What's our biggest weakness this fall?

[benholt06]

How do teams win in the SEC?

Defense.

We have talent and depth on defense on that side of the ball.

Dobbs as far as SEC QBs go is above average, and I expect elevated confidence and improved decision making from him in his Senior year.


We return 9 or 10 starters on O, depending on if you wanna call Pearson a starter.

Our biggest question on offense is what we will do on Dobbs' blind side, can Richmond lock it up?

I look for either Malone or Williams to separate himself as an edge weapon.

Who will play the Star is Shoop's scheme? Who will emerge in a talented defensive backfield? Gaulden, Abernathy, Osborne, Warrior, Griffin... will the new blood challenge TKJr and Evan Berry for spots?

There are positional battles that are question marks and will be fun to follow, but what there's no doubt of is the freaking pure talent all over this roster.

I firmly believe we'll trot out a top 10 defense nationally, and with young weapons on offense coming into their own, if '16 isn't our year, I don't know what is.

GBDO.

 

[JohnnyBall]

Fans assuming a better than 9-3 season. Now that would be very good year but this team is NOT an SEC championship caliber team yet and is certainly not a NC contender.

And I am assuming Dobbs stays healthy which I feel is a rash assumption.

THIS team is good enough to win the East but not SECchampionship material, guess we'll have to kick the can down the road again . If not now, when?

 

[jakez4ut]

So... because last year's team could not beat some opponents from last year.... they are at best 9-3? One of the great things about college football is that teams change or have the possibility of change every year as they gain and lose players, talent, skill, experience, etc.

There's no logic in what you said. If there were.... every team would have the same record every year. Based on comparative talent, experience, and maturity/development.... this team SHOULD win 10+ games and should compete for the SEC.

If you want to argue that the coaching staff can't get it done... then maybe you'd at least have an open argument. But UT has talent, experience, and depth everywhere headed into this fall.

FWIW, I think UT made a major upgrade at DC. I'm not high on Azzani either but I still think Dobbs' inability to properly anticipate and place the ball is the biggest hold up in the passing game.

:thumbsup:

 

[Orange_Crush]

Other than GA, this team has not shown they can beat teams like 'Bama or FL. And neither will be worse next year. So that leaves only 1 game more that Butch will choke over and lose. So this team AT BEST will be 9-3.

Your logic is flawed. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance--especially in CFB where the team changes every year.

You could say: "I don't expect..." but you can't say "will" happen, or "at best". Ease up a little and enjoy the seasonal improvement. The seasonal improvement makes the past heartbreaks bearable.

:hi:

 

[Otis07]

weak fan base

 

[Crazy Ivan]

According to Athlon we don't have any major concerns.

8. Tennessee
Reason for Hope: With 18 returning starters, the Volunteers are the team to beat in the SEC East. Coach Butch Jones has upgraded the talent level and added to it with another solid class in February. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara are back to headline the offense. Bob Shoop is one of the top coordinator hires in the nation. He inherits a defense with nine returning starters, including linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, cornerback Cam Sutton and defensive end Derek Barnett.
Reason for Concern: Not much. The offensive line loses left tackle Kyler Kerbyson and needs more out of the passing attack. Will Josh Malone, Preston Williams and Josh Smith develop into big-time playmakers at receiver for Dobbs?

Athlon mentions both hopes and concerns for 128 FBS schools. Dobbs getting the ball to those playmakers seems to be the biggest concern.

I would add depth at DT if Johnson doesn't return and Tuttle isn't 100% by the start of the season. Replacing both starting safeties is always a concern, although TKjr has experience, we will still need someone else to step up immediately.


Edit: Forgot to include the link.
College Football's Pre-Spring 1-128 Team Rankings for 2016 | AthlonSports.com