Recruiting Forum Football Talk VI

[bignewt]

Titans signing Hopkins wouldn’t be a terrible move. He’s still a good player. Him, Burks and Chig make a good trio. Combined with the RBs and new look O Line it should be a bit better than last year. No Todd downing (that’s worth a Touchdown more per game by itself). Titans get back Harold Landry too he missed all last year. Added some guys. I think it’ll be a good team. Better than the Jaguars who barley escaped at home vs Walmart and Kroger boys playing in the two toned blue in the final 2 minutes

I'll bet any amount you like that the Jags finish with a better record than the Titans.

 

[UTProf]

Possibly but in my field….. we have investigations….. it goes through legal and legal won’t allow us to disclose anything.

Most universities are subject to Sunshine Laws. Those that aren't are very much beholden to students, parents, alums and the opinion of faculty and staff. They can and do sweep things under the rug when kids aren't smart enough to go to the press but when they are those same administrators fold because they're ultimately beholden to the people mentioned and need their support to keep their jobs and effectively do their jobs. Universities are one part government, one part Indian Reservation and one part corporate. When the first two put the third in check - the corporate side folds, every single time.

 

[TitanicVolz]

I'll bet any amount you like that the Jags finish with a better record than the Titans.

 

[Orange.]

Is it really only 55 days until kickoff?

 

[BigSteve09]

More Sunday Reading as we approach SEC Media Days and fall camp...

Notes and info from Steele, will be comparing us vs our opponents.

Using Steele's Power Ratings that are based purely on talent on the roster, as opposed to final rankings or preseason rankings.

First, Tennessee (14th):
Quarterbacks: Milton could have jumped in the Portal after he lost his job but chose to stay and has a freakish skill set with perhaps the strongest arm in CFB. Milton is in the Heisman mix in this offense.
Running Backs: Top 3 return making this one of the most underrated units in the conference.
Receivers: Losses are heavy but could still be a productive group.
Offensive Line: 3 starters back (93 career starts), have 12 good players in rotation, remain a top notch unit.
Defensive Line: 8 return with starting experience, have 10 good players in rotation, will be about the same as last year.
Linebackers: Experienced unit but not overly talented.
Defensive Backs: 8 return with starting experience, will be solidly improved if they remain healthy.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Lose 6 starters, but Milton knows offense, should still put up 40+ ppg
Defense Overall: 7 starters return, defense will be about the same with potential to be better.
Team Overall: This is the one team in the East that can challenge Georgia and could get to 10+ wins again.

Week One - Virginia (93rd):
Quarterbacks: Have a mix of QBs in competition, some pocket guys, some scramblers. Steele thinks they will settle on a transfer QB from Monmuth or a QB that runs a 10.5 100m.
Running Backs: Should be improved. Backup RB Hollins was one of the players that got shot.
Receivers: 4 of top 6 gone. Less experienced group.
Offensive Line: Lost 2 starters to grad and 2 to Portal. Have some transfers but none of them have a single start at the FBS level. Inexperienced and a big question-mark. Last year they had 3.7 ypc and gave up 34 sacks.
Defensive Line: Return their entire 2-deep. Will be good.
Linebackers: Their best LB transferred to Iowa (10+ tackles per game). Will still be ok but not as good without top LB.
Defensive Backs: CB is biggest concern.
Special Teams: Finished near bottom of country last year, looking to improve.
Offense Overall: Young OL again, but with better QB and RB play. Won't be as bad as last year (17 ppg).
Defense Overall: 8 starters are back but lost best player. Were actually decent last year, hoping to maintain.
Team Overall: OL will be problem but Offense could still improve, sneaky good defense. Should be improved but not enough to compete for bowl.

Week Two - Austin Peay (NR):
Not Featured

Week Three - Florida (28th):
Quarterbacks: Will have more experience but will miss Richardson.
Running Backs: Have good depth and are pretty good.
Receivers: Depth is a concern, don't have a lot of experience.
Offensive Line: Only one starter returns, tried to add through Portal. Without Richardson's dual-threat, rush YPG will go down and sacks will go up.
Defensive Line: Deep unit, should be a lot better.
Linebackers: All four starters are gone but have good players in rotation.
Defensive Backs: Safety is a big concern, CB is deep. Less experienced but could be improved after bad year.
Special Teams: Everyone is back and they will be good.
Offense Overall: Lose Richardson but return 6 starters and won't be much worse.
Defense Overall: 5 starters back but will be better.
Team Overall: Very low on experience. Only have 3 SEC home games. Could be a dog in 7 games, but are talented and under the radar.

