Season predictions . . . for every game

(milohimself @ Jul 27 said:
A few things...

1. It's already been said, but the odds are more than stacked against us of getting 10 wins before the SEC title game. I think we can get a lot closer to said game, as others have noted... Georgia and Florida are both lacking at key positions, whereas we are not. In fact, I'd go so far as to say Auburn and LSU are the only two teams in the entire conference with at least serviceable enough talent to get into a BCS game.

2. But on the note of LSU... I think you guys are giving them way too much credit. Even the guys that have us getting 13 wins total on the season, the one loss seems to come from LSU. Why? The talent Saban left in the cabinet for Les Miles worked alright last season, but the seams are coming undone. Miles is just not a good coach, I see LSU exhibiting the same sort of apathy they played with most of last season.
3. And the game against Arkansas? Where is all the hype for this team coming from? They're not going to win their division, and it seems they're getting pumped over a good runningback and maybe Mitch Mustain? Who knows. If halfbacks made teams better by themselves, then the Detroit Lions would have been the team to beat in the 90's.
1. you are assuming we will make it to the SECCG? UGA is lacking at qb and on D, they do and will have issues, but they won't suck out loud. UF does have weaknesses, but on paper, UF should be a very good team. thier main weakness however, is their schedule.

2. I agree about LSU...something tells me they will diappoint...but they were also the same team that throttled Miami....so the cubboard isn't bare....they have talent.

3. I don't think they will win the division either, but the hype is a hunch...they were young last year, they have a great running back and o line....
 
vs. Californa - L 31 - 24
vs. Air Force - W 28 - 10
vs. Florida - L 21-19
vs. Marshall - W 35 - 7
vs. Memphis - W 28 - 14
@ Georgia - W 24 - 21
vs. Alabama - W 17 - 13
@ South Carolina - W 23-17
vs. LSU - L 28-13
@ Arkansas - W 17-10
@ Vanderbilt - W 31 - 9
vs. Kentucky - W 28 - 0

2nd in the East
(SEC Title game will be Auburn vs. Florida)
Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin W 23-17

10-3
 
(VOLpirate44 @ Jul 27 said:
Marshall- 10 Tennessee- 27 W
Foster runs for 200 yds and 2 TDs. Anderson gets another from 3 yds out. Ainge throws for 200 yds and 1 TD. Marshall scores a TD late and recovers the onsides kick. Hits a big completion before settling for a FG and the Vols run out the clock.

How to lose your coaching job: kicking a FG after recovering an onside kick when you're down 20.

Quick calculations make Foster the all-time season record holder for rushing yards and the new season-scoring leader (with 23 TD's). While Fostermom will like this prediction, let's be a little easy with the preseason expectations, K?

While this thread just gets funnier and funnier, I'm afraid there are going to be a lot of folks disappointed after 2006, if they're dreaming of undefeated title runs or record-smashing offensive outpourings.
 
(kiddiedoc @ Jul 27 said:
How to lose your coaching job: kicking a FG after recovering an onside kick when you're down 20.

Quick calculations make Foster the all-time season record holder for rushing yards and the new season-scoring leader (with 23 TD's). While Fostermom will like this prediction, let's be a little easy with the preseason expectations, K?
funny stuff....
 
Arkansas has one great RB and one very good one, so it's not just one RB. A true freshman at QB will probably keep them earthbound.

LSU has talent, not so great schedule.

Florida is good, but a brutal schedule is too much for them. I put my personal guarantee (as valuable as a cup of water) that UF does not win the SEC East.

11-1 isn't out of the REALM of possibility, but 10-2 or 9-3 seem both like a combo of realistic and optimistic. So, I'll say 10-2, then 10-3 after Auburn beats us in the SECCG.

I just can't see us beating all of:

Florida
Georgia
S.C
LSU
Cal
Arkansas
 
okay guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really think you guys are being a bit optimistic. First off, I think the game against Cal will be a close game but a loss. Cal is just wayto fast of a team for our young defense. Secondly... Air Force.....COME ON GUYS!!!! Most of you have only given AF 10 points! I think we will win this game but AF is gonna put up more than 10 points, especially with an experienced QB. Next is Florida. I love the Vols just as much as anyone else, but I am also a realist. No way we can beat the Gators this year. They still have Leak under Center and we have a very young defense this year. He will pick us apart. Just keeping it real guys. Those are the main things I have noticed that I think you guys are forgetting. As for my predictions:

Cal-28. UT-17
Air Force-21. UT-30*
Florida-34. UT-17
Marshall-17. UT-24*
Memphis-17. UT 21*
Georgia-21. UT-10
Alabama-14. UT-24*
USC-21. UT-24*
LSU-34. UT-14
Arkansas-24. UT-17
Vandy-10. UT-24*
Kentucky-17. UT-21*



That puts us going 7-5.
3-2 in the SEC East.
Lose to Florida in the SEC East.
Music City Bowl, HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!
 
