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Bruce Feldman: Tennessee is gathering all the pieces to be an SEC contender
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:02 pm
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:02 pm
quote:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The last time I was in Knoxville was two years ago. Butch Jones had just arrived and the Vols were early in spring ball. It was stunning to see just how mediocre UT had become. It had the worst collection of skill talent from any power conference team I've ever seen.
The program I spent three days around last week looked dramatically different.
The Vols have two big-time backs in huge sophomore Jalen Hurd and JC transfer Alvin Kamara, the former Alabama tailback. UT also has a decent group of athletic receivers and an impressive junior QB triggerman in Josh Dobbs.
The Vols aren't where they were in the prime Phil Fulmer years. Truth be told, they're probably still a year away. UT doesn't have the depth of personnel, especially on the lines, and their receivers aren't at the elite level they were when Tennessee was a top-15 team. But I wouldn't be surprised if they cracked the top 25 this fall.
Here are a few takeaways from my time in Knoxville:
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Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:02 pm to Phat Phil
This shite has been going on since 2007
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:03 pm to Phat Phil
I agree we are probably a year away from an SEC/Final 4 type season.
I think if we go 9-3 we'd be in the top 25 almost all season though and that would be a great step back up!
I think if we go 9-3 we'd be in the top 25 almost all season though and that would be a great step back up!
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:04 pm to Phat Phil
I hope they finally do something so we can stop fricking hearing about how every next year is the year.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:04 pm to Phat Phil
BRUCE FELDMAN SAID THAT?!?!?!
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:04 pm to Eric Nies Grind Time
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:04 pm to td01241
Actually it hasn't.
LINK /
2013 Crystal Ball Projection: 5-7, 2-6
2013 Actual: 5-7, 2-6
THE 2014 BATTLEFIELD
Aug. 31 vs. Utah State (W): Quarterback Chuckie Keaton is one of college football’s most dynamic returning playmakers, but the Vols have a couple on offense too. Keaton tossed 18 touchdown passes in basically five games as a junior before an injury sidelined him for the season. Tennessee’s secondary should be on high alert in a not-so-easy opener.
Sept. 6 vs. Arkansas St. (W): This game would be more difficult if Gus Malzahn still directed the offense for the Red Wolves.
Sept. 13 at Oklahoma (L): Last year’s early-season road trip to Oregon was a disaster. The chances of this one turning out much better are slim.
Sept. 27 at Georgia (L): Tennessee could really throw a wrench into the SEC pecking order with an upset win between the hedges, but this is the one division matchup Todd Gurley truly owned the last time he faced the Vols in 2012 with 130 yards and three touchdowns.
Oct. 4 vs. Florida (L): Besides Georgia-South Carolina, this is the biggest game in the Eastern Division during the first half of the season. A win for the Vols acts as a signature win for an inexperienced team and would damage the Gators’ chances at turning things around following last year’s disaster.
Oct. 11 vs. Chattanooga (W): Luckily for Vanderbilt, it’ll have two bye weeks before a division showdown at Mizzou.
Oct. 18 at Ole Miss (L): One of the more underrated cross-division games in the SEC season, the one has the potential to be a high-scoring affair if Tennessee can generate a couple big plays. We expect the Rebels to still be in the thick of the Western Division race too.
Oct. 25 vs. Alabama (L): Radio personality Colin Cowherd’s made this matchup his preseason SEC upset special. We’re not.
Nov. 1 at South Carolina (L): Revenge game for the Gamecocks. Tennessee kept South Carolina out of the SEC Championship Game last season with a field goal as time expired post-Marquez North’s heroics at Neyland. The Gamecocks needed a Jadeveon Clowney strip-and-sack to win by three last time in Columbia but it won’t be as close this time around as the home team extends its Williams-Brice winning streak to 24 games.
Nov. 15 vs. Kentucky (W): The most favorable matchup in a month comes at the Wildcats’ expense. Kentucky solidifies a brutal third consecutive 0-8 SEC season with a loss here.
Nov. 22 vs. Mizzou (L): The Tigers win with spirited quarterback play from Maty Mauk against a worn down Tennessee defense that’s already taken it on the chin six times against ranked teams coming in. Mizzou won its first trip to Knoxville as an SEC member in 2012 by a score of 51-48 in overtime.
Nov. 28 at Vanderbilt (L): Puzzling to say the least, a program with superior talent has struggled the last few years against its Music City neighbor. Vandy will be playing for a bowl berth at 5-6, more than enough incentive to send the Vols to their fifth loss in six games to end a disappointing season.
2014 PROJECTED FINISH: 4-8, 1-7
LINK /
2013 Crystal Ball Projection: 5-7, 2-6
2013 Actual: 5-7, 2-6
THE 2014 BATTLEFIELD
Aug. 31 vs. Utah State (W): Quarterback Chuckie Keaton is one of college football’s most dynamic returning playmakers, but the Vols have a couple on offense too. Keaton tossed 18 touchdown passes in basically five games as a junior before an injury sidelined him for the season. Tennessee’s secondary should be on high alert in a not-so-easy opener.
Sept. 6 vs. Arkansas St. (W): This game would be more difficult if Gus Malzahn still directed the offense for the Red Wolves.
