Honest thoughts on how this season should go

#53
#53
Even if Heupel is dynamite, this is a transition year. The roster has been upended. The offense and defensive scheme changes will be difficult.

Give Heupel a chance and lower your expectations accordingly. I mean, I’ll still get hyped and think we’ll win every game the week of. But rationally I’m not going to hold this season against him. And it’d be beneficial to us all if the vocal fans could delay wanting him fired. It’s hard to recruit when people are calling for your head.
 
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#54
#54
sjt18 said:
So you are saying that Vandy and USCe with less talent and new coaches are unlikely wins for UT?
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Yes, and I gave detailed reasons for my assessment whether you agree or not. I'd be glad for you to be right and me to be wrong. But thats not what the OP asked, he wanted honest assessments. I think Heupel is going to run his offense which is going to leave our defense on the field a lot and the lack of depth will show up later in games. I think it's going to be a good year for the Braves to make a deep post season run
 
#55
#55
LittleVol said:
WHAT lol???

Even if we self impose a bowl ban, the previous TWELVE GAMES still matter. They still go in the record book and so do the stats compiled.

How did you let this horse crap come out your mouth???

Vandy has LESS talent this season.
Oh and Mizzous LAST two games
49-14 LOSS to UGA
52-35 LOSS to Miss State..
Mississippi State!!
Maybe actually do some research on other teams and not just depend on internet gossip, Champ...
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Champ? You're up past your bedtime grandpa.
 
#56
#56
Devo182 said:
We just need to develop and progress.

People seen to be ignoring the laundry list of "new"s.

New ENTIRE STAFF
New offensive scheme
New defensive scheme
New players all over the place

Whenever you get a new OC, people usually say it will take a year to implement and expect a big bump in Y2. For whatever reason, people are ignoring that factor. It may be rough early on, could take time...who knows.
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I guess someone should have told Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss last year they couldn’t do that
 
#62
#62
Be competitive, show improvement over last year which doesn't necessarily show in the W/L column. This team.. This program has hit the reset button. Nearly everything is new. It takes time to build especially after what this program has went through. I'm not expecting anything until next year or possibly year 3.. My hopes are this team plays well and bonds as a team.. And has fun while they do so. The mental state of the program is fragile.. I'm hoping for a solid first game with correctable mistakes and no injuries.. A confidence builder going into a much tougher game 2.. It's hard for me think much past that at the moment.
 
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#63
#63
VOLSAO said:
I expect the offense to be much improved based on Heupel's track record, especially having success in the SEC. We have substantial talent at the skill positions, o-line depth is questionable but I like Heupel/Golesh's ability to scheme if that becomes an issue.

Biggest question mark has to be LBs. Can they play above their potential? Will we be able to stop the run?

This is a LOS league, front 7 will dictate success.
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I think the offense will be very good and the defense will be much better than most think because it will be less complicated and will eliminate many of the "busted" play we have seen in the last 4-5 years. It also appears the the LB position will be better than predicted after Spring practice. The biggest plus is the team's positive attitude and work ethic.
 
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#64
#64
rocky top buzz said:
You can't judge this season on wins. Pruitt beat a good Auburn team in year 1 and how did he turn out? I would focus on how they play in the first half and do they continue to battle into the later part of the game. There are 3 guaranteed wins on this schedule, that's it. People talk of beating Pitt/Mizzou/SC/Vandy and they certainly could win those games, but I'd say it's unlikely. People underplay Pitt because of their conference, but that's a stable program with an experienced coach who will know what he wants to do to win just as we are getting our feet wet. Mizzoul looked really good to end the season last year so they might continue. South Carolina is tough because they are circling this game as one of the most important games to judge Beamer. They will really want to win. And for Vandy we are going to be their super bowl and Lea will want nothing more than to start his career with a win.

It's just going to be tough. Given that I expect UT to self-impose a bowl ban, the wins won't matter much anyway. Watch the game, evaluate the coaches and players, and the score is just going to be a number this year.
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I agree on Pitt and Mizzou. I have Pitt as a toss up and slight a underdog vs Mizzou. Otoh, loses to Vandy and SoCar would be a tough pill to swallow. If JH is what I think he is, UT will be double digit favorites over both. Imo, the floor is 5 and 8 wins wouldn't be shocking. My prediction is 7 and it's that low because I do expect a couple of first yr glitches in a game or two.
 
