Preseason Top 25 - The Sporting News

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
Seems reasonable.

Nico Iamaleava


13. Tennessee​

2023 record: 9-4

Josh Heupel has brought stability to Tennessee with a 27-12 record the last three years, which is an accomplishment on its own. The Vols lost 15 players to the transfer portal, but they also brought in nine players, including Notre Dame tight end and Tulane receiver Chris Brazzell II. There is high optimism around sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who showed his dual-threat upside in the 35-0 victory against Iowa in the Cheez-It Bowl. Dylan Sampson – who rushed for 605 yards and seven TDs – has an opportunity at lead back, and receivers Squirrel White and Bru McCoy return for an offense that averaged 31.8 points per game in 2023. James Pearce Jr. – who had 10 sacks in 2023 – is in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Early-season tests against NC State (Sept. 7) and Oklahoma (Sept. 21) are tough, and Tennessee retained all three traditional SEC rivals in Florida (Oct. 12), Alabama (Oct. 19) and Georgia (Nov. 16).

www.sportingnews.com

College football rankings: Georgia, Ohio State lead Sporting News post-spring Top 25 for 2024 | Sporting News

A total of 15 teams in our Preseason Top 25 are from the SEC and Big Ten, including eight top-10 teams. How will tougher conference schedules impact those schools' playoff chances?
www.sportingnews.com www.sportingnews.com
 
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#4
#4
RDU VOL#14 said:
Can someone please explain to me why so many preseason publications and pundits are so high on LSU? I can think of a lot more reasons that they aren’t a CFP contender than reasons why they are.
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Because they have had good recruiting classes and a pretty good coach, plus they play a lot of night games in Tiger Stadium.
 
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#5
#5
VOLINVONORE said:
Because they have had good recruiting classes and a pretty good coach, plus they play a lot of night games in Tiger Stadium.
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Brian Kelly is a good coach, but they lost their Heisman trophy winning QB, 2 first round receivers, their offensive coordinator. OTOH they have a very good Oline and they brought in a new D coordinator to replace their old one. Their defense was the worst in the SEC last year. They can’t get worse on D, but the offense should take a step back. I think 10 is too high. I’d take 6 teams above them in the SEC right now.
 
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#7
#7
RDU VOL#14 said:
Brian Kelly is a good coach, but they lost their Heisman trophy winning QB, 2 first round receivers, their offensive coordinator. OTOH they have a very good Oline and they brought in a new D coordinator to replace their old one. Their defense was the worst in the SEC last year. They can’t get worse on D, but the offense should take a step back. I think 10 is too high. I’d take 6 teams above them in the SEC right now.
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LSU's defense needs to seriously improve. Don't see it either, sorry we aren't playing them.
 
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#8
#8
unfrozencvmanvol said:
LSU's defense needs to seriously improve. Don't see it either, sorry we aren't playing them.
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I think I might feel more confident playing LSU than Oklahoma. And I think we’re a bad matchup for OU given that one of our strengths is the defense line versus their Oline, which is a huge question mark for them .
 
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#9
#9
RDU VOL#14 said:
Brian Kelly is a good coach, but they lost their Heisman trophy winning QB, 2 first round receivers, their offensive coordinator. OTOH they have a very good Oline and they brought in a new D coordinator to replace their old one. Their defense was the worst in the SEC last year. They can’t get worse on D, but the offense should take a step back. I think 10 is too high. I’d take 6 teams above them in the SEC right now.
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This was well-stated. I live in Baton Rouge, and I agree with your analysis. A lot of their high draft-class guys are no longer there, either gone pro or portalled.
 
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#10
#10
I knew we would start creeping up as the season got closer. Enjoy the Supers and Omaha fam, cause elite football is coming up fast! GO VOLS!
 
#13
#13
NCState is a stout out.
Our players on both sides of the ball better bring their most elite game into this matchup. We have seen our more talented teams come out flat too many times. I don't think Heupel and staff have failed to get our teams ready as much as previous staffs.

It will all come down to whose players take the heavyweight punch from the other guys and still executes at a high level.
 
#14
#14
SpookyAction said:
NCState is a stout out.
Our players on both sides of the ball better bring their most elite game into this matchup. We have seen our more talented teams come out flat too many times. I don't think Heupel and staff have failed to get our teams ready as much as previous staffs.

It will all come down to whose players take the heavyweight punch from the other guys and still executes at a high level.
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If we win the first 20 minutes of this game and control the tempo I think we win. They want to grind it out. If we turn this into a track meet they’ll be in trouble.
 
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#15
#15
cherokeeeVOL said:
Yeah. I prefer starting outside of the top 10 and making our way up in the polls as the season progresses.
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I like the old days. When other schools knew, expected, and hated we were gonna open top 5 in the polls.
 
#17
#17
RDU VOL#14 said:
Brian Kelly is a good coach, but they lost their Heisman trophy winning QB, 2 first round receivers, their offensive coordinator. OTOH they have a very good Oline and they brought in a new D coordinator to replace their old one. Their defense was the worst in the SEC last year. They can’t get worse on D, but the offense should take a step back. I think 10 is too high. I’d take 6 teams above them in the SEC right now.
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Kelly always a good QB and they will have a good team this Fall. You make a mistake if you under estimate them.
 
#21
#21
LittleVol said:
We play the 8th toughest schedule in CFB.

Why care where we’re ranked????

If we don’t win the games then it doesn’t matter.
If we do win them then we’ll be in the playoffs!

Every year this has to be said!!
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No **** Captain Obvious.
 
#22
#22
We just need to be positioned in the polls to finish in the top 12. That's the most important poll now going forward.
 
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