[RobVol]

OK I have looked at the schedule and have seen the O&W game and we all know is year 3 of the Dooley experiment. I think we can all safely agree this i the year we all find out whether Dooley is the guy or not. This is not a knock one way or the other. I would point out to all though that the SEC is going to be hitting a down turn from some teams and Dooley really has no excuses with this schedule. I have placed my thoughts on the ones I think are wins and the ones I think are losses. This is an open topic and everyone can post an opinion one way or the other. The feeling can be negative or positive just have points to back it up and not some drive by post.

Thanks

Here's mine

1.Sept 1st
North Carolina State in Atlanta
Prediction - WIN

I think the first game is a win. Tennessee historically plays well with something to prove in the opening game of a season at home away at special locations. Hunter barring something really bad happening before then will be ready to go and get back on track showing what a potential all star player he can be. With Rogers and Hunter getting a lot of attention I also think you will see the running game open up and make some plays. I also predict Bray will on fire. North Carolina State is not that good even though from the ACC and is in transition like the Vols. I think the Vols score early and often during the first half. I would say somewhere around 28 points. Then the defense will tee off on North Carolina State until late into the 4th quarter and by then I think final will end up somewhere like 38-17 in favor of the Vols.


2. Sept 8th
Georgia State
Prediction - WIN

I think the second game will be an easy win. The Vols will use the game to make corrections to any known errors in the first game and maybe try some things not used in the first game like different plays and allow the new up and comers like in the secondary and WR corps to get some reps. Along side that the running game will get many many touches and will have their way with a very small schools small defensive line. Final score will look something like 45-13.


3.Sept 15th
Florida
Prediction - WIN

While many think this is a up in the air kind of game I think this one will be reflective of where Tennessee really is than the NC State game opener. Honestly even a big win again NC State doesn't change my mind much about this game. All you have to do is look back to the Cincy game last year to see what I mean. I still beleive this is the year the Vols get Dooley a quality win and yes even a mediocre and in flux Florida team from the SEC is a quality win more than some 9 win teams from other conferences in my book. I do see this as a win this year. For most years even with Urban Meyer and Spurrier teams, there has always been something there that just weren't ever sure about the Vols winning. Happily I don't get that feeling with Muschamp like I never really felt out of it against Ron Zook either.. Muschamp just doesn't scare me as a big name coach right now. If Dooley allows his coaches to get this team UP for this game and controls discipline and Bray keeps his wits and there are no major injuries then this should be a 10 and yes I said 10 point win going away. I have this one right now as Tennessee 28 Florida 17.

4. Sept 22nd
Akron
Prediction - WIN

Tennessee completes the 4 home game home-stand in decent fashion. There will be some mistakes in this one and the mental lapses of youth will show a little but it will be like 24-10 at halftime with the Vols pulling away through the second half and it will be final looking like a blowout. Tennessee 50 - Akron 24


5. Sept 29th
@ Georgia
Prediction - LOSS

Well here is where the reality will set in. The Vols can do one or two things here. Learn from it or tank and this will determine Dooley's season on whether it's his final or he continues to coach in Knoxville. I think it would be ironic that it would be UGA where the glue hardens or gets stripped off. This is on of the bad things about playing 4 in a row at home. I am hoping if all holds true and the Vols are 4-0 going into this game, they don't listen to all the hype about how they have turned a corner and things are looking good and all the blah blah because the first REAL test isn't until this game. UGA will be pretty decent this coming year and this game is in Georgia. I am not sure if the record the Vols will carry into this game will be a REAL 4-0. I really hope I am wrong on that. How adversity is handled on this game will go a long way on how the rest of the reason plays out. I do see this as a loss. Final score Georgia 31-Tennessee 21


6. October 13th
@ Miss State
Prediction - LOSS

Many will disagree with this but this is my biggest gripe in the Dooley era. When the wheels start to come off. They come all the way off. I am not saying there isn't time to put them back on but his organizations seem to wait forever to get teams back on page. I think losing to UGA will cause some issues since this team is still young. I think confidence is gong to be a problem. While MIss State is not electric on offense they're very physical and will play keep away from Bray, Hunter and Rogers. I think it will be ugly and I think it will be Physical. The one thing the Vols don't need going into its next game against Alabama. I see this one Miss State 24 - Tennessee 14.


7. October 20th
Alabama
Prediction - LOSS

The wheels finally come off and reality from that outstanding opening 4-0 record will long forgotten. I do think Tennessee being at home comes out fighting hard and will give Alabama everything they wanted and more. This game will be very close. I honestly think this game may have bee easily won by Bama if not for I think the Miss State loss will will finally get the Vols fighting back. That is why I see this period as how we see Dooley finish this season s the coach. The Vols play hard and will be close going into the 4th. I think though does pull it out. Alabama 30 - Tennessee 28.


