Phil Steele Picks Tennessee # 24

[JohnWardForever]

And, He has the Vols tied for 5th in the SEC with lsu, mizzou, & Okla.
1. uga
1.Texas
3.bama
4. omiss
5.lsu
5.Mizz
5.okla
5.UT

 

[cooterbob]

You,re being catfished

 

[CAVPUT]

And, He has the Vols tied for 5th in the SEC with lsu, mizzou, & Okla.
1. uga
1.Texas
3.bama
4. omiss
5.lsu
5.Mizz
5.okla
5.UT

I had us about 6th in the SEC. Think a couple of teams have a much easier road than we do so I give them the nod in the rankings for now.

 

[Hulavol]

At first when I saw the headline, I was like “no way- that’s BS- even though I find that Steele really know his stuff- he’s wrong on this for sure”

Then, I looked at the list ….. I think he’s probably right as usual - all the teams ahead of us are stacked - I think we might be better than Oklahoma…. But maybe not.

 

[WillisWG]

2024 College Football Power Rankings: Every Team From 1-134

Early Top 25 lists highlight the best there is, but what about the other 109 programs? We cover all 134 in our 2024 College Football Power Rankings.

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17) Tennessee Volunteers​

Those in Knoxville have seemingly named Nico Iamaleava the chosen one, and with Josh Heupel running the show, it’s hard to dispute them. There are solid starters at every position on offense, and the defense returns many of its first-teamers from 2023, including game-altering EDGE James Pearce Jr.

Tennessee went 9-4 with Joe Milton at the helm — if Iamaleava lives up to the hype, a 10+ campaign is well within reach.

16) North Carolina State Wolfpack​

The Wolfpack won five of their last six games to finish 9-4 last season, and that momentum should carry over to 2024. The quarterback room hasn’t exactly been the modicum of consistency for the Wolfpack, but Dave Doeren has rectified the issue by bringing in Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall.

The three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year is surrounded by 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year WR Kevin Concepcion, UConn’s 2023 receiving yards leader TE Justin Joly, and Duke transfer RB Jordan Waters. Although the defense lost some veteran leaders, namely LB Payton Wilson and EDGE Davin Vann, CB Aydan White can generate turnovers independently.

Early start for BVS

 

[Oldvoldad]

Early start for BVS

I like the fact many are picking us as underdogs, but in reality, this should be Hype’s best team since he arrived.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Doesn't this just reflect roughly the level of recruiting in the SEC? Meaning, TN has been really good in talent acquisition under Heupel - but not elite. Seems like a pretty simple way to become an "expert" football analyst.

 

[JohnWardForever]

You,re being catfished

Uh, actually no. All I'm doing is sharing information with Volnation. I take all rankings, publications, with a Grain of salt.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Doesn't this just reflect roughly the level of recruiting in the SEC? Meaning, TN has been really good in talent acquisition under Heupel - but not elite. Seems like a pretty simple way to become an "expert" football analyst.

Jimmys & Joes. Ga & bama have been in the top 5 for 10 years (Bama 19 yrs)

 

[Oldvoldad]

Jimmys & Joes. Ga & bama have been in the top 5 for 10 years (Bama 19 yrs)

 

[Oldvoldad]

Big difference in today’s world. How many Jimmys and Joes have they retained in the last three years? A lot of transfers in and out.

 

[WillisWG]

Uh, actually no. All I'm doing is sharing information with Volnation. I take all rankings, publications, with a Grain of salt.

As we all should....things get settled on the field

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Doesn't this just reflect roughly the level of recruiting in the SEC? Meaning, TN has been really good in talent acquisition under Heupel - but not elite. Seems like a pretty simple way to become an "expert" football analyst.

Yes but the wild card for heupel’s system is having a legit QB. we can be solid in recruiting and as long as we land the right QB, we can beat anyone. Most other teams can’t say that. Putting Nico at Florida, TAMU, etc doesn’t mean they can beat Georgia. But Nico at Tennessee give the Vols a chance to beat Georgia.

 

[Hacksaw]

I'm tempted to believe Texas is a little high. But I think that's because their schedule is like a welcome gift from the conference. I think the money interests really want them to have a successful first season. I don't see them losing more than 3 (more likely 2). Even so, their transition may be a little more difficult than they might be expecting.

Other than that, I don't see anything to get worked-up about. We're going to have to prove it on the field, either way.

 

[VolBallGuy]

I pick us for Natty and world domination.

 

[tennesseepride84]

Many think we will have the best DLine in the sec, and one of the top OLines in the sec. So traditionally when you are dominant on both lines of scrimmage in our conference that’s a recipe for huge success, so based on that I see us surprising a lot of folks.

 

[Volador]

You,re being catfished

 

[LittleVol]

And, He has the Vols tied for 5th in the SEC with lsu, mizzou, & Okla.
1. uga
1.Texas
3.bama
4. omiss
5.lsu
5.Mizz
5.okla
5.UT

I think Ole Miss finally beats Bama this year.
I think they are better than Texas too.

I have no problem where Tennessee is ranked in this group, but I do believe Tennessee is a capable of beating all of those teams.

A lot of good QBs are returning. This is basically saying Tennessee is at best the 5th best team in the toughest conference. That means we’re border line Top 10 team. And as I said, we could beat any of those teams if our passing game gets its mojo back from 2022

Where would Clemson or Penn State be ranked in this group?

 

[cooterbob]

Uh, actually no. All I'm doing is sharing information with Volnation. I take all rankings, publications, with a Grain of salt.

Yes, preseason rankings are trash.

 

[WillisWG]

I think Ole Miss finally beats Bama this year.
I think they are better than Texas too.

I have no problem where Tennessee is ranked in this group, but I do believe Tennessee is a capable of beating all of those teams.

A lot of good QBs are returning. This is basically saying Tennessee is at best the 5th best team in the toughest conference. That means we’re border line Top 10 team. And as I said, we could beat any of those teams if our passing game gets its mojo back from 2022

Where would Clemson or Penn State be ranked in this group?

Ole Miss Bama don't play each other this year

 

[njvols]

Yes but the wild card for heupel’s system is having a legit QB. we can be solid in recruiting and as long as we land the right QB, we can beat anyone. Most other teams can’t say that. Putting Nico at Florida, TAMU, etc doesn’t mean they can beat Georgia. But Nico at Tennessee give the Vols a chance to beat Georgia.

Good qb play leads to W’s and excitement. Hooker for us two years ago and Daniels last year for LSU. I think we will quietly surprise some prognosticators

 

[volbound1700]

A lot of preseason polls don't like the fact we have no returning starters in the secondary and seem to not buy into hype of Nico.

 

[volbound1700]

Ole Miss seems overhyped to me and I wouldn't be thst surprised if Missouri and Texas crash and burn as well. They all 3 have soft schedules but I have seen teams struggle sometimes against softer schedules.

 

[KTrain]

At first when I saw the headline, I was like “no way- that’s BS- even though I find that Steele really know his stuff- he’s wrong on this for sure”

Then, I looked at the list ….. I think he’s probably right as usual - all the teams ahead of us are stacked - I think we might be better than Oklahoma…. But maybe not.

He's not as good as he used to be not sure what changed but very noticeable. IMO about 6 teams in the SEC have the talent to make the 12 team P Off the main factor will be which team has a QB that has Heisman numbers. UGA & Bama have the best players but after that it will be whose QB and coaching takes that big step.

 

[DonDiego]

Preseason baseball polls had us between #8 and #11. How'd that work out for them?