Worst case scenario for 2023

[TMvol10]

Worst case scenario is the OL takes a step back and struggles. We then see a decrease in the run games effectiveness thus making the passing game more difficult. We want as many quick, easy reads for Milton as possible. Sitting back and reading a defense isn’t his forte, imo.

 

[joevol33]

Sal Sunseri is rehired mid-season as Defense Coordinator.

How dare you say such a thing

 

[Zues1]

Worst case scenario, Joe Milton comes in second in the Heisman voting.

 

[spyfish007]

Worst case scenario for 2024

OK, gotta ask ya VolDog, did you have nightmares last night? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Have an argument w your better half??

Let's switch the narrative and be positive before 6am, ok? How about "Best Case Scenario for 2024". Now wait, 2024 is next year, not this year. So, did you mean to title your thread for 2023 or 2024??

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side of the bed tomorrow. Life will be a little clearer and we can discuss the CEILING, not the basement

+1

And yes this thread should get hijacked!! Or deleted.

 

[pimo1]

It's always going to be the OL for me. I think referencing key injuries is kind of a given when talking about worst case. Joe just needs to be decent. The WRs and RBs will be fine. The defense can't be any worse, surely. But the OL is what worries me the most (not saying I'm super worried).

Totally agreed. I don't see any other thing outside of bad Oline play or injuries leading to the worst case. Outside of some act of the universe type stuff. I dont think that our line is in any way something to be scared about but it's the unit with the most question marks because of what we lost and the fact that the line has to gel as a unit. Of all the positions on the football field where raw talent can only get you so far the Oline is it.

 

[DirtyDawg]

Totally agreed. I don't see any other thing outside of bad Oline play or injuries leading to the worst case. Outside of some act of the universe type stuff. I dont think that our line is in any way something to be scared about but it's the unit with the most question marks because of what we lost and the fact that the line has to gel as a unit. Of all the positions on the football field where raw talent can only get you so far the Oline is it.

I agree with you and @Other_Guy , the worst case scenario absolutely revolves around the O-line. I’ve no prediction on this as I’m not educated on the line, but if they play poor things could be tough. There is almost no chance to beat Bama or GA if the line isn’t playing well, and if the defense also struggles, things could get ugly. So I say 7-5 is extreme worst case.

On the other hand if they play well, the TN offense is likely going to be capable of keeping them in any game. If that is the case and the defense is improved, who knows? Could be interesting. I think best case is split between GA and Bama and run the table otherwise.

 

[pimo1]

I agree with you and @Other_Guy , the worst case scenario absolutely revolves around the O-line. I’ve no prediction on this as I’m not educated on the line, but if they play poor things could be tough. There is almost no chance to beat Bama or GA if the line isn’t playing well, and if the defense also struggles, things could get ugly. So I say 7-5 is extreme worst case.

On the other hand if they play well, the TN offense is likely going to be capable of keeping them in any game. If that is the case and the defense is improved, who knows? Could be interesting. I think best case is split between GA and Bama and run the table otherwise.

Honestly, I think how 'bad' the secondary was was overstated a lot last season. They were extremely thin due to injuries all season. The defense I think just by the fact they added depth and didn't lose anything totally irreplaceable can't do anything but improve.

I stand firmly by the opinion that Oline is the one position group where literally everyone has to do their job right every snap or bad thing happen. Any other position group (outside of arguably a QB) can take off snaps. If anyone on the Oline messes up an assignment it can lead to the play blowing up. They have to communicate, work well together and cover each other. These guys are involved in every play. The QB has a lot of responsibility and is a lot more visible. I think the fact that linemen don't have real stats makes it that much harder for people to identify a good or bad one. It's easy to see a great or terrible lineman but the good and bad is hard to see on tape unless you really know football and the offense they are running. Most people don't know the difference between zone blocking and gap blocking visually much less the intricacies of both.

 

[Flipdaddy]

I can promise you this, Heupel’s offense has been studied in the off season like no other in history so we better come up with some new looks and disguises. I’m sure he is but if not, don’t look for last years production.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Meh, I said a few months ago on the other same topic I'm going with 8-4 as my expected.

Whether you think so or not, we are reloading a bit this year with an eye on 24.

GA and Bama get us. Honestly A&M worries me. They have Alabama level talent and last year had a Candy record. They will be much better this year.

We will drop one we are not expecting. Maybe Florida as it is at their house in Joes first true road game.

