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ESPN Insider: Can Vols be a CFP sleeper in 2017? (Hint: No)
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:32 pm
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:32 pm
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wrap it up vols, no off-season trophy for you this year
quote:
Everybody starts the season undefeated. But the cruel reality of college football is that only a handful of those teams have a legitimate chance of winning the 2017 College Football Playoff.
At first glance, the Tennessee Volunteers look like the definition of a CFP sleeper team. The Volunteers return 14 starters from last year's nine-win club. Tennessee also ranks 13th nationally in number of four- and five-star players signed over the past five years (64). These factors led Butch Jones' squad to a top-20 ranking in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index.
As impressive as those elements are, upon closer review it is clear that there are far too many factors working against the Volunteers for them to be a legitimate CFP sleeper contender in 2017.
wrap it up vols, no off-season trophy for you this year
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Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:34 pm to CarolinaGamecock99
Oh well, maybe next year.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:36 pm to CarolinaGamecock99
Replacing too much at Defensive end. This should be a worse season than last year.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:41 pm to TT9
Yeah three seniors gone at DE hurts. Kongbo, Taylor, and Phillips are great physical talents but haven't done anything yet. DT could be good or really bad. It depends entirely on the health of Kmac and Tuttle. We really need those two to go through summer training at 100%.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:41 pm to TT9
I think the defense will be very bad. Offense has a chance to be solid imo.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:42 pm to CarolinaGamecock99
Packing up the equipment and getting back on the buses now.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:44 pm to TT9
If their defensive line isn't completely ravaged by injuries once again, I think their play should be significantly better. I doubt anyone is replacing Derek Barnett this year, but it could be better as a collective unit (especially in run defense).
The bigger problem for Tennessee is the value that Dobbs and Kamara brought to that offense. Both were perfect to run that system and I'm not sure the ones stepping in can easily replace that.
The bigger problem for Tennessee is the value that Dobbs and Kamara brought to that offense. Both were perfect to run that system and I'm not sure the ones stepping in can easily replace that.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:47 pm to dawgdayafternoon
I am much more confident in Dormady and Kelly than the defensive starters.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:49 pm to volfan30
Kelly looked solid toward the end of last season. I imagine he'll pick up the slack quite nicely.
Is the Bob Shoop honeymoon officially over or is it just a matter of attrition/inexperience?
Is the Bob Shoop honeymoon officially over or is it just a matter of attrition/inexperience?
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:58 pm to CarolinaGamecock99
That hint is not a fricking hint
Posted on 5/22/17 at 5:58 pm to dawgdayafternoon
Bob Shoop was given a really tough hand, but there wasn't anything last year that impressed me. I think the defense will be mediocre to average, but with the potential to be bottom of the conference if no steps up.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:01 pm to Kraven Moorehed
I'm not even sure Tennessee had a healthy tackle midway through last season. That's pretty tough for any DC to overcome.
I didn't think UT fans were so low on the upcoming defense though... some legit talent is still there on that side of the ball.
I didn't think UT fans were so low on the upcoming defense though... some legit talent is still there on that side of the ball.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:08 pm to dawgdayafternoon
Only 2 DEs who are even serviceable (I think Taylor will be very good before he leaves fwiw).
Uncertainty at DT although it could be a real strength if McKenzie and Tuttle are finally healthy.
Kirkland and a heap of meh at LB.
Corners I think could be much improved.
Safety another huge concern unless Warrior is as good as advertised.
Kongbo/Vickers/Tuttle or McKenzie/Taylor
Kirkland/McDowell
Moseley/Gaulden/Warrior/Kelly or Abernathy/Martin
Could be pretty damn solid but the guys behind them don't inspire any confidence at all.
Uncertainty at DT although it could be a real strength if McKenzie and Tuttle are finally healthy.
Kirkland and a heap of meh at LB.
Corners I think could be much improved.
Safety another huge concern unless Warrior is as good as advertised.
Kongbo/Vickers/Tuttle or McKenzie/Taylor
Kirkland/McDowell
Moseley/Gaulden/Warrior/Kelly or Abernathy/Martin
Could be pretty damn solid but the guys behind them don't inspire any confidence at all.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:10 pm to CarolinaGamecock99
quote:
Can Vols be a CFP sleeper in 2017?
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:40 pm to dawgdayafternoon
quote:
I didn't think UT fans were so low on the upcoming defense though... some legit talent is still there on that side of the ball.
Not everybody from the fan base feels that way. Volfan30 obviously does and I respect his opinion as he is a good poster for this fan base, but I don't agree with him on this topic. I think the 2017 defense is going to be significantly better than 2016's. If for no other reasons than all of the injuries that we took at critical positions last year that killed us as well as it being the 2nd year in Shoop's scheme.
The starting 22 is very talented and loaded with upperclassmen. I think we surprise folks this year, but I won't be afraid to come back and say I was wrong if things don't work out that way. Staying healthy will be critical.
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 6:41 pm
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:47 pm to TRUERockyTop
I trust Hoke to shore up the run defense, but our depth resembles the native Gainesville gene pool.
This year is going to suck hard. On the bright side, one step closer to being rid of Lyle
This year is going to suck hard. On the bright side, one step closer to being rid of Lyle
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:47 pm to GeauxTigerNation
quote:I think that was his point
That hint is not a fricking hint
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:52 pm to TRUERockyTop
Volfan30 has always struck me as a bit of a negavol but that's probably because I remember the moods of his posts during the Dooley years.
BTW, I appreciate the insight from all of the Vols in this thread. Nice to have rational discussion every now and then.
BTW, I appreciate the insight from all of the Vols in this thread. Nice to have rational discussion every now and then.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:52 pm to Vols&Shaft83
I don't believe that this year will suck hard like you do. Not a big deal.
We'll see how it plays out.
We'll see how it plays out.
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 5/22/17 at 6:52 pm to TRUERockyTop
If the OL is better, UT can be improved. Letting Pittman go to Arkansas, and then UGA is the biggest thing Butch has to answer for.
The LBs will hopefully take a step forward with new blood, and the secondary can't be worse...I think.
The LBs will hopefully take a step forward with new blood, and the secondary can't be worse...I think.
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