We have a good team.

#77
#77
Woodlawn VOL said:
No doubt, there is definitely a path to beating Georgia. No SEC games are easy, but the Vols are capable of beating everyone on their schedule. They are also capable of losing some games that they should win. That’s why things are settled on the field. They are no sure things in the SEC and this year looks as wide open as ever. Every team in the SEC has at least a few pretty big question marks. I am excited, this team has the potential to be a playoff team and compete in the SEC. But nothing is easy and the teams that can bring that week to week consistency are the ones likely standing in the end. GBO!
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People that watched UGA vs BAMA game could tell Georgia was missing some offensive firepower. They got back into the game but through Beck’s grit.

That same UGA offense scored 34 points on us?
Point is- despite their high recruiting rankings their offense was lacking big time last year because of injuries. Yet they still beat us by 2 scores.

UGA has a coaching advantage. Us fans keep wanting to blame the talent gap. Tell that Ga Tech who almost beat them in Athens. Tell that to Bama who controlled that whole game more or less .

Heupel brought in Litrell, but I don’t think that will be enough.

Hopefully we can get to the playoffs and have someone else knock UGA off.
 
#78
#78
BernardKingGOAT said:
"That's what Heupel teams do" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

That's what almost all teams do
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Heupel’s (and most coaches’) problem dropping one he/they shouldn’t comes on the road. I don’t see OU winning in Knoxville. Heupel beats everyone except Georgia in Knoxville.

If we drop one we shouldn’t, it would be Miss State.
 
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#82
#82
WillisWG said:
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Telander has to get better in space. Georgia exploited him in underneath coverage last year and he was pretty mediocre after the Pili injury. Hopefully, it was just a matter of not being ready yet in his development and we see a better, quicker, more explosive Telander this year. If not, I’d prefer Spillman start.
 
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#83
#83
orangebloodgmc said:
LSU also replacing 4 starters from their OL, yet lotsa talking heads think they are a top 10 team? 🤔
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The main guy for ON3 on youtube (blonde haired ex QB) is picking LSU to win the SEC. Even though the media etc picks them 4th behind TX UGA and Bama. They have the most proven QB and good RBs and WRs. I dont see it though because I think Kelly is a bust at coach and wont make it in the SEC. LSU does have a loaded roster though.
 
#84
#84
marcusluvsvols said:
The main guy for ON3 on youtube (blonde haired ex QB) is picking LSU to win the SEC. Even though the media etc picks them 4th behind TX UGA and Bama. They have the most proven QB and good RBs and WRs. I dont see it though because I think Kelly is a bust at coach and wont make it in the SEC. LSU does have a loaded roster though.
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He's coached in a NCG (LOL) and won what was once the SEC West.

If he can't do it this year, he will likely be looking for a new job. LSU spent A TON in the portal.
 
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#85
#85
NighthawkVol said:
Telander has to get better in space. Georgia exploited him in underneath coverage last year and he was pretty mediocre after the Pili injury. Hopefully, it was just a matter of not being ready yet in his development and we see a better, quicker, more explosive Telander this year. If not, I’d prefer Spillman start.
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100% true about last year, and I love Telander against the run. Hes a big hitter with a nose for the ball. From what I have read/heard though Spillman is the same way: a big hitter and run stopper. Not sure how good he is in space either. Might need Harmon in there to cover the flat...and hes a freshman. Georgia ate us alive underneath last year though...we better have somebody on the field that is quick and can cover or we will be in trouble. Excited about White and Rouse coming in next year.
 
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#86
#86
YankeeVol said:
He's coached in a NCG (LOL) and won what was once the SEC West.

If he can't do it this year, he will likely be looking for a new job. LSU spent A TON in the portal.
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Agree with all of this. He hasn't been impressive at LSU though. We destroyed them what 42-14 at their house. You think theyre better than Bama Tx and UGA this year? Hard to tell IMO but LSU has the advantage at QB for sure. LSU has a top recruiting class every year forever. Usually top5. Theres no excuse for not making the playoffs damn near every season with a roster like that and 12 team playoffs. They should make it every year just to live up to their recruiting classes.
 