I don't disagree with your end result but I do think our secondary will be the best part of our defense this year seeing as how it is all returning starters. We will porbably not be quite as tough against the run but I don't think anyone will be winging it all over the field on us like UGA and ND did last year.
 
(iznasty1981 @ Jul 27 said:
okay guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really think you guys are being a bit optimistic. First off, I think the game against Cal will be a close game but a loss. Cal is just wayto fast of a team for our young defense. Secondly... Air Force.....COME ON GUYS!!!! Most of you have only given AF 10 points! I think we will win this game but AF is gonna put up more than 10 points, especially with an experienced QB. Next is Florida. I love the Vols just as much as anyone else, but I am also a realist. No way we can beat the Gators this year. They still have Leak under Center and we have a very young defense this year. He will pick us apart. Just keeping it real guys. Those are the main things I have noticed that I think you guys are forgetting. As for my predictions:

Cal-28. UT-17
Air Force-21. UT-30*
Florida-34. UT-17
Marshall-17. UT-24*
Memphis-17. UT 21*
Georgia-21. UT-10
Alabama-14. UT-24*
USC-21. UT-24*
LSU-34. UT-14
Arkansas-24. UT-17
Vandy-10. UT-24*
Kentucky-17. UT-21*
That puts us going 7-5.
3-2 in the SEC East.
Lose to Florida in the SEC East.
Music City Bowl, HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!
i think beating UF is not likely, but i won't say we have no chance....they still have questions on the o line and at RB, and as for picking us apart, our secondary should be a strength....and the losses you have us in for, i could see us losing, but not by the margins you have listed here...no way we're double digit losers to 4 of the 5 games you have us losing...
 
(NDShane @ Jul 27 said:
I don't know if some of you are blind or just smoking Marion County Meth. TN was 5-6 last year, 5-6. They have been beaten by double digits to teams in the Top Ten like 9 out of the last 10 times. Cutcliff this , Cutliff that, when he was there the last time everybody complained about him, what has changed over 5 yrs. Eric Ainge has the happiest feet I've ever seen. This ain't 1998. When Coach Garner went to GA, and Coach Barry went to NC State, that's when TN started their descent. Garner recruited the talent to TN, Barry coached 'em. With a dominant O-line you can do anything. Cal, GA, Florida & LSU wins, maybe Bama. If TN loses the first game to Cal (which is very good, please get out of the South once in your lifetime) things could go bad again. Just an outside observation.

Notre Dame wasn't exactly a powerhouse in 2004, before their re-emergence last season. Brady Quinn wasn't anything special, either. David Cutcliffe may not be Charlie Weiss, but I think if ND proved anything last year, it's that a dramatic turnaround in one year isn't impossible. Maybe you should take a glance at your favorite team before you make any judgments or tell people to see the world outside the South.
 
I'll say this much. Assuming we don't face any serious health problems with our starters I predict two things: 1) we dont lose any games by double-digits, and 2) we dont lose more than 3 games (3 out of these 4 at the most--LSU, Florida, Georgia, Cal). Alabama, Arkansas, and USC are the 'hot picks' to beat us but I really think we will take each of those games. The remaining games that I did not mention will not be close.
 
Oh yeah, I researched the USC defense and if there is any game outside of the Vanderbilt game that you can bank on a 100+ yard rusher its USC. They were next to last in Rushing Defense last year and they lost 2 starters to the NFL and have to replace LB and DL with big question marks. That is also why I dont think the USC game is an upset special this year. We will run all over USC this year and put lots of points up against them.
 
(VolinArizona @ Jul 27 said:
Shane, you might regret your post when I get done with it.
Verrrrrrrrrrrry good!
Here are the last 9 top 10 teams Tennessee has played and the outcome:

2005 - @ Notre Dame - 20 point loss (you got one!)
2005 - @ Alabama - 3 point loss
2005 - Georgia - 13 point loss (another!)
2005 - @ LSU - 3 point win
2005 - @ Florida - 9 point loss
2004 - Auburn - 10 point loss (another one, against the 2nd best team in the country that season)
2004 - @ Georgia - 5 point win
2004 - Auburn - 24 point loss (yeah, awful)
2004 - Florida - 2 point win
2003 - Miami - 4 point win

