SEC Network Prediction

[Behr]

Are people forgetting that we are losing Dobbs, Kamara, Barnett? Dobbs' legs saved UT in many a game over the past few years. The defense is slim in talent and depth. I'm ok with the young offensive talent but if a True Freshman is our best lineman, then Dormady/Guarantano need to take their vitamins and say their prayers.

I'm not forgetting it, I just know it's possible that they have been replaced with others in those positions that could be just as good or even better, and we may have improved in other areas that could collectively make us a better 'team'.

Obviously it could go to hell in a hand basket like some here thinks it will.

The Fact is, *we're all gonna find out at the same time* and it's right around the corner.

*I stole that line from butchna. :thumbsup:

 

[LA Vol]

I'm sincerely asking this. Where on defense do we have a lot of talent? I think safety is the only position where we have talent and depth.

Phillips, McKenzie, Tuttle, Kongbo, Kirkland, Abernathy, Warrior, TKJr and Osborne—all highly coveted 4* and 5* recruits. Gaulden, Martin, Taylor, Vickers, Bituli, Berry, Buchanan, Moseley, Picou, Sapp, ASmith, McDowell and AJohnson—all seasoned sophomores, juniors and seniors; some will start. Then there are the freshmen, some ready to provide immediate depth. All of these players are now healthy and full-go, except Tuttle, who will be held out for GT. I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I guess people who think the Vols don't have talent can pick their issue-- either the HC isn't recruiting the right players or he isn't developing them to full potential. Because we have a team full of upperclassmen who were recruited to win championships.

 

[ChattaTNVol]

Respect a lot of what you say or bring, but this isn't true. Last year's team had 85 Butch signees. It doesn't take 5+ years to flip a roster. First two classes, myself or the guy on the corner could have recruited a top class to Tn, immediate PT at an SEC school, a powerhouse, blue blood program at that. You can flip a room in two years and by year 5, that room should be ready to lead.

I've always thought the key to success in the SEC, at least for us, was to have a good roster on both sides of the ball, particularly on the line of scrimmage. We didn't have a lot of success, numbers wise, with line recruits in the 2014 class.

Butch said, I think it was a couple years ago, that it takes 7 years to rebuild a program. I think maybe what he was hinting at is that you can't always count on every class standing on its own in recruiting so you need a few classes with gems to mesh together into an elite 2-deep. I can't really argue with that given my experience with CJM. While 2014 was proclaimed the foundation class - I think from a line of scrimmage perspective, it wasn't until 2015 that we actually got that part of the foundation and at least on the offensive line we essentially had 3 years (2012, 2013, & 2014) with zilch for OL recruits. The defensive tackle recruiting wasn't much better during those years either. So this is year 3 for our lines of scrimmage and unlike some I think this will be our best year in the Jones tenure.

I've always heard that it takes 3 years to build a quality offensive line in the SEC. We went through that with Dooley as well but when they matured we had a number of NFL lineman on that side of the ball. This is year 3 for our 2015 recruits so the general expectation is that they should come into their own this season. With both sides of the ball covered at the line, we just have to see how the rest of the roster holds up.

In the end it all starts with recruiting and while 2014 was a good class the holes in that class were obvious from the start. We played freshman Thomas at right tackle because he was so "athletic" but we're playing a 5 star freshman tackle at guard this year because we don't want to put too much on him. I'm guessing that's progress when you have achieved that level of luxury on the offensive line.

While I agree with LWS, I don't think it will be relevant in the end. I think Butch gets a raise and an extension at the end of this season because we're straight up going to Atlanta in December.

