And some of you guys think we'll finish 8-4

[smokey0625]

8-4 is a possibility but it's highly unlikely. We have more talent at each position but remember, we'll be starting a lot of freshman. It'll take them a couple of years to develop and learn the system. 6-6 is probably the most realistic prediction which would be an improvement but I expect us to win one game where people didn't expect us to win so I could see this team finishing 7-5.

Utah St. - W
Arkansas St. - W
Oklahoma - L
Georgia - L
Florida - W
Chattanooga - W
Ole Miss - L
Alabama - L
South Carolina - L
Kentucky - W
Missouri - W
Vanderbilt - W

You could even flip fl with hawty toddy and we still get to seven. I don't think they out athlete us. They are Ole Miss for crying out loud.

 

[Falcons02]

We should know right away where Tennessee stands...Utah State is not a Western Ky or Austin Peay. I watched their game with USC last year and they kept it close throughout. They won't be intimidated by Neyland either. Utah State played Wisconsin to a 16-14 loss in Camp Randall 2 years ago and Auburn needed an onside kick at to beat them in 2011. It will be a close game, they have a good program.

I agree with this. That Wisconsin team USU almost beat was an 8 win bowl team and the 2011 Auburn team they took to OT also had 8 wins (if you include the bowl win.)

I think we win, but this talk of "win by 3 TDs" blah blah blah is kinda insane. If this were the 2001 Vols, I'd say yeah, 3 TDs and I'd probably be plastered by halftime... but we all know too well that our Vols haven't been like that in quite some time. Butch is doin' awesome work, but patience is a virtue here. Frankly, I am going to love watching this team mature over the next few years. The future is bright, friends.

 

[Remy]

We're going to beat Uga and sc. You figure it out from there...

I'm not sure about us getting SC this year, BUT uga and fl we will own ... book it , bet the 401 K on it.

 

[jeffmcflurry27]

I'm not sure about us getting SC this year, BUT uga and fl we will own ... book it , bet the 401 K on it.

You first.

 

[Nationdom]

Those 14 EE players will more resemble RS FR or SO than true FR.

Yep

 

[UGADawg4Life]

Pre game before Utah state... Butch jones says this in the locker room... " ok men you've busted your asses all spring and summer, put in all the work to be great, this is a new season. It's not just a new season it's the beginning of a new era, now let's go out there and do what a university of Tennessee team should do to a poverty team from a poverty conference and make them wish that Neyland never had them."

Wonder what the Utah State coach will say. That's the sucky thing about opponents. They play to win too. I think CBJ will be happy to go bowling this season and to get some young players used to the size and speed of CFB. Then he can start thinking about 9 or so wins. Give him some time.

 

[Nationdom]

Wonder what the Utah State coach will say. That's the sucky thing about opponents. They play to win too. I think CBJ will be happy to go bowling this season and to get some young players used to the size and speed of CFB. Then he can start thinking about 9 or so wins. Give him some time.

Doesn't matter what their coach says. When you come to Neyland out manned all over the field you're get hammered, pal.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Tennessee will be Lucky to win 6 games this year, and may win only 4 or 5.

We do not know if the highly rated freshmen will turn out to be above average, or even duds. With our schedule it will be almost impossible to win 8 games even if a couple of the freshmen play like super stars.

 

[StillStanding]

Tempered expectations. This is what happens to fans and players that have been disappointed more times than not over the last few years. It's better emotionally to aim low and be happy that you met or exceeded expectations than to believe in a breakout season only to be disappointed once more.

To hell with it! 7-8 Wins! Believe it!

 

[ajvol01]

Doesn't matter what their coach says. When you come to Neyland out manned all over the field you're get hammered, pal.

At least you're consistent :crazy:

 

[Nationdom]

At least you're consistent :crazy:

Why are you so dumbfounded by the fact that we are going to pound a poverty team into rubble?

 

[UGADawg4Life]

Doesn't matter what their coach says. When you come to Neyland out manned all over the field you're get hammered, pal.

Did you skip over the list that the OP put out for you? That Utah St. Game is going to be a nail-biter for a very young and inexperienced Vol team. It would not surprise me for The Aggies to put up a lot of points. I think UT will be playing catch up in the 2nd half, pal.:hi:

 

[ajvol01]

Why are you so dumbfounded by the fact that we are going to pound a poverty team into rubble?

"Poverty" team that finished 11-2 and #16 in the AP Poll in 2012.

You're doing a lot of talking with nothing to back it up.

 

[Vol Catdaddy]

In the predictions thread I saw most people picking 6-6 with a few 7-5 picks which I think is realistic when looking at the schedule...8-4 is definitely being optimistic but is there anything wrong with that?...I will say that Dave Hart needs to insist on having our conference schedule shuffled. Once we have reestablished ourselves as a contender again and Vandy assumes it's position at the bottom (they will both happen) October is going to be too much of a gauntlet while November is too easy. We need to move either Kentucky or Missouri to the end of September or first of October and move either Georgia or Florida to the end of November. Our schedule is grossly out of balance.

I understand 7-5 hopefully we can get 8 wins.

 

[Nationdom]

"Poverty" team that finished 11-2 and #16 in the AP Poll in 2012.

You're doing a lot of talking with nothing to back it up.

That was two yeArs ago.

 

[Nationdom]

You live in a fantasy world. This isn't "Any Given Sunday" Utah State will present a real challenge. Arkansas State will too.

You're just wrong

 

[volgrad500]

Isn't' Utah State number 128, dead last, in returning starters?

Edited for link:

Phil Steele

 

[Nationdom]

Did you skip over the list that the OP put out for you? That Utah St. Game is going to be a nail-biter for a very young and inexperienced Vol team. It would not surprise me for The Aggies to put up a lot of points. I think UT will be playing catch up in the 2nd half, pal.:hi:

It's going to be similar or worse then the natty a few years ago.

 

[ajvol01]

Isn't' Utah State number 128, dead last, in returning starters?

Edited for link:

Phil Steele

Utah State is 110 in combined experience

We're 123

Phil Steele

 

[gunner]

What do they put in those Scooby snacks these days?

Synthetic marijuana!

 

[volgrad500]

Utah State is 110 in combined experience

We're 123

Phil Steele

So whichever stat you look at, Utah State doesn't enjoy a big advantage.

 

[RockyTop411]

8-4 and Butch Jones should receive the Coach of the Year Award. I'm serious.

No returning OL or DL and no true QB. Hard to win without stability in those positions.

 

[Catbone]

8-4 and Butch Jones should receive the Coach of the Year Award. I'm serious.

No returning OL or DL and no true QB. Hard to win without stability in those positions.

Agreed. Some people are setting themselves up for disappointment again.

 

[WiseOlVol]

8-4 and Butch Jones should receive the Coach of the Year Award. I'm serious.

No returning OL or DL and no true QB. Hard to win without stability in those positions.

UTs QB uncertainty way overrated. New Lines could be an upgrade. We haven't had a pass rush in years. Tiny won't be jumping the count in critical situations.

 

[VolFan4Life87]

Please. UT could drag ass all game and win by 3 Tds.

Think South Alabama '13. As the coaches would say, no opponent should be overlooked. Agree we should win this match up though.