So, UT is 4-6 in their last 10 games against top 10 opponents, with 4 being double digits. Am I happy we're just 4-6? Hell no, but this proves you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh, there's more?
Kind of like Notre Dame last year producing only 3.6 yards per carry and still winning 9 games? Or ND in 2002 who carved out 3.4 ypc and won 10 games? Awesome, glad to know you're wrong again. Don't get me wrong, I feel OL play is the most important aspect in college football, but you can win tons of games without being dominant.
Funny, all 3 of these teams have major major offensive line questions. Contradictory on your behalf.
Funny you should mention something like this. Especially when Notre Dame was 6-5 in 2004, the season before going 9-2. You should also remember that Notre Dame went 5-6 in 2001, the season before they went 10-2. Maybe some Southern footballs fans don't pay attention to the entire national scope of things, but a ton of us do. There are hundreds of posters here who probably know more about ND football than you, considering your post. Am I saying Tennessee is going to be National Title contenders? No, but 10 or 11 wins is NOT impossible, but neither is 6. I think 10-2, 9-3 is right around where UT will be. But please, before you begin insulting our people, at least get your facts REMOTELY CLOSE.
No, it wasn't. You stated things as facts which were 100% incorrect. We like observations, we like opinions, but only when thought through and have some sort of factual foundation. And remember, Tennessee could have been 8-3 (or even 4-7) just as easily as we were 5-6. Kind of live how ND could have been 7-4 or even 11-0.

The end.
oh snap. that was awesome.

great great post arizona. very good.
 
(VOLracerx @ Jul 27 said:
Hey Milo - what's the word on the left coast on the Cal game??
Would like for a Pac-10 team to finally beat an SEC team. But, since Tennessee is not really considered a contender for the SEC crown, a lot of Oregonians would like to see Ainge tear it up first time out. Not to mention hating on Berkley. As far as Cal's season goes, word over here is same as you hear everywhere else. USC is still the odds-on favorite to win the conference, although nobody would be suprised to see Oregon, California or Arizona State steal the crown. I think Cal will still come up short, there's a ton of talent all-around, but with the new 9-game Pac-10 schedule, the ol' conference of champions is looking to once again have the most parity in the country.

(jakez4ut @ Jul 27 said:
1. you are assuming we will make it to the SECCG? UGA is lacking at qb and on D, they do and will have issues, but they won't suck out loud. UF does have weaknesses, but on paper, UF should be a very good team. thier main weakness however, is their schedule.

2. I agree about LSU...something tells me they will diappoint...but they were also the same team that throttled Miami....so the cubboard isn't bare....they have talent.

3. I don't think they will win the division either, but the hype is a hunch...they were young last year, they have a great running back and o line....
1. Nah, saying we'd make the SECCG is going a little far... But as can said about most teams in the SEC (I think the only exception this year is Auburn, the more I think about it the more they are my favorites to win), each team has a glaring exploitable weakness that keeps them from being truly elite. This happens in the SEC every year, so even if a team falls behind, good coaching and some fire can carry you a long ways.

(iznasty1981 @ Jul 27 said:
okay guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really think you guys are being a bit optimistic. First off, I think the game against Cal will be a close game but a loss. Cal is just wayto fast of a team for our young defense. Secondly... Air Force.....COME ON GUYS!!!! Most of you have only given AF 10 points! I think we will win this game but AF is gonna put up more than 10 points, especially with an experienced QB. Next is Florida. I love the Vols just as much as anyone else, but I am also a realist. No way we can beat the Gators this year. They still have Leak under Center and we have a very young defense this year. He will pick us apart. Just keeping it real guys. Those are the main things I have noticed that I think you guys are forgetting. As for my predictions:
1. Air Force has almost 0 talent. It would take an incredibly poor effort on the part of our guys to even let Air Force stay close. Florida's receiving corps is pretty depleted. Once again, with some good coaching the SEC title is still possibly in reach. The Vols are not my pick to even go to the title game, but there's still a good possibility. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and LSU all have exploitable weaknesses, most of which we have the potential talent to use to our advantage. Fact is our guys are probably the 2nd most talented team in the whole conference.
 
California-21 Tennessee-31 W

Air Force-10 Tennessee-35 W

Florida-20 Tennessee-27 W

Marshall-14 Tennessee- 35 W

Memphis-17 Tennessee- 38 W

Georgia-17 Tennessee- 14 L

Alabama-13 Tennessee-24 W

South Carolina-21 Tennessee-31 W

LSU-24 Tennessee-17 L

Arkansas-13 Tennessee-35 W

Vanderbilt-7 Tennessee-42 W

Kentucky-10 Tennessee- 38 W

Wishful thinking? Maybe. Possible? Certainly.
 
