The big what if

[Vato]

I didn't even consider recruiting. That makes this season even more critical. I just don't see how CBJ could continue to sell recruits coming here with another 5-7 season. I think recruits are going to need to see improvement. This season needs to go 6-6.

Improvement might now be by a record. It could be not getting blown out by SEC teams ie mizzu, Alabama as last year. If we rank in the top 5 of offensive categories and top 5 in D in the SEC how would that not be an improvement. I'm hoping for a better record too but I need to see better play all around

 

[BearCat204]

I think there is a much better chance that we have another losing season than breaking even or better. It will all depend on if he can hold on to another great recruiting class as to whether or not **** will be hitting the fan IMO.

 

[rickyb712]

everyone saying if we go 5-7 need to look at the assistants but didnt butch hire them and is their boss?

 

[Stevorino]

He's doing a great job.

There's two pieces I have to remind myself in conversations like these with fans of other schools:

1) They don't realize how bad it got. They see ESPN soundbites every three months and watch their teams beat us up. That's about it. They don't understand that Kiffin brought back Thug U or that Dooley created a culture of failure. They don't understand that Fulmer's recruiting completely slacked once Cut left the second time and ran this car on fumes until it had to be taken away.

2) Our schedule is brutal. Give this team Miami's schedule and you are easily bowling. Instead of playing four title contenders, you are playing one.


Butch is doing a great job- the culture has taken huge strides since Kiffin's Thug-U and Dooley's Failure 101. The recruiting is the best we've seen since the 90s. At the very worst, he is massively improving the foundation for future success.

 

[Quaint88]

Fair enough although some of us think his 2014 signing class was a fish in the barrel situation with so many highly rated legacies and in state prospects. He's definitely harnessed the momentum of the 2014 class when pursuing the 2015 class but I'm not sure that I want to test the loyalty of our current commitments with another losing season. As to coaching, as good as SC & UGA were, VU was atrocious enough that it's not unreasonable to say that the jury is still out.

let's just hope for 6-6 or better and hope we can avoid the issue. Youth and the schedule will make it very tough but it's not impossible.

I agree. Losing to Vanderbilt is simply unacceptable. The talent levels are not even close. If Butch starts his coaching tenure with two Vandy losses, I don't see how recruiting is going to help him. The talent to beat Vanderbilt has been there all along. I was too quick to jump on the bandwagon for Kiffin and Dooley. I'm not going to make that mistake again, even though Butch is doing a lot of good in areas they didn't. Keeping the recruiting class together despite the Vandy loss earned Butch a one-time pass for that terrible coaching performance, but in general we can't be satisfied with a coach who doesn't beat Vanderbilt like it's a bodily function. The jury is definitely still out.

 

[Boca Vol]

I'm more interested in how the team plays vs. the record. For me, the record isn't that important when you're talking in the 6-6 range.

What do the losses look like? Is UT competitive against Oklahoma and Bama or are they blowouts? I can handle another 5-7 season if there's progress on the scoreboard.

 

[KBVol]

If we lose to an inferior Vandy team, with a new coaching staff, for the second year in a row, he'll have to do something pretty special in year 3 to restore my faith in him because at that point I will have lost it all.

 

[checkerboards09]

If we lose to an inferior Vandy team, with a new coaching staff, for the second year in a row, he'll have to do something pretty special in year 3 to restore my faith in him because at that point I will have lost it all.

Absolutely this.

 

[silentearth1973]

While I'd certainly be disappointed in a 5 win season, I know the deck is stacked against us. I'm more so anxious to see this young team grow in front of our eyes and let the expectations come next year.

I haven't felt this good about the future of our program, and 5-7 won't change that, unless there's some crazy, unusual circumstances that arise.

 

[Chilmonty]

There will be no hotseat for Butch Jones anytime soon. Even if he were to go 5-7 this year, he's still safe. I'd say he'll have things turned around before that seat gets even a little warm. Recruits love him. Everything else will fall into place with time.

Agree and the "Bold" part is freaking HUGE! Our overall speed and talent is already much better than a year ago and will be even better next year! :hi:



.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

I say this because I was talking with some neighbors (Auburn & Miami fans)

They kept asking me what if Butch has another losing season. I really didn't respond as I believe we get to 7 wins including our bowl game.

But,As rational as we are and how urgent we are to win. What if we have a losing season, What if we lose to the hated commodores. Will you still have faith in butch or will you be wanting answers.

You have to put things in context. If we have an injury riddled year like last year, a losing season is what it is. But if everyone stays healthy, a losing season is not likely.

 

[orangeluvr]

What if Hitler had the A-bomb? What if saban had turned bamer down? What if newton had chosen another school over the barn? What if the sun doesn't rise tomorrow ?
What would the insurance companies do if it weren't for "what if" ? Living life wondering what if is questionable.
What if the young Vols shock the world(?)!

 

[gogators13]

Got to give coaches at least 5 years if they have to rebuild a program. Takes time to get the right players for a system and get things back on track.

