coach’s job after year 3 is perfectly acceptable if that sh*t sandwich has barely improved. The AD looks at more than just wins and losses when determining a coach’s future.

Things are the way they are due to the UT administration seeing football as a cash cow and being cheap while also allowing a big money donor influence major decisions in a game that has changed drastically since he played it.

Key phrase you said “if that sh*t sandwich barely improves”. In that case I agree. That’s not our situation. We beat 2 ranked teams within the SEC in year 1. Our overall record improved by a game in the midst of quite possibly the toughest schedule in the country. Had “Butch recruits” not had the mindset of a quitter we at least beat Vandy and go bowling. This year anything less than 7 wins will be disappointing BUT we can’t lose sight that those same “Butch recruits” are still taking the field with little to no depth behind them depending on position.

 

[08Vol]

Key phrase you said “if that sh*t sandwich barely improves”. In that case I agree. That’s not our situation. We beat 2 ranked teams within the SEC in year 1. Our overall record improved by a game in the midst of quite possibly the toughest schedule in the country. Had “Butch recruits” not had the mindset of a quitter we at least beat Vandy and go bowling. This year anything less than 7 wins will be disappointing BUT we can’t lose sight that those same “Butch recruits” are still taking the field with little to no depth behind them depending on position.

To see improvement and missed opportunities you have to stop looking at just wins and losses. This is a game played with an oblong ball that takes funny bounces. Focus on things like the O-line improving their blocking and blitz pick up. WRs getting separation. QBs reading the defense and calling audibles. Defenders only playing their gaps. Safeties not getting confused in zone coverage leaving a WR wide open. Return teams not getting out of their lanes. Vocal leaders stepping up on and off the field.

 

[vettefool]

A coach isn’t good because he is with a team for long time. A coach is with a team for a long time because he is good. Calling for a coach’s job after year 3 is perfectly acceptable if that sh*t sandwich has barely improved. The AD looks at more than just wins and losses when determining a coach’s future.

Things are the way they are due to the UT administration seeing football as a cash cow and being cheap while also allowing a big money donor influence major decisions in a game that has changed drastically since he played it.

Heck then coach K would have been fired after his first three seasons, he had a losing record. And bb is much easier to turn around than football. I just want to see improvement, no losses to vandy or ky and no blow out losses to Bama or other elite teams. Upset someone that’s very good. Maybe beat up on sisters of the poor teams. Just recruit a lot better so we have hope.

 

[Jaws]

You are beyond delusional. Mullen had a ton of first round defensive talent at MSU, as evidenced by the last draft, and Kirby drug them 31-3. To call kirby’s first 3 years at UGA underwhelming is ridiculous. I mean, I understand UF fans are upset Kirby has owned Mullen, but at least have an honest discussion. When Kirby got to UGA the classes averaged around 8-9. When Mullen got to UF the classes averaged around 11-12. Your talent disparity narrative is incorrect. Kirby just owns Mullen, which is why he’s undefeated against him. This why I see UT and Pruitt as a bigger threat to UGA. Pruitt and UT did better against UGA than Mullen with less talent. He can match Kirby in recruiting and defense.

Jim McElwain beat Kirby, you damn well know Mullen will. Kirby is 1-0 v Mullen at Florida and that goes to 1-1 this year. Mullen’s first year at UF was way more impressive than Kirby’s first year at Georgia.

Nobody cares if Kirby beat Miss State, Florida-Georgia is a different deal.