Why we should be optimistic....

[bigorange247]

Butch was 4-8 his first year at UC. I think he's gonna be a good coach, but not expecting miracles right away...

This is a good point, but cincinnati lost almost everybody the year kelly went to nd. We have lost some key players, but take a look at it a little more closely. TB has a great arm, but has 'issues' that have kept him from becoming one of the great qbs that we have seen at UT. In addition, he isn't really the ideal qb for bUTch's system. JH had another good year, but everyone saw that he dropped many balls and appeared to be playing to not get hurt. CP is a true playmaker, but left much to be desired on his route running which resulted in unnecessay interceptions from TB.

 

[VolFanNC09]

No way we win 10. Road games to Oregon, Bama and Florida makes it unrealisitc. 8-9would be very good based upon schedule. If he wins 10, he is the new flavor on the month and I would be worried the NFL would come calling.

 

[1967]

(1) First off Coach Jones is a proven winner wherever he has been. Doesn't matter what conference, he had a team that matched the conference it belonged to, and he won in an extremely good way! ALWAYS!! (2) Just listen to what recruited players have to say about Coach Jones. Even those who don't decide to ultimately switch have been very impressed with CBJ as a recruiter. He has inherited a situation where he has to try to compete for committed players instead of having long-term recruiting - Jenkins switched and there will be others. If he gets 3 more to switch we will have a very good class. So, a great recruiter, - next year IMO we will sign a great 2014 class. (3) This year the offense will be fun to watch and Defense has good coaches (love Coach Thigpen) and good recruits would have immediate playing time and could be difference-makers. I believe CBJ will at least have Tennessee in a bowl this year and watch us get better every year! He is one of those special coaches. Support him Long Term and this years recruits will have a shot at a NC b4 they leave in 4 years.

 

[Grayvol]

I'm anxious for the 2013 Ride. We may begin our Rise to the Top, or the SEC may have us to kick around a little while longer. I really am amused, however, by these bold predictions by people in need of Volnation validation. You say we will be better, but 7 wins is the ceiling? As not-good as we were last season, there were 2 games we didn't have a legitimate shot at, and one of them was more mental than physical. If we are only SLIGHTLY better than last year and have a new mentality, 10 wins is very reachable. I also believe we could show improvement and another poor record. With a new schedule, coaching staff, quarterback, and defense, I'm not gonna make predictions. National Champions

 

[AlumniChase]

Yeah we are looking at 4-5 wins guys. Get real here. So we get all new players on offense, all new coaches and schemes, and a tough schedule and that equals more wins than the past several years? Come on man...

 

[JohnWardForever]

I see so much negativity on here,it is sickening. Why? We have gotten rid of the most asinine coach in UT history. We have hired a proven winner that is passionate about Tennessee. We return virtually our entire team except Bray,CP,and Hunter. We have a coach that knows how to utilize the talent we have. We have a LOT of talent. We are going to have more after NSD. Do yall not remember the turnarounds when we hired Cutcliffe back after 05 and when we hired Kiffin in 09? COACHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! I honestly believe we`ll win 10 games next season. We will have the best offensive line in the nation. We have 2 RBs that will have progressed tremendously under Graham`s tutelage. We have a load of talent at the WR position,although it lacks experience. We have 3 QBs who will compete for the starting job. I believe Worley and Peterman will turn out to be great QBs. We are switching back to the 4-3 and our D personnel will greatly benefit from this. We are going to have an awesome D and running game for sure. That`s what wins championships. We have an outstanding,brilliant,and extremely hard-working coach now. We are on the rise. We will surprise the entire nation this fall. I say we`ll go 10-3. I`m very optimistic. Will yall tell me why yall are optimistic or a negateer? GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Hey Man, It is STILL a coaching change. First year--usually rough, second---better, third---good (If you have recruited some talent).

"These rose colored glasses, that I am looking thru, Show only the positive, but they hide all the truth."

Only way Vols win 10 is get a STUD RB on campus. Herschel, Bo, Chuck Webb variety.

 

[Bluetic]

I'm more of a "Logivol". And logic tells me that 7 wins next year and a bowl would be an accomplishment.

:good!: Possibly +1...still that would be very nice and would be an upward trend for the program...

