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Coach Jones's Progress

  • I know it wasn't long ago we had a new coach and were all silenced by a not-too-shabby recruiting class. An educated man walked up to the podium and rolled off some pretty sweet jabs at the media that had us all thinking that perhaps the time had come for the great uprising. That star has faded and yet another new era has begun. This time, however, there's no dashing young hyped up Kiffin or book-smart Matlock-esque lawyer type at the helm. There is no pedigree. Just a hard working blue color proven track record of a man battling it out in the trenches and not only embracing everything there is to love about the Vols, but clearly enamoured himself with the thrill of the orange legacy. So far Butch has quieted many of the negavols and created positive spin going into final stretch of the recruiting period. Definitely feels like things are looking up. As a long time member of Volunteer Nation it's hard not to be skeptical, but I'm still optimistic.

    Absolutenill

  • Butch will be everybody's best friend until weeks 3 and 4 come around... We will be double digit underdogs in both of those games, and I don't expect to win, but I do expect to be competitive.

    hdrizzle21

  • Imagine this read in Morgan Freeman's voice with dramatic music playing in the background.

    +1

    GoBigO

  • I will be shocked if we make it bowl eligible next season. Only games I see us for sure winning are Western Kentucky, Austin Peay, Kentucky and South Alabama. There are way to many questions on defense. The bulk of our offense is gone. I know we are bringing back the offensive line and our running game will be solid but trying to replace 2 of the best wide receivers in college football plus one of the best QB arms is going to be a very daunting task. I know we will steal one away from Mizzou, Vandy and Auburn but not sure we can take more than 1.

    Going to be VERY hard to steal one away from Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Bama and South Carolina.

    twocents

    VolsfaninSC

  • VolsfaninSC said...

    I will be shocked if we make it bowl eligible next season. Only games I see us for sure winning are Western Kentucky, Austin Peay, Kentucky and South Alabama. There are way to many questions on defense. The bulk of our offense is gone. I know we are bringing back the offensive line and our running game will be solid but trying to replace 2 of the best wide receivers in college football plus one of the best QB arms is going to be a very daunting task. I know we will steal one away from Mizzou, Vandy and Auburn but not sure we can take more than 1.

    Going to be VERY hard to steal one away from Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Bama and South Carolina.

    I think this might be a bit pessimistic, however much more realistic than a lot of people I've seen thinking that 7 wins should be a given and 8 a possibility.

    All of your points are true, there's no debating that. But as for your toss up games, I think you are being a little negative on our chances of winning those games. The biggest thing is that we get 2 of the 3 at home. Also, let's not pretend any of those 3 teams are that far ahead, if ahead at all, in talent. I think it's very realistic to expect us to win 2 of those 3 and go bowling, which is all I'm asking from Butch for next year.

    I have no grand illusions as to what our record should be at the end of next year. But I absolutely expect to get to a bowl game. I see no reason we can't win 6 games next year. Anything more would just be a bonus for me.

    signature image signature image signature image

    jcoope16

  • Great post +1

    utkdominic

  • Typically I am an eternal optimist and would say I see us winning 8 or 9 games next year but then reality hits. I think we stand a better chance of beating Auburn and Mizzou over beating Vandy. I honestly dont expect us to make a bowl game next year. If we do then I will be the happiest guy on the planet. I think Auburn will be better next year. I expect Vandy to be about the same. Mizzou is the one I think we steal. Having 5 ranked teams on the schedule next year is going to hurt very badly. If we are to beat one of those teams next year, I hope we beat Florida in the swamp.

    Honestly, until I see this team play without Bray, Hunter and CP, my expectations are not going to be very high. New coach, new offense, new defense(again).

    Other than that, I am ready for football season to get here again...

    VolsfaninSC

  • GoBigO said...

    Imagine this read in Morgan Freeman's voice with dramatic music playing in the background.

    +1

    Hey, thanks! Nicest thing anyone ever said about something I wrote on here.

    Absolutenill

  • jcoope16 said...

