Our schedule is very favorable for a big year next season

[Nationdom]

We all know your general M.O. here . . . but how did a random loss to Mizzou come into your mind?

If you know college football, like you and I do, you know that it’s likely. We will have a bad game and I have a feeling that’s it.

 

[Boston Vol]

We all know your general M.O. here . . . but how did a random loss to Mizzou come into your mind?

Right? In Heupel’s two seasons Tennessee has outscored Missouri 128-48. I understand that each season is its own entity, but they have a pretty big gap to close just to be competitive with UT, let alone beat them.

 

[sjt18]

Same. We have to go to Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, Lexington, and Columbia. Georgia will be a tall task, even at home. Texas A&M will be no walk in the park either. I'm not quite sure how the OP thinks the schedule is favorable. I would not at all be shocked at a 9-3 or even 8-4 type of season.

What did you say before last season?

Some folks here tend to the negative side. IIRC, you're in that camp. One indicator in this post is including Lexington and Columbia as "problems". UK appears very much to be in a hard fall. Mizzou is just a tough gig for any coach. I don't see any big signs that they're making improvement.

I don't know what to expect yet. The rosters aren't settled UT needs a major upgrade on D and I'm still not convinced that Banks is the guy to get that done. IMHO, losing two quality OL's is a bigger deal than a lot of the stuff being talked about.

There are some good reasons to think that UT takes that step back you predict.

OTOH, there weren't any credible predictions that UT would go 11-2 this year or hit #1 at any point in the CFB poll. A&M while talented... is a train wreck and the problem appears to be Jimbo himself. Bama keeps winning on NSD but they weren't a "great" team last year outside of a couple of guys with the critical piece being a transfer RB.

Without going into all the potential faults for opponents... there's just way too many moving parts between roster changes and anything else that might happen to change between now and August.

The "known" quantities are the coaches. I like Heupel to win marginal games. His system is great and he's good on gameday. I also think their player development has been very close to the elite of the elite. The performance they've gotten out of the talent they inherited is pretty impressive.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

What did you say before last season?

Some folks here tend to the negative side. IIRC, you're in that camp. One indicator in this post is including Lexington and Columbia as "problems". UK appears very much to be in a hard fall. Mizzou is just a tough gig for any coach. I don't see any big signs that they're making improvement.

I don't know what to expect yet. The rosters aren't settled UT needs a major upgrade on D and I'm still not convinced that Banks is the guy to get that done. IMHO, losing two quality OL's is a bigger deal than a lot of the stuff being talked about.

There are some good reasons to think that UT takes that step back you predict.

OTOH, there weren't any credible predictions that UT would go 11-2 this year or hit #1 at any point in the CFB poll. A&M while talented... is a train wreck and the problem appears to be Jimbo himself. Bama keeps winning on NSD but they weren't a "great" team last year outside of a couple of guys with the critical piece being a transfer RB.

Without going into all the potential faults for opponents... there's just way too many moving parts between roster changes and anything else that might happen to change between now and August.

The "known" quantities are the coaches. I like Heupel to win marginal games. His system is great and he's good on gameday. I also think their player development has been very close to the elite of the elite. The performance they've gotten out of the talent they inherited is pretty impressive.

great post. We have plenty of reasons for short and long term optimism at this point that the program can maintain a consistent level of success.

 

[LadyVolette]

Georgia at home? Payback is a b.. we may or may not win, but we will make their eardrums bleed

 

[LadyVolette]

I am expecting a slightly less successful year at 9-3

That’s still a great season (don’t anyone throw anything at me) lol

 

[pimo1]

We have a very favoravle schedule next year with away games at Florida and Alabama (both teams will be down next year). Our non conference schedule is pretty easy. This should set up a huge game against Georgia on November 18th. Will be biggest game of the year!

The A&M game is interesting. They were a mess this season but they brought in a lot of talent the last few years and even with the defections via portal they are very talented. All jokes aside in 13 years Jimbo Fisher has only had less than 8 wins twice. His last year at FSU and this season are his only losing seasons. Math says he gets 8 next season.

Unlike most I'm less worried about the defense next year. Our secondary will be much improved if just from experience alone. This will be the post Hooker offense and I'm looking forward to see how they navigate a crowded and talented QB room .

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Tennessee will be competitive in every game I think. Football can take funny bounces for you and against you at any given year or game. I think 9-3 is the floor. I think 10-2 or 11-1 is very possible and most likely with a punchers chance at 12-0. We compete and battle Georgia for the East. I won’t predict a East division but I do believe Tennessee has a legit shot at it albeit it will be tough and have to be earned. GBO!!!!

 

[Sarms58]

I know nothing about Virginia but expect we will be favored and should win. Playing the Gators in the swamp even when they aren’t great can be a challenge - ask Utah this year and Alabama last year. Texas A&M has as much roster talent as Bama and Georgia but found a way to really suck this year. We should definitely be ready to play a very talented team regardless of their 2022 record. And UTSA is an outstanding football team that is very capable of pulling off an upset. We have a challenging September but no margin for error given that we must play Bama in Tuscaloosa and then host the Dawgs late in the year at home. Both Bama and Georgia will have new QBs next year but they will be experienced by the time we play them.