re: What does your coach have to do to keep his job in 2016?

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I would say Miles would stay if he goes at least 9-3, but only "IF" he wins Nov. 5.
If he does not win Nov. 5, he would have to almost go 11-1 or at least 10-2 to be assured of staying. But if he goes 9-3 and loses a close game to Bama - it's debatable, depending on the other losses and SEC standings....

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That is about what I figured. I have to imagine how they look would have a lot to do with it too. Another swoon like the last 2 years would surely seal his fate.

Looking forward to watching Tennessee play this season. That was a scary team at times last year...

What is the level of anger if he loses at home to another meh Florida team?

It would have to be boiling over. I know I would be.

If they go 9-3 and don't win the east, he's a dead man walking. They may not fire him this season, but at that point, I don't see a scenario where he wins the east in 2017 either, so I feel like he'd be gone. With that said, I think he probably gets them to 10-2 and likely wins the east, but that would be my thought on the season for UT.

As far as UGA, obv. Smart not losing the gig any time soon, but the keys for a "successful season" and getting started on the right foot are:

1) Competitive in every game... cannot afford blow out loss other than maybe Ole Miss on the road, and even that I would anticipate that there would be a lot of negative talk if the team looks unprepared like Richt's teams did for big matchups. With UT and Aubie at home, the season mostly sets up well from a home/away standpoint.

2) UF - Win this fricking game. Zook, Meyer, and Muschamp all won their initial matchups with UGA... time to return the favor, particularly with a UF team that struggled down the stretch last season.

3) Pittman needs to be a miracle worker. OL depth is practically non-existent, so he's going to have to bleed a turnip IMO.

If he fails to win the east he definitely should be put on the hot seat at least, if not fired. But it would take a flop for the centuries for us to actually fire him straight up after 2016 though (we're talking miss a bowl here) after the progress he's made for us so far. I think he's built up too many good graces for the AD to just pull the plug on him if we only win 8 or so, even though a lot of fans would be upset.

But for the season to be a success, we MUST win the East, we MUST beat at least one of UF or Bama, and we MUST win at least 10.

So we can Butch in the "just don't be a dumpster fire" category, along with Bielema and Freeze.

Saban, Muschamp, and Smart are untouchable.

No clue on Mason.

What about Mullen?

I'm just saying he'll only be fired this immediately if we're a total and complete dumpster fire. But make no mistake, there are high expectations for next year, and a lot of pressure to meet those expectations.

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If he fails to win the east he definitely should be put on the hot seat at least, if not fired. But it would take a flop for the centuries for us to actually fire him straight up after 2016 though

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This is pretty much inline with what I had. Assuming worst case scenario for you guys and you go 8-4 or 9-3 and don't win the East, what happens? Simply hot seat talk? I feel like that would be a recipe for disaster, as you should have a fair amount of roster turnover after this season and didn't take that many guys in this class. Recruiting while on the hot seat rarely works out well.

This is sort of why I feel like this is a must win year for the Vols. Giving McElwain another year to get a QB with some experience and a full recruiting cycle for both Smart and Muschamp seems like a pretty formidable path to get through the east at that point, (discounting Mizzou/Vandy/Kentucky for now). If he can't get you over the hump this year, you can't like your chances in 17 where it's likely that whoever comes out of the east is doing so with at least 1 if not more SEC losses. Amirite? Genuinely curious what the outlook would be. Similarly been considering what happens if UGA goes 6-6 or so... how soon would be too soon to panic? I think both scenarios are unlikely, but were they to happen, then what?

It is a must win year. We'll have a new QB and probably RB in 2017, and UF and UGA will likely be improved. We have enough talent that we'll still be in the conversation, but there's no way it will set up as favorably for us in 2017 as it does this year.