    I think this might be a bit pessimistic, however much more realistic than a lot of people I've seen thinking that 7 wins should be a given and 8 a possibility.

    All of your points are true, there's no debating that. But as for your toss up games, I think you are being a little negative on our chances of winning those games. The biggest thing is that we get 2 of the 3 at home. Also, let's not pretend any of those 3 teams are that far ahead, if ahead at all, in talent. I think it's very realistic to expect us to win 2 of those 3 and go bowling, which is all I'm asking from Butch for next year.

    I have no grand illusions as to what our record should be at the end of next year. But I absolutely expect to get to a bowl game. I see no reason we can't win 6 games next year. Anything more would just be a bonus for me.

    I agree here, but I also would like to see us play fairly competitive games against Florida, Georgia and SC. I would be fine with a 6-6 year if I feel like Butch has coached em up. Anything more is a bonus.

    Vol70

  • I think I'm going to reserve judgement/expectations until after the Orange and White game.

    ODA751

  • VolsfaninSC said...

    I will be shocked if we make it bowl eligible next season. Only games I see us for sure winning are Western Kentucky, Austin Peay, Kentucky and South Alabama. There are way to many questions on defense. The bulk of our offense is gone. I know we are bringing back the offensive line and our running game will be solid but trying to replace 2 of the best wide receivers in college football plus one of the best QB arms is going to be a very daunting task. I know we will steal one away from Mizzou, Vandy and Auburn but not sure we can take more than 1.

    Going to be VERY hard to steal one away from Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Bama and South Carolina.

    I agree that bowl eligibility will be tough next year. The defense will continue to struggle even if we get some of those guys on our recruiting wish list. One aspect of our team that makes me optimistic is our big, experienced offensive line. Skill players like QBs and WRs can be replaced--after all we won a national championship with Peyton Manning's backup. But I think our OL opening some holes so that our running game can shorten games and protect leads will win one or two of those toss-ups and maybe let us steal one from one of the elites on our schedule. Here's hoping! tennesseekoolaid

    This post was edited by 1stgame102376 on 1/9/2013 at 2:45 PM

    1stgame102376

  • 1stgame102376 said...

    I agree that bowl eligibility will be tough next year. The defense will continue to struggle even if we get some of those guys on our recruiting wish list. One aspect of our team that makes me optimistic is our big, experienced offensive line. Skill players like QBs and WRs can be replaced--after all we won a national championship with Peyton Manning's backup. But I think our OL opening some holes so that our running game can shorten games and protect leads will win one or two of those toss-ups and maybe let us steal one from one of the elites on our schedule. Here's hoping! tennesseekoolaid

    yeah it is going to be really tough to make that happen.....

    I really hope Jones can get the players to play. He seems to be successful where ever he coaches. Heres to hoping he can get it done in the toughest conference this country has seen since the beginning of college football.....

    VolsfaninSC

  • Here is my version of how things play out next season. First behind the best line in college football, we are going to pound the rock. The fast paced up tempo pro style (SPREAD) offense will assist in opening up those running lanes.

    With the addition of Terry Fair showing the DB's how to play their respective positions they will be much improved and not such a detriment. I am not saying it's going to be Revis island back there but enough that third and long is to our benefit.

    The new receivers and QB (whom ever that may end up being) will spend the season ebbing and flowing as they get to know each others tendencies, but will still have modest numbers and a solid foundation to build on.

    We will win all of the games we should (INCLUDING Vandy and Mizzou) and may even steal one from a team we should not such as maybe South Carolina (most likely they will underestimate us).

    We will make it to a bowl game and finally have a winning season.

    These are only my thoughts after looking at the talent we have, and Coach Jones history of coaching.

    GO VOLS!!!

    signature image signature image signature image

    There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction. - Winston Churchill

    TinyC

  • Not that I want to lose, but in the interest of correctly rebuilding the team I would be okay with going 5-7 again next year or whatever if we strategically use our redshirts and get our inexperienced players on the field more. 1st year of the new regime is usually a write off year. We can't all have a Hugh Freeze turn around.

    Absolutenill

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