 

[bigdaddy]

I think there is a much better chance that we have another losing season than breaking even or better. It will all depend on if he can hold on to another great recruiting class as to whether or not **** will be hitting the fan IMO.

Would you trade a loss to vandy for a win over Bama and finish 5 7?

 

[oldfartvol]

I really don't see how going 5-7 would be a huge step backward. We are probably in a more challenging position this year than last, having to replace entirely both lines. Anything better I think would be indicative of an overachievement with that schedule. For those thinking 7+ wins, I have a feeling you'll be sorely disappointed. Better times are coming, but this year will be another tough one unless Worley learns to throw a 7 yard slant & these freshman contribute way above expectations in year one.

I will be disappointed with another losing situation, but I also recognize what a tough situation Butch walked into. Next year we should begin to increase those expectations though.

I am one of those Vol fans that thinks these young Vols can win 7 (or possibly even 8) games this season.

Will I be disappointed if we only win 5? Of course, but so what? As a Vol fan for 50 years do you think I've not been disappointed in the past? Did I jump ship and become a bandwagon fan? Did I slit my wrists? NO! I do now and always will look on the bright side concerning my Vols.

Hell folks, life is full of disappointment. Don't be afraid
of it! Show some confidence in Worley and these younguns. I think they are going to surprise. If not, I'll get over it, (eventually). And so will you.:rock::rock::rock:

 

[gnm53108]

If we lose to an inferior Vandy team, with a new coaching staff, for the second year in a row, he'll have to do something pretty special in year 3 to restore my faith in him because at that point I will have lost it all.

Losing to vandy is not an option....neither is ky.

 

[gnm53108]

I am one of those Vol fans that thinks these young Vols can win 7 (or possibly even 8) games this season.

Will I be disappointed if we only win 5? Of course, but so what? As a Vol fan for 50 years do you think I've not been disappointed in the past? Did I jump ship and become a bandwagon fan? Did I slit my wrists? NO! I do now and always will look on the bright side concerning my Vols.

Hell folks, life is full of disappointment. Don't be afraid
of it! Show some confidence in Worley and these younguns. I think they are going to surprise. If not, I'll get over it, (eventually). And so will you.:rock::rock::rock:

With ya OF.

You're right about disapointment. The only year I can remember where I wasn't disapointed atleast once was 98. Enjoy the wins. Gripe, b%tch, moan, kick stuff when we lose but in a day or two get over it. (Except 96 memphis...aint ever getting over that one).

 

[KingtUT]

If we go 5-7 in 2015, I will probably turn in my fan card and give up on football all together. It isnt that far of a stretch to say we may do it this year though.

 

[Cosmo]

I want Butch to succeed. In my mind, he has to succeed. 5-7 is fine (looks strange actually writing that down), but even if the team goes 4-8 you can't get rid of Butch. If you want to see a program implode, get rid of Butch. Getting rid of Butch in the next 2 years would set us back a decade.

 

[KBVol]

I want Butch to succeed. In my mind, he has to succeed. 5-7 is fine (looks strange actually writing that down), but even if the team goes 4-8 you can't get rid of Butch. If you want to see a program implode, get rid of Butch. Getting rid of Butch in the next 2 years would set us back a decade.

Nobody's gonna get rid of Butch after 2 years, that would be beyond foolish. However, only winning 4-5 games when there are 6-7 winnable games on our schedule would go a long way toward telling me that Butch isn't the right guy.

 

[UT_Tix79]

If we go 5-7 it sucks, but as long as we show progress great.

If we go 4-8, then some assistants need to go, that means we lost to every team with a pulse.

On the flip side, if we go better than 6-6, CBJ deserves SEC and National coach of the year

 

[Volador]

Well, if, if, if, happens, then we'd all be better off if, if, if.... unless of course if this happens....

 

[SeniorDrill]

WHY IS VOLNATION WASTING TIME AND MORALE WITH THIS OP? thank you.

 

[bigorange]

Given the previous two coaching hire DISASTERS and how well Butch is changing the culture on the Hill, he's got until 2016 to right the ship IMO. Times they are a changin', but it's a long process due to the perfect storm of ineptitude we've encountered recently.

 

[Orange_Crush]

IMHO, this question is incredibly premature.

We look at our schedule and make projections about quality of opponents, then think we should win games x, y and z. Then we project that if we don't win those games, then our team underperformed and our coaches lack in coaching ability.

I think the season can only be judged after the season, when we know what we had and what we were playing against.

For instance, many here believe Mizzu will be a tough game, and we shouldn't expect to win it. Others believe they've lost too much and should be an easy win. So, should we judge Butch now on what he does against them? What if they come in, are anemic, and go to a 9-loss season? Should the people calling for a loss say that CBJ was a great coach for beating them? Heck no! But what if they come in on all cylinders, go to an 11-win season with an SECC? Should the people saying we should win claim Butch is a bad coach for losing to them? Heck no!

There is no sunshine pumping or nega-vol involved. There should be only rational, analytic judgment made when all the dominoes have tumbled.