Not sure if you guys have done a poll yet regarding perdictions for this year.

[MIAUTIGER]

As a UT fan by proximity, I hope they do well this year. Gonna be a tough one, though, especially adding OK to an already brutal schedule. I think Butch can coach the guys up, and get to a 7-5 season, which would be good given the schedule. I think the five losses will be Oklahoma, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama and South Carolina. And even with that, I think you guys have a shot at UGA and Ole Miss.

Good luck. I hope Butch is the one to get y'all back on top and back to beating bammer many years in a row. War Damn Vols!

[Volznut]

a bowl is the goal

[Clockwork Orange]

I think 6-6. Beat Utah State, Arkansas State, UTC, Kentucky, and Vandy, and grab one more as an underdog, with Missouri being the most likely. We could definitely win 7 but it'll mean that some young guys really progress quickly and don't hit a wall. I'm just not counting on that.

[Creek Walker]

I think if we can limp to 6-6, it will be an accomplishment. Anywhere from 4-8 to 8-4 is probably not outside the realm of possibility, but the lower end is definitely more realistic than the upper end. At this point, I just want to get through Sunday's game with a W.

[HerbTarlekVol]

The Vol sheep side of me is saying 6-6 and in a nobody cares bowl game, which we would all care about this year given how long it's been since we were actually in a bowl game.

But when I really look back and analyze where we are in terms of youth and personnel, not to mention having no legitimate SEC quarterback, I am expecting 5-7. 

I hope to be pleasantly surprised. 

[tnflower]

But when I really look back and analyze where we are in terms of youth and personnel, not to mention having no legitimate SEC quarterback, I am expecting 5-7. 

That's exactly what the talking heads are saying.....5-7. I think beating SC last year was due to Worley playing in his home state. Maybe he'll feel that way again, and we'll be 6-6.

[HerbTarlekVol]

I think beating SC last year was due to Worley playing in his home state.

It's a mere technicality, but Worley didn't beat SC in his home state.  That game was played in Knoxville. 

He's got a chance, assuming he is still the starting QB by that time, to win in South Carolina on November 1. 

[Creek Walker]

 

He's got a chance, assuming he is still the starting QB by that time, to win in South Carolina on November 1. 

Interesting that you word it like that. Unless Butch is just overly stubborn due to last year's Florida debacle, I believe Peterman might be the starter by that point. 

[HerbTarlekVol]

Interesting that you word it like that. Unless Butch is just overly stubborn due to last year's Florida debacle, I believe Peterman might be the starter by that point. 

Well, the fact that he is a senior and wasn't named the starter until after fall camp began pretty much tells one that he isn't clearly a cut above the rest. 

Wouldn't shock me to see a re-run of last year when we had 3 different QBs start games. 

[Creek Walker]

At the open practice two weeks ago, Peterman looked the sharpest throwing the ball, with Dobbs a distant third. Obviously you can't tell anything from a single practice — especially one like that, where everything is just for show. But when I start reading the same stuff in some of the other practice reports, it definitely makes a feller wonder. 

[RipleyVol12]

Not trying to defend Peterman, but he did get thrown to the wolves against arguably the best defense we faced last year. I just. want someone to get the job done.

GO VOLS!!!   

[HerbTarlekVol]

Not trying to defend Peterman, but he did get thrown to the wolves against arguably the best defense we faced last year. I just. want someone to get the job done.

GO VOLS!!!   

You don't have to defend Peterman to me.  He's obviously a tough kid.  It would have been easy for him to shrug his shoulders and move on and transfer down to the D1-AA level and play somewhere immediately, but he chose to stick it out and compete for the job.  Whether he ever plays another down or not for UT he's earned respect in my book. 

[BanditVol]

I agree that 5-7 is the most likely scenario, and I hope we avoid 4-8.  We should be much, much better next year though.

I agree that Peterman's prospects are also looking up, and I mostly blame Butch for the debacle last year. I can't believe he gave a true frosh his first start in the swamp, I don't care how down UF is (which was not even apparent that early in the season last year).  Frankly I think Butch caved in to the fans.  Somethign I hope he learned from.

[HerbTarlekVol]

I agree that 5-7 is the most likely scenario, and I hope we avoid 4-8.  We should be much, much better next year though.

I agree that Peterman's prospects are also looking up, and I mostly blame Butch for the debacle last year. I can't believe he gave a true frosh his first start in the swamp, I don't care how down UF is (which was not even apparent that early in the season last year).  Frankly I think Butch caved in to the fans.  Somethign I hope he learned from.

Peterman wasn't a true freshman last year, he was a redshirt freshman.