Good article with national pundits predictions

[MikeHamiltonFan]

Countdown to kickoff | Chattanooga Times Free Press

The consensus is 6-6 which they say would be a good record.

It is also clear that if they win 7 games, Dooley will have lots of respect nationally and if they win 8 Dooley will be viewed as having done one of the finest coaching jobs.

It is also interesting that Rucker pointed out that Doyel is a UF grad as Doyel ripped TN. Herbstreit seems sometimes to go out of his way to avoid favoring Ohio State, but there are certain writers who are supposed to be journalists who instead show their bias over and over.

For vol fans, with a new offensive line, 6-6 should be acceptable, but another losing record should not be. You look at a school like Michigan and I do not think that Dooley would survive a start like Rich Rod had.

It is also discussed in the article that it matters who we lose to.

If you beat Alabama and lose to UAB, no one buys the "we are not talented enough" argument.

If you beat Vanderbilt, UTM, UAB, Kentucky and get two more wins while losing to Alabama and Florida, the only fans who will be upset with the results are unreasonable idiots who you could not please no matter what.

 

[YankeeVol]

Sounds about right...your dissertation, not the actual article

 

[OrangeVol79]

I disagree with Doyel that Coach Dooley was hired because of his name alone. I belive that several coaches that MH talked with pointed to him saying he would be a great coach. MH then talked with Coach Dooley and was impressed with him and his plan.

 

[PayingUTKTuition]

Count me among those who initially said, 'what are you thinking?' . The more I have heard about CDD, the more I like him. I am really pulling for him to succeed here. I think our staff is good. The strength program is top notch now with Bennie Wylie. I think our coordinators are great, the O-Line coach is proven, and the D-Line is in good hands. I do believe CDD understands what has to be done to win at this level. The one thing that impresses me most, though, is he doesn't dance around the issues. He knows the target will be on his back with a lot of the fan base and he takes that responsibility head-on.

 

[PennVol]

good read. Doyel never does any homework. cbssportsline has got to be some of the worst sports website writers in all of college football

 

[WiseOlVol]

If Tennessee goes 1-11, they'll still beat Alabama.

Alabama plays 7 straight games before the UT game. They scheduled their Bye weel AFTER the UT game. Oops.

The Vols are off the week before the Alabama game.

Tennessee out-played Alabama in Tuscaloosa last year. Returning players will be HIGHLY motivated, particularly with 2 weeks to get grumpy.

 

[utmba93]

They have 7 BCS games in a row.

They are very brave to have not bought the Duke game out this year as we did the UNC game for next year.

The Tide.... putting it on the line against the ACC in football. :salute:

 

[emainvol]

Do you guys just hate any sportswriter who isn't a complete UT shill?

 

[emainvol]

Further, Doyel was absolutely right about everything except for Dooley's pedigree being the only reason he was hired.

 

[Jazzrevival]

I think Dooley is a leader's leader. I feel like both Fulmer and Kiffin allowed their assistant coaches to lead them. In Dooley, we have a leader like Saban, who, like him or hate him, knows what he wants and gets results. That's why I believe we will surprise some people and have 7+ wins.

 

[GatorCountrySux]

I don't think Doyel said what he said because he is a Florida guy. I think he said it because he is a jerk that no one likes. Biggest ego out there in the sports writing world. I never read his stuff unless he writes about UT then I get mad. lol I wasn't excited about the hire but the more I learn the more excited I get. Phil Steele thinks Dooley will do a great job. He knows more than most of us including Doyel the clown.

 

[sjt18]

His comments were offensive but at the core there was some truth.

Best case: Dooley is a great coach who would have emerged as such at LT and UT just caught him before it happened and LSU got him. He will turn UT into a championship program in part by having an eye for undeveloped or unrecognized talent.

Worst case: He will flop and get fired after 3 years but will clean the program up and leave a roster that a "good" coach can build on and win with.

 

[zjcvols]

His comments were offensive but at the core there was some truth.

Best case: Dooley is a great coach who would have emerged as such at LT and UT just caught him before it happened and LSU got him. He will turn UT into a championship program in part by having an eye for undeveloped or unrecognized talent.

Worst case: He will flop and get fired after 3 years but will clean the program up and leave a roster that a "good" coach can build on and win with.

I'd say that's the case, but with worst case he is so enamored with his "high character" recruiting stance he leaves UT with little talent.

 

[UTK]

I think we can beat Florida and Alabama. I think its very possible.

 

[utmba93]

I'd say that's the case, but with worst case he is so enamored with his "high character" recruiting stance he leaves UT with little talent.

Exactly. That's clearly possible.

He might also stay on that track for two years (character), see that he is hurting for talent, and pull some stunt that leaves UT in more AA trouble.

It was a huge risk to hire an unproven coach after CLK left on short notice. The next coach may well have more of an uphill battle than does Dooley. The recruiting may be harder as it will have been even longer since the Vols were relevant.

Huge downside risk...