Predictions for 2024 Vols

[SNAFU]

Both are contributors to the Athletic.

Stewart Mandel
The Vols are my dark horse to get to Atlanta. Josh Heupel’s offense had a ceiling with Joe Milton at the helm. If Nico Iamaleava is as good as advertised, the Vols could look a lot more like they did in 2022 (11-2) than in 2023 (9-4). James Pearce Jr. leads a strong defensive front, but a depleted secondary could be their undoing.

Manny Navarro
Here’s a prediction you can take to the bank: Iamaleava will win the SEC Freshman of the Year award with Johnny Manziel-type passing numbers (3,700-plus yards, 27 TDs). James Pearce Jr. will be good for 10 sacks again before landing in the top 10 of the NFL Draft in April. The schedule, though, is challenging, with trips to Oklahoma and Georgia, a visit from Alabama and an important SEC-ACC matchup with NC State in Charlotte on Sept. 7. I’ve got the Vols losing three of those games (mostly because of their secondary), finishing with nine wins and on the outside looking in at a Playoff spot.

 

[Backwards K]

The defensive backfield is a big question but the Vols also have smaller questions with quality depth on the OL, at LB, and RB. Vols would struggle to overcome injuries on the OL and at LB right now and there is only one proven running back. But, the biggest problems still appear to be in the defensive backfield where there is little proven quality or depth.

The schedule is manageable but having NC State and at OU early in the year is the wrong time to be playing those teams. Vols are coming fast but are probably still a year away from being a legit playoff contender. Looks like 8-4 with losses at UGA, to Bama, 2 more losses coming from NCSU, @OU, UF, or one unknown that always seems to happen.

Vols are finally starting to stockpile some talent on the DL and at WR but need to develop the depth at LB, OL, and RB. They will get this done as the year progresses and will end up destroying some Big 10 team in another mid level bowl. The future gets brighter going forward from here.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Both are contributors to the Athletic.

Stewart Mandel
The Vols are my dark horse to get to Atlanta. Josh Heupel’s offense had a ceiling with Joe Milton at the helm. If Nico Iamaleava is as good as advertised, the Vols could look a lot more like they did in 2022 (11-2) than in 2023 (9-4). James Pearce Jr. leads a strong defensive front, but a depleted secondary could be their undoing.

Manny Navarro
Here’s a prediction you can take to the bank: Iamaleava will win the SEC Freshman of the Year award with Johnny Manziel-type passing numbers (3,700-plus yards, 27 TDs). James Pearce Jr. will be good for 10 sacks again before landing in the top 10 of the NFL Draft in April. The schedule, though, is challenging, with trips to Oklahoma and Georgia, a visit from Alabama and an important SEC-ACC matchup with NC State in Charlotte on Sept. 7. I’ve got the Vols losing three of those games (mostly because of their secondary), finishing with nine wins and on the outside looking in at a Playoff spot.

The Defensive Backfield will not be the weakness many are making it to be. Not saying it will be a strength, but I think it'll be better than expected.

 

[LouderVol]

The defensive backfield is a big question but the Vols also have smaller questions with quality depth on the OL, at LB, and RB. Vols would struggle to overcome injuries on the OL and at LB right now there is only one proven running back. But, the biggest problems still appear to be in the defensive backfield where there is little prove quality or depth.

The schedule is manageable but having NC State and at OU early in the year is the wrong time to be playing those teams. Vols are coming fast but are probably still a year away from being a legit playoff contender. Looks like 8-4 with losses at UGA, to Bama, 2 more losses coming from NCSU, @OU, UF, or one unknown that always seems to happen.

Vols are finally starting to stockpile some talent on the DL and at WR but need to develop the depth at LB, OL, and RB. They will get this done as the year progresses and will end up destroying some Big 10 team in another mid level bowl. The future gets brighter going forward from here.

I think we do want to get NC State early. they have a lot of transfers starting. getting them before they get settled is ideal.

definitely don't like being OU's first SEC game. they are going to be amped for it. unless we can LSU them from the start I think that will be an extremely tough game.

glad UF moved back a couple games too. hopefully they are in the full slide by the time we see them.

 

[OffTackleVol]

The defensive backfield is a big question but the Vols also have smaller questions with quality depth on the OL, at LB, and RB. Vols would struggle to overcome injuries on the OL and at LB right now and there is only one proven running back. But, the biggest problems still appear to be in the defensive backfield where there is little prove quality or depth.

The schedule is manageable but having NC State and at OU early in the year is the wrong time to be playing those teams. Vols are coming fast but are probably still a year away from being a legit playoff contender. Looks like 8-4 with losses at UGA, to Bama, 2 more losses coming from NCSU, @OU, UF, or one unknown that always seems to happen.

Vols are finally starting to stockpile some talent on the DL and at WR but need to develop the depth at LB, OL, and RB. They will get this done as the year progresses and will end up destroying some Big 10 team in another mid level bowl. The future gets brighter going forward from here.

8-4 would be a major disappointment. LB depth is better than you think. Playing both NCS and OK early works both ways. We're very experienced and talented in both starting lines, so playing them early may actually be advantageous for the Big Orange.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I’m still thinking 8-4. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Brutal schedule

 

[Shirleyudontmeanthat]

To beat OU this DL is going to win it … they have a young questionable OL and a rs Fr at QB. Need him to be harassed to no end.

 

[Seattle Hillbilly]

I think they have a reasonable shot at anyone (the "on any given day" principal) on the schedule not named Georgia. Need another couple of years to reach that level at Athens.

 

[Frozevol]

8-4 would be a major disappointment. LB depth is better than you think. Playing both NCS and OK early works both ways. We're very experienced and talented in both starting lines, so playing them early may actually be advantageous for the Big Orange.

I agree. We need to go 9-3 at least to keep the appearance of an upward trajectory going.

 

[Hulavol]

If our secondary is as bad as people think … yeah - 8 and 4 might be about we can hope for.
But I kinda’ doubt it’s really that bad. I mean it’s gotta be better than last year - everywhere else we are certainly better.
Now - 8 and 4 with last years schedule would kinda suck. But with this beast of a slate ? That might not be considered all that bad at all.
I know most will call for the coach to be fired - but we still need a few more top five classes in a row to think we can start going 11-1 against these kinds of schedules….

 

[GleasonVol]

I like the Vols chances against all but Ga the first time they play.

 

[Volfan1000]

The defensive backfield is a big question but the Vols also have smaller questions with quality depth on the OL, at LB, and RB. Vols would struggle to overcome injuries on the OL and at LB right now and there is only one proven running back. But, the biggest problems still appear to be in the defensive backfield where there is little proven quality or depth.

The schedule is manageable but having NC State and at OU early in the year is the wrong time to be playing those teams. Vols are coming fast but are probably still a year away from being a legit playoff contender. Looks like 8-4 with losses at UGA, to Bama, 2 more losses coming from NCSU, @OU, UF, or one unknown that always seems to happen.

Vols are finally starting to stockpile some talent on the DL and at WR but need to develop the depth at LB, OL, and RB. They will get this done as the year progresses and will end up destroying some Big 10 team in another mid level bowl. The future gets brighter going forward from here.

Desean Bishop might take the RB2 position this season.