2014 OL Recruits

Mosley
Blair (juco)
Raulerson
Thomas

2014 DL Recruits

Hendrix
Barnett
Henderson
Sawyers
Robertson
O. Williams

2015 OL Recruits

Richmond
Boulware
Hall
J. Jones
Stewart

2015 DL Recruits

Phillips
Taylor
Butcher
Tuttle
McKenzie
Picou

 

[jakez4ut]

some setting too high of expectations for this edition of the Vols. 7 win ceiling, IF they can beat Georgia Tech..

when last season ended, 7-5 for this year is what i predicted. i went thru a pretty optimistic period over the last month seeing ways to get to 9 wins.

as we draw closer to kick off, and we still seem to have some issues on the O line, a couple injuries that have taken place, the known depth issues in the front 7...new qb, the potential chemistry issues with what is basically a brand new staff....potential suspension issues for the opener....i'm getting back in tune with my original 7-5 prediction.

as much as i hate to say it, those road games against MO and KY in between Bama/LSU...loom large...especially if we have any other injury issues....and those two do anything close to what some think they may be capable of doing.

and while i don't necessarily want to buy in to FL or GA as being great...at the swamp will be tough no matter what, and GA has offensive weapons galore....no one talks about their TE's...but i expect their TE's to be big factors for them this year. not to mention Godwin, Ridley, Michel and Chubb.

of those 4 games everyone assumes we'll lose, i do still think the LSU game may be the most gettable.

we'll see....one way or the other

 

[LWSVOL]

Phillips, McKenzie, Tuttle, Kongbo, Kirkland, Abernathy, Warrior, TKJr and Osborne—all highly coveted 4* and 5* recruits. Gaulden, Martin, Taylor, Vickers, Bituli, Berry, Buchanan, Moseley, Picou, Sapp, ASmith, McDowell and AJohnson—all seasoned sophomores, juniors and seniors; some will start. Then there are the freshmen, some ready to provide immediate depth. All of these players are now healthy and full-go, except Tuttle, who will be held out for GT. I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I guess people who think the Vols don't have talent can pick their issue-- either the HC isn't recruiting the right players or he isn't developing them to full potential. Because we have a team full of upperclassmen who were recruited to win championships.

I count Kelly Jr, Gaulden, Vickers and Moseley as players that have shown thus far in their careers they can play a full season as starters. Many others have started some games but due to injuries or poor play have not been able to establish themselves. Some look very good at times but injuries have stunted their growth.

The issues with them can be from development to over rating to injuries. Doesn't really matter but there are too many third year players in that group still struggling to perform. We can hope this is the year for them and if lighting strikes and they all have SEC level years we could be great. Let's hope so.

 

[JC61]

Of course he would and thats part of the problem. If we finish like GM said, with losses to UF, UGA, LSU and Bama, then that means we go 4-4 in SEC play. That also means in year 5 that will be zero wins against top 25 opponents and yet another 2 losses to SEC West teams. If that scenario plays out then that would be considered a step back.

This again hmy:

he hasn't been stellar, but 6 wins vs. top 25 teams is a far cry from 0

 

[VFL-82-JP]

This again hmy:

he hasn't been stellar, but 6 wins vs. top 25 teams is a far cry from 0

I think he said that would be no Top-25 wins in Year 5. Not that there would be none in five years.

Tricky wording, I agree, but you gotta read closely. :hi:

 

[LA Vol]

I count Kelly Jr, Gaulden, Vickers and Moseley as players that have shown thus far in their careers they can play a full season as starters. Many others have started some games but due to injuries or poor play have not been able to establish themselves. Some look very good at times but injuries have stunted their growth.

The issues with them can be from development to over rating to injuries. Doesn't really matter but there are too many third year players in that group still struggling to perform. We can hope this is the year for them and if lighting strikes and they all have SEC level years we could be great. Let's hope so.

Player development does seem to have been an issue. Some very good players just haven't played up to their talent. The extra months in the program, better conditioning and the coaching changes should fix a lot of that. We have a good number of sophomores and juniors who should have a really good year. If they don't hit their stride, something's wrong.

 

[Behr]

I think he said that would be no Top-25 wins in Year 5. Not that there would be none in five years.

Tricky wording, I agree, but you gotta read closely. :hi:

That's the way I read it.

And I'm sorry, but I don't think that's acceptable. :ermm:

 

[VFL-82-JP]

That's the way I read it.

And I'm sorry, but I don't think that's acceptable. :ermm:

Agreed.

The good news is, we beat not one, but two Top-25 teams last year.

