Think we’ll be a one and done team after this year?

[volfan2024]

Or will we be as successful next year?

 

[Jeff Clark]

Or will we be as successful next year?

I think Tennessee goes 10-2 in 2023 and goes to another New Years Six bowl game

 

[Godfatha]

I think we take a step back next year then each year will be improvements. We lose a lot of leaders off this years team

 

[IndianaVol]

I fully expect us to take a step back next season...9-3 or 10-2 at best.
Milton is good, but just doesn't have all the tools Hooker has and Jackson and Nico won't be ready yet.

That said - look out for 2024...we will dominate everyone we play and it will be EPIC.

 

[FloridaVolunteer]

I think CJH and his staff coach up the boys and we're 11-1 or 10-2 at worst, and got to a NY6 bowl.

 

[knox73]

Every other year the Vols play Alabama and Florida as away games. This definitely can impact the won - loss record.

 

[Zues1]

Heck man, most expected 10-2 at best this year

 

[McDad]

Impossible to know, yet. Lose some OL. DL, and LB which might be a challenge or it might be plug n play.

The season, in my opinion, rides on Milton's ability to efficiently make decisions and accurately distribute the ball. If he does that well, he has the physical gifts to actually improve our offense next season.

 

[VOLtaism]

Or will we be as successful next year?

Looks like 10 wins plus UGA Bama results. Better defense more depth across the board.

 

[sjt18]

UT needs portal help next year.

I actually think Milton will be solid. UT's O overall should be good. I think the concern will be the OL followed by who leaves at WR. If Hyatt and McCoy return then that's a good start. I think UGA may have pushed the pendulum toward staying in the case of Hyatt. I am not sure McCoy has shown enough to be drafted. I like EVERYTHING behind them.

So OL is the question.

The D will lose players across the board. Banks will be a pretty big hit. The DL depth will take a hit. The secondary may have a chance to get a lot better.

But this team is winning on culture and leadership as much or maybe more than talent. I just don't know how you can predict that one.

 

[sjt18]

What UT does in the portal can make a huge difference.

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

Is Joe Milton more gifted than Hendon Hooker? (Yes for sure.)

Has Joe Milton showed the ability in a marquee moment he can do the things Hooker has done? (Not yet.)

Will we lose some of those receivers and tight ends? (Yes.)

Most importantly could Alex Golesh get a call to be a head coach? [Part A] Would he accept? [Part B.](Likely [Part A]) (who knows but should definitely kick the tires! [Part B.]

 

[WesternNCVol]

I called for 8-4 or 9-3 this year with some breaks.

We’re 8-1 and a few plays from either 5-4 or 9-0. Football is crazy how a few plays make the difference.

I think 9-3 to 10-2 is my prediction right now for next year. Milton might wow us. The physical tools are there. Has his mental ability improved? That last play of the ol’ miss game last year left me worried.

Potential losses next year are Georgia, Bama, and possibly Florida and in that order.

I want to win all the games but after the last 15 years I’ll say I’ll never fuss over consistent 10 win seasons.

 

[Tman44]

We are in year two of the Heupel regime. This staff has literally none of their own folks in the program yet. The players that are here have experienced the first skill development at Tennessee. I expect us to be a better team overall. Milton or Jackson will do just fine. We will be much improved across the board. I trust that improvement will show itself in the W/L record next year. The really nice thing is we will only improve more over the next few year when we get some dudes.

 

[VolMarine1371]

Or will we be as successful next year?

Winning another SEC championship is a successful season.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Or will we be as successful next year?

Offense should be solid but nothing like this year after Hooker moves on to the NFL. I will give Heupel the benefit of the doubt that the O should be good with his ability to coach players up and terrific schemes. You would think the defense takes another step forward with development along with another strong recruiting class. The wildcard will always be the transfer portal. We should definitely be a much more attractive destination for good players looking to switch schools. I am thinking 9 or 10 wins contending for the SECE.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I think we take a step back next year then each year will be improvements. We lose a lot of leaders off this years team

I agree. UNLESS, we get lucky with:
1. A Significant number of quality portal transfers.
2. If it proves beneficial to cash in on the disenfranchised, TAMU transfer (??? not if they have behavior issues)
3. Intra-SEC PT seekers transfers from possibly Bama, GA, Fla, and a few other Westside SEC schools.
4. I have a sneaky suspicion we may see a number of transfers from B1G schools, and a few ACC.
Don't ask me why, it's just an effect I expect from Tennessee's about face. Our program's name still means something.

So we may very take a major step back but not for long. Focus on the defense, and the fact Heup has stocked up on receivers, plus what seems to be a few quality RBs. Basically, gearing up to returning to our old recruiting drawing strength. Once we do, we will again be the Beast of the East. By season four of the Heupel era, we truly will be able to say, "We're back."

 

[jwells]

Depends on what we do in the portal on defense. We need a defense that doesn't require us to score 40+ against Bama, Florida, Georgia.

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

I think we take a step back next year then each year will be improvements. We lose a lot of leaders off this years team

Depends on Milton or the other Qb’s

 

[Dragon18]

Depends on Milton or the other Qb’s

It's really this simple. I think we will be fine at all positions but the question mark is whether our QB play will have mastery of the offense like Hooker does.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Depends on what we get in the portal or from JUCO.

 

[DynaLo]

We’ll be really good again next year. I have faith in our staff to scheme to our player’s strengths. We also don’t know who’ll be back for their super senior year which will depend a lot on draft grades.

Some of y’all seem to forget that Milton came in to us from freaking Michigan which has never played our style or speed of offense, so of course there would be a learning curve.
Joe and Hendon are not only roommates but describe themselves as “like brothers” and where you see one you’ll see the other. In an interview Hooker talked about how high Milton’s football IQ is and that Joe is his sideline set of eyes. They discuss what they each see happening out there on defense. We know Joe has the physical gifts and this year behind Hendon most likely has him really dialed in mentally on this offensive scheme. Once he’s getting all the meaningful reps and creating more synchronization with the receivers we’ll have, they’re going to light folks up.

I expect the portal to shore up any glaring holes we may have with some game experienced guys.

 

[GrizzlyVol]

I fully expect us to take a step back next season...9-3 or 10-2 at best.
Milton is good, but just doesn't have all the tools Hooker has and Jackson and Nico won't be ready yet.

That said - look out for 2024...we will dominate everyone we play and it will be EPIC.

I don't know Nico is so damn impressive he may be ready when he gets here

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Or will we be as successful next year?

It all really comes down to how well our new QB does, doesn't it?

We'll have the coaching staff to compete with anyone. We'll still have plenty of very good receivers. And good continuity at offensive line. And running back. On defense, we might be short our top edge rusher, but otherwise we could have more or less the same front seven we had this year. I think we'll actually be deeper and stronger at DB.

We'll need new kickers.

All in all, I think *fingers crossed on the QB competition* we reload and keep competing for championships.

The schedule is super favorable:

Virginia - W
Austin Peay - W
Florida - W - especially because Napier will still be their coach
UTSA - W
South Carolina - W
A&M - W, because they're still going to be melting down
Bama - could go either way
Kentucky - W
UConn - W
Mizzou - W
Georgia - toss-up
Vandy - W

I'd say there is no ceiling other than 12-0. But all four of those bolded games depend on us finding a new pilot for our mach 3 offense. So, at worst, I think we're probably 9-3. At best, Atlanta and beyond.

Go Vols!

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

What UT does in the portal can make a huge difference.

I'll be surprised if we don't get some major help out of the portal.

We won't be handicapped like we were last year.

I also wouldn't be shocked if we just reload.

I mean just getting a stud running back would be a huge boon for our offense.