I think you should reread my post and be a little less sensitive. Vegas has Utah St. at -2. That ain't a blowout.
And maybe you should work on your tendency to transference. Just because Richt has certain weaknesses doesn't mean that Jones does. He seems to be a great guy and is a very good recruiter. But there is a reason that none of your national championship caliber rosters over the last few years haven't won one... and it ain't the assistants you've been changing like underwear.
I'm not sure what the latest odds are but they float with betting... and if most bettors were well informed then no one could make money at it. Just take a look at the athletic match up between UT's WR's and USU's secondary. That is the key to understanding why I don't think it is going to be all that close. From a purely athletic standpoint, it is a complete and total mismatch. Their best DB athlete is a guy who couldn't cut it at UT during the Vols' lowest ebb in a generation. Even if you assumed (I don't) that the other position match ups were relatively equal... the UT WR vs USU DB match up is a deal breaker.
Starting off the season with a young team is "iffy" at best.
One, UT has some key guys coming back. This isn't a team devoid of experience. That stat is often overblown. So and so has 59 returning lettermen... which sounds so much better than 43 until you realize that the number includes ST's only guys and guys who have careers made up of mop up appearances.
Would we prefer to have over 50 lettermen returning? Who wouldn't? But it is nowhere near as dire as some of you seem to think.
Two, UT is not coached by Mark Richt. I am not sure what UT has in Jones but the "right" coach won't ever be "iffy" with regard to having his players prepared, developed, and ready to play. He WILL put them consistently in position to be successful.
CBJ is concerned about getting these young guys ready. Maybe you're not. Only time will tell who's right. UT should improve as the season progresses. But the first game is virtually a toss up, IMHO.
It is Jones JOB to get these young guys ready. That statement makes no sense... well maybe it does no the context of an UGA fan's expectations of a HC.
This game should NOT be a toss up. USU is a very good mid-major program. They replace many starters and key contributors. They lose their top two WR's and over half of their production at receiver. They lose their top two rushers though they apparently get a good RB back from injury. They lost production all over their D.
Let's put it this way... had UT been playing their schedule over the last few years... they'd have made a BCS bowl rather than struggling through the worst stretch in well over 50 years.
The "intangible" factors do not apply. UT's coaches and players have no reason for overconfidence. If anything, USU could come in thinking more of themselves than they should. This game if UT's coaching is competent SHOULD come down to raw talent AND especially at that one key match up.