Hold serve and beat another two this year (without melting at the back end this time), and we'll end the season 9-3 or 10-2...and if we do that, we have a decent shot at getting to Atlanta in December. Which is the real prize, and first step toward bigger ones.

Go Vols!

 

[MikeVol44]

Of course he would and thats part of the problem. If we finish like GM said, with losses to UF, UGA, LSU and Bama, then that means we go 4-4 in SEC play. That also means in year 5 that will be zero wins against top 25 opponents and yet another 2 losses to SEC West teams. If that scenario plays out then that would be considered a step back.

8-4 with losses to UGA and Fla again in year 5 would mean that CBJ's record

against Fla: 1-4...
against Uga: 2-3...

He should let go if that happens....

 

[philberry31]

A little tv tip for you, my VFL brethren.
Sometimes these hosts are told to take different sides of an issue to argue on tv 📺.
It's all theater.

All the SEC Network people know how to get a reaction. The most reactive fan bases are Tennessee and AlaDama. If you trash the Vols twitter will be light up. Finebaum plays the Bammers and the Tennessee fans like a Stradivarius.

 

[Behr]

8-4 with losses to UGA and Fla again in year 5 would mean that CBJ's record

against Fla: 1-4...
against Uga: 2-3...

He should let go if that happens....

Never mind. Reading comprehension on my part.

 

[NTBVOL]

Phillips, McKenzie, Tuttle, Kongbo, Kirkland, Abernathy, Warrior, TKJr and Osborne—all highly coveted 4* and 5* recruits. Gaulden, Martin, Taylor, Vickers, Bituli, Berry, Buchanan, Moseley, Picou, Sapp, ASmith, McDowell and AJohnson—all seasoned sophomores, juniors and seniors; some will start. Then there are the freshmen, some ready to provide immediate depth. All of these players are now healthy and full-go, except Tuttle, who will be held out for GT. I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I guess people who think the Vols don't have talent can pick their issue-- either the HC isn't recruiting the right players or he isn't developing them to full potential. Because we have a team full of upperclassmen who were recruited to win championships.

Phillips, McKenzie, Taylor still have a lot to prove. Vickers has been very solid and is our best DT to date. I love Tuttle but can he make it a full season?

Kirkland and Sapp are the top two LB in my opinion, but Sapp is in the same boat as Tuttle. Jumper and McDowell will have to play a lot of meaningful snaps. Hopefully they can provide quality to those snaps.

I'm excited about the safeties. I'm hesitant at CB. Martin is supposedly having a good camp but all I can picture when I think of him is the Florida game. After that you have Moseley and Wiggins. Moseley is banged up, but is he an elite CB? Wiggins hasn't generated much talk this camp. After those 3, apparently the two freshmen are making their way into the 2 deep. That's great for the future, but how effective will they be this year?

I love Gaulden, Warrior, and Kelly is solid.

At DE you have Kongbo who is due for a big year and Taylor. Hopefully Taylor and Philipps have good years, but the jury is out on them as well. After those 3, you have either Smith or a freshmen. It's not good if you only have 4-5 DE you rotate when 1-2 are True Frosh.

I know the defense was bad last year due to injuries but the highlights were Barnett (gone), Vereen (gone) and Kirkland. We can't expect all of the underclassmen to have Barnett-like impacts. Barnett's come every 15-20 years.

I think we have brought in highly touted players but either the scouting was bad or the development has been subpar. Hopefully the new position coaches have a huge impact. If not, I agree with Larry on a 7-5 year.

 

[MWAVolfan]

A little tv tip for you, my VFL brethren.
Sometimes these hosts are told to take different sides of an issue to argue on tv 📺.
It's all theater.
But, as someone who lives in Georgia, I can tell you that in his heart that Matt Stinchcomb is a staunch Dawg lover who has no love for the Gators, Vols, or any of UGA's rivals.

Sure the hosts are told to mix it up and disagree to create drama. But look at the two "opposing" arguments that were chosen. Argument one is that the wheels come off the bus and we lose 6 games. Argument two which I guess is considered the "best case" scenario is that we do marginally better than complete disaster and we still lose to every important rival on our schedule.

