901 Orange
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Last year's game against Florida was in the Swamp, where we haven't won in 21 years. We'll beat them this year in Knoxville by at least two touchdowns.8-4
Losses @ OK, UF, UGA, and Bama
Based on any objective measure I would have us beating Florida, but as last year showed, it’s hard to beat the curse even when you have the better team/coaches. So for now an L and I hope I’m wrong.
I don’t think Bama will take as big a step back as many expect. DeBoar may be unproven in SEC play but he’s inherited the most loaded roster of any new coach ever. Hard to F that up.
OK is an L because it’s Nico’s first SEC road game to a hostile stadium and it’s early in the season. If there are any bugs left to work out we’ll see them in Norman.
UGA is an L because they’re still ridiculously loaded and have top tier coaching to match. Gonna be a few recruiting cycles before we can match up toe to toe.
All other games are double-digit wins.
Agreed. I’ve always believed it was more about the timing than anything. I mean heck, look at when they had to push it back for the twin towers attacks.I feel like Oklahoma could be our Florida. I think it is more than about Florida being Florida, it is always that we play Florida first in the SEC every year. This year, Oklahoma is in their spot.
And we have the better skill players. I think we win this game too. And if they let us get rolling, we could blow the top off it.I really think we win the OU game. I know it's on the road but I think we have an advantage in the trenches on both sides. I believe our OL is better than their DL. I know our DL is better than their OL because they're breaking in new starters across the front.
That's very fair and about where I am at.I think 11-1 is the ceiling and bc it’s a tough schedule I think 7-5 is the floor.
At least 1 loss bc of such a hard schedule and I don’t mean this at all in a disrespectful way, but it’s going to be terribly tough to beat GA in Athens this season.
My ultimate prediction is a very respectful 9-3. A loss to GA, I think you guys split between OK and Bama, but unfortunately lose some other game bc of unfortunate events or just having a bad day.
On the bright side for you guys, I think we will see Nico become one of the top QBs in the country by season’s end.
I was hoping you or some other knowledgeable Vols might give me some insight on how the Vol’s offensive line will be this season. I know that you guys have Mays returning at center which is great, but I know little about the rest or the depth on the line. I’ve read that the TN line will likely be very good, I’m just interested to hear the opinions of some knowledgeable Vol fans.That's very fair and about where I am at.
I think the OL will be pretty solid this year, better than last year barring injury. Mays is returned as you stated. Campbell returns as a RT now, Spraggins returned as a guard, and Lance Heard will be LT. The question mark I suppose will be the other guard, and depth. We have a bunch of bodies, but they're young and unproven. I look for it to be much improved over last year, but again if there are injuries we don't have much proven behind the starters. One of my biggest gripes about our OL decisions is that we don't get the young guys enough time in games.I was hoping you or some other knowledgeable Vols might give me some insight on how the Vol’s offensive line will be this season. I know that you guys have Mays returning at center which is great, but I know little about the rest or the depth on the line. I’ve read that the TN line will likely be very good, I’m just interested to hear the opinions of some knowledgeable Vol fans.
I ask bc I honestly think the play of the O-line will be a major key to TN’s success this season. I’m very interested to hear any thoughts you or others might afford me in this and any will be much appreciated.
Thanks for the response. I absolutely agree that not getting young linemen early experience is a big mistake. I think that learning to be an effective lineman is one of the hardest positions to learn in football, and not just on an individual level but being able to fit in and be a productive member of the line as a unit is paramount for success. And the best way to achieve this is by getting your guys experience playing together in game situations.I think the OL will be pretty solid this year, better than last year barring injury. Mays is returned as you stated. Campbell returns as a RT now, Spraggins returned as a guard, and Lance Heard will be LT. The question mark I suppose will be the other guard, and depth. We have a bunch of bodies, but they're young and unproven. I look for it to be much improved over last year, but again if there are injuries we don't have much proven behind the starters. One of my biggest gripes about our OL decisions is that we don't get the young guys enough time in games.