Week Four - UTSA (43rd):
Quarterbacks: Their QB is back for his SEVENTH YEAR. Threw for 4,063 yards last year with 32 TDs to just 9 INTs. Was their #2 rusher in 2021.
Running Backs: Replacing starter but are more experienced.
Receivers: 3 of their top 4 return, lost their best guy to Portal.
Offensive Line: Deepest and most experienced they've been in years.
Defensive Line: Return 6 with starting experience. Deep and experienced.
Linebackers: Should be pretty good.
Defensive Backs: Lose 2 1st-team all-conference DBs. Will remain pretty good though.
Special Teams: ? at Kicker
Offense Overall: 8 returning starters including their star QB.
Defense Overall: 8 returning starters, DL is strength.
Team Overall: They went 11-2 last year before bowl loss to Troy. They are 0-4 in bowls and 0-10 vs Top 25 teams since Traylor has been HC. They signed the G5's best recruiting class last year. Could get back to 10+ wins again.

Week Five - South Carolina (35th):
Quarterbacks: Rattler returns, and this is the deepest QB room in the SEC.
Running Backs: Only one has played in an SEC football game.
Receivers: Have 6 with starting experience but are thin at the position.
Offensive Line: Less experienced unit but could improve with recruiting and portal additions. LT got injured in spring.
Defensive Line: Only 1 starter returns, have added depth, but not great.
Linebackers: Less experienced but don't have to be great to be better than last year.
Defensive Backs: Four DBs back with starting experience. Are down a notch but will be healthier.
Special Teams: Will be at or near the top of Special Teams rankings.
Offense Overall: Rattler + 5 starters return. Hoping to pick up where they left off to finish last year.
Defense Overall: Only return 4 starters, and may slip some.
Team Overall: Will have one of the toughest schedules in the country, low on experience, hoping offense will carry them like it did to end season.

Week Six - Bye

Week Seven - Texas A&M (13th):
Quarterbacks: Weigman vs Johnson, but whoever wins will be an improvement for them.
Running Backs: Will be a young unit but could be as productive as recent years.
Receivers: Top 4 return and will be one of the top units in the conference.
Offensive Line: They have 10 guys that have started at least one game. Will be one of the best OL in the country.
Defensive Line: Strength of the defense and will be very improved.
Linebackers: Three starters back but depth is a concern.
Defensive Backs: Will be one of the top secondaries in the conference.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Ten returning starters and should be vastly improved.
Defense Overall: Ten returning starters and will be improved.
Team Overall: Way under the radar, legitimate contender in SEC, dark horse National Title contender.

Week Eight - Alabama (4th):
Quarterbacks: Whoever the starter is will have a more experienced WR unit and after spring they added ND transfer Tyler Buchner, but they won't match Young's numbers.
Running Backs: Not as experienced as last year's group but remain loaded.
Receivers: Return 3 of their top 4, will be Bama's most improved unit.
Offensive Line: They only return 2 starters and their career starts drops to 41. Lack of experience makes this unit a big concern.
Defensive Line: Should improve over last year.
Linebackers: Will be down a few notches.
Defensive Backs: Safety is a concern but will remain among the best.
Special Teams: Should be among the best.
Offense Overall: Will have their lowest points per game since 2017.
Defense Overall: Only return 5 starters and will be down a little.
Team Overall: Alabama appears to be down a notch on both offense and defense and has a tough schedule. This looks to be a rebuilding year for Bama but will still be in title hunt.

Week Nine - Kentucky (34th):
Quarterbacks: Could be rare occasion where team loses a top draft pick and improves.
Running Backs: Will have depth but do lose their best RB.
Receivers: Top 5 are back.
Offensive Line: 4 starters return, will be the most improved OL in the SEC.
Defensive Line: 2 starters return, 4 have starting experience, 8 good players in rotation (deepest unit on team).
Linebackers: Depth is a concern but top 3 LB are experienced.
Defensive Backs: 4 are 6'2+, inexperienced, Safeties better than CBs
Special Teams: Decent, not good not bad
Offense Overall: OC Coen is back, better OL, should be a lot better.
Defense Overall: 5 starters return and they should be solid.
Team Overall: First 4 games are easy so they should start solid, which will preserve Stoops' bowl bid raise. Could be a disruptor in the East.