8. October 27th
@ South Carolina
Prediction - LOSS

Now here is where this gets interesting. Many might think 4 losses after 4 wins would doom Dooley but I don't think so because I think this team will fight back,. This will spring board the rest of the season and actually really bring the true big game experience this team will need. Tennessee no matter how bad they stink play South Carolina well. I just think being at South Carolina will give Spurrier the edge. Tennessee keeps this close losing ANOTHER close one. South Carolina 20 - Tennessee 17. The difference from last year and this year will night and day though. Yes I think Tennessee loses 4 in a row but HOW they lost very close and play hard will go a long way for this team. Now the record was worse then people would be calling for heads but the remaining schedule is where Dooley and the Vols save the rest of their season.


9. November 3rd
Troy
Prediction - WIN

This will be a "Get that losing monkey off my back win" There will be all types of speculation concerning Dooley's future. Rightfully so and I think HArt will watching VERY closely. I think makes an impressive stand against Troy. Make some big turnovers and also Bray, Hunter and Rogers come to life big time. Explode for over 50. Tennessee 51- Troy (in the path of anger) 17 if lucky



10. November 10th
Missouri
Prediction - WIN

After getting that losing feeling dropped of in the Troy game the experience will finally start settling in completely. I don't see Missouri hanging in this game. Having this additional is actually a help for the Vols this season. Since the middle will cause some bumps this quality win will allow them to get back into feeling good about themselves. It also would leave the Vols with a not to shabby 6-4 record going with 2 more game to play. Tennessee has too much depth and physical speed and will handle Missouri easily. Remember Missouri will for once played a tough SEC schedule this year and wont be used to it. Playing a Tennessee team who "Might be" turning the corner wont be easy. Final Tennessee 34-MIssouri 21



11. November 17th
@ Vanderbilt
Prediction WIN

These last two game are easy to call in my mind. One is the Shut up and remember who you are game and the other is the REVENGE game. Both will be won this year by plus 10. Vandy will be back to Vandy no matter what the idiot Franklin thinks. I am going to say running and passing Tennessee get over 400 total yards and wins Tennessee 41 Vandy 20



12. November 24th
Kentucky
Prediction - WIN

OK after Tennessee finishes the "Shut and remember who you are" game and then turns it eyes to this one IN KNOXVILLE, I think the Vols will be focused and ready ti finish this off and give Coach Dooley a decent and respectable 8-4 season with a bowl game and possible finish and 9 wins with a Bowl win.Tennessee hasn't forgotten the loss last year and will be ready and this wont even be close this year. Final Tennessee 38 KY 7




OK its my long thread but right now that is how I predict this season is going to turn out. I am not saying 8-4 is bad. If Dooley keeps this team focused and finishes strong like I think he will then this will be a good spring board for Dooley. He really hasn't had that yet. I think Dooley accomplishes multiple things this year. I see him getting a quality SEC win (Florida and maybe Missouri). I see him playing competitively against Bama, UGA and South Carolina and finishing strong. I think this record is the minimum Coach Dooley has to get to keep his job. Again just my opinion and this is open to all thoughts. Just throwing out my thoughts right now on this. If anything less is accomplished it gets a little hairy for Dooley. Also it is HOW the team loses when they LOSE that I think Hart will be looking at. So being competitive doesn't always mean you win but playing hard and at least being in it goes a long way, Dooley needs to have this team competing hard every game.


Jump on in on this thread and lets see what everyone thinks.

[TecVol]

I pretty much agree except for the Miss St and Mizz game..Miss St doesn't scare me, but Missouri does..I guess I still remember South Carolinas first SEC game against the Vols, and I can still see Tanneyhill taunting our fans..I think the Hawgs may have beaten us that year also, not sure

[RobVol]

TecVol, on 22 June 2012 - 08:56 PM, said:

I pretty much agree except for the Miss St and Mizz game..Miss St doesn't scare me, but Missouri does..I guess I still remember South Carolinas first SEC game against the Vols, and I can still see Tanneyhill taunting our fans..I think the Hawgs may have beaten us that year also, not sure

They did unfortunately and your right Arkansas and South Carolina that year.. Keep in mind about Miss State is tough under Dan Mullen at home and you watch this turn into some ESPN2 night game. Then it will be even be tougher.Tennessee has always and I mean even throughout Fulmer's tenure suffered against power running teams and Mullen will run it as much as he can.

[BuddahKhan]

Rob, I may be misremembering, but I thought the NC State game was in Atlanta ... which recent history tells us does not usually bode well for us. Even with that, I think we'll do well enough to win that one. If we have Hunter and Rogers both healthy all year, Bama is the only game I would not give us a decent chance of getting a W. Last year would have been VERY different had Justin not gotten hurt in the UF game. Wouldn't be much talk about "make or break" around this year for Dooley, but it is what it is. I think most reasonable folks would have been ok with last year if we had not had that issue of losing to Kentucky.

