Vols talent is solid not great

[Backwards K]

Tennessee is a solid team able to compete in the SEC but their talent is still not on par with Georgia and Alabama. Last year, they were able to overcome deficiencies b/c they had the best LT in the nation, Hooker was a great QB and Jalin Hyatt was the best WR in the nation. These three guys made everyone else better.

This year, the Vols are competing with:
--An improved defense but still struggle to defend the pass, especially when the pass rush is neutralized
--A lack of real play makers on both sides of the ball:
--There is a huge dropoff at LT, WR, and QB from last year
--Squirrel White is the only SEC level WR currently in the rotation. All of the others struggle to get open.......and some struggle to catch the ball
--James Pearce and Tyler Baron are the only. standout playmakers on the defensive side......Hadden is improving greatly tho
--Vols have young talent at LB that will get better but none are all SEC level......yet.
--The running backs are good but not great. Speed and vision but rarely break a tackle one on one in the open field
--OL is solid and Cooper Mays makes a big difference but were unable to open holes this weekend vs a great front 7.
--Heupel does a good job of scheming some sets that normally opens up running landes in the run game.
--Every play has to be called from the sideline so they are not able to run the fast paced offense that Hooker was able to do.
--The coaches have to be frustrated with the subpar play of the wide receivers and QB play.

Vols had a great gameplan coming into the game but once Alabama made some adjustments, there was not much that could be done. Alabama had the advantage in every matchup.

There are better days coming, but, it probably won't be next year. The Vols lose a lot of experienced talent and unless they can get some OL, DL, DB, WR help in the portal, next year may be another step back. But, anyone who is or will be calling for Heupel's dismissal this year or next, is ignorant in the matter of football. Oh, and before you start with shouts of, "the Vols have a lot of talent", go back and look at the pre season All SEC teams. No Vols on 1st or 2nd team and I think only one may two on the 3rd team. Post season all SEC teams will be the same with only Cooper Mays, James Pearce, and Tyler Baron playing to that level.

With all of this being said, I am convinced, the Vols have the right man in charge of the program and better days are ahead.

 

[HalfullVol]

that's a lot of stuff

Darnell Wright was the RT to begin with.

I hope you feel better after typing all that though

 

[Backwards K]

that's a lot of stuff

Darnell Wright was the RT to begin with.

I hope you feel better after typing all that though

I'm glad you read it and thought enough of it to respond. And yes. Yes, I do feel better after posting that!

 

[vols 30]

Better days are already here. The 5 and 6 win seasons are a thing of the past and seriously doubt we see those again for a very long time

 

[bigorangepoppa]

Heupel is still having to play a couple of former walk-ons with Lane and Davis, A 35 transfer situation when he was hired, and talent from what was left over from Pruitt has mostly all graduated, and a few transferred out this past off season. He is till trying to build the team with recruits and a few transfers. It's getting there, but in this era of the transfer portal, it will still take 3-4 outstanding recruiting classes to have the talent level needed to be consistent in every game.

 

[DaddyChad]

Better days are already here. The 5 and 6 win seasons are a thing of the past and seriously doubt we see those again for a very long time

Yep. We have people pissed off that we lost to Bama. A few years ago it was a forgone conclusion that it would be a loss every year. Heupel has built a helluva winning streak at home as well.

 

[VolBricks]

you are right OP, Heupel is
1-2 against Bama
0-3 against GA
1-2 against FL
all teams with equal or better talent than TN.

 

[vol_sec]

I looking forward to watching a Heupel vs Saban matchup with equal talent and equal calls by the refs. Just imagine…

 

[CAVPUT]

Tennessee is a solid team able to compete in the SEC but their talent is still not on par with Georgia and Alabama. Last year, they were able to overcome deficiencies b/c they had the best LT in the nation, Hooker was a great QB and Jalin Hyatt was the best WR in the nation. These three guys made everyone else better.

This year, the Vols are competing with:
--An improved defense but still struggle to defend the pass, especially when the pass rush is neutralized
--A lack of real play makers on both sides of the ball:
--There is a huge dropoff at LT, WR, and QB from last year
--Squirrel White is the only SEC level WR currently in the rotation. All of the others struggle to get open.......and some struggle to catch the ball
--James Pearce and Tyler Baron are the only. standout playmakers on the defensive side......Hadden is improving greatly tho
--Vols have young talent at LB that will get better but none are all SEC level......yet.
--The running backs are good but not great. Speed and vision but rarely break a tackle one on one in the open field
--OL is solid and Cooper Mays makes a big difference but were unable to open holes this weekend vs a great front 7.
--Heupel does a good job of scheming some sets that normally opens up running landes in the run game.
--Every play has to be called from the sideline so they are not able to run the fast paced offense that Hooker was able to do.
--The coaches have to be frustrated with the subpar play of the wide receivers and QB play.

