Expectations for Team 118.....

[Screaming Eagle Dad]

I think that there will be alot of unrealistic Vol fans expecting a massive turn around wiht all these 4 and 5 star guys coming in. Won't happen. It'll take a couple of years for them to aclimate to the college environment. I think Tennessee will do good if they can get to 6-6 and get to a bowl game. Granted I have not looked at the schedule, I'm just doing off my gut instinct. For anybody to think that Tennessee will pul an Auburn is nuts. Auburn had two solid years of solid recruits to work with. Thats two years of developing talent. I'll be happy with a 6-6 record and a bowl bid.

[HerbTarlekVol]

I have looked at the schedule, and it's pretty danged tough, just as this past year's was.

I see 6-6 IF we can hold serve over the teams we are supposed to beat, and if the stars align correctly.  Anything better and Jones would be worthy of coach of the year consideration. 

This is a very good class coming in, but they are true freshmen and many of them just aren't going to be ready to contribute yet.  It's going to take 3 classes of blue chip types before UT is ready to ascend towards the upper half of the SEC standings. 

[Hollerboy]

If he doesnt win 8 games next year then alot of unrealistic fans are gonna blame the coaching staff and call for a pound of flesh.  But i agree with you guys...we didn't get into this mess overnight and it is gonna take a couple of years to dig out. Talent is coming though!

[ChattanoogaVol]

I have looked at the schedule, and it's pretty danged tough, just as this past year's was.

I see 6-6 IF we can hold serve over the teams we are supposed to beat, and if the stars align correctly.  Anything better and Jones would be worthy of coach of the year consideration.  

This is a very good class coming in, but they are true freshmen and many of them just aren't going to be ready to contribute yet.  It's going to take 3 classes of blue chip types before UT is ready to ascend towards the upper half of the SEC standings.  

I agree mostly, but we should, and must get 6 wins next year, possibly a lucky 7th win...or it will start to get rocky and uneasy..... a bowl game is a must next year...we should be able to get 6 wins over UTAH STATE, ARKANSAS STATE, UTC, FLORIDA, KENTUCKY, AND VANDERBILT...

 

[Creek Walker]

I agree mostly, but we should, and must get 6 wins next year, possibly a lucky 7th win...or it will start to get rocky and uneasy..... a bowl game is a must next year...we should be able to get 6 wins over UTAH STATE, ARKANSAS STATE, UTC, FLORIDA, KENTUCKY, AND VANDERBILT...

 

Utah State, Florida and Vanderbilt are probably all tossups. Don't forget we're basically starting over on the OL and on defense. I HOPE for 6 wins, I think we NEED 6 wins, but a failure to get to 6 wins next season is not going to be an indictment of the staff.

[BanditVol]

It's going to be very tough.  OU on the road and Utah State is not a pushover.  I only see 3 "sure" wins on the schedule.

Having said that, I think we beat Vandy and have a great shot at Ole Miss, Uga and Florida.   Not sure about USCe, but we did beat them this year.  Mizzou...who knows?

Agree that 6 wins is likely the best we can do, but we could perhaps pull a surprise or two.