Week Ten - UConn (94th):
Quarterbacks: Had a transfer QB from Maine named Fagnano that looked decent in spring.
Running Backs: 3 of top 4 back + Louisville transfer. Decent.
Receivers: 3 of top 5 back + 4 transfers. Decent
Offensive Line: Their RG was a 2nd team All-American last year. Experienced unit.
Defensive Line: Trying to improve. Only lost backups to grad or transfer.
Linebackers: 1 starter back + 3 transfers. Might slip a little from good unit last year.
Defensive Backs: 2 starters back + 3 transfers. Remain solid.
Special Teams: Everyone is back, looking to be better than bad.
Offense Overall: They lost their QB and top 2 WR week one last year, then their RB a few weeks later. Tough scene but allowed for more experience. 9 starters back. OL is a strength. Will go as new QB does.
Defense Overall: Their DC left them one year before the opener last year. HC Mora took over and they only allowed 26 ppg. 8 starters back this year. DL is a strength.
Team Overall: Were bowl eligible last year for the first time since 2015. Finished 6-7. OL and DL are a strength, could get first winning season since 2010.

Week Eleven - Missouri (40th):
Quarterbacks: Better experience and should be better.
Running Backs: More experienced, more depth.
Receivers: More depth, should be better.
Offensive Line: Very experienced. 4 starters back.
Defensive Line: Biggest concern on the defense.
Linebackers: Will have more experience.
Defensive Backs: 4 starters return, and one of the SEC's top CB duo (Draine & Rakestraw)
Special Teams: Thiccerkicker is 5'11 250. Will be good unit.
Offense Overall: 7 starters back, veteran OL, should improve.
Defense Overall: 8 starters back, will be improved.
Team Overall: This will be Drinkwitz's most veteran team that he has had. 4-8 floor, 8-4 ceiling. Steele iffy on them beating the Vegas over/under of 6.5 wins.

Week Twelve - Georgia (1st):
Quarterbacks: Have two good QBs but it will be tough for either to match Bennett's numbers.
Running Backs: Get 3 of their top 4 back. One of the nation's best units.
Receivers: More experienced.
Offensive Line: #1 rated OL unit in the country.
Defensive Line: Lost stars to the NFL but remain loaded.
Linebackers: 3 starters back, will be better than last year.
Defensive Backs: Best 2 DBs are gone and will be down a notch.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Six starters are back, projecting 42+ ppg
Defense Overall: Seven starters are back, will remain dominant.
Team Overall: New QB will have time to build confidence as UGA will be double digit favorites in at least the first 10 games, Tennessee is only challenge. Most talented team in the country, easy schedule, will be Title favorite.

Week Thirteen - Vanderbilt (92nd):
Quarterbacks: Iffy.
Running Backs: Inexperienced, will be down.
Receivers: More experienced at WR but lack good/deep TE.
Offensive Line: Will be strength of offense, 4 starters back.
Defensive Line: 7 back with starting experience so should be better.
Linebackers: Lose their best guy but could still be ok.
Defensive Backs: Only one way to go (up), and will need help from pass rush.
Special Teams: Will be better than terrible.
Offense Overall: 7 starters are back but lose their best player (RB). Will be down just a bit.
Defense Overall: 8 starters are back, will be improved.
Team Overall: Should beat Vegas win total of 3.5 and have a shot at a bowl.


Notes:
> What a difference a couple of years have made for us in regards to OL and DL depth.
> I think 8 or 9 of our opponents will be breaking in a new QB.
> UVA will be trying to figure out a lot when we open with them. Could be a good start for Milton and the offense to get in gear, and for the defense to find their footing early.
> We need to go up early on Florida, I don't know if they can get in a shootout or put up a ton of points like the very end of last year's game.
> I really don't like where that UTSA game is, to be honest. Right after Florida, right before SC. They're going to be sneaky. Could be a frustrating game. Keeping eye on their coach.
> South Carolina reality check incoming.
> Glad we have a bye before A&M, will be a tough draw.
> I remain confident vs Bama.
> I remain confident vs UK, though I do agree with Steele that they won't be a train wreck again. Stoops always gonna schedule for that bowl bonus.
> After reading up on UConn I do have an appreciation for them having the absolute worst start you could have last year and still beating teams for the first time in forever and getting to 6 W's. Will be rooting for them aside from our game. Respect for Mora.

> "TL;DR"
> "I ain't reading all that. I'm happy for u tho. Or sorry that happened."