 

[Rudy123]

I see so much negativity on here,it is sickening. Why? We have gotten rid of the most asinine coach in UT history. We have hired a proven winner that is passionate about Tennessee. We return virtually our entire team except Bray,CP,and Hunter. We have a coach that knows how to utilize the talent we have. We have a LOT of talent. We are going to have more after NSD. Do yall not remember the turnarounds when we hired Cutcliffe back after 05 and when we hired Kiffin in 09? COACHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! I honestly believe we`ll win 10 games next season. We will have the best offensive line in the nation. We have 2 RBs that will have progressed tremendously under Graham`s tutelage. We have a load of talent at the WR position,although it lacks experience. We have 3 QBs who will compete for the starting job. I believe Worley and Peterman will turn out to be great QBs. We are switching back to the 4-3 and our D personnel will greatly benefit from this. We are going to have an awesome D and running game for sure. That`s what wins championships. We have an outstanding,brilliant,and extremely hard-working coach now. We are on the rise. We will surprise the entire nation this fall. I say we`ll go 10-3. I`m very optimistic. Will yall tell me why yall are optimistic or a negateer? GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Yes, I agree, a coach can make all of the difference in the world.

When Clawson was our O.C. we had Kevin Cooper, Cottam, Hancock, Gerald Jones, D. Moore, Austin Rogers, Dennis Rogan, Luke Stocker, & A. Foster on the team. Though this not full of NFL roster players,(Stocker, Cottam, Foster and Moore) it was a good group of players. Had Cutcliffe been here, he would have gotten more out of them and more wins.


However; I dis agree with the 10 win season in 2013. It is more like 6 wins and a lower tier bowl game.

Austin Peay, Western Kentucky, Missouri, Vandy, Kentucky, & South Alabama will be our wins.....

 

[bleedorange0037]

We return virtually our entire team except for the ones who pretty much scored all of the points.

Exactly. Sadly, we'll also be returning basically the whole defense that couldn't stop giving up points.

I realize it's January, but I just honestly can't see how people can sit there and say "UT has a shot at winning 10 games." With the level of talent that's on the team right now, they'll have to beat a team that's better than them just to win 6 games. I agree with the thought that they have a better chance of pulling off one of those upsets with Jones as the coach, but IMO even winning 6 would be overachieving for this squad.

 

[VFLPastor]

I'm optimistic. And, I definitely see that this is a process that won't happen in one season. But, to get us back on top, I would love to see (bear with me, this is an OPTIMISM post) :

YEAR 1
Top 25 class (fingers crossed in hope)
Bowl Game
Beat BOTH Vandy and KY
Come away with CLEAR Team leaders (players) on Offense & Defense
Team Chemistry

YEAR 2
Bring in a top 15 recruiting class
Win a Signature SEC East Game or two (FL,GA,SC)
Take care of business with the losers (VU,KY,MO)
Get to a BETTER bowl than the first year.

YEAR 3
Bring in a top 10 recruiting class
Seriously Contend for SEC East Champs -- No, WIN the SEC East.
Beat Vandy so bad James Franklin gets fired
Beat KY so bad that Stoops gets fired
Beat FL and put Muschamp on the hot seat
Beat GA and put Richt back on the hot seat
Beat SC so bad that the old ball coach retires

Ahh. And then, the "amens" will sound from the people again...

 

[Vol865]

Yeah we are looking at 4-5 wins guys. Get real here. So we get all new players on offense, all new coaches and schemes, and a tough schedule and that equals more wins than the past several years? Come on man...

We lost 1 lineman 2 WRs and a QB....by no means is that the whole O.....we still have a veteran OL and 2 good RBs.....is it ideal? No but plenty of teams have been in the same situation and been fine......and btw we have 4 gimme wins next year

 

[Bluetic]

I'm optimistic. And, I definitely see that this is a process that won't happen in one season. But, to get us back on top, I would love to see (bear with me, this is an OPTIMISM post) :

YEAR 1
Top 25 class (fingers crossed in hope)
Bowl Game
Beat BOTH Vandy and KY
Come away with CLEAR Team leaders (players) on Offense & Defense
Team Chemistry

YEAR 2
Bring in a top 15 recruiting class
Win a Signature SEC East Game or two (FL,GA,SC)
Take care of business with the losers (VU,KY,MO)
Get to a BETTER bowl than the first year.

YEAR 3
Bring in a top 10 recruiting class
Seriously Contend for SEC East Champs -- No, WIN the SEC East.
Beat Vandy so bad James Franklin gets fired
Beat KY so bad that Stoops gets fired
Beat FL and put Muschamp on the hot seat
Beat GA and put Richt back on the hot seat
Beat SC so bad that the old ball coach retires

Ahh. And then, the "amens" will sound from the people again...

When do we beat Darth Saban and the Bammers?

