I couldn't see it being reasonable to most fair-minded people. It largely discounts everything that has been done since the rebuilding of our program started and tries to tie this team to a past that they were not even remotely connected with. It's basically saying no matter how much talent you get, no matter how much development, maturity, and experience you get, we're going to assess your potential on what you did when you didn't have much talent or quality experience. None of that rebuilding counts in Tennessee's case because back in 2004 and 2006, etc. #Idiots.
I understand but the perception has been that UT had the better team on a number of occasions last year, at least on paper, but did not get it done against the better teams. That the "on paper" team was not measuring up to the reality.
And so I think what people want to see is the reality catching up to the hype. Its hard to argue with that, especially when (and this is not a Tennessee issue) we year after year see teams that SHOULD do well end up being pretty mediocre. And a lot of the time there just is no consensus explanation.
So look at UT last year. What was it? Timid coaching? Conditioning late in games? A talent problem?
You've got more talent than you've had in the past. Check. More experience. Check. But is that what the issue is or has been?
I don't know. Its probably more than one thing. And it might be one thing in the first quarter, and something different in the second. What is clear is that something (or somethings) have been holding you back.
While I certainly agree that you ought to be in Atlanta this fall, and should beat everyone in the East, I admit I have some doubt. And yes, its because of the outcomes of the last couple of years, not just the issue of what is the potential this year.
As a UF fan let me get your opinion on the legitimacy of sports writers predictions like this. When they discount Del Rio by saying "...who couldn't win the starting job at Oregon State" do you think they are talking about him not being able to beat out future 2nd Rd pick and all time Pac 12 passing leader Sean Mannion in 2014? Or maybe not being able to convert from a prostyle QB to a duel threat QB to match the new coach's system in 2015? Or just maybe, and this is a stretch here, these guys haven't done much research at all and are just going off things they've heard from ESPN and message boards?
I readily concede your point. I agree with you.
But it seems like you want them to say that you ARE going to be better, and that you WILL win the east, when despite predictions of dramatic improvement in the last 2 years we have yet to see it.
To be clear, I DO expect to see it. I really think you are the team to beat in the east and should end up in the cship game. Again, though, I've seen this movie before and so I just want to see it happen before I commit.