Leak is overrated, yes we are very young in the front seven, but lets not forget, our secondary is our strong point. And another point about the front seven, again theyre young but they do have talent. Home field advantage should also help them out in this one.
 
(therickbol @ Jul 27 said:
I think VolinArizona just said "checkmate" Shane! But hey, we appreciate you posting on our board. Come back anytime...


Oh, I will, I read it everyday. I've had the score of TN-ND games burn't into my yard and spray paint in orange on my driveway, this isn't gonna defer me any. Seriously though, just beat Bama. I predict 9-4. Cal, LSU, Florida & they beat GA and Bama, lose bowl game.
 
(NDShane @ Jul 27 said:
Oh, I will, I read it everyday. I've had the score of TN-ND games burn't into my yard and spray paint in orange on my driveway, this isn't gonna defer me any. Seriously though, just beat Bama. I predict 9-4. Cal, LSU, Florida & they beat GA and Bama, lose bowl game.

Don't you mean "deter"?

I definitely don't want you to leave the board after the embarrassment :) But it would be nice if you would be "deterred" from posting falacies.
 
I have a good feeling about this year. I think that we are hungry for the first time in a while. It just seems to me that this team is going to have great chemistry like we did in 98 and 01.

Chavis will have our D ready. He always does. He is one of the best DC's in College Football. He knows how to get his kids ready.

Cut will have Ainge fixed by Florida but I think Foster will have to run wild for us to beat Cal. I want our offense to find its swagger again. I remember back when Cut used to be OC, everytime our offense took the field I know we could get six. The last 5 years I havent felt that way. I want our offense to be a Finely Tuned Machine again.

I think we will shock a lot of people this year, and get back to form, so we can make a National Championship in 07
 
Alot of people are picking Cal and LSU to beat Tennessee? Regardless of what problems the Vols have this season, I think they'll definately win those 2 games.

They'll definately win 5 more. I won't justify scores for the following games, because I think the Vols win them easily: Air Force, Marshall, Memphis, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

My predictions are based upon the following assumptions:
1. Chavis reloads the defensive line (not rebuilds) like he always does.
2. The Vols don't fumble 2 games away at the goal line.
3. There are no returns for TDs scored against the Vols this season.... ie the special teams improves. FYI, it has been awhile since another team did that to the Vols entering last season.
4. Ainge just has to play average and not turn the ball over alot. If the Vols had average play last season, they would have finished no worse than 8-3.
5. Arian Foster continues where he left off last season.

On to the games in no particular order.....

Most of the Cal scores have Cal with 30+ points. I think most people are expecting a west coast offense. However, Cal struggled MORE than Tennessee last season at passing the ball. They have 2 very good running backs, and that is where they won ballgames last season. Chavis has the Vols at the top of the nation every season in rush defense.... regardless of the personel losses. I think Cal will have a very hard time moving the ball against the Vols. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 38-10.

Regarding LSU..... the Vols have owned them historically.... just ask any 'truthful' LSU fan. They think its a curse. The Vols are 20-6-3 against LSU all-time with an incredible 11-1-1 record in Knoxville. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 26-14.

The Vols own the edge over Florida in the series 19-16. In the past 4 seasons, the series is tied at 2-2. In the past 8 seasons, the series is tied 4-4. However, UT has won 2 of the past 3 meetings. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 21-13.

Alabama owns the series over Tennessee 44-37-7. However, the Vols have won 9 of the past 11 meetings. Alabama also has to replace some key players. Vols win this one 28-17.

Tennessee owns an 18-15-2 edge over Georgia. However, the Dawgs have won 5 of 6 lately. Ironically, the scores have been closer in Athens during that stretch than in Knoxville.... including the 1 UT win in Athens in 2004. Georgia has been stable at QB during that stretch too. Its still early in the season for Georgia. The Vols win 28-21.

The South Carolina game scares me more than any other. Not that the Cocks have the talent, its just that Spurrier still seems to have Fulmer's number. Don't expect a blowout from either side either. The Vols still own a 19-3-2 overall record over USC. The Vols win this one too, 34-17.

Probably the most dangerous game is on the road near the end of the season at Arkansas. The young Arkansas team has alot of time to gel before this game..... and they've got talent. The Vols are 12-2 against Arkansas all-time. They win this one too, 41-24.