#87
#87
marcusluvsvols said:
100% true about last year, and I love Telander against the run. Hes a big hitter with a nose for the ball. From what I have read/heard though Spillman is the same way: a big hitter and run stopper. Not sure how good he is in space either. Might need Harmon in there to cover the flat...and hes a freshman. Georgia ate us alive underneath last year though...we better have somebody on the field that is quick and can cover or we will be in trouble. Excited about White and Rouse coming in next year.
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Spillman is a very athletic LB. You’re correct that he has been more of a run stopper than coverage LB. His limitations in pass coverage as a freshmen were the result of inexperience, not athleticism. That can be fixed.

I worry that Telander just doesn’t have the athleticism to be good in space, which is a bigger problem. But I don’t KNOW that. Hopefully, he’s developed in that area and can be a more rounded Linebacker this season.
 
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#88
#88
There is not a single unit of the team where I would swap ours for LSU's, and that includes QB. Their Nussmeier is decent, a 6 or 7 on a scale of 10, but he throws ints at a higher ratio than Aguilar, and can hardly run a lick.
 
#89
#89
orangebloodgmc said:
There is not a single unit of the team where I would swap ours for LSU's, and that includes QB. Their Nussmeier is decent, a 6 or 7 on a scale of 10, but he throws ints at a higher ratio than Aguilar, and can hardly run a lick.
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I’m taking Nussmeier all day. And no, he doesn’t throw INTs at a higher ratio than Aguilar. That’s factually inaccurate.

Aguilar threw 14 INTs in 390 attempts last year.

Nussmeier threw 12 INTs in 525 attempts. He also threw for over 1000 more yards (4,052), equal yards per attempt (7.7), 6 more TDS (29) and a higher completion percentage by about 9%…all against much better competition.
 
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#90
#90
DaddyChad said:
A lot of those Oline guys I agree are more talented but they’ve never played as a unit. Not to mention Coop being gone means we’re breaking in a new center. How that line gels and how quickly they can do it will determine a lot this year. If the Oline is good I believe Aguilar can be as good or better than Nico was last year. Lots of youth at lots of postions.

I think this team probably looks a little discombobulated out of the gate but is a team no one wants to play at the end of the year. Just seems like an 8-4 year where we drop a game we shouldn’t to someone on the road. Georgia, Bama, Florida will be tough.
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According to several Knox radio guys, the staff is very pleased with 4-5 of our expected starters. There is a concern at center, they say.
 
#91
#91
Brave Volunteer said:
We were favored. But fine. We can say Ole Miss if you'd prefer.
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We were NOT favored

www.cbssports.com

Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh odds, line: 2021 college football picks, Week 2 predictions from proven model

SportsLine's model just revealed its college football picks for Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee
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  • Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh spread: Pittsburgh -4
  • Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh over-under: 56 points
www.knoxnews.com

What is the Tennessee Vols vs. Pitt football betting line, over/under?

Find out gambling information for the Tennessee Vols vs. Pitt football game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
www.knoxnews.com

  • Money line: Pittsburgh -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Tennessee +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pittsburgh -3.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Tennessee +3.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Total (Over/Under): Over 55.5, -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Under 55.5, -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
 
#93
#93
Brave Volunteer said:
We were favored. But fine. We can say Ole Miss if you'd prefer.
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Neither Pitt nor Ole Miss fall into that category. Heupel’s first year and both were better teams. Pitt won the ACC with Pickett and Jordan Addison. Ole Miss was a 10-win team that went to the Sugar Bowl.

Heupel getting that team over .500 with 57 scholarship players in year 1 was borderline miraculous. I’ll give you that he’s had one of those (each on the road) from 22-24.
 
#95
#95
NighthawkVol said:
I’m taking Nussmeier all day. And no, he doesn’t throw INTs at a higher ratio than Aguilar. That’s factually inaccurate.