 

[volbeast33]

Most universities are subject to Sunshine Laws. Those that aren't are very much beholden to students, parents, alums and the opinion of faculty and staff. They can and do sweep things under the rug when kids aren't smart enough to go to the press but when they are those same administrators fold because they're ultimately beholden to the people mentioned and need their support to keep their jobs and effectively do their jobs. Universities are one part government, one part Indian Reservation and one part corporate. When the first two put the third in check - the corporate side folds, every single time.

Northwestern is a private university so they are not beholden to sunshine laws…. Legal team usually won’t allow a school to publicly release info bc it is a liability risk…. I agree as pressure tightens it will make the administration change their course of action….

 

[StoVol]

 

[Orange.]

@InVOLuntary
Man i see you everywhere these days

That is painful to see. Sorry for the jumper.

 

[volbeast33]

 

[vols 30]

Who has the better Vol career in your opinion:

Chas Nimrod
Kaleb Webb
Or
Nathan Leacock

Yes

 

[SoilVol]

Which generation do you think is currently in charge of things / has been in charge recently? Pretty much every position of power - both in government and private sector - is held by an old azz dude.

Stop playing like us regular folk have a say anything. We don’t.

Like I've always said. Don't blame/credit a generation for their flaws or greatness. It's the parents that raised them and created the world that molded them.

I've had someone my parents' age offhandedly call me a "product of the participation trophy generation." I said, "I didn't ask for participation trophies. Your generation insisted we were given them. Whose fault is that?"

It's no disrespect to anyone, but right now its the Baby Boomers and Gen X in charge of running the show. Millennials are just starting to have representation in politics and Gen Z isn't even in the picture. They're just living in (and being molded by - for better or worse) the society and world the other three have subjected them to.

It's like blaming your kids for being losers.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Hobby Horse Generation on Instagram: "Championships 2023 #hobbyhorse #hobbyhorsing"

Idiocracy

 

[UTProf]

Northwestern is a private university so they are not beholden to sunshine laws…. Legal team usually won’t allow a school to publicly release info bc it is a liability risk…. I agree as pressure tightens it will make the administration change their course of action….

They are still beholden to everything else I listed which is why I listed those things but even a private university isn't 'private' in the same sense that other institutions are. Universities are different because of the way federal laws work and the way universities work. There's no one to one equivalent for a private uni and a private business. A private business or even a private club like a golf course or what have you has more right to do as they please. A private university has more power and sometimes more money than those other private entities but in exchange for those powers which include things like having their own police forces, taxpayer monies etc. they are subject to more oversight.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

TRY away…it’s your dime. That’s not defeatism, it’s recognition of reality. Players who’ve reached SEC level have already experienced expectations and exceeded them. They either follow suit at this next level or they don’t. Magically muting fan interest wouldn’t change that dynamic.

 

[volbeast33]

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

TRY away…it’s your dime. That’s not defeatism, it’s recognition of reality. Players who’ve reached SEC level have already experienced expectations and exceeded them. They either follow suit at this next level or they don’t. Magically muting fan interest wouldn’t change that dynamic.

It's because I am not talking about the normal expectations every player has on them to be productive...I am talking about idiotic "Thorntons gonna win the Biletnikoff in this offense"...could he?...hell yeah with his obvious physical talent, but I sure as hell don't EXPECT it.

There are a ton of idiots that will turn on him if he struggles at all out of the gate and make it a corrosive situation...Hyatt made it back from that, but it seems to me like most players that get caught in that vortex do not...it gets in their head and they are done.

Surely you are not going to deny that inflated stupid expectations from the fanbase are corrosive to a ton of young talented kids progression?

 

[pierce60]

 

[knoxvol52]

More Sunday Reading as we approach SEC Media Days and fall camp...

Notes and info from Steele, will be comparing us vs our opponents.

Using Steele's Power Ratings that are based purely on talent on the roster, as opposed to final rankings or preseason rankings.

First, Tennessee (14th):
Quarterbacks: Milton could have jumped in the Portal after he lost his job but chose to stay and has a freakish skill set with perhaps the strongest arm in CFB. Milton is in the Heisman mix in this offense.
Running Backs: Top 3 return making this one of the most underrated units in the conference.
Receivers: Losses are heavy but could still be a productive group.
Offensive Line: 3 starters back (93 career starts), have 12 good players in rotation, remain a top notch unit.
Defensive Line: 8 return with starting experience, have 10 good players in rotation, will be about the same as last year.
Linebackers: Experienced unit but not overly talented.
Defensive Backs: 8 return with starting experience, will be solidly improved if they remain healthy.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Lose 6 starters, but Milton knows offense, should still put up 40+ ppg
Defense Overall: 7 starters return, defense will be about the same with potential to be better.
Team Overall: This is the one team in the East that can challenge Georgia and could get to 10+ wins again.