I've seen enough of the O to be comfortable with what Chaney can do with Bray and a couple of good WR. What I am concerned about is our D. New coordinator ... new schemes ... NCSU might end up more like 45-42 ... ya know? Good thing is by the time we go to UGA, they should have the kinks worked out ... but by then, UGA will have plenty of film on us to digest too. I understand your concern with that first road game, but I can't get over the fact that they ARE georgia.

Haven't seen enough of Mizzou to know how scared of them we should be, but I am gonna tell you right now ... We WILL beat South Carolina this year!!!

[RobVol]

BuddahKhan, on 22 June 2012 - 09:25 PM, said:

Rob, I may be misremembering, but I thought the NC State game was in Atlanta ... which recent history tells us does not usually bode well for us. Even with that, I think we'll do well enough to win that one. If we have Hunter and Rogers both healthy all year, Bama is the only game I would not give us a decent chance of getting a W. Last year would have been VERY different had Justin not gotten hurt in the UF game. Wouldn't be much talk about "make or break" around this year for Dooley, but it is what it is. I think most reasonable folks would have been ok with last year if we had not had that issue of losing to Kentucky.

I've seen enough of the O to be comfortable with what Chaney can do with Bray and a couple of good WR. What I am concerned about is our D. New coordinator ... new schemes ... NCSU might end up more like 45-42 ... ya know? Good thing is by the time we go to UGA, they should have the kinks worked out ... but by then, UGA will have plenty of film on us to digest too. I understand your concern with that first road game, but I can't get over the fact that they ARE georgia.

Haven't seen enough of Mizzou to know how scared of them we should be, but I am gonna tell you right now ... We WILL beat South Carolina this year!!!

Like some of your thoughts and I fixed mine. Yeah I meant at home or openers at special locals. Think Kickoff classic or pigskin classic like in the past. Whether at home or specialized, Tennessee openers not counting the Cal and UCLA opener or 2007 and then 2008 the Vols are generally stronger.

[LCountyVol]

I like some of the thoughts. I am still not going to predict anything on a Florida victory until I see with my own eyes though. I cannot shake the fact that I feel about Dooley in gametime situations. He just seems to get this flustered look on his face whenever anything goes wrong. If Tennessee can get by the Gators then it could get interesting. I do agree though it is a two edged sword. Tennessee starting out 4-0 could easily go a good thing or the worst thing to happen top the team. How they handle that mid season slate of UGA @ Home and then Bama around the corner will be interesting. Dan Mullen had one well with Miss State. I think they beat Florida last year. Those lout bells ringing and all that loud Miss State crowd will have some impact if Tennessee is starting to lose some games. How that middle stretch is handled is very important. I do think that Florida could still win this season. Very deep defense. Some experience on offense minus the weak QB situation. I also not sure but think Tennessee can beat South Carolina. I think I switch those games. I dont see Tennessee winning in Athens against UGA. Pretty deep defending SEC East champion and Aaron Murray is no slouch. Dooley hasn't show enough to make us all think he or his staff just improved 4 or 5 wins. I think 3 wins is fair. I like the 8-4 Prediction.

[GiveHim6]

Like I've said before, I think success in the first half of the season hinges on a win against NC State. I really think that one is a key. If we fall flat like we have the last few games in the Georgia Dome it could burst the confidence bubble and set a bad precedent for matchups against Fla. and the Dawgs. If Dooley is gonna get a signature win this year he need to do it early and Fla. may be his best & last chance.

Also, I don't see us beating Mizzou, one of the best rushing teams in the nation last year. Potent offenses ran wild against us last year and unless they grow up during the upcoming season, I predict a long day on the turf for our D in that one.

[RobVol]

I am sticking with the prediction for now. I can just see Tennessee getting off to fast start and people forgetting about the gaps and then reality sets in and then Tennessee makes a last run to get to a bowl. It just has that feel to this season. I still feel 8 wins saves job anything less we might see another change at the head coach position.

[okfloray]

Hmmmm.... Me thinks the Bama game will be a loss. Then out of UGA, Fla, and SCaro we go 1-2.

9-3 season for thVols. And then, play their last game the same place as their first. Chick Fil-A bowl Vs...... Clemson.

Certainly, all that is providing they don't come out and take up right where they left off last Yr. Yikes!..

btw- Vols #55 is Jesse Mahelona.

This post has been edited by okfloray: 08 July 2012 - 08:45 AM

[RobVol]

I would have thought there would be more opinions. Are people waiting until after North Carolina State to predict?

[LCountyVol]

Well ESPN just predicted 8-4. They went with a Florida loss. I actually think the Vols win that game a well. I am going to say I agree but think Miss State is a win and the Vols get 9 wins this year.

[UltimateVolfan]

After seeing how the Vols are coming along I am going to go out and say I see 9 Wins this season. Maybe 10 with a Bowl game. Call it near opening game optimism but I think this team will be better than some think.