As long as we wax the Lamecocks cheeks and hold serve against everybody else, I'm not gonna complain.

We are coming off a bye week and A&M will be coming off a game against Bama. We aint losing to them.

 

[DirtyDawg]

I absolutely

Honestly, I think how 'bad' the secondary was was overstated a lot last season. They were extremely thin due to injuries all season. The defense I think just by the fact they added depth and didn't lose anything totally irreplaceable can't do anything but improve.

I stand firmly by the opinion that Oline is the one position group where literally everyone has to do their job right every snap or bad thing happen. Any other position group (outside of arguably a QB) can take off snaps. If anyone on the Oline messes up an assignment it can lead to the play blowing up. They have to communicate, work well together and cover each other. These guys are involved in every play. The QB has a lot of responsibility and is a lot more visible. I think the fact that linemen don't have real stats makes it that much harder for people to identify a good or bad one. It's easy to see a great or terrible lineman but the good and bad is hard to see on tape unless you really know football and the offense they are running. Most people don't know the difference between zone blocking and gap blocking visually much less the intricacies of both.

I absolutely agree, and while I will not pretend to understand the intricacies of great line play, it is probably the most underrated of any position. IMO it is the most important position group for an offense to be consistently effective. Especially in the SEC, where defensive fronts have potential game wreckers.

Individually, the best lineman always are under control with their hips and feet movement while using arm and hand strength and technique to control or even slightly direct defenders. But it doesn’t work well against a solid front unless the line works as one. Being in the right position at the snap and knowing every blocking assignment. It’s a ridiculously hard job against a good defensive front. If the TN offense has really good line play things could go very well. Not only by protecting Milton, but also giving the running game a better chance. I honestly think if the Vols can run successfully on Bama and GA it could be huge. I’m not saying a sure victory at all, but it could change the game dramatically.

 

[RockyTopTexas]

That “Worst Case”
is prob gonna happen

 

[DirtyDawg]

I can promise you this, Heupel’s offense has been studied in the off season like no other in history so we better come up with some new looks and disguises. I’m sure he is but if not, don’t look for last years production.

You’re likely dead on with this take. A prime example would be how GA has tried to defend the TN offense. I am positive that Kirby was preaching the old cliche saying “if you give them an inch, the will take a mile.” You know always be ready, always be in position, and always know every assignment. And still there were several times where TN receivers were getting wide open. We were fortunate that our guys matched up well and very fortunate that Hooker missed a few throws.

Between the weather and the pressure, it was a tough ask of Hooker in that game to mount a comeback. But you’re probably right about teams spending much time preparing for that offense. At the same time, knowing what needs to be done is much different than being able to do it.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Worst case scenario for 2024

OK, gotta ask ya VolDog, did you have nightmares last night? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Have an argument w your better half??

Let's switch the narrative and be positive before 6am, ok? How about "Best Case Scenario for 2024". Now wait, 2024 is next year, not this year. So, did you mean to title your thread for 2023 or 2024??

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side of the bed tomorrow. Life will be a little clearer and we can discuss the CEILING, not the basement

 

[DonDiego]

In my opinion, our offensive line is solid and in good shape with Ellerbe, our running backs are good to borderline great, we have receivers out the yang, our defense is what it is and will be 25% better than last year....so, the big question lies in...Big Joe. I'm just not sure---I love the guy, but I'm still concerned he'll fold like a cheap suitcase when the big pressure comes. I hope not, but...

I do believe if that happens (G_D forbid), Nicolas will be an instant star. So there, my prediction.

 

[Voldog1998]

Im not going to freak out if we go 8-4 or 9-3 but some unrealistic fans will. This is the toughest conference in the world and our schedule is brutal every season we lost alot of key playmakers from last season so I don’t expect a repeat or another 8-0 start and number 1 ranking.

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

I can promise you this, Heupel’s offense has been studied in the off season like no other in history so we better come up with some new looks and disguises. I’m sure he is but if not, don’t look for last years production.

What we are going to see more of is what Kirby has done, year round preparation sessions for the tempo, the same way in the past teams prepared for unique schemes like the triple option. We'll probably also see teams attempting less substitution and more man to man the way UGA did. The good thing is though is most teams on our schedule don't have Kirby's athletes to do that, so they probably won't reach the same level of success. Alabama has the athletes. Also this coming year, Texas A&M will, but whether Jimbo can get them to play together and at a high level of effort remains to be seen. Both of those teams are certainly going to try to mimic Georgia's plan though, like you've said, we've got to have wrinkles.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Actually, this thread is more relevant to my little world than fretting over 2025 recruits. That's above my pay grade.