Week One - Virginia (93rd):
Quarterbacks: Have a mix of QBs in competition, some pocket guys, some scramblers. Steele thinks they will settle on a transfer QB from Monmuth or a QB that runs a 10.5 100m.
Running Backs: Should be improved. Backup RB Hollins was one of the players that got shot.
Receivers: 4 of top 6 gone. Less experienced group.
Offensive Line: Lost 2 starters to grad and 2 to Portal. Have some transfers but none of them have a single start at the FBS level. Inexperienced and a big question-mark. Last year they had 3.7 ypc and gave up 34 sacks.
Defensive Line: Return their entire 2-deep. Will be good.
Linebackers: Their best LB transferred to Iowa (10+ tackles per game). Will still be ok but not as good without top LB.
Defensive Backs: CB is biggest concern.
Special Teams: Finished near bottom of country last year, looking to improve.
Offense Overall: Young OL again, but with better QB and RB play. Won't be as bad as last year (17 ppg).
Defense Overall: 8 starters are back but lost best player. Were actually decent last year, hoping to maintain.
Team Overall: OL will be problem but Offense could still improve, sneaky good defense. Should be improved but not enough to compete for bowl.

Week Two - Austin Peay (NR):
Not Featured

Week Three - Florida (28th):
Quarterbacks: Will have more experience but will miss Richardson.
Running Backs: Have good depth and are pretty good.
Receivers: Depth is a concern, don't have a lot of experience.
Offensive Line: Only one starter returns, tried to add through Portal. Without Richardson's dual-threat, rush YPG will go down and sacks will go up.
Defensive Line: Deep unit, should be a lot better.
Linebackers: All four starters are gone but have good players in rotation.
Defensive Backs: Safety is a big concern, CB is deep. Less experienced but could be improved after bad year.
Special Teams: Everyone is back and they will be good.
Offense Overall: Lose Richardson but return 6 starters and won't be much worse.
Defense Overall: 5 starters back but will be better.
Team Overall: Very low on experience. Only have 3 SEC home games. Could be a dog in 7 games, but are talented and under the radar.

Week Four - UTSA (43rd):
Quarterbacks: Their QB is back for his SEVENTH YEAR. Threw for 4,063 yards last year with 32 TDs to just 9 INTs. Was their #2 rusher in 2021.
Running Backs: Replacing starter but are more experienced.
Receivers: 3 of their top 4 return, lost their best guy to Portal.
Offensive Line: Deepest and most experienced they've been in years.
Defensive Line: Return 6 with starting experience. Deep and experienced.
Linebackers: Should be pretty good.
Defensive Backs: Lose 2 1st-team all-conference DBs. Will remain pretty good though.
Special Teams: ? at Kicker
Offense Overall: 8 returning starters including their star QB.
Defense Overall: 8 returning starters, DL is strength.
Team Overall: They went 11-2 last year before bowl loss to Troy. They are 0-4 in bowls and 0-10 vs Top 25 teams since Traylor has been HC. They signed the G5's best recruiting class last year. Could get back to 10+ wins again.

Week Five - South Carolina (35th):
Quarterbacks: Rattler returns, and this is the deepest QB room in the SEC.
Running Backs: Only one has played in an SEC football game.
Receivers: Have 6 with starting experience but are thin at the position.
Offensive Line: Less experienced unit but could improve with recruiting and portal additions. LT got injured in spring.
Defensive Line: Only 1 starter returns, have added depth, but not great.
Linebackers: Less experienced but don't have to be great to be better than last year.
Defensive Backs: Four DBs back with starting experience. Are down a notch but will be healthier.
Special Teams: Will be at or near the top of Special Teams rankings.
Offense Overall: Rattler + 5 starters return. Hoping to pick up where they left off to finish last year.
Defense Overall: Only return 4 starters, and may slip some.
Team Overall: Will have one of the toughest schedules in the country, low on experience, hoping offense will carry them like it did to end season.

