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Doug Matthews likes this team--
Topic Started: Aug 22 2012, 04:18 PM (130 Views)
LonzoVol


While he is concerned about communication and assignment busts on defense, he still thinks this team can line up and go.
From Rivals (Volquest)--Doug Matthews
If you look at the schedule there are a number of games that we should win. I think you can make a very strong argument that there are only three teams on the schedule that are better than Tennessee--at the start of the season--from a personnel standpoint; Georgia, Alabama and probably South Carolina.

And we could get some help from the schedule in going through those three. We catch South Carolina at a great time. Tennessee will be the sixth straight SEC game they play--with no bye weeks--and they'll be coming three weeks in a row of playing Georgia and then at LSU and at Florida.

I look for us to go to Atlanta next week and play a great football game. I think NC State is only 'ok.' I think we're ready to play a football game, and I think this team will show up.

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*Zippy
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Burning Man, 2009 FOREVER

That's pretty much the way I see it, too.

Was talking w/ Tux this afternoon at lunch about that very thing. Dooley's done a good job rebuilding the roster, he really has. We dont have Alabama or LSU's talent (or anywhere close to it...okay, Tux disagrees with me on that) and probably not UGA's either. But with everyone else we are at least in the ballpark.

So, time to go all in. Schedule's not getting any easier than it is this year. It's just not. The roster is competitive (and in many, many SEC games...superior) to our competition. The jury is still out on how good of a coach Dooley is, particularly on game day. Since I'm betting he CAN coach (and I'm doing so because, well...why not), I say we win 8 to 9 games at minimum. With a ton of luck and a bowl game, maybe 10.

And if we win 9 or 10 games I'm a happy camper, that's something we can build on.
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*TennesseeTuxedo
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We had a great discussion right in the middle of Alabama fans today.

I was listening to JOX prior to lunch and their guys were all talking about the Vols having lot's of talent on offense, having enough talent on defense, and that we were one of the surprise teams that people should keep an eye on.

What I believe this comes down to, is how we utilize our talent, rather than just possessing talent and trying to out-talent other teams like Fulmer did and tried to do later in his career. Dooley and Chaney understand that we are not in a position to out-physical and out-talent teams. They know that they are driving an Indy race car on a 2 1/2 oval and will drive pedal to the metal rather than coast home on an ostrich.

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LonzoVol


In some areas, Tennessee does have talent to match LSU and Bama. In one area, wide reciever, they have better talent than those two schools. The others that are slightlyt better or close, Quarterback, Bray is a future pro. McCarron is a good game manager, Mettenberger is untested, but talented. Defensive front (Starters only), Sentimore would have probably started for Bama this year, McCullers will be the best nose tackle in the league by mid-Season, and Couch is an athletic, 300 pound defensive end in a 3-4 front. AJ Johnson and Maggittt could both start for those two top tier teams. The Vol offensive line might just prove that they belong in the conversation with the lines at Bama and LSU. Devrin Young and or Q. Watson can be electric kick return guys, as good as there is out there this year (since the Badger moved on to the John Lucas re-hab center in Houston.)
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*Zippy
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Burning Man, 2009 FOREVER

TennesseeTuxedo
Aug 22 2012, 05:41 PM
We had a great discussion right in the middle of Alabama fans today.

I was listening to JOX prior to lunch and their guys were all talking about the Vols having lot's of talent on offense, having enough talent on defense, and that we were one of the surprise teams that people should keep an eye on.

Were you listening to sports roundtable? I could tell you some stories about those guys. LT in particular. I've known that guy a long time. If you'd have told me in junior high that he'd end up having a sports talk radio show when he grew up, I'd have believed it. Someone who really found his calling in his career kinda thing, doing exactly what he should be doing. He generally knows what he's talking about, too. I keep meaning to catch his show but really never have.

Also: I actually think UT can win 7 games this year using the Fulmer method of throwing superior bodies to the wind and winning that way alone. They will win 8 to 10 if Dooley can coach....and like I've said, I dont know that I believe he can but I'm certainly optimistic about it.
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*Zippy
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Burning Man, 2009 FOREVER

Lonzo: UT has several starters that would likely start most anywhere in the league if not the country. I mean with very few exceptions aside: Bray, Hunter, DaRick and AJ in particular would start anywhere. Then guys like Sentimore, Maggitt...maybe even Randolph, Couch, Fulton and Tiny (starting or playing equal minutes as starters at least)...would at all but a handfull. Probably several more at that.

It's been a while since our talent was this competitive. Not at all close to the Fulmer teams that were really basically all-star teams in talent alone...but much better.
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Hermitagevol


I'll agree with you guys and say 8 is a given. 8 is very possible, and 10 is doable with a few big breaks. I just hope Sunseri and company can call the right defensive plays to keep offenses off balance.
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*Zippy
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Burning Man, 2009 FOREVER

Sunseri is actually stepping into a fairly good situation for him. He's not going to have a lot of expectations on him, and he will have some talent to work with.

What I mean is, this team is going to win with offense or they probably just arent going to win. Sunseri doesnt have to lead the NCAA in total defense. What he needs to do is put his guys in position to make a some plays. Our D was so much better than they should have been with Wilcox. He did alot with smoke and mirrors. But he never gambled at all, and the defense hardly ever made plays (interceptions, fumbles, etc). I mean Gordon got a HUGE one vs. Vandy but there wasnt much else. Our D this year is going to be a great deal different from that, I think.
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Hermitagevol


I agree on Sunseri. I heard on the radio this morning that Josh Conklin will be in the booth speaking with Sunseri, who will stay on the sidelines. Conklin will be a vital key on defense.
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LonzoVol


Hermitagevol
Aug 22 2012, 09:09 PM
I agree on Sunseri. I heard on the radio this morning that Josh Conklin will be in the booth speaking with Sunseri, who will stay on the sidelines. Conklin will be a vital key on defense.
That's what some of us figured. Conklin gives Sal another set of defensive coordinator "eyes" up in the booth. He, of course, has been a DC and beside him in the booth will probably be the former defensive coordinator from Hutchinson J.C., who is now a defensive intern.
They are going to have some busts on defense because of the new scheme. However, they are also going to attack and when you attack, good things can and will happen. I think UT's front seven on defense is going to abuse NCST.
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