Rank our big 5 team sports...

[Black Diamond Vol]

...in order from most likely to least likely to compete for a national title this upcoming season.

My order:

1. Men's hoops. #1 and #2 were basically a coin flip, and common sense says I should probably flip them, given their respective postseason histories. But I just like the makeup of this roster. They've clearly solved last year's post issues. And while we'll probably see a dropoff in perimeter production at SG, I think we've brought in at least two guys who can get to the rim more easily than Lanier did last year. That should open things up for Ament and Gillespie outside. This looks like a deep, adaptable roster that can beat you in multiple ways.

2. Baseball. CTV looks to have successfully reloaded, but this will probably be different looking team than we're used to. Probably less gorilla ball on offense and more ABC baseball. Gorilla ball didn't really work for us this past season anyway- too many guys with warning track power when it really mattered in SEC play. And the pitching should be light years better, even without Doyle. We should have 5-6 guys competing for weekend starter spots this year. Last year we could barely come up with 2.

3. LV hoops. Realistically they're probably a year away from competing at this level, but I'm looking forward to seeing them try. They gave us tantalizing glimpses of what this system is capable of last year, and that was with what will probably be Kim's least talented roster at UT. They're more talented across the board this year, and deep enough that fatigue shouldn't be as big a factor down the stretch as it was last season. A year from now, I expect them to top this list.

4. Softball. One more year with a generational talent in the circle. Can they finally put enough offense and defense around her to win when it counts? Early signs are not encouraging, since they lost their best hitter to the well-healed oil barons at Texas Tech. This could be a make or break season for Karen.

5. Football. I'm not down on the overall trajectory of CJH's program by any means, but I just can't see how they avoid taking a step back this year. But the schedule is relatively easy again, and maybe one of the QBs surprises us.

[VinnieVOL]

I'm really excited about the bball roster too.  Like you said, just really like the makeup of the team..

Football...  I have no idea what to expect.  I don't imagine Joey has had enough time in the offense that CJH will really let him do much with the offense.   

[FLVOL]

I don't imagine Joey has had enough time in the offense that CJH will really let him do much with the offense.   

half of me feels this way, but the other side thinks that there's zero pressure on CJH after Nico's departure so he says eff it and let's it rip so to show that Nico isn't a missed as his dad thought he would be 

[VinnieVOL]

I don't imagine Joey has had enough time in the offense that CJH will really let him do much with the offense.   

half of me feels this way, but the other side thinks that there's zero pressure on CJH after Nico's departure so he says eff it and let's it rip so to show that Nico isn't a missed as his dad thought he would be 

One can hope!