#66
#66
VOLINVONORE said:
I think the offense will be very good and the defense will be much better than most think because it will be less complicated and will eliminate many of the "busted" play we have seen in the last 4-5 years. It also appears the the LB position will be better than predicted after Spring practice. The biggest plus is the team's positive attitude and work ethic.
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I agree
 
#68
#68
LittleVol said:
10-2

Top heavy schedule. Most of the teams lack an explosive offense to match ours.
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I have avoided asking this... but are you serious or just poking people?

I'm pretty hopeful at this point... but I honestly don't see 10 wins right now.
 
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#69
#69
The vegas betting line for UT is 6.5 Games (Over or under) so make it 7-5. Score a bunch of points, but allow a bunch. (No depth on D) STILL, more entertaining than losing 42-17.
 
#72
#72
One week out and I cannot establish a SHOULD post. Too many questions that have to be answered on the field against the array of talent we will face this year.

How did we really NET in the transfer portal? We lost a big number and got back a small number, but how did we really come out in the two deep?

Among our most notable losses was RB. But where are we net? Would our losses be better fits and taking snaps over those presently on our roster?

Did our inbound LB offset the loss of our infamous loss in our new schemes?

Does the offensive scheme favor the OL we lost over the ones we have lining up there now?

No way we don't feel the quantity of unscheduled losses through the portal. Most analysis indicates our defense will be the most effected by this season. Can our offense not only score more points but also provide better time of possession to minimize the impact.

How do we make out with injuries? Do they stack up at our more limited positions or those we can better afford to absorb. When do they occur? Early in the season or after some of our new and/or young backups get some reps in live competition, not practice? Day one depth and mid season depth are two different things, especially in the bust department.

I will be honest and say I like the total composition of this staff, think they will work together and since everything they are doing is new are not as impacted by the portal losses. Loosing experience in what we did last year may not be a big issue.

And of course the BREAKS will be a bigger factor than when teams are comprised more equally. Some breaks you make, some are provided by the other team. Some bounces work in your favor some do not. Some could cost us victories we believe we should have, others may give us a shot in games we do not expect to win or advantage us in true tossups.

I am glad our offense is not projected to try and go toe to toe with superior forces and maybe use tempo on offense to offset size and depth. Superior numbers are somewhat mitigated if they cannot freely get on the field. I am hopeful that there is some truth to number of guys we have with real game speed out of the backfield and on routes downfield. Bigger is not better if there is a real quickness and speed differential, if we have time to use it.

Regardless of wins and losses I want to see growth in character and toughness. I do not buy into moral victories but can appreciate evidence of progress in losses. These can improve our chances in the remaining games. Don't like lack of character on the field or in the stands or on these boards. Snap and clear is real and I hope the staff has given the squad reason enough to believe even in the wake of heartbreaking type losses. I hope the majority of the fanbase will exhibit similar character. There will be some Vols on the field that will fall short, a higher percentage among the fanbase if history holds.
 
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#73
#73
a vol n tears said:
I think with last year’s schedule (10 conf games) this team would have won 4 or 5 games. With this year’s schedule I think they win 7 games, and possibly 8 games.
Of course I know very little about the OOC teams other than everyone except Pitt is not Power 5. And I cannot predict injuries to any team or possible Virus uprisings. unknowns aside, I think these men will play as a team, hopefully when things don’t go their way. The schedule the past few seasons has been brutal. They had to play excellent physical teams back to back to back. Takes a toll on your body and your mental outlook with loses in 3 or 4 games in a row. Won’t happen this year.
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With some semblance of competent quarterback play we would’ve won 6 games last year. Little doubt in my mind We beat UK, Arkansas and Auburn.
 
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#75
#75
To finish this story,

I reached over and grabbed a shovel off the wall. The "presumably buzzed" vermin ducked down and swung around the vehicle to the far side of the garage. No doubt, in an attempt to track behind me and ambush me with a blood gushing attack to the esophagus. Being the smart, upright monkey that I am, I took my opportunity to make a dash to the door. Today I found a hole in the corner of the garage wall, behind some lumber.

JoAllan said:
Throw it some wood and your fine………and find out how much wood he can chuck.
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