 

[UGADawg4Life]

I see so much negativity on here,it is sickening. Why? We have gotten rid of the most asinine coach in UT history. We have hired a proven winner that is passionate about Tennessee. We return virtually our entire team except Bray,CP,and Hunter. We have a coach that knows how to utilize the talent we have. We have a LOT of talent. We are going to have more after NSD. Do yall not remember the turnarounds when we hired Cutcliffe back after 05 and when we hired Kiffin in 09? COACHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! I honestly believe we`ll win 10 games next season. We will have the best offensive line in the nation. We have 2 RBs that will have progressed tremendously under Graham`s tutelage. We have a load of talent at the WR position,although it lacks experience. We have 3 QBs who will compete for the starting job. I believe Worley and Peterman will turn out to be great QBs. We are switching back to the 4-3 and our D personnel will greatly benefit from this. We are going to have an awesome D and running game for sure. That`s what wins championships. We have an outstanding,brilliant,and extremely hard-working coach now. We are on the rise. We will surprise the entire nation this fall. I say we`ll go 10-3. I`m very optimistic. Will yall tell me why yall are optimistic or a negateer? GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

With all due respect, for a 10-2 season you have to win 5 from the schedule below. This with players returning from a 5-7 '12 team, a new coaching staff, a new defensive scheme, and new, unproven skill players on offense. You also mentioned the talent that you'll have on NSD. Impact starting freshmen are rare, although not unheard of. I think you set yourself up for disappointment when you expect too much from a program. If CBJ wins 10 games in '13 he'll most certainly be SEC C-O-Y, and probably D-1. 10 wins might be the best coaching job I've ever seen. If you go 3-4 here, you've improved greatly, IMHO. Don't forget, these opponents have at least the same attributes that you mentioned above. Most, more.

Sept. 14 at Oregon Eugene, Ore.
Sept. 21 at Florida * Gainesville, Fla.
Oct. 5 Georgia * Knoxville
Oct. 19 South Carolina * Knoxville
Oct. 26 at Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Nov. 2 at Missouri * Columbia, Mo.
Nov. 9 Auburn * Knoxville

 

[24/7vol]

I believe we beat Mizzou,Auburn,Vandy and Ky. as well as AP, W.Ky., and So. Fla. If CBJ can scheme an upset against on more team that makes 8 wins. This is a possiblity not probability. Jones seems a master at manipulating and this team will be ready to play every Saturday. Butch slap them all!

 

[bleedorange0037]

I believe we beat Mizzou,Auburn,Vandy and Ky. as well as AP, W.Ky., and So. Fla. If CBJ can scheme an upset against on more team that makes 8 wins. This is a possiblity not probability. Jones seems a master at manipulating and this team will be ready to play every Saturday. Butch slap them all!

Winning either of these games would be an upset. Mizzou might be as well considering that it's on the road.

 

[Vol865]

Yes, I agree, a coach can make all of the difference in the world.

When Clawson was our O.C. we had Kevin Cooper, Cottam, Hancock, Gerald Jones, D. Moore, Austin Rogers, Dennis Rogan, Luke Stocker, & A. Foster on the team. Though this not full of NFL roster players,(Stocker, Cottam, Foster and Moore) it was a good group of players. Had Cutcliffe been here, he would have gotten more out of them and more wins.


However; I dis agree with the 10 win season in 2013. It is more like 6 wins and a lower tier bowl game.

Austin Peay, Western Kentucky, Missouri, Vandy, Kentucky, & South Alabama will be our wins.....

Rogan started at corner....but yes there was quite a bit of offensive talent in 08....just didn't produce

 

[VFLPastor]

When do we beat Darth Saban and the Bammers?

Good point! I guess for me I see that (right now) as a Year 4 goal. Though I know a lot of Vol fans want it sooner than that. But, like it or not Bama is a machine right now. When we are SEC East Champs, we will likely have 2 shots at Bama that year. So, we could upset them in the season or in Atlanta.

Year 4 Goal = Crystal Trophy

 

[tennrich1]

Only other one I would even consider would be Florida, but just given that we were able to hang with every other team last year, I'm willing to give a little benefit of a doubt.

After the display Florida put on in the bowl game I'd have to question them....and I'm not a Gator Hater...really not...now going to Gainsville and beating the Gator? Well IF that happened Will might need to win out the rest of the season...

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

I think we make a helluva run at the Music City Bowl and fall short. That's about as optimistic as I am going to get until they beat Oregon or Florida.

Dropping 50 on Austin Peay will not be the barometer for this team next year.

New QB, new offensive and defensive schemes, no returning play makers on offense, and returning a horrible defense means there will be numerous growing pains.

We will be more likely to lose a game we should win than win a game we should lose next season due to all the changes. Inconsistency breeds mistakes and mistakes cost teams games.

 

[volboy81]

In 2013, we play 5 teams that ended up ranked in the final 2012 Top 10 poll!! AL FL & OR are prob loses...GA SC are winnable. We almost beat them both in '12....with Dooley & our D, so we can get them in 13 with a good game. I think bUTch will get a lot more out of our guys than Dooley ever did, which should translate into wins!