Sept. 13 at Oklahoma (L): Last year’s early-season road trip to Oregon was a disaster. The chances of this one turning out much better are slim.
Sept. 27 at Georgia (L): Tennessee could really throw a wrench into the SEC pecking order with an upset win between the hedges, but this is the one division matchup Todd Gurley truly owned the last time he faced the Vols in 2012 with 130 yards and three touchdowns.
Oct. 4 vs. Florida (L): Besides Georgia-South Carolina, this is the biggest game in the Eastern Division during the first half of the season. A win for the Vols acts as a signature win for an inexperienced team and would damage the Gators’ chances at turning things around following last year’s disaster.
Oct. 11 vs. Chattanooga (W): Luckily for Vanderbilt, it’ll have two bye weeks before a division showdown at Mizzou.
Oct. 18 at Ole Miss (L): One of the more underrated cross-division games in the SEC season, the one has the potential to be a high-scoring affair if Tennessee can generate a couple big plays. We expect the Rebels to still be in the thick of the Western Division race too.
Oct. 25 vs. Alabama (L): Radio personality Colin Cowherd’s made this matchup his preseason SEC upset special. We’re not.
Nov. 1 at South Carolina (L): Revenge game for the Gamecocks. Tennessee kept South Carolina out of the SEC Championship Game last season with a field goal as time expired post-Marquez North’s heroics at Neyland. The Gamecocks needed a Jadeveon Clowney strip-and-sack to win by three last time in Columbia but it won’t be as close this time around as the home team extends its Williams-Brice winning streak to 24 games.
Nov. 15 vs. Kentucky (W): The most favorable matchup in a month comes at the Wildcats’ expense. Kentucky solidifies a brutal third consecutive 0-8 SEC season with a loss here.
Nov. 22 vs. Mizzou (L): The Tigers win with spirited quarterback play from Maty Mauk against a worn down Tennessee defense that’s already taken it on the chin six times against ranked teams coming in. Mizzou won its first trip to Knoxville as an SEC member in 2012 by a score of 51-48 in overtime.
Nov. 28 at Vanderbilt (L): Puzzling to say the least, a program with superior talent has struggled the last few years against its Music City neighbor. Vandy will be playing for a bowl berth at 5-6, more than enough incentive to send the Vols to their fifth loss in six games to end a disappointing season.
2014 PROJECTED FINISH: 4-8, 1-7
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:05 pm to Phat Phil
Tennessee has the off season national title in the bag.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:06 pm to Ericvol2096
Tennessee
2008 (5-7)
2009 (7-6)
2010 (6-7)
2011 (5-7)
2012 (5-7)
2013 (5-7)
2014 (7-6)
We got em in 2015 Brick by brick VB
2008 (5-7)
2009 (7-6)
2010 (6-7)
2011 (5-7)
2012 (5-7)
2013 (5-7)
2014 (7-6)
We got em in 2015 Brick by brick VB
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:09 pm to td01241
I don't even know what you are talking about. I thought you were saying that the media has been saying for years that TN was gonna come back. That hasn't been the case at all.
Also I don't think the fanbase has done it either except for possibly leading into 2009 and maybe 2012 but most realized Dooley was a joke post Kentucky loss in 2011.
So really you have no basis for your stupid statements.
Also I don't think the fanbase has done it either except for possibly leading into 2009 and maybe 2012 but most realized Dooley was a joke post Kentucky loss in 2011.
So really you have no basis for your stupid statements.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:11 pm to td01241
quote:
Tennessee
2008 (5-7)
2009 (7-6)
2010 (6-7)
2011 (5-7)
2012 (5-7)
2013 (5-7)
2014 (7-6)
We got em in 2015 Brick by brick VB
So, UT has improved by two wins from Jones' first year to 2nd year. At that rate, you are looking at 9 in '15 and 11 in '16. I'll take it.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:15 pm to Tyler9258
quote:
I hope they finally do something so we can stop fricking hearing about how every next year is the year.
This.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:16 pm to Tyler9258
quote:
I hope they finally do something so we can stop fricking hearing about how every next year is the year.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:17 pm to Ericvol2096
Some really lofty expectations are being thrown out there for the vols. A bad year could be disastrous for the program. Not saying you guys will have a bad year. Just saying the pressure is really starting to mount for your young team. They won't have the luxury of being the underdog.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:18 pm to Phat Phil
I can't stop looking.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:18 pm to Phat Phil
Except for a coach worth a shite. Of course when your athletic department is running in the red you have to hire what you can.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:19 pm to Phat Phil
If this keeps up, Tennessee will win the offseason in a rout.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:20 pm to Phat Phil
quote:
Truth be told, they're probably still a year away.
They should paint this in the UT locker room as their official mantra with as often it gets repeated.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:20 pm to Crimson Legend
quote:
If this keeps up, Tennessee will win the offseason in a rout.
Shirts are at the screen-printer's as we speak.
Posted on 4/30/15 at 1:21 pm to Tyler9258
quote:
I hope they finally do something so we can stop fricking hearing about how every next year is the year.
Go Cubs Go.
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