Missouri, UK, USC, Purdue, Pitt, and whoever else besides the big 3. Had more talent than all of them and a lot more than most of themOther than maybe Vandy, who are the other 8 that inherited a roster and culture more depleted than ours, and an environment more toxic? Because last I checked, everyone from the most optimistic fan to most well respected national sports personality had us written off for dead after Pruitt’s departure.
If you’re argument is that those teams had a more toxic, depleted raster than TN’s did after Pruitt, you’re crazy. It’s just not worth the hassle of arguing with ignorance.Missouri, UK, USC, Purdue, Pitt, and whoever else besides the big 3. Had more talent than all of them and a lot more than most of them
You can’t simply look at that. A Pruitt 4-star is not equivalent to a Kiffin 4-star. Have to consider how many NFL players were on each roster. Have to consider how many game changing players are on each roster. Ole Miss had Coral in his prime and some elite receivers. Pitt had Pickett in his prime and one of the best defensive lines in the nation. We were probably better than Missouri. Can’t remember who Kentucky had. But most of our 4-star players were overrated and underdeveloped.Yea, Alabama. Georgia and Florida all were more talented that the Vols in Heupel's first season. Ole Miss. Pitt, Missouri and Kentucky were all about even with Tennessee talent wise...using the 247 team composite rankings. But we were more talented than the other 5 teams...
Before the transfers, sure, afterwards, no waya lot of people still don’t realize that what Josh and Tim inherited was still better than 9 teams on our schedule. Need to win 10 this year and at least 10 next year. I had Missouri as a loss at the start of the year but it’s a must win now. We will beat UGA
But it's a good starting point...my comment was in reference to the comment that we had superior talent to 9 of our opponents in Heupel's first year - that's a delusion. We had a clear talent advantage over at most 5 of our opponents that year and as you noted, just the sum of the talent isn't the end all factor - a really good QB (like Coral) can negate a lot of individual 4 stars. A bad QB definitely can negate a lot of 4-star talent - JG is a good example.You can’t simply look at that. A Pruitt 4-star is not equivalent to a Kiffin 4-star. Have to consider how many NFL players were on each roster. Have to consider how many game changing players are on each roster. Ole Miss had Coral in his prime and some elite receivers. Pitt had Pickett in his prime and one of the best defensive lines in the nation. We were probably better than Missouri. Can’t remember who Kentucky had. But most of our 4-star players were overrated and underdeveloped.