Taking a look to next year (long)

#1
T

tvols75

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
9,219
Likes
14
#1
I was thinking about how our positional rankings match up with the rest of the SEC next year.

QB- top 2

WR- 1st assuming Hunter continue his speedy recovery. I don't see a team better with Arkansas losing their guys.

TE- probably top 4-5 of the SEC with everyone returning.

OL- this is an unknown of course. Pass protection,they are one of the top group. However, as Mr. Captain Obvious the run protection has a ton of work to do in the off-season. You would think we would have a top 4 SEC O-line with everyone coming back.

RB- I think Marlin Lane is going to be huge for us throughout his career. However, with him still being an unknown and lack of proven depth I would say somewhere around 7-8 in the SEC.


Overall offense: Assuming health, I don't see a more explosive offense in the SEC next year. I think Tyler Wilson is a good but not elite QB, and it will show a lot of his flaws without the big 3 WRs. Key of course is sustaining long, time consuming drives with a run game to actually be consistent winners in the SEC.



Defense

DEs- I'm going to make an assumption that Autry and Sentimore commit (big assumption I know). One would think Jac Smith, Corey Miller, Jordan Williams and Marlon Walls would improve a ton with another year under their belt. Those 6 right there put us in the top 5 of SEC in my opinion.

DTs- Malik is a huge loss. Couch has really came on as of late, and he will make a huge impact IMO with a full offseason under his belt. Many forget he wasn't an EE. The key to this group is how big of an impact will Jacobs make? How college ready is Danny O'Brien? How much improvement will we see in Carson, Hood, and Saulsberry. I think we have some potential to be in the top half of the SEC, but due to all the unknowns 7-9 range for this group.

LBs- This is the one that gets me excited. Maggitt, Johnson, and Lathers manning what looks to be a strong group. Maggitt and Johnson are playing solely based off of talent right now and doing a good job. However, a full offseason with Sirmon should greatly improve their awareness and instincts as LBs. I really like Sapp as a backup, and I love the LB corps we are bringing in (Peters, Santos, King, and Henderson). I see this as being in the top 4 of the SEC.

DBs- Shockingly, I'm extremely excited about this group. Assuming Brewer is back at full strength, we have a ton of athleticism at our safety spots with Randolph and Brewer. At DB, we have a shutdown-caliber corner in Waggner, and we have Justin Coleman, who the coaches absolutely think is going to be a shutdown corner. Gordon is the perfect nickel back for Wilcox's defense, and we have Moore that can play both safety and corner. Also, don't sleep on Lanier. He has improved a ton since stepping foot on campus. Also, I have heard from several that Orta could be a very big player for us during his career due to his physicality and speed. I'm excited about the freshmen we are bringing in especially McNeill and Crawley to go along with the speed of Gray. I would say this unit is right around 5-6 in the SEC.


Overall: D looks to have a lot of talent but also a lot of unknowns. I think we are hovering around the 5th or 6th best D in the SEC next year.

STs- Young is a stud as we all know. Our kick coverage is really good (yes I know we gave up a long run to Adams, but we have been solid last year and this year outside of that). Will Darr and Palardy being as good as advertised? I don't see them getting any worse. Also, I'm hoping the kid from east TN gives us a kicker that can consistently put it in the end zone. Special teams until otherwise proven is in the bottom half of the SEC next year.

Prediction: 9-3 Regular Season
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#6
#6
I haven't finished reading but I want to go ahead and comment on our OL. I don't think it's right to assume we'll be top 4 just because everyone is coming back. Everyone came back this year and we had regressed in run blocking up until the Arkansas game. They did show improvement during that game but I want to see them build on that throughout the rest of the season and hopefully in a bowl game. Right now I'd say our OL will be middle of the pack next year.
 
#8
#8
dreVol said:
Who do we beat to get to 9?
Click to expand...

Assuming the rumor is right, and we are playing both TX. A&M and Missouri next year, here is how I see it shaping out.

3-0 vs. OOC opponents.
2-0 vs. Vandy and Kentucky
We win 4 of the other 7 SEC games.

I personally think we go 10-2 because Florida, UGA, and USCe are losing a lot of key players. I didn't want to be called a homer though :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#9
#9
volfan_28 said:
I haven't finished reading but I want to go ahead and comment on our OL. I don't think it's right to assume we'll be top 4 just because everyone is coming back. Everyone came back this year and we had regressed in run blocking up until the Arkansas game. They did show improvement during that game but I want to see them build on that throughout the rest of the season and hopefully in a bowl game. Right now I'd say our OL will be middle of the pack next year.
Click to expand...

Juniors and seniors are the norm for starting on an OL in FBS. We should be much improved with another year in the weight room.
 
#10
#10
volfan_28 said:
I haven't finished reading but I want to go ahead and comment on our OL. I don't think it's right to assume we'll be top 4 just because everyone is coming back. Everyone came back this year and we had regressed in run blocking up until the Arkansas game. They did show improvement during that game but I want to see them build on that throughout the rest of the season and hopefully in a bowl game. Right now I'd say our OL will be middle of the pack next year.
Click to expand...

