Will getting better be enough...

[photovol]

I disagree. 4 -5 wins? I see 7-5 very doable, and thats with us not winning any of those big games. Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, S.Carolina. If we do steal one if those, it could be even better. Missouri, Vandy, Auburn we "should" win.

Not so fast, we lost most of our offensensive playmakers and we won 5 games last year... we should have a somewhat improved defense but we will strugle to score points this year...wait and see...it is what it is...the program is/was at rock bottom

 

[Biopsyman]

Still have significant gaps in the back seven on D with depth, because injuries occurs.. That is all Dooley.

 

[Boca Vol]

As soon, as some S.E.C. teams get on probation or they lose their good coach, we can really make a move. For now, we need to get our roster improved and develope our players, so that we are in striking distance, once the top few teams stumble.

With a little help, like in 2007, I see us returning to Atlanta for the S.E.C. Championship game. If we ever have to play Alabama in that game, it will be a long, hard day.

Yeah, nothing like relying on other teams to do what UT can't!

Anyway, UT had it's chance when Spurrier left UF and Bama wasn't that good. They didn't take advantage of it and have suffered since.

 

[KBVol]

Not so fast, we lost most of our offensensive playmakers and we won 5 games last year... we should have a somewhat improved defense but we will strugle to score points this year...wait and see...it is what it is...the program is/was at rock bottom

This. I'm very optimistic about where Butch will take this program. But it ain't gonna happen overnight. We lost a ton offense and have pretty much the same defensive personnel. Gonna take a little time.

 

[Jezebel Rollo]

All the above....patience is now the order of the day for Vol fans. It may be 3-4-5 years before we are able to compete for any type of championship...it takes time when you are at the very bottom of the SEC. This year is going to be rough however, with possibly no more than 4 possibly 5 wins at most

WHAT?? I don't see a 10 win season or anything like that, but I see better than 4 wins. Sheesh.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

How many of you believe that, with the current coaching staff and a return to the 4-3 base defense, the defensive personnel on hand are capable of playing at a level comparable to that of Wilcox's 2011 unit, which finished, what, somewhere between 30th and 40th nationally? I fully agree that we have a whale of a lot of offensive firepower to replace but, if we can make that kind of defensive improvement, a 6- to 7-win campaign, with a minor bowl appearance, is a realistic goal for this team.

 

[KBVol]

How many of you believe that, with the current coaching staff and a return to the 4-3 base defense, the defensive personnel on hand are capable of playing at a level comparable to that of Wilcox's 2011 unit, which finished, what, somewhere between 30th and 40th nationally? I fully agree that we have a whale of a lot of offensive firepower to replace but, if we can make that kind of defensive improvement, a 6- to 7-win campaigning, with a minor bowl appearance, is a realistic goal for this team.

I believe that. Hard as hell schedule vs 5 top 10 teams, 3 of which are one the road doesn't help but I can get down with that. Much improved coaching can cure a few ills and help us maybe steal a game or 2

 

[Oskie Volum]

As a Texas native (although I consider myself a Tennessean), I take some comfort from the fact that lots and lots of kids in Texas are raised to absolutely HATE aTm. So, maybe the ability to play in the SEC and still beat aTm would be a good draw for Tennessee in certain years.

It seems thier Heisman trophy winning QB doesn't like them either. He seems to get himself into some interesting situations and loves the camera while doing it. I wouldn't be surprised if something new came before he leaves ATM....just sayin.

IMo people are jumping on ATMs way to early. Manziel is to them like cam newton was to auburn. Now we see how Chisik turned out. Losing Klingsbury isn't very helpful either. They pretty much didn't have a playbook last yr and just let him run around. No one knew about him and made it tough to prepare for. Surprised UF was able to pull it off cause they were the first to face him with no tape at all. Anyway they r planning to do the same thing they did last year and not "control" him, but this yr...teams are going to prepare for them early. Saban will do everything he can to not be embarrassed by them again so they better not be cocky next yr even in CS.

As to the OPs subject...IMHO...we need to climb up because unless Saban, miles, richt, Spurrior leave, those schools aren't going to stumble. Muschump is ahead of the game right now in the middle pack, and we are there with ark and auburn who got coaches that need to establish thier places quick. Auburn is going to be tough cause they have the talent and a coach that has sec experience. I hate to say it but I would give them the edge if I had to say today. Mizzou and ole miss are the teams that can take our place in the middle if we don't have a good season next yr. Imo we are holding on to our middle of the pack spot by a string.

I don't know how CBJ is going to turn out, hopefully great, but unfortunately the guy doesn't have yrs to win. He needs to win big fast IMO. We don't have time left cause we will be left behind quick if we have a 5-6 win season. For us to make up ground we need a huge season like ATM had last yr. 7-9 wins to help stabilize us.