Tennessee season preview

#1
YankeeVol

YankeeVol

Raised a Yank, Born a Vol
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#1
From Chris Low:

Coach: Butch Jones (50-27 overall, first season at Tennessee)

2012 record: 5-7, 1-7 SEC

Key losses: QB Tyler Bray, WR Justin Hunter, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, LB Herman Lathers, CB Eric Gordon

Key returnees: RB Rajion Neal, OT Antonio Richardson, OT Ja'Wuan James, OG Zach Fulton, DT Daniel McCullers, LB A.J. Johnson

Newcomers to watch: WR Marquez North, TE Woody Quinn, CB Riyahd Jones, CB Cam Sutton

Biggest games in 2013: at Oregon, Sept. 14; at Florida, Sept. 21; at Alabama, Oct. 26; Vanderbilt, Nov. 23

Biggest question mark heading into 2013: The Vols lost nearly all of their proven offensive firepower from last season, particularly in the passing game. Justin Worley still has to lock down the starting quarterback job, but he’s at least played some. Whether it’s Worley or one of the freshmen at quarterback, the Vols are going to need the skill people around them to step up their games, and in many cases, to play beyond their years. The good news is that it looks as though prized freshman receiver Marquez North will be able to help immediately, and fellow true freshman Ryan Jenkins could also factor into the rotation at receiver. Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane are back at running back, but the Vols will be counting on a lot of new faces to make plays for them on offense this season.

Forecast: Jones is Tennessee’s fourth head coach in six years, and his passionate brick-by-brick approach has been a hit for a win-starved fan base. The Vols have suffered through three straight losing seasons, and simply getting to a bowl game will be a chore in Jones’ first season. One of the biggest things working against him is a brutal schedule which includes games against five teams in the top 10 of the preseason coaches’ poll. Three of those games are on the road, too, against Oregon, Florida and Alabama.

A year ago, the Vols scored points in bunches, but couldn’t stop anybody. They were plagued by busted assignments and confusion on defense. New defensive coordinator John Jancek has gone back to a 4-3 scheme and tried to simplify things. Getting linebacker Curt Maggitt healthy is a must, but he’s on track to be full go by the opener. The Vols also need a big year from massive defensive tackle Daniel McCullers, who’s in the best shape of his career.

The strength of the team will be an offensive line that should be among the best in the country. The Vols will lean heavily on those guys and hope they can dictate the flow of games while some of the younger skill players come into their own. The month of November will be critical. It’s probably going to take a 3-1 mark in the final month to go bowling, making home dates with Auburn (Nov. 9) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 23) worth circling in orange. It's been a while since the Vols have beaten somebody they weren't expected to beat. In fact, they've lost 14 of their past 16 SEC games. So knocking off a Florida, Georgia or South Carolina in Jones' first season would further convince the Big Orange Nation that he's indeed the man to re-establish the Vols as an SEC power.

Tennessee season preview - SEC Blog - ESPN
 
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#4
#4
MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
So he considers Vandy one of our biggest games, but not UGA or SCjr?
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Probably because we have a better chance of beating them and since that game is realistically our chance at a 5th win and optimistically our 6th (7th?) it will go a long way into determining if we go bowling
 
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#5
#5
That is a low-brow view of UT football for 2013. It said nothing that anyone with ability to take nourishment didn't already know.
 
#14
#14
God I can't wait til we as a team and as a fan base can have a little confidence again. Our defense is going to be better. We have talent. Who was Jonny Manziel before he broke out and shocked the world. Not saying we have a player that can do that so don't get your panties in a wad. But how do you know we don't. This is a wait and see process at this point. As a fan, I am going to be wearing orange colored glasses and saying this is our year everytime. There is always a chance. "Well I'm just being a realist". Well I am just being a fan. Good or bad we should be cheering them on and we should have their back. If you are a player, you don't want your fan base expecting a 6-6 record. You want to know your fan base has your back and believes in you. Get behind your team people. I know we have had disappointing seasons the last few years but c'mon. I mean c'mon. I would rather be a constant optimist than a constant pen**, I mean pessimist.
 
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#15
#15
November is usually a good month for our Vols. The article was objective and factual, helps keep folks grounded in reality. :twocents:
 
#16
#16
Isn't it great to be reading about how the team is doing in practice rather than reading about somebody being on the hot seat. The coaches statements are about football and how progress is being made rather than excuses and b*** s***. Go BIG ORANGE
 
#17
#17
I think the sports writers discount many things about how football is played. They seem to base everything on players and talent. Granted, talent is VERY important, but the media doesn't seem to want to account at all for level of underachievement we saw the last few year.

The level of focus and intensity on the teams the past couple of years was embarrassing. They quit far too many times. That was something I never thought I would see at Tennessee. If all CBJ does is get the same returning core of guys to play with their maximum intensity and focus, they will be MUCH better. I think he is capable of that and more.

I don't know how well they will do. But, there's no way they only win one conference game.
 
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#20
#20
orangeluvr said:
November is usually a good month for our Vols. The article was objective and factual, helps keep folks grounded in reality. :twocents:
Click to expand...

UT has lost 11 or 12 November games in the last 10 seasons. Back in the 80's & 90's UT rarely lost in Nov but the schedule typically included 3 or 4 creampuffs.
 
#21
#21
SaintLouisVol said:
I think the sports writers discount many things about how football is played. They seem to base everything on players and talent. Granted, talent is VERY important, but the media doesn't seem to want to account at all for level of underachievement we saw the last few year.

The level of focus and intensity on the teams the past couple of years was embarrassing. They quit far too many times. That was something I never thought I would see at Tennessee. If all CBJ does is get the same returning core of guys to play with their maximum intensity and focus, they will be MUCH better. I think he is capable of that and more.

I don't know how well they will do. But, there's no way they only win one conference game.
Click to expand...

Most writers copy and paste the last seasons results....then call it "this years prediction".
 
#24
#24
Boca Vol said:
UT has lost 11 or 12 November games in the last 10 seasons. Back in the 80's & 90's UT rarely lost in Nov but the schedule typically included 3 or 4 creampuffs.
Click to expand...


Ole mrs, uk, and vandy-----usually. Interchange Memphis State & OM.
 
#25
#25
If the Vols win more than 7, it'll be a decent season. Would definitely like to beat the Gators and Gamecocks!
 
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