So they are saying that the best case is that UT is a marginal non factor in the race for the SEC and the worst case is a Dooley era dumpster fire.

I wouldn't exactly call that "mixing it up" to create controversy and interest amongst the hosts. I'd say that they all believe UT will suck.

Take it for what it's worth,but the signal seems clear and not mixed.

 

[MWAVolfan]

That's the way I read it.

And I'm sorry, but I don't think that's acceptable. :ermm:

Agree, If you lose to every one of your rivals in year 5 it's not acceptable. Sorry but neither Nick Saban nor Urban Meyer would survive that even after winning national championships.

If we are going to stagnate at 8 wins then those 8 wins can't just be against the 8 easiest teams on the schedule.

If you are going to lost to UF and Bama you had better beat UGA and LSU at home.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Agreed.

The good news is, we beat not one, but two Top-25 teams last year.

Hold serve and beat another two this year (without melting at the back end this time), and we'll end the season 9-3 or 10-2...and if we do that, we have a decent shot at getting to Atlanta in December. Which is the real prize, and first step toward bigger ones.

Go Vols!

We need to beat Bama. People don't realize that we are the team that has to end the Saban era at Bama. It is our duty as the primary historical rival along with Auburn.

 

[BJWeeks]

What makes me the most mad is that they are saying the OLine is struggling. They should be the strength of the team and dominating. Have more starts then almost anyone in the country. Experience and depth is there

 

[BJWeeks]

Butch will finish 7-5 and still be head coach(For some stupid reason)
Texas A&M will fire Sumlin and hire Chip Kelly

Texas A&M will be in playoff in 3 years
Butch still coach at Tennessee and no East Titles and People still saying he needs more time because he inherited a mess and it's year 8

 

[VFL-82-JP]

We need to beat Bama. People don't realize that we are the team that has to end the Saban era at Bama. It is our duty as the primary historical rival along with Auburn.

I agree that's our job. We're the ones who bring down Saban. Hoping we get on it starting this season.

Go Vols!

 

[VolNRaleighNC]

Butch will finish 7-5 and still be head coach(For some stupid reason)
Texas A&M will fire Sumlin and hire Chip Kelly

Texas A&M will be in playoff in 3 years
Butch still coach at Tennessee and no East Titles and People still saying he needs more time because he inherited a mess and it's year 8

Someone needs to sticky this. Not too funny but could be the best prediction in preseason that comes true.

 

[JC61]

I think he said that would be no Top-25 wins in Year 5. Not that there would be none in five years.

Tricky wording, I agree, but you gotta read closely. :hi:

OK; rereading it can be taken either way...but you're most likely correct. Hard to tell sometimes based on historical tendency for some posters.

 

[jakez4ut]

8-4 with losses to UGA and Fla again in year 5 would mean that CBJ's record

against Fla: 1-4...
against Uga: 2-3...

He should let go if that happens....

dude, that's not even close to the reason he should be let go.

 

[jakez4ut]

What makes me the most mad is that they are saying the OLine is struggling. They should be the strength of the team and dominating. Have more starts then almost anyone in the country. Experience and depth is there

agreed. that's frustrating to now hear there's still issues.

 

[jakez4ut]

Butch will finish 7-5 and still be head coach(For some stupid reason)
Texas A&M will fire Sumlin and hire Chip Kelly

Texas A&M will be in playoff in 3 years
Butch still coach at Tennessee and no East Titles and People still saying he needs more time because he inherited a mess and it's year 8

whether or not the specifics of this come to fruition, there's always this kind of cloud hanging around as you watch other programs you compete with make changes like that, and wind up in a better spot.

it sickens me that Mac has 2 division titles in 2 years at FL with the way Muschamp left FL. it wasn't as bad as what CBJ inherited, but he won two divisions with a make shift offense, and a rotation of QB's that would make most programs fail.

and if Kirby wins the East this year...what really do we have to say for ourselves?

that's the reality i don't want to face. really hoping to be surprised this year.