 

TENNESSEE 21 CALIFORNIA 20 W
TENNESSEE 41 AIR FORCE 0 W
TENNESSEE 30 FLORIDA 24 W
TENNESSEE 17 MARSHALL 11 W
TENNESSEE 30 MEMPHIS 14 W
TENNESSEE 35 GEORGIA 0 W
TENNESSEE 16 ALABAMA 13 W
TENNESSEE 45 S. CAROLINA 19 W
TENNESSEE 24 LSU 23 W
TENNESSEE 27 ARKANSAS 31 L
TENNESSEE 51 VANDERBILT 3 W
TENNESSEE 31 KENTUCKY 8 W


END OF REGULAR SEASON 11-1, RANKED #5
 
(allvol @ Jul 28 said:
Alot of people are picking Cal and LSU to beat Tennessee? Regardless of what problems the Vols have this season, I think they'll definately win those 2 games.

They'll definately win 5 more. I won't justify scores for the following games, because I think the Vols win them easily: Air Force, Marshall, Memphis, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

My predictions are based upon the following assumptions:
1. Chavis reloads the defensive line (not rebuilds) like he always does.
2. The Vols don't fumble 2 games away at the goal line.
3. There are no returns for TDs scored against the Vols this season.... ie the special teams improves. FYI, it has been awhile since another team did that to the Vols entering last season.
4. Ainge just has to play average and not turn the ball over alot. If the Vols had average play last season, they would have finished no worse than 8-3.
5. Arian Foster continues where he left off last season.

On to the games in no particular order.....

Most of the Cal scores have Cal with 30+ points. I think most people are expecting a west coast offense. However, Cal struggled MORE than Tennessee last season at passing the ball. They have 2 very good running backs, and that is where they won ballgames last season. Chavis has the Vols at the top of the nation every season in rush defense.... regardless of the personel losses. I think Cal will have a very hard time moving the ball against the Vols. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 38-10.

Regarding LSU..... the Vols have owned them historically.... just ask any 'truthful' LSU fan. They think its a curse. The Vols are 20-6-3 against LSU all-time with an incredible 11-1-1 record in Knoxville. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 26-14.

The Vols own the edge over Florida in the series 19-16. In the past 4 seasons, the series is tied at 2-2. In the past 8 seasons, the series is tied 4-4. However, UT has won 2 of the past 3 meetings. My prediction is that Tennessee wins 21-13.

Alabama owns the series over Tennessee 44-37-7. However, the Vols have won 9 of the past 11 meetings. Alabama also has to replace some key players. Vols win this one 28-17.

Tennessee owns an 18-15-2 edge over Georgia. However, the Dawgs have won 5 of 6 lately. Ironically, the scores have been closer in Athens during that stretch than in Knoxville.... including the 1 UT win in Athens in 2004. Georgia has been stable at QB during that stretch too. Its still early in the season for Georgia. The Vols win 28-21.

The South Carolina game scares me more than any other. Not that the Cocks have the talent, its just that Spurrier still seems to have Fulmer's number. Don't expect a blowout from either side either. The Vols still own a 19-3-2 overall record over USC. The Vols win this one too, 34-17.

Probably the most dangerous game is on the road near the end of the season at Arkansas. The young Arkansas team has alot of time to gel before this game..... and they've got talent. The Vols are 12-2 against Arkansas all-time. They win this one too, 41-24.

I really like your logic and statistical analysis for your picks, but I would like to point some things out for discussion.

A) UT leading in a series has no bearing whatsoever on this game. Tennessee could be 21-0-0 since 1950, but that means nothing for 2006. The last 5-6 years shows better trends in terms of predicting this season's games. Still, it was cool to see it in your post.

B) Your UT/Cal prediction and analysis have me miffed. Cal had the 2nd best defense in the PAC 10 last season, so they are a bit better on defense than the default PAC 10 defense. Also, if they only score 10 points on UT, I will personally call John Chavis and tell him he's the best DC in the world. I already think he's great, but that would be a miracle. Honestly, if Chief holds Cal to 17 or 20 points, we'll win 90% of the time. As for us scoring 38(???) on Cal? No way in Hell.

C) LSU has more talent than we do, period. I still think we should win, but 12 points is a lot on LSU. Same kind of deal with Florida.

D) You said not to expect a blowout in the SC game, but UT wins by 17? In that game, 17 is close to a blowout.
 
I understand optimism but I am a realists. The Vols have shown virtually nothing for people to start believing and expecting that they will go 10 and 2.

What has occurred in reality are some coaching changes. Cut is a good OC but he is not the end all be all. Additionally, Coach has only coached them for a little over three weeks due to NCAA regs. I believe the offense will be better, it really cant be any worse. My pointis that things dont change overnight or even in one off season.

I just wish people would be more realistic.
 

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