Week Six - Bye

Week Seven - Texas A&M (13th):
Quarterbacks: Weigman vs Johnson, but whoever wins will be an improvement for them.
Running Backs: Will be a young unit but could be as productive as recent years.
Receivers: Top 4 return and will be one of the top units in the conference.
Offensive Line: They have 10 guys that have started at least one game. Will be one of the best OL in the country.
Defensive Line: Strength of the defense and will be very improved.
Linebackers: Three starters back but depth is a concern.
Defensive Backs: Will be one of the top secondaries in the conference.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Ten returning starters and should be vastly improved.
Defense Overall: Ten returning starters and will be improved.
Team Overall: Way under the radar, legitimate contender in SEC, dark horse National Title contender.

Week Eight - Alabama (4th):
Quarterbacks: Whoever the starter is will have a more experienced WR unit and after spring they added ND transfer Tyler Buchner, but they won't match Young's numbers.
Running Backs: Not as experienced as last year's group but remain loaded.
Receivers: Return 3 of their top 4, will be Bama's most improved unit.
Offensive Line: They only return 2 starters and their career starts drops to 41. Lack of experience makes this unit a big concern.
Defensive Line: Should improve over last year.
Linebackers: Will be down a few notches.
Defensive Backs: Safety is a concern but will remain among the best.
Special Teams: Should be among the best.
Offense Overall: Will have their lowest points per game since 2017.
Defense Overall: Only return 5 starters and will be down a little.
Team Overall: Alabama appears to be down a notch on both offense and defense and has a tough schedule. This looks to be a rebuilding year for Bama but will still be in title hunt.

Week Nine - Kentucky (34th):
Quarterbacks: Could be rare occasion where team loses a top draft pick and improves.
Running Backs: Will have depth but do lose their best RB.
Receivers: Top 5 are back.
Offensive Line: 4 starters return, will be the most improved OL in the SEC.
Defensive Line: 2 starters return, 4 have starting experience, 8 good players in rotation (deepest unit on team).
Linebackers: Depth is a concern but top 3 LB are experienced.
Defensive Backs: 4 are 6'2+, inexperienced, Safeties better than CBs
Special Teams: Decent, not good not bad
Offense Overall: OC Coen is back, better OL, should be a lot better.
Defense Overall: 5 starters return and they should be solid.
Team Overall: First 4 games are easy so they should start solid, which will preserve Stoops' bowl bid raise. Could be a disruptor in the East.

Week Ten - UConn (94th):
Quarterbacks: Had a transfer QB from Maine named Fagnano that looked decent in spring.
Running Backs: 3 of top 4 back + Louisville transfer. Decent.
Receivers: 3 of top 5 back + 4 transfers. Decent
Offensive Line: Their RG was a 2nd team All-American last year. Experienced unit.
Defensive Line: Trying to improve. Only lost backups to grad or transfer.
Linebackers: 1 starter back + 3 transfers. Might slip a little from good unit last year.
Defensive Backs: 2 starters back + 3 transfers. Remain solid.
Special Teams: Everyone is back, looking to be better than bad.
Offense Overall: They lost their QB and top 2 WR week one last year, then their RB a few weeks later. Tough scene but allowed for more experience. 9 starters back. OL is a strength. Will go as new QB does.
Defense Overall: Their DC left them one year before the opener last year. HC Mora took over and they only allowed 26 ppg. 8 starters back this year. DL is a strength.
Team Overall: Were bowl eligible last year for the first time since 2015. Finished 6-7. OL and DL are a strength, could get first winning season since 2010.

Week Eleven - Missouri (40th):
Quarterbacks: Better experience and should be better.
Running Backs: More experienced, more depth.
Receivers: More depth, should be better.
Offensive Line: Very experienced. 4 starters back.
Defensive Line: Biggest concern on the defense.
Linebackers: Will have more experience.
Defensive Backs: 4 starters return, and one of the SEC's top CB duo (Draine & Rakestraw)
Special Teams: Thiccerkicker is 5'11 250. Will be good unit.
Offense Overall: 7 starters back, veteran OL, should improve.
Defense Overall: 8 starters back, will be improved.
Team Overall: This will be Drinkwitz's most veteran team that he has had. 4-8 floor, 8-4 ceiling. Steele iffy on them beating the Vegas over/under of 6.5 wins.

