In 2012 Auburn went 3-9, 0-8. In 2013 with a new coach they won the SEC and played in the BCS title game. I don't think we'll see that kind of turnaround, just saying that there is precedent. I do think a 7-5 type of season is attainable.
I enjoyed the article. Well written and insightful.
Found the writer's closing line a bit ironic:
If there is a more mysterious team in the country, its name is Tennessee. WVa's 3-9 to 10-2 range are matched by our 3-9 to 9-3 possibilities.*
* Lately, have modified our 3-9 worst case to 5-7, based on CJP & Co. shoring up the roster with transfers and last-minute recruits. Then again, I don't really believe WVa could end up 3-9, either. Thinking their most likely range is 5-7 to 8-4.
JG looked pretty comfortable running it this spring. New defense is a good thing, Shoop and company weren't very good, and not good teachinf fundamentals and proper techniques.
As much as we are pining for our OL and DL to step up and do better vs. their SEC opponents ... I find it hard to imagine that WVU is going to whip us in the trenches.
I don't think it's blind optimism, it's more that we have better talent than 4-8 just like Florida has more talent than their 4 wins would dictate. The worst way to predict how a season will go is to base it off the previous year. Take Much St..3-9 in 2016, then 10-3 in 2017...C.Fla 6-7 in 2016 then 13-0 in 2017..Flor was 9-4 and SEC East champs in 2016, they were 4-7 last season..Florida Atlantic went 3-9 in 2016, they went 11-3 last yr after a coaching change..2016 we were 9-4, last yr 4-8.Malzahns first year he went 12-2 and lost the Championship game in the final minutes..year before they were 3-9. It's amazing the difference coaching changes can make. Not a single one of us know's what our record will be this year but it's easy to see we have much better talent than a 4-8 team. Throw in all the coaching changes and 30 new faces ,who didn't even play a down on that 4-8 team now here. Plus the return of Jennings and Kirkland.
Thought I read Kirkland was going the grad transfer route
Jmo Grier will be the best player on the field by far and the big difference in this game he could easily go for 350 and 3 or 4 touchdowns
Thats about what he averaged last year I expect he could be a little better this yearSo you think Jeremy Pruitt is going to allow our team to get torched in his first ever coached football game for Tennessee?
I am going to say, not a chance. I don't care how good WVs offense is. I don't see Pruitt not making changes at halftime if there are some cover issues.
No way WV puts up 350 yards in the air on us.
Edit: As for the Kirkland comment come on man..... That was big news weeks ago.... Stay current.
Thats about what he averaged last year I expect he could be a little better this year
I just dont see much proven talent at corner for Tennessee
DL isnt exactly returning a lot of production either
Also first game as a head coach. Dont seem too far fetched to me
Even with Pruitt I just dont see pass defense as a strength for Tennessee this year certainly not in week one
Also I dont see any QB on Tennessee roster that can properly prepare them in practice for what Grier will be able to do
Seems kind of like blind hope that he wont throw for 300 and 3 touchdowns
But hey I expect Grier to be one of the best QBs in cfb this year and a first round pick. I remember he dropped like 4 touchdown passes on a top 5 ole miss team in the first half fresh off their win over bama and that was as a true freshman
Hes a lot better now I imagine
Also when Holgerson has a talent like that at QB he knows how to put up points last year had to of been a disappointment i think they make up for it this year and turn out to be pretty good maybe 8 or 9 wins
Some of yall are heavily underestimating the duo of Holgerson and Grier vs a guy coaching his first game and not a ton of returning talent at DL or DB