Since our schedule this year features perhaps the most difficult stretch of games that any team in the country will face . . .
Date Opponent FPI Win Chance%
9/1 WVU 38.1%
9/8 ETSU 99.6%
9/15 UTEP 98.0%
9/22 UF 33.0%
9/29 @UGA 6.3%
10/13 @AU 10.1%
10/20 Crims 11.3%
10/27 @USC 22.9%
11/3 Charlotte 95.0%
11/10 UK 61.2%
11/17 MIZZ 41.0%
11/24 @VU 65.1%
are we in a position where the Florida game is going to make or break the season?
My reasons:
* mainly, this 35 day gauntlet which begins with Florida could significantly degrade any team's manpower with injuries
* this game is in Neyland with comparable talent if we are at full health and we should be since the softest part of our schedule leads to this game
* if we are 2-2 after this game, we'll possibly need to sweep November just to get our 15 bowl practices
* we have to start beating the Gators in Neyland every time they come here, as they will probably stop shooting themselves in the foot some day
* Coach Pruitt famously said he didn't come here to win 6 games, which I love, but we are going to catch hell from the media and opposing fanbases if we don't get 7+
* if we don't even win 6 games, then those jokes write themselves and the narrative is UT as laughingstock again
* I don't see 7 wins with a Florida loss as likely
Sure, we should not over-react to a 2-6 start, but it obviously should be avoided if possible. I believe the Florida game is really going to determine how this season is remembered and what people think about our potential to return to greatness.