Week Twelve - Georgia (1st):
Quarterbacks: Have two good QBs but it will be tough for either to match Bennett's numbers.
Running Backs: Get 3 of their top 4 back. One of the nation's best units.
Receivers: More experienced.
Offensive Line: #1 rated OL unit in the country.
Defensive Line: Lost stars to the NFL but remain loaded.
Linebackers: 3 starters back, will be better than last year.
Defensive Backs: Best 2 DBs are gone and will be down a notch.
Special Teams: Good not great.
Offense Overall: Six starters are back, projecting 42+ ppg
Defense Overall: Seven starters are back, will remain dominant.
Team Overall: New QB will have time to build confidence as UGA will be double digit favorites in at least the first 10 games, Tennessee is only challenge. Most talented team in the country, easy schedule, will be Title favorite.

Week Thirteen - Vanderbilt (92nd):
Quarterbacks: Iffy.
Running Backs: Inexperienced, will be down.
Receivers: More experienced at WR but lack good/deep TE.
Offensive Line: Will be strength of offense, 4 starters back.
Defensive Line: 7 back with starting experience so should be better.
Linebackers: Lose their best guy but could still be ok.
Defensive Backs: Only one way to go (up), and will need help from pass rush.
Special Teams: Will be better than terrible.
Offense Overall: 7 starters are back but lose their best player (RB). Will be down just a bit.
Defense Overall: 8 starters are back, will be improved.
Team Overall: Should beat Vegas win total of 3.5 and have a shot at a bowl.


Notes:
> What a difference a couple of years have made for us in regards to OL and DL depth.
> I think 8 or 9 of our opponents will be breaking in a new QB.
> UVA will be trying to figure out a lot when we open with them. Could be a good start for Milton and the offense to get in gear, and for the defense to find their footing early.
> We need to go up early on Florida, I don't know if they can get in a shootout or put up a ton of points like the very end of last year's game.
> I really don't like where that UTSA game is, to be honest. Right after Florida, right before SC. They're going to be sneaky. Could be a frustrating game. Keeping eye on their coach.
> South Carolina reality check incoming.
> Glad we have a bye before A&M, will be a tough draw.
> I remain confident vs Bama.
> I remain confident vs UK, though I do agree with Steele that they won't be a train wreck again. Stoops always gonna schedule for that bowl bonus.
> After reading up on UConn I do have an appreciation for them having the absolute worst start you could have last year and still beating teams for the first time in forever and getting to 6 W's. Will be rooting for them aside from our game. Respect for Mora.

> "TL;DR"
> "I ain't reading all that. I'm happy for u tho. Or sorry that happened."

 

[volbeast33]

They are still beholden to everything else I listed which is why I listed those things but even a private university isn't 'private' in the same sense that other institutions are. Universities are different because of the way federal laws work and the way universities work. There's no one to one equivalent for a private uni and a private business. A private business or even a private club like a golf course or what have you has more right to do as they please. A private university has more power and sometimes more money than those other private entities but in exchange for those powers which include things like having their own police forces, taxpayer monies etc. they are subject to more oversight.

I will have to trust you on that one….

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

That’ll buy a lot of performance enhancers.

 

[butchna]

It's because I am not talking about the normal expectations every player has on them to be productive...I am talking about idiotic "Thorntons gonna win the Biletnikoff in this offense"...could he?...hell yeah with his obvious physical talent, but I sure as hell don't EXPECT it.

There are a ton of idiots that will turn on him if he struggles at all out of the gate and make it a corrosive situation...Hyatt made it back from that, but it seems to me like most players that get caught in that vortex do not...it gets in their head and they are done.

Surely you are not going to deny that inflated stupid expectations from the fanbase are corrosive to a ton of young talented kids progression?

How PREVALENT is such a statement? And how much is hyperbole rather than EXPECTATION? Like burning down Neyland with a flamethrower because a blade of grass seems too long.

And yes…I am DENYING that ANY career has been CORRODED by fans thinking he’s better than his actual talent proves out. I’m not aware of any VORTEX involving Hyatt. He had issues with his hands and worked hard and overcome them. Fans didn’t cause the issue and it wasn’t any lessening in their fervor that resolved it.

 

[GiggerVol]

Is anyone else still experiencing issues with pages loading slowly? I don't seem to be having issues with anything else, just Volnation.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

How PREVALENT is such a statement? And how much is hyperbole rather than EXPECTATION? Like burning down Neyland with a flamethrower because a blade of grass seems too long.

Ok

 

[volbeast33]

 

[butchna]

Ok

Glad I could appeal to your sense of reason.