Vols had a great gameplan coming into the game but once Alabama made some adjustments, there was not much that could be done. Alabama had the advantage in every matchup.

There are better days coming, but, it probably won't be next year. The Vols lose a lot of experienced talent and unless they can get some OL, DL, DB, WR help in the portal, next year may be another step back. But, anyone who is or will be calling for Heupel's dismissal this year or next, is ignorant in the matter of football. Oh, and before you start with shouts of, "the Vols have a lot of talent", go back and look at the pre season All SEC teams. No Vols on 1st or 2nd team and I think only one may two on the 3rd team. Post season all SEC teams will be the same with only Cooper Mays, James Pearce, and Tyler Baron playing to that level.

With all of this being said, I am convinced, the Vols have the right man in charge of the program and better days are ahead.

Too bad this wasn't posted before the season. Might have tamped down some of the now obvious unrealistic expectations that are inevitable every preseason.

 

[DonDiego]

Tennessee is a solid team able to compete in the SEC but their talent is still not on par with Georgia and Alabama. Last year, they were able to overcome deficiencies b/c they had the best LT in the nation, Hooker was a great QB and Jalin Hyatt was the best WR in the nation. These three guys made everyone else better.

This year, the Vols are competing with:
--An improved defense but still struggle to defend the pass, especially when the pass rush is neutralized
--A lack of real play makers on both sides of the ball:
--There is a huge dropoff at LT, WR, and QB from last year
--Squirrel White is the only SEC level WR currently in the rotation. All of the others struggle to get open.......and some struggle to catch the ball
--James Pearce and Tyler Baron are the only. standout playmakers on the defensive side......Hadden is improving greatly tho
--Vols have young talent at LB that will get better but none are all SEC level......yet.
--The running backs are good but not great. Speed and vision but rarely break a tackle one on one in the open field
--OL is solid and Cooper Mays makes a big difference but were unable to open holes this weekend vs a great front 7.
--Heupel does a good job of scheming some sets that normally opens up running landes in the run game.
--Every play has to be called from the sideline so they are not able to run the fast paced offense that Hooker was able to do.
--The coaches have to be frustrated with the subpar play of the wide receivers and QB play.

Vols had a great gameplan coming into the game but once Alabama made some adjustments, there was not much that could be done. Alabama had the advantage in every matchup.

There are better days coming, but, it probably won't be next year. The Vols lose a lot of experienced talent and unless they can get some OL, DL, DB, WR help in the portal, next year may be another step back. But, anyone who is or will be calling for Heupel's dismissal this year or next, is ignorant in the matter of football. Oh, and before you start with shouts of, "the Vols have a lot of talent", go back and look at the pre season All SEC teams. No Vols on 1st or 2nd team and I think only one may two on the 3rd team. Post season all SEC teams will be the same with only Cooper Mays, James Pearce, and Tyler Baron playing to that level.

With all of this being said, I am convinced, the Vols have the right man in charge of the program and better days are ahead.

I'm going to have to disagree with you a bit on the quality players on the defensive side. Beasley and Norman-Lott have been very effective.

 

[DaddyChad]

I looking forward to watching a Heupel vs Saban matchup with equal talent and equal calls by the refs. Just imagine…

Both would have to be undefeated for that to happen imo.

 

[BigALWiLson]

I'm going to have to disagree with you a bit on the quality players on the defensive side. Beasley and Norman-Lott have been very effective.

Beasley ? Hes made a few tackles but he and Herring are part of why we need upgrades. Both are terrible in coverage, Herring fills the wrong gaps and gets sucked in a lot. Although he is young. I don't know how much the injury plays a role for Beasley I expected him to have a better season.

 

[JHuntVols]

you are right OP, Heupel is
1-2 against Bama
0-3 against GA
1-2 against FL
all teams with equal or better talent than TN.

If anyone needs an example of how Heupel has changed expectations in 2.5 years, then this post is an example of it. If the implication is that he should be 8-0 against that trio, then that's just straight up stupid given the talent or lack thereof that he inherited and the overall state of the TN program. Literally 2 of those teams you listed are the at the top of college football and have been at the top for years and years. The only disappointment out of that list was the Florida loss this year; I agree that is disappointing considering I think that team is simply worse than TN. I have 0 doubt he can bring us to the level of a Georgia or Alabama at least for a year though... I think the question will be if he can sustain that. If he does, then he's simply one of the best coaches in TN history. I think people lose perspective on the absolute anomalies of Kirby Smart or Nick Saban, and to hold anyone to that standard is not only ridiculous but also hurtful to the program.

 

[J C Higgins]

you are right OP, Heupel is
1-2 against Bama
0-3 against GA
1-2 against FL
all teams with equal or better talent than TN.

Florida only slightly better but there's a gulf between our composite player talent level and that of and Bama and UGA.
As others have pointed out what CJH and our players have accomplished is remarkable.

