1) Strawman. Milton was
nowhere close to the clear-cut QB1 coming into 2021. It was a close race and even HB was on the outside looking in. It was very tight. So much so that HH threw in game 1, 21 times in Game 2, and so on for the rest of the season. Even if Nico struggled through 5 quarters, you would not have seen Merk, Gaston, Gmac lol. He'd be given a very long leash to at least get back to last-season form.
We are not discussing close QB1/QB2 battles, we're talking clear cut situations. Let's not be disingenuous.
2) I should say
very likely. I don't know the future, but if you were jumping at the bit to bet the over on Vols season total wins today then you're a gutsier person than myself

Again, I hope we can go get Leavitt from ASU or some other stud, then I'm back in the saddle. Otherwise, it seems pretty clear we need to hunker down for a grind this year. Either way it's only short-term pain.