 

[AlumniChase]

We lost 1 lineman 2 WRs and a QB....by no means is that the whole O.....we still have a veteran OL and 2 good RBs.....is it ideal? No but plenty of teams have been in the same situation and been fine......and btw we have 4 gimme wins next year

2 WRs??? Say what!!??

Tyler Bray
Justin Hunter
CP
Zack Rogers
Rivera

Dude we lost our entire offense!!! Our best returning skill player on offense is our middle linebacker!!!

And what exactly is a gimme win for us? We almost (should have) lost to Troy. We have lost to Wyoming at home. If your counting Western Ky as a gimme, your mistaken. Time to wake up and smell the roses.

 

[oregonvol]

Most fans were optimistic with the last hire and we got three years of the worst football in UT's 100 year history. How about this time around we give skepticism a shot?

 

[Vol71]

I see so much negativity on here,it is sickening. Why? We have gotten rid of the most asinine coach in UT history. We have hired a proven winner that is passionate about Tennessee. We return virtually our entire team except Bray,CP,and Hunter. We have a coach that knows how to utilize the talent we have. We have a LOT of talent. We are going to have more after NSD. Do yall not remember the turnarounds when we hired Cutcliffe back after 05 and when we hired Kiffin in 09? COACHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! I honestly believe we`ll win 10 games next season. We will have the best offensive line in the nation. We have 2 RBs that will have progressed tremendously under Graham`s tutelage. We have a load of talent at the WR position,although it lacks experience. We have 3 QBs who will compete for the starting job. I believe Worley and Peterman will turn out to be great QBs. We are switching back to the 4-3 and our D personnel will greatly benefit from this. We are going to have an awesome D and running game for sure. That`s what wins championships. We have an outstanding,brilliant,and extremely hard-working coach now. We are on the rise. We will surprise the entire nation this fall. I say we`ll go 10-3. I`m very optimistic. Will yall tell me why yall are optimistic or a negateer? GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

I think that you are very optimistic but I believe you. Outside of the players believing (which is most important) the fans have to start believing. We've been slapped so many times now we're scared to say anything. I don't know if Butch Jones can build a perennial powerhouse. That is the question mark for him. He can win. He has proven that. I believe that we will win at least 8 games next year and win a bowl game. If he can recruit the quality that we need, I believe that Tennessee will return to competing for the SEC and National Championships.

We played Oregon tough for 3 quarters of football which proved to be an early predictor of what Coach Dooley would achieve. I believe that we are deeper now and, hopefully, better coached. Georgia and South Carolina are within reach and I believe that Florida is poorly coached. Those are three games that are very winnable. We should not lose to Missouri and Vanderbilt this year and Kentucky is Kentucky. Auburn is a complete wildcard due to coaching changes.

The strength of schedule is always viewed through the rose colored glasses of prior years. The only team I don't see us beating next year is Alabama. Saban has got them rocking. Beat the other teams and 8, 9 or 10 wins is very possible.

You are optimistic but I support you. GBO!!!

 

[drodvol]

10-3 isn't absolutely out of the question. Only 2 really guaranteed losses in Alabama and Oregon. However, I wouldn't be too shocked to see us go 3-9 next year either. I agree that I'd be happy with an 8-5 season. Even 7-6 given the schedule.

Im not counting Oregon as a definite loss. They may dominate the conference they play in but how much does that truly say. Im giving this game a 50-50 shot.

 

[UGADawg4Life]

I think that you are very optimistic but I believe you. Outside of the players believing (which is most important) the fans have to start believing. We've been slapped so many times now we're scared to say anything. I don't know if Butch Jones can build a perennial powerhouse. That is the question mark for him. He can win. He has proven that. I believe that we will win at least 8 games next year and win a bowl game. If he can recruit the quality that we need, I believe that Tennessee will return to competing for the SEC and National Championships.

We played Oregon tough for 3 quarters of football which proved to be an early predictor of what Coach Dooley would achieve. I believe that we are deeper now and, hopefully, better coached. Georgia and South Carolina are within reach and I believe that Florida is poorly coached. Those are three games that are very winnable. We should not lose to Missouri and Vanderbilt this year and Kentucky is Kentucky. Auburn is a complete wildcard due to coaching changes.

The strength of schedule is always viewed through the rose colored glasses of prior years. The only team I don't see us beating next year is Alabama. Saban has got them rocking. Beat the other teams and 8, 9 or 10 wins is very possible.

You are optimistic but I support you. GBO!!!

If this comes true then I believe that CBJ should be immediately inducted in the the college football Hall of Fame.