Vols Sleeper in 2012?

#2
#2
I am going to go ahead and say it. We will be better than Bama next year. Passing game will be unstoppable. Defense takes the next step and becomes top 15 nationally. Offensive line finds its form. Backs run the ball well enough. 9-3, 10-2 IMO
 
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#3
#3
Here you go:
Tennessee Volunteers
-0.39 NYPP, 5-7 overall in 2011, 1-7 in SEC
Favorable matchups: Georgia State, Akron, Troy, Vanderbilt, Kentucky
The Volunteers may have made the most impactful coaching signing of the offseason when they brought Sam Pittman on board to be their offensive line coach. Pittman was instrumental in developing a North Carolina offensive line that had two second-team All-ACC candidates last season and could be a huge help for an offense that averaged only 2.76 yards per rush attempt, a total that ranked tied for 117th in the FBS.

Adding a ground game upgrade to an offense that will also see the return of the talented trio of quarterback Tyler Bray and wide receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers could transform the Vols' offense and vault the team toward a 1-yard NYPP increase in 2012.

The schedule also sets up relatively favorably for Tennessee. Unlike in 2011, when they had to play all three of the SEC West's powerhouses (Alabama, Arkansas, LSU), the Volunteers will only play one of those three next season (the Crimson Tide, at home). In fact, there are only three contests that look like mismatches at the moment (the Bama game, and road trips to Georgia and South Carolina), so if the statistical upgrade is there in 2012 the Vols will be set up well to make a run.
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#6
#6
I like that 1 of the 3 contemplated "mismatches" is at South Carolina. That's a very winnable game.
 
#10
#10
OCIVol said:
I like that 1 of the 3 contemplated "mismatches" is at South Carolina. That's a very winnable game.
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I think people underestimated how much Alshon Jeffrey meant to that team. Our defense's number 1 goal was to make sure he didn't destroy us. With him gone, we can purely focus on stopping the run and making Shaw beat us in the air. Still a really tough game because of their defense.
 
#14
#14
daj2576 said:
or UGA really...
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Them either. I actually think that we can compete in every game. We basically have 20 out of 22 starters returning. I count Lathers as a starter from last year. If he didn't get hurt then he starts last year. The only guy we will miss is Malik Jackson, but we are filling his spot nicely.
 
#15
#15
VolWorld said:
I am going to go ahead and say it. We will be better than Bama next year. Passing game will be unstoppable. Defense takes the next step and becomes top 15 nationally. Offensive line finds its form. Backs run the ball well enough. 9-3, 10-2 IMO
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You sir, are high
 
#16
#16
OCIVol said:
I like that 1 of the 3 contemplated "mismatches" is at South Carolina. That's a very winnable game.
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Definitely agree. Even if Lattimore comes back 100% healthy, their passing game will be pedestrian.

And as bad as UT was this year, we still could have and should have beat USCe.
 
#19
#19
daj2576 said:
or UGA really...
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UGA will be tough. They have a good O but their D impressed me this year. Richt has loaded his roster over the past couple of classes as well. It is more winnable than Bama but less than USCe IMO.
 
#21
#21
ive been saying all along 2012 has to be a break thru year. we just have too many guys coming into their junior year. thats when most college players really start to "get it" and hit their stride. under more ideal circumstances, most all these guys would just now start seeing the field as starters, instead of being forced out there early. either way, i'm stoked. finally!
 
#22
#22
VolWorld said:
I am going to go ahead and say it. We will be better than Bama next year. Passing game will be unstoppable. Defense takes the next step and becomes top 15 nationally. Offensive line finds its form. Backs run the ball well enough. 9-3, 10-2 IMO
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All very possible if we stay healthy!!
 
#23
#23
South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore also entered the NFL Draft. Losing Alshon and Gilmore will hurt South Carolina a lot.
 
#24
#24
The idea that a team has to improve by a win or 2 each year is false. There is a major difference in having 2 legitimate classes (freshman and sophomores) to having 3 (freshman, sophomores, and juniors) with very experiencd juniors.
 
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