dduncan4163
Have at it Hoss
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Tennessee Football: Biggest Storylines Heading into Fall Camp | Bleacher Report
Can They Handle the Hype?
There's no dodging the glare of the spotlight on this year's Tennessee football team. It's been written time and time again this offseason, but the bottom line is there are no excuses for the Vols anymore.
Jones may still allude to Tennessee being young, but the Vols are actually one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning as many starters as anybody in the Power Five conferences. With a wealth of proven playmakers, this could be a special season.
If it doesn't turn out that way, it's fair to start asking pointed questions.
This regime has proved it can recruit among the top programs in the country, but last year's blunders against Oklahoma and Florida raised concerns about game-day decisions. Everybody needs some teeth-cutting time in the spotlight, so there's no reason to fret yet. After all, Jones proved he can coach at other stops.
But if the Vols revert to their identity at the beginning of 2015when they battled but squandered key opportunities for big wins rather than the end of the year, when they began closing the dealthere will be unrest in Knoxville.
When asked last week on ESPN's SportsCenter (via Dustin Dopirak of the Knoxville News Sentinel) what would be the definition of meeting expectations this year, Jones said:
With so much talent expected to exit following 2016, the Vols could take a small step back before they experience the sustained success of the program Jones is building. So, a big year may be needed to appease the fans.
The Vols have everything in place. But they've got to make sure they stick together, lean on their leadership and don't wilt under the weight of the national spotlight. That Florida game in Neyland is an early-season biggie for belief.
Can They Handle the Hype?
There's no dodging the glare of the spotlight on this year's Tennessee football team. It's been written time and time again this offseason, but the bottom line is there are no excuses for the Vols anymore.
Jones may still allude to Tennessee being young, but the Vols are actually one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning as many starters as anybody in the Power Five conferences. With a wealth of proven playmakers, this could be a special season.
If it doesn't turn out that way, it's fair to start asking pointed questions.
This regime has proved it can recruit among the top programs in the country, but last year's blunders against Oklahoma and Florida raised concerns about game-day decisions. Everybody needs some teeth-cutting time in the spotlight, so there's no reason to fret yet. After all, Jones proved he can coach at other stops.
But if the Vols revert to their identity at the beginning of 2015when they battled but squandered key opportunities for big wins rather than the end of the year, when they began closing the dealthere will be unrest in Knoxville.
When asked last week on ESPN's SportsCenter (via Dustin Dopirak of the Knoxville News Sentinel) what would be the definition of meeting expectations this year, Jones said:
Us meeting our full potential. I gauge it on, 'Does this football team meet its full potential?' We now have the depth. We have some experience, we still only have 11 seniors in our football program. But a lot of these players were youngsters that had to play early and they understand the daily grind of the SEC. We'll still have to rely on some true freshmen, but for us, we just need to worry about meeting our full potential.
Jones didn't dodge any questions, and that's a positive for a Tennessee program that has consistently been ranked in top 10s and top 15s in virtually every preseason poll. The schedule isn't as difficult as it's been in years past, and things seem to set up favorably for a nice season.
With so much talent expected to exit following 2016, the Vols could take a small step back before they experience the sustained success of the program Jones is building. So, a big year may be needed to appease the fans.
The Vols have everything in place. But they've got to make sure they stick together, lean on their leadership and don't wilt under the weight of the national spotlight. That Florida game in Neyland is an early-season biggie for belief.