Aguilar threw 14 INTs in 390 attempts last year.

Nussmeier threw 12 INTs in 525 attempts. He also threw for over 1000 more yards (4,052), equal yards per attempt (7.7), 6 more TDS (29) and a higher completion percentage by about 9%…all against much better competition.
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I understand that last year Aguilar was running for his life behind a patched-up OL as they went 5-6. The year before, JA threw 33 TDs vs 10 ints. Last year Nussmeier threw 29TDs with 12 ints. I stand by my statement.

Meanwhile, Nussmeier has acknowledged his running is sub-par and that he must do better this year than his negative 38 yds last year.

Lastly, behind Nussmeier, at QB, who do they have? Nobody. There is no way I would trade JA, Merk, and GMac for LSU's thin corps. So, I stand by that statement also.

Nighthawk, I tend to agree with you almost 99% of the time. I guess I do have a bias in being too keen to refute folks talking up LSU; I live in Baton Rouge and get sick of hearing the local b.s. on that. 🤷
 
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#96
#96
NighthawkVol said:
Spillman is a very athletic LB. You’re correct that he has been more of a run stopper than coverage LB. His limitations in pass coverage as a freshmen were the result of inexperience, not athleticism. That can be fixed.

I worry that Telander just doesn’t have the athleticism to be good in space, which is a bigger problem. But I don’t KNOW that. Hopefully, he’s developed in that area and can be a more rounded Linebacker this season.
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Telander played in more of an OLB/LEO role in the state championship game and feasted.

He showed that same burst in both spring games off the edge. I think he plays best when he’s playing downhill and not waiting for things to come at him. He’s fine from an athletic standpoint in pass coverage and being able to play in space.

It’s not in his nature to play that way though.
He showed that numerous times last season because he wasn’t able to get his self in position because he was too slow reading the play progressional. It wasn’t a physical incapable thing.
 
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#97
#97
NighthawkVol said:
I’m taking Nussmeier all day. And no, he doesn’t throw INTs at a higher ratio than Aguilar. That’s factually inaccurate.

Aguilar threw 14 INTs in 390 attempts last year.

Nussmeier threw 12 INTs in 525 attempts. He also threw for over 1000 more yards (4,052), equal yards per attempt (7.7), 6 more TDS (29) and a higher completion percentage by about 9%…all against much better competition.
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I truthfully haven’t been watched any film of Nussmeier. However, I am “hopeful “ with Aguilar because his resume is very similar to Hendon Hooker.

If our WRs can make contested and difficult catches consistently, and our OC collaborators can muster enough creativity to keep defenses off balance enough, I believe 2025 is going to be a big year. Aguilar could exceed his App State year 1 numbers if it all clicks.
 
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#98
#98
Aguilar has a very cool story.
And I think it’s awesome he’s getting 1 million this year in NIL. After all the hard work he’s put in.

Love the run game with Bishop, Lewis and Star Thomas.

Everyone is worried about Brazzell and I think Matthews is the guy about to break it wide open in college football this season.
 
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#99
#99
orangebloodgmc said:
I understand that last year Aguilar was running for his life behind a patched-up OL as they went 5-6. The year before, JA threw 33 TDs vs 10 ints. Last year Nussmeier threw 29TDs with 12 ints. I stand by my statement.

Meanwhile, Nussmeier has acknowledged his running is sub-par and that he must do better this year than his negative 38 yds last year.

Lastly, behind Nussmeier, at QB, who do they have? Nobody. There is no way I would trade JA, Merk, and GMac for LSU's thin corps. So, I stand by that statement also.

Nighthawk, I tend to agree with you almost 99% of the time. I guess I do have a bias in being too keen to refute folks talking up LSU; I live in Baton Rouge and get sick of hearing the local b.s. on that. 🤷
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You still fail/refuse to account for number of attempts or competition level.

Comparing number of INTs is meaningless without number of attempts. Nuss had MANY more attempts.

And SEC defenses are quite a bit different than Sun Belt defenses. But you knew that.
 
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