2023 College Football Team Talent Composite

In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.

247sports.com

 

[JHuntVols]

Florida only slightly better but there's a gulf between our composite player talent level and that of and Bama and UGA.
As others have pointed out what CJH and our players have accomplished is remarkable.

2023 College Football Team Talent Composite

In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.

247sports.com

This is off topic, but I find it crazy Lincoln Riley manages to lose against Utah by allowing one of the worst offenses in the country to score 34 on you... especially given that talent gap. He'll never win a ring until he can manage to build a defense that isn't a bunch of cardboard cutouts with USC jerseys on them.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

--James Pearce and Tyler Baron are the only. standout playmakers on the defensive side......Hadden is improving greatly tho

Agree with almost all you said. Just would include Aaron Beasley in this group of stalwarts on defense.

Go Vols!

 

[IndianaVol]

Yep. We have people pissed off that we lost to Bama. A few years ago it was a forgone conclusion that it would be a loss every year. Heupel has built a helluva winning streak at home as well.

EXACTLY...same people pissed off about us losing in Tuscaloosa this year are the same ones that ones that were apathetic and wanted to drop the Bama game from the schedule every year just 3 years ago.

 

[GVol1966]

I'm going to have to disagree with you a bit on the quality players on the defensive side. Beasley and Norman-Lott have been very effective.

I was thinking the same. And there’s more young talent that I think will be very good in the future.

 

[UT_Tix79]

Hadden has been consistently one of our best players. He’s graded as the highest performer on the team. His gaffes have been glaring, and his mouth is frustrating, but his skill level is insane

 

[DaddyChad]

Hadden has been consistently one of our best players. He’s graded as the highest performer on the team. His gaffes have been glaring, and his mouth is frustrating, but his skill level is insane

Technically Pearce has graded out higher I believe.

 

[Orangeslice13]

Better days are already here. The 5 and 6 win seasons are a thing of the past and seriously doubt we see those again for a very long time

As long as we keep this guy we will be competitive in all games and win a lot more than we lose.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

you are right OP, Heupel is
1-2 against Bama
0-3 against GA
1-2 against FL
all teams with equal or better talent than TN.

Umm...

...we've only played UGa twice since Heupel became our head coach. How are we 0-3 against them?

Go Vols!

 

[DickeyD]

Tennessee is a solid team able to compete in the SEC but their talent is still not on par with Georgia and Alabama. Last year, they were able to overcome deficiencies b/c they had the best LT in the nation, Hooker was a great QB and Jalin Hyatt was the best WR in the nation. These three guys made everyone else better.

This year, the Vols are competing with:
--An improved defense but still struggle to defend the pass, especially when the pass rush is neutralized
--A lack of real play makers on both sides of the ball:
--There is a huge dropoff at LT, WR, and QB from last year
--Squirrel White is the only SEC level WR currently in the rotation. All of the others struggle to get open.......and some struggle to catch the ball
--James Pearce and Tyler Baron are the only. standout playmakers on the defensive side......Hadden is improving greatly tho
--Vols have young talent at LB that will get better but none are all SEC level......yet.
--The running backs are good but not great. Speed and vision but rarely break a tackle one on one in the open field
--OL is solid and Cooper Mays makes a big difference but were unable to open holes this weekend vs a great front 7.
--Heupel does a good job of scheming some sets that normally opens up running landes in the run game.
--Every play has to be called from the sideline so they are not able to run the fast paced offense that Hooker was able to do.
--The coaches have to be frustrated with the subpar play of the wide receivers and QB play.

Vols had a great gameplan coming into the game but once Alabama made some adjustments, there was not much that could be done. Alabama had the advantage in every matchup.

There are better days coming, but, it probably won't be next year. The Vols lose a lot of experienced talent and unless they can get some OL, DL, DB, WR help in the portal, next year may be another step back. But, anyone who is or will be calling for Heupel's dismissal this year or next, is ignorant in the matter of football. Oh, and before you start with shouts of, "the Vols have a lot of talent", go back and look at the pre season All SEC teams. No Vols on 1st or 2nd team and I think only one may two on the 3rd team. Post season all SEC teams will be the same with only Cooper Mays, James Pearce, and Tyler Baron playing to that level.

With all of this being said, I am convinced, the Vols have the right man in charge of the program and better days are ahead.

We are going to need another 2-3 years of top 5 recruting classes. Been saying this. WE are getting there but not there yet. We saw that this week as well. Bama's roster is loaded....not much of a fall off between the 1-2-3s. Easy to see as we hit late 3rd and 4th qtrs, especially.

 

[DickeyD]

Umm...

...we've only played UGa twice since Heupel became our head coach. How are we 0-3 against them?

Go Vols!

I think he's predicting a loss to ga this season...

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I think he's predicting a loss to ga this season...

Seems so. And yet he spoke of Heupel's record entirely in the present tense.