Season Predictions?

#54
#54
I saw Kirby and company celebrating a 3 star recruit to the dawgs. That's a pretty significant change from times past. UGA should be good but I've got a feeling they're not up to recent par. Time will tell.
It’s the ‘25 class. Too soon to see how it shakes out.
 
#55
#55
Best defense Heupel has had as a hc with what is likely the most skilled Qb he has ever had = 11-1 playoff appearance… Nico showed me enough improvisation and running ability vs Iowa… a full off season as the starter and learning the system and getting more comfortable he will be ready to dominate week 1… primary keys will be OL health and development and our young talented secondary it is likely the difference between 9 and 11 regular season wins…
 
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#58
#58
I will say that 11-1 is the ceiling and 8-4 is the floor. I think the Vols will be a good team this year, but it’s doubtful that they beat GA in Athens. I do however think that Nico is going to be very good in time! Who knows though? I can’t wait.
 
#59
#59
1. Nico is a special QB.
1a. But he's a special QB in his second year, first year with the reins. The SEC QB learning curve is still mostly ahead of him.
2. I don't think we have Jalin Hyatt speed at WR to stretch defenses vertically.
3. Our defensive backfield is faster and much more talented.
3a. But much of the talent is very young, with most of the learning curve ahead of them.

I'm not a NegaVol... just a mental health specialist offering some free preventive medicine, in an absolutely useless effort!
GBO!
Replying to the BruisedOrange post above.
1. Agree, and he's going to prove it down the road.
1a. This is why I believe we will see Gaston Moore in action at intervals.
2. Remains to be seen, however, the WRs by game 3 will make their presence felt. They'll grow up fast.
3. Maybe. But they need a DB coach that teaches ball hawking, which requires turning their heads around to look for the ball.
3a. Correct. This is why I'm not as hyped as some, yet believe we will see proof we're well on the way back.

Bear in mind, my dog and cracked crystal ball haven't yet chimed in on this. But they will, Phantom at least, has begun slightly wagging his tail and mumbling something about this being the year of the Tennessee tight ends. I tried asking him for more details, said he ain't talking until I order his Oryx steaks and serve them with kadai paneer gravy. My mistake for letting him eat at the table with us last summer.
 
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#60
#60
8-4, 7-5 (Huepel supporter, we are due for a correction before the next leg up)
 
#62
#62
Predictions?

Folks will have us at 12-0 by game 1 kickoff, proclaim us national champions after every big play, then scream the sky is falling after the tiniest miscue.

There will be irrational optimism, epic meltdowns, unhinged rants, insanly critical evaluation of players, endless rationalization to defend the same players, and calls to play QB2.

We're going to fight about uniforms, neutral site games, NIL, conference expansion, stadium renovations, OOC opponents, and the value of the NCAA.

Old timers will hate anything new while young folks ignore everything that came before.

There will be calls to fire coaches, players that people want off the team for small infractions, players that get to stay on the team despite major issues, and takes that say CJH and Danny White can do no wrong.

You know....the usual.
 
#65
#65
Even as good as most of us realize Nico is, I think a lot here are still going to be shocked at how brightly he sparks Heupel's attacking offense.

Consider this: he's an even better fit for the scheme than Hendon Hooker was.

Pair that with a defense significantly better than two years ago, and I think we're going to see a season that is even beyond 2022.

How does that translate to the Win column?

So 10-2 regular season? 11-1? Trip to Atlanta? Spot in the playoffs? I think any of that is realistically possible, yes.

This is gonna be fun.

Go Vols!
Nico needs to see the field better.

He was sacked 6 TIMES against Iowa. 2 of those sacks were legit the other 4 were him just holding the ball too long.

He’s a running QB right now more than a dual-threat.

Which is absolutely INSANE, because he had no trouble reading and manipulating defenses in HS. He was slinging the ball everywhere with confidence and elite accuracy.

I’m not a fan of Halze at the moment…
 
#68
#68
Nico needs to see the field better.

He was sacked 6 TIMES against Iowa. 2 of those sacks were legit the other 4 were him just holding the ball too long.

He’s a running QB right now more than a dual-threat.

Which is absolutely INSANE, because he had no trouble reading and manipulating defenses in HS. He was slinging the ball everywhere with confidence and elite accuracy.

I’m not a fan of Halze at the moment…
You’ve had a lot of questionable takes but this may be the worst one yet… you mean to tell me a freshman making his first start against a top 5 defense needs to see the field better NO WAY (blue font)… of course he needs to improve and he will no way you compared reading hs defenses to reading a top 10 defense in which he led us to a 35-0 victory with no turnovers… Nico will be just fine we have never had a Qb with his size athleticism playmaking ability speed elsusivness and arm talent combined in the history of our program with arguably the best offensive mind we’ve ever had as well… they will get it figured out to say you’re not a fan of hazle is so silly when he’s been with heup this long… he helped hendon unlock his potential and Nico will light it up under him as well… I can’t wait to see what you have to say when we torch defenses this season.
 
#70
#70
You’ve had a lot of questionable takes but this may be the worst one yet… you mean to tell me a freshman making his first start against a top 5 defense needs to see the field better NO WAY (blue font)… of course he needs to improve and he will no way you compared reading hs defenses to reading a top 10 defense in which he led us to a 35-0 victory with no turnovers… Nico will be just fine we have never had a Qb with his size athleticism playmaking ability speed elsusivness and arm talent combined in the history of our program with arguably the best offensive mind we’ve ever had as well… they will get it figured out to say you’re not a fan of hazle is so silly when he’s been with heup this long… he helped hendon unlock his potential and Nico will light it up under him as well… I can’t wait to see what you have to say when we torch defenses this season.
You have to understand the kind of stupid @LittleVol brings to the table. I mean the guy said Maryville HS could beat IMG in football.
 
#71
#71
Nico needs to see the field better.

He was sacked 6 TIMES against Iowa. 2 of those sacks were legit the other 4 were him just holding the ball too long.

He’s a running QB right now more than a dual-threat.

Which is absolutely INSANE, because he had no trouble reading and manipulating defenses in HS. He was slinging the ball everywhere with confidence and elite accuracy.

I’m not a fan of Halze at the moment…
HS isn't college ball. Players are bigger, faster, stronger, and have more refined technique. Nicky will adapt with coaching and experience.
 
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