 

[pimo1]

I can promise you this, Heupel’s offense has been studied in the off season like no other in history so we better come up with some new looks and disguises. I’m sure he is but if not, don’t look for last years production.

He has proven he can adjust the offense.. If you look over time his offense has always been tailored for whatever personnel he had. His '21 and '22 offenses were both potent but were not the same 21 was TIllman centric while they took advantage of Hyatt last year. and they always mix in the RB's. Maybe this is the year of the TE? I don't think it's as simple as watching the tape. Unless you have defensive talent and depth like a Bama or UGA your guys will eventually get worn out by the sheer pace and those wide splits. Honestly its those ultra-wide splits that are the key imo.

 

[aRmo]

I can promise you this, Heupel’s offense has been studied in the off season like no other in history so we better come up with some new looks and disguises. I’m sure he is but if not, don’t look for last years production.

It has been studied for years. His offense hasnt changed since he was at UCF. This offense is very hard to mimic for a practice squad because of the pace of play. Im sure they will have new wrinkles this year. They added some last year with the bunch formations, the shovel toss to fant, the fb power, and a few others. If we go 9-3 or 8-4 it wont be because we cant score. It will be because we cant stop them from scoring.

 

[SpookyAction]

What we are going to see more of is what Kirby has done, year round preparation sessions for the tempo, the same way in the past teams prepared for unique schemes like the triple option. We'll probably also see teams attempting less substitution and more man to man the way UGA did. The good thing is though is most teams on our schedule don't have Kirby's athletes to do that, so they probably won't reach the same level of success. Alabama has the athletes. Also this coming year, Texas A&M will, but whether Jimbo can get them to play together and at a high level of effort remains to be seen. Both of those teams are certainly going to try to mimic Georgia's plan though, like you've said, we've got to have wrinkles.

I think aTm gets it together this year.
They are going to be a lot to handle this season.
Petrino is scum, but he can coach and develop players, and that has been the missing link down there.
I believe the offense comes alive and that will make the defense better, by taking a lot of pressure off of them.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

8-4 is where we should be in year 3 when Heupel was hired. 8-4 is where it still should be. Anything over that is good to great.

 

[EODVOL]

It's always going to be the OL for me. I think referencing key injuries is kind of a given when talking about worst case. Joe just needs to be decent. The WRs and RBs will be fine. The defense can't be any worse, surely. But the OL is what worries me the most (not saying I'm super worried).

I know you have been watching the last few seasons. O-line is okay, it's that secondary. Not going to win many games giving up 15 yds dinks and dunks or, 3rd and 20, first downs. There is still hope with an injured O-line. Defense can definitely do worse if the secondary continues to be missing in action and our front seven gets no pressure. Last year the D saved face by being able to stop the run game for the most part. Imagine if our run "D" falls off

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

It has been studied for years. His offense hasnt changed since he was at UCF. This offense is very hard to mimic for a practice squad because of the pace of play. Im sure they will have new wrinkles this year. They added some last year with the bunch formations, the shovel toss to fant, the fb power, and a few others. If we go 9-3 or 8-4 it wont be because we cant score. It will be because we cant stop them from scoring.

What Georgia apparently has done to mimic the pace is use two offenses in practice and have them alternate plays running them on one after another. They seem to have been more ready than anyone else. Bama and A&M have the depth to do that if they want to.

 

[aRmo]

What Georgia apparently has done to mimic the pace is use two offenses in practice and have them alternate plays running them on one after another. They seem to have been more ready than anyone else. Bama and A&M have the depth to do that if they want to.

Thats interesting. Very Clever TBH. UGA won their 1 on 1s tho. Our guys not being able to get off press man, couldnt run the ball, and shooting ourselves in the foot drive after drive.

 

[jmcarr33]

Worst case scenario for 2024

OK, gotta ask ya VolDog, did you have nightmares last night? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Have an argument w your better half??

Let's switch the narrative and be positive before 6am, ok? How about "Best Case Scenario for 2024". Now wait, 2024 is next year, not this year. So, did you mean to title your thread for 2023 or 2024??

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side of the bed tomorrow. Life will be a little clearer and we can discuss the CEILING, not the basement

I mean is the best case scenario not obvious?