Can Tennessee get to a Bowl Game in 2014?

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by trapper82

Sadly for you, the big holes are at the worst spots: QB, OL and DL. Those positions are critical to succeeding over a full season. If it starts badly and you lose to UF it could start a snowball, resulting in losses to Mizzou and possibly Vandy. I think 4 wins is likely.

I think there is hope that the QB situation could turn into a positive they looked 100 times better this spring. OL will not really have a drop off in the run game but the pass protection could have times where it is an issue especially against elite DL's. G's and C's are very good the big ? is at the T position.

DL I'm pretty sure is going to be a problem all year.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

Don't forget the rushed Dooley hire. If yall know all the behind the scenes things he did while coach that showed his absolute lack of effort while coach here you would be shocked.

Don't forget that your new coach was your fifth option.

No one else wanted that job.

There'll be more grumbling in K-town after yall go 3-9 this year.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Oh and also don't forget that massive debt the UTK athletics department has accumulated.

There'll be more and more pressure for yall to make it to the Music City bowl again to bring in some revenue (assuming yall can beat some lowly ACC team).

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by StretfordEnd

If we don't come ready to play like last year, then we will get beat. Again.

I don't think the matchup is that bad for the Vols. I just think in this one the intangibles will be stacked up against us where they were against yall last year.

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lattimore

Oh and also don't forget that massive debt the UTK athletics department has accumulated.

There'll be more and more pressure for yall to make it to the Music City bowl again to bring in some revenue (assuming yall can beat some lowly ACC team).

$200 M debt we had has already been flipped to a 1.9M surplus. It's not much but we are quickly getting out of the whole Hamilton dug us into.

[ReadR00ster]

Every new coach is beloved as the guy who got hired as "The Savior" and the last coach was always the evil bum who set the team back.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

$200 M debt we had has already been flipped to a 1.9M surplus. It's not much but we are quickly getting out of the whole Hamilton dug us into.

Yall must use Clempson accounting measures up in them-thur hills.

[snruter amabon]

I will say that Tennessee has recruited lights out. Lots of talent for Jones to play with, question is if he can rework it in time to be there when it pays off.

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by ReadR00ster

Every new coach is beloved as the guy who got hired as "The Savior" and the last coach was always the evil bum who set the team back.

This is true, but normally high school coaches, players and old alumni football players don't come out publicly and talk about how they never heard from the coaching staff and how they weren't welcome on campus.

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by snruter amabon

I will say that Tennessee has recruited lights out. Lots of talent for Jones to play with, question is if he can rework it in time to be there when it pays off.

The incoming freshman really look to be the real deal. Our 2015 class is shaping up to be elite again. We are heading in the right direction, but do our fans give Butch enough support to get him there?

[Mt. Lattimore]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

The incoming freshman really look to be the real deal.

Been hearing this from K-town since the Great Pumpkin left.

[palmettosc]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lattimore

Been hearing this from K-town since the Great Pumpkin left.

Do you have to respond negatively to every post? If you want to trash teams, there is an appropriate place.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Originally Posted by palmettosc

Do you have to respond negatively to every post? If you want to trash teams, there is an appropriate place.

Just having a little fun with the Vols fan before he begins his summer internship at Dollywood.

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lattimore

Just having a little fun with the Vols fan before he begins his summer internship at Dollywood.

Dollywood is the ish.

[B-G]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

Dollywood is the ish.

I feel sorry for you.

[Gyle41386]

That Utah State game should be Chuckie Keeton's first game back from injury. He was one of the most dynamic players in the country before he tore up his knee against BYU last year. It will be interesting to see how he plays against the Vols.

[JerseyBird]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

Dollywood is the ish.

I laughed anyway.



And will again.

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

This is true, but normally high school coaches, players and old alumni football players don't come out publicly and talk about how they never heard from the coaching staff and how they weren't welcome on campus.

They do here, and we are doing fine, so that must not be the key.

[rioninusc]

Here is the schedule:

Schedule legend is
W= For win
W/L= Win, but could lose
L/W= Lose, but could win
L= For loss

W/L-Utah St

W-Ark St

L-@Oklahoma

L/W-@UGA

W/L-UF

W-Chattanooga

L/W-@Ole Miss

L-Bama

L-@USC

W-Missouri

W-Kentucky

W/L-@Vandy

In conclusion you guys can perform under par and go 4-8, or surprise everyone and go 9-3. I think Vandy, and Utah St are winnable games. Utah St can be a we're coming back game, and UT will do everything right to win that game. Vandy I have to see how they do without WR JM, not to mention having a new coach. Most likely a win, but the coach could be another Coach Franklin in disguise. I think anything less than 6-6 this season will be a disappointment for UT. My prediction, UT goes 7-5 with losses to OK, UGA, OLE MISS, BAMA, USC.

[JAYBEZ]

Originally Posted by Ericvol2096

Help me out Gamecock friends. Where should I set my expectations for this fall? Our spring practice looked to establish a lot of new firepower for our offense. Marquez North looks like he is going to be a monster and newcomers Josh Malone and Von Pearson look to be the real deal (Malone had 3 TD's in the spring game). Add them to Jason Croom and the rest of our WR's and we should have a great group there.

Jalen Hurd and Marlin Lane look to be able to handle the ground game and our two freshen top rated TE's came in ready to play. The Oline has the talent to be good but has hardly any experience and no cohesion as a unit yet. it hink we will be better here than many would expect.

The big Q on O is QB. Worely, Ferguson and Dobbs all still look to have a shot at the job. Worely doesn't make mistakes, has improved his accuracy and arm strength, but obviously still has his limitations. Ferguson is Bray Jr. tons of talent but makes the bonehead throw way too often. Dobbs is steady and improving and has a great running threat.

Our Dline looks to be the biggest concern on the team. Not a ton of depth here of talent and we look like we will have to rely on some freshman coming in this summer. This scares me.

LB unit looks very good and secondary should be improved, but not amazing by any means. Overall I think our D improves but not by a huge amount.

So if you are still with me can TN win 6 games this fall?

Utah St - Could lose which would be terrible, but if we come ready to play at home should be a W

Ark St - Same as above but should be a W

@Oklahoma - Why are we doing this to ourselves right now? Big L

BYE

@UGA - We seem to always play them close but don't see us stopping Gurley. 10 Pt L.

UF - One of the biggest games of the season, true toss up and will depend on if Bama destroys UF the week before our game and has them reeling or not. Toss Up

Chattanooga - Thank God an easy one W

@Ole Miss - Actually forgot about this game. Not sure what to expect here. But since it is on the road I will say close L.

Bama - That was short lived Big L

@USC - Payback should likely be in the minds of SC. Should be competitive for a while then SC blows it open in the 2nd half 14pt L

Bye

Missouri - Bye comes at a good time as this is our second big toss up game. Missouri lost 15 starters and I am not expecting a lot of them this year. This game is at home and we will be coming off a bye with a bowl game still in play. Can we pull it out? Toss Up

Kentucky - Should be able to win this one at home with a bowl game hopefully still in sight if we could have won one of UF or Missouri W

@Vandy - I believe Vandy takes a big tumble this year. This being on the road isn't a problem either as we always put about 60% of the stadium in Orange. We will have improved a lot over the year with our young talent playing. I give us the W

So by my estimations we have 5 W's and 5 L's with two toss ups. Can we win either of the two Cock friends? Make me excited for the fall!

Man, if your initial impression is that you could lose to Utah State and arky state, I would have zero confidence in the coming season.