More Phil Steele on Tennessee: unit and team rankings

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jun 12, 2008 7:21 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Our beloved Phil Steele has Tennessee's various units ranked as follows:

Offensive line: 3. 62 starts returning, 4th highest in the nation.
Wide receivers : 7.
Defensive backs: 15.
Special teams: 16.
Running backs: 18.
Defensive line: 30.
Linebackers: 30.
Quarterbacks: unranked.

There's no reason to rank Jonathan Crompton yet, but remember that he was the No. 2 Pro-Style QB in the nation in 2005 behind USC's Mark Sanchez. USC offered Crompton, too, but he turned them down. He's going to be better than Ainge, and he'll have much better chemistry with the team. If he's the weak link on offense, we're in good shape.

On to the national team rankings:

Tennessee is ranked 23rd in the nation. Florida is No. 1, Georgia is No. 9, Auburn is No. 12, LSU is No. 13, and Steve Spurrier is No. 18. Alabama is No. 26. That's three SEC East teams in the Top 20 (and puts us fourth in the East) and three SEC West teams in the Top 26, two of which are on our schedule. Auburn and Steve Spurrier are Steele's #4 and #7 Surprise Teams respectively. No wonder Steele says the SEC is the toughest conference in the nation.

So even though the Vols' offensive line is ranked 3rd, seven of our eight units are in Steele's Top 30 rankings, second-best VHT QB recruit Crompton is the weakest link on offense, and even though Steele himself has the Vols #16 in his Power Poll, we're ranked 23rd due to our brutal schedule.

Steele thinks we could go 3-3 to begin the season yet finish well, which would put us in the Liberty Bowl against Tulsa. Nice. The Liberty Bowl has featured teams like Mississippi State, UCF, Steve Spurrier, Houston, Tulsa, Fresno State, Louisville, Boise State, Utah, Southern Miss, TCU, and Colorado State.

What do y'all think?

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3-3 to start?!

No. Sir. Ree. Assuming that first 3 wins are vs. UCLA, UAB, and NIU that means 0-3 in the SEC (UF, AU, UGA)! Possible, yes. Probable, no.

How is it that Spurrier is always ranked so highly in the pre-season. At best, it looks like another 6-6 season for the ‘Cocks. 5-7 is more likely. But I digress; I’m not Steele.

by Aerobab on Jun 12, 2008 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

Steele

He uses a collection of computer models to project teams’ success and compile his preseason rankings. They somehow spat out a #8 ranking for FSU and a #13 ranking for South Carolina before last year.

Given the mess at quarterback in Columbia, I can only speculate that a coach’s all-time record must be a key part of those models to have South Carolina that high two years in a row and have FSU ranked in the top 10 last year.

by Year2 on Jun 12, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I think 4-2 is a more realistic projection

2-2 against the UCLA/UF/UA/UGA slate.

Then again, it’s the preseason, and everybody is talking out of their butt until at least a couple of games have been played.

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Jun 12, 2008 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Who's Phil Steele?

Seriously, I know who he is. But big deal. I think we’re going to have a much better season than a lot of people think.

by The Ghost on Jun 12, 2008 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

By the way ...

I promise to start posting more on 3rdsaturdayinblogtober.wordpress.com… You guys come back by. Please? We’re really through that hot-weather malaise.

by The Ghost on Jun 12, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I'm a Steele-er

But just like every other publication, he’s underrating UT.

Go to Lindy’s, Athlon, or Steele, add up the unit rankings, and Tennessee is either #1 (both Lindy’s and Athon) or #2 (Steele, I think).

by The Power T on Jun 12, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to use this cliche

But Crompton has much more of that “gunslinger” gene in him, hes not afraid to make a mistake.

Not to mention, he’ll run you over.

by Getoffmyvols on Jun 12, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah . . .

. . . I’m hoping he’s like having an extra half a player on the roster because where Ainge was conditioned to throw the ball away if no one was open on a passing play (rightfully so), Crompton’s going to run. Is that link to a video? It’s broken. Did Crompton run over it?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jun 13, 2008 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions