I'm seeing mixed reviews..... Everyone thinks Bray is solid, but what else do they have? Dooley hasn't proven anything yet, and they lost several assistants. With all the talk of the Auburn game, I feel like Tennessee is a wild card that could definitely throw a wrench into our dream "7-0 start" scenario if we beat Auburn. Thoughts?
What's the pack's thoughts on Tennessee this season?
- Thread starter CadaverDawg
- Start date
I think that we're built pretty well to handle them. They have 0 running game. One of UT's biggest positives is that Bray has a fantastic set of receivers to pass to. Our DBs are good enough to contain that threat. Our Dline is solid as hell, and UT's offensive line is very young. I think that combination will keep Bray uncomfortable, and keep it much lower scoring than everyone expects - which sets up nicely for us.
UT was the 2nd worst team in the SEC last year. They had to win in overtime at home over Vandy to avoid going winless in the SEC. They scored 7 or less points in 5 SEC games - including in a loss to Kentucky. Our game is sandwiched between a trip to UGA and a home game against Bama for them. This isn't exactly the highlight game of their season, it should just be another loss.
UT was the 2nd worst team in the SEC last year. They had to win in overtime at home over Vandy to avoid going winless in the SEC. They scored 7 or less points in 5 SEC games - including in a loss to Kentucky. Our game is sandwiched between a trip to UGA and a home game against Bama for them. This isn't exactly the highlight game of their season, it should just be another loss.
UT is also transitioning to Sal Sunseri's style of defense. Think they will score a decent number of points this year, but lots of question marks still with this team. Having said that, sports talk hosts and fans are looking at the MSU game as an almost guaranteed "W" in their "9 or 10" win season. I put them at 5-8 wins...they have a lot of 50/50 games.
Credit. You can never discount an SEC team that returns 19 starters. I see I lot of similarities between them and our 2010 team. I believe we returned 18 starters or at least very experienced players. The 4 that weren't returning starters: relf, Ballard, nick bell and cam Lawrence. And guess how many games we won the year before? 5. Oh and we had a new DC that year who ran a different scheme. It amazes me that some of our fans who watched us go from 5 to 9 wins think that a school like TN can't do the same. And about their 5-7 record, I believe they went 1-4 while bray was hurt. The ONLY thing that may hold them back this year is coaching. Dooley ain't great, and they had a ton of turnover. But make no mistake, they will be one of the 4 or 5 most talented teams we play this year. I'm not saying we can't or won't beat them, but that game is far from the cakewalk some of you are trying to paint it as. People who have that down as a definite or likely W right now may want to pump the brakes a little.
CadaverDawg said:
They have fantastic receivers and another good one (JUCO) coming in. After watching us get lit up in Little Rock last season, a team that can sling it around makes me nervous.
Tyler bray missed 6 games (i think) with a broken thumb and Justin Hunter missed 7-8 with a torn ACL. Those two are their whole offense. Hunter could be a first rounder next year.Hump4Hoops said:
Some of their fans are predicting 9-10 wins and have totally counted us out. I don't think they will win 9, but a 7 win season is likely with 8 as a possiblity. They will have a great offensive passing game and a terrible running game. Dooley is a horrible coach who will lose at least one game for them. my prediction for them is 7-5 or 6-6, and i think we squeak by them in a tight game.
I think you are right about the 6 and 6 or 7 and 5 but one thing I do disagree with you on is our game. I say we are going to whip that ***. It will not be close. I don't think Tenn has the horses we have and our coaching is going to make a big difference.The last class before dooley arrived had some good recruits but they have not been coached very well and I don't think Dooley has brought in too many studs,.
I'm just afraid y'all are going to eat your words. Again, hope I'm wrong. I give them 7 wins. 8 if they beat us. I'll take it a step further. Well both be ranked when we play. Neither of us will be worse than 4-1.
Is like comparing chocolate to doo doo. Two HUGE differences 1.) Bobby P (and they will feel this after his departure) has a great ability to make adjustments IN GAME or at halftime. 2.) Arky had a pretty good O-line last yr/ UT not so much. Our front 4 should be able to get after Bray & make him toss up some balls. I see JB getting closer to the record books in this game.