I can definitely see your point. But my reasoning was: 1. Bray's improvement in managing the run game 2. A ton of experience and 3 off-seasons in the weight room 3. An offseason focused on the run game. A lot of people forget that Chaney had to scale back this offense to focus on its strength (quick score, passing offense) because Bray and the offense were struggling with all of it installed. I don't see that being a problem next year. However, I can definitely see your reasoning.
 
#11
#11
tvols75 said:
Assuming the rumor is right, and we are playing both TX. A&M and Missouri next year, here is how I see it shaping out.

3-0 vs. OOC opponents.
2-0 vs. Vandy and Kentucky
We win 4 of the other 7 SEC games.

I personally think we go 10-2 because Florida, UGA, and USCe are losing a lot of key players. I didn't want to be called a homer though :)
Click to expand...

Rumor says that we're still only playing 8 SEC games though. Which makes it even easier.

I think UGA is the team to beat in the East next year. And we can certainly beat them if things fall right. UF and Carolina lose a lot.
 
#12
#12
Not sure 9-3 is do-able with the issues on the OL. Is there really a good reason to believe the run game will be that much improved? We don't have a Lattimore or Richardson that can create yardage on their own, so I don't see us improving a whole lot. I think we can beat UF and Arky at home next year, but still think UGA on the road, SC on the road, and Bama at home will be tough. Will have to see how the rest of the schedule plays out with A&M and Mizzou coming in. That said, Bray, Hunter, Rogers, and Arnett will win us some games on their own
 
#14
#14
Incipient said:
Rumor says that we're still only playing 8 SEC games though. Which makes it even easier.

I think UGA is the team to beat in the East next year. And we can certainly beat them if things fall right. UF and Carolina lose a lot.
Click to expand...

Which is why I am confident. Georgia loses 3 seniors on an offensive line that has zero depth. They are going to be in the position we are with having to patchwork it with younger players next year. Orson Charles is gone. Huge blow to that offense.

On Defense they lose Tyson and Boykins.


Their defense will be stout but if I'm UGA, I'm extremely worried about the O-line.
 
#15
#15
Who are we going to beat? Bama uga ark uf and sc will all be improving as well. I like your optimism...but I would rank our o line as 8th or 9th and our d line at 7th or 8th and our linebackers 7th or 8th. Vegas will probably put the vols regular season line at 7.5 wins next year..
 
#16
#16
volfan_28 said:
I haven't finished reading but I want to go ahead and comment on our OL. I don't think it's right to assume we'll be top 4 just because everyone is coming back. Everyone came back this year and we had regressed in run blocking up until the Arkansas game. They did show improvement during that game but I want to see them build on that throughout the rest of the season and hopefully in a bowl game. Right now I'd say our OL will be middle of the pack next year.
Click to expand...

Two words for you...pass blocking. They are already really good at it and will only get better. Also we would be stupid to try to run a 50/50 balanced Offense with the QB, WRs, and other really good playmakers we are going to have in the passing game. Teams will have to back off to slow this offense down and the running game will get better because of it. Also Tyler will be better at checking into the right running play.
 
#17
#17
Strizzle said:
Who are we going to beat? Bama uga ark uf and sc will all be improving as well. I like your optimism...but I would rank our o line as 8th or 9th and our d line at 7th or 8th and our linebackers 7th or 8th. Vegas will probably put the vols regular season line at 7.5 wins next year..
Click to expand...

Florida loses Demps, Rainey, and Brantley. Good luck replacing that by the time they play us.

SC is losing Alshon Jeffrey in a passing attack that looks awful right now.

Arkansas is losing their big 3 WRs and a ton of seniors.


I don't see any of those 3 better next year as this year.
 
#18
#18
Strizzle said:
Who are we going to beat? Bama uga ark uf and sc will all be improving as well. I like your optimism...but I would rank our o line as 8th or 9th and our d line at 7th or 8th and our linebackers 7th or 8th. Vegas will probably put the vols regular season line at 7.5 wins next year..
Click to expand...




Vegas knows we only play for a half
 
#20
#20
Regarding the Georgia Defense: Talk in ATL that Grantham may be gon to the league next year. Not sure how that will impact their scheme or some of the talented Juniors on their defense.
 
#21
#21
Dude if we are 7-5 or 6-6 or at worst 5-7 next year i think he should be gone alot depends on what happens these last two weeks next year could look alot better if we win out and win our bowl game to finish 7-6 this year here's hoping.
 
#22
#22
smokey79 said:
Dude if we are 7-5 or 6-6 or at worst 5-7 next year i think he should be gone alot depends on what happens these last two weeks next year could look alot better if we win out and win our bowl game to finish 7-6 this year here's hoping.
Click to expand...

Please find me 5, 6, or 7 losses on the schedule next year.
 
#24
#24
I can probaly give ya 5, Alabama,Florida,Arkansas,Georgia,South Carolina okay we should go 7-5 next year at worst.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top