Sept. 1 – North Carolina State (at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA)
This not only should be a win but it certainly better be a win. Additionally I think it
will be a win. I am not sure what they return and quite honestly don’t care I see
this as another Cincinatti type game and TN should win.
Sept. 8 – Georgia State
No comment necessary I assume.
Sept. 15 – Florida
This is probably a game that history and most will disagree with me on but TN
SHOULD be favored in this game and should win. FL will be breaking in a new
QB and running back and they have yet to find a dependable threat at receiver
plus they will be learning a third offensive system in as many years and as TN
fans enduring the past 5 years we know how that is. Defensively I expect FL to
be very good, and I mean very good but I think we still score enough to win this
game.
Sept. 22 – Akron
Again should be a win here.
Sept. 29 – at Georgia
This game I think is where it gets interesting. GA should be very good, likely
picked to win the east. Another year in Grantham’s D and another year of
Crowell and Murray maturing. Since it is at GA I am going to go loss here due
how good GA should be, but it is Richt and they are never as good as they
should be.
Oct. 13 – at Mississippi State
MS State is a tough call. I have heard rumors Mullen has entertained other jobs
and Starkville is just a tough place to recruit to. But MS State has potential
Offensively, however I expected much better things from them this year and I
think TN wins even in Starkville.
Oct. 20 – Alabama
I think this will be a game. Probably a loss but if TN stays fairly healthy I believe
this is a game but a likely loss.
Oct. 27 – at South Carolina
Its Steve Spurrier and he is a very good coach despite the age! But I still think
SC will lose more than it can overcome with the loss of Jeffrey and several key
Defensive losses. So call I think this is a win
Nov. 3 – Troy
Another win
Nov. 10 – Missouri
First year in the SEC and facing that competition week in and out I think this late
in the season favors TN and also I just flat think TN is more talented than a
mid tier Big 12 team.
Nov. 17 – at Vanderbilt
Probably a tough game due to emotion and I think Vandy will be as good or
better offensively but not as good defensively.
Nov. 24 – Kentucky
The start of another streak.

*NC State. This isn’t the easiest out in the world, but they shouldn’t be as good as Cincy was this year. If we don’t win this one, we may be well on the path to a midseason coaching change.

*Georgia State. Win.

*Florida. They lose a lot in the skill positions, they’re bringing in a new offensive system, and it’s in Knoxville. If we’re ever going to beat them, now’s the time.

*Akron. Win.

*Georgia. These guys may be slightly loaded, although they do lose some offensive linemen. Only way we win here is if Richt has a typical high expectation season.

*Mississippi State. They’ve fallen back to the middle of the pack a bit. Like NC State, this is one of those games that we have to consistently win if this regime is going to take us anywhere.

*Bama. Would take a huge upset, as usual.

*Carolina. This one is plenty winnable, but I’d say Carolina is the favorite. Their schedule up to this point is brutal though (consecutive games against Georgia, LSU, and Florida), and they could be as beat up as we were last year.

*Troy. Win.

*Missouri. They had a pretty good team this year, but they lose a lot and are going on the road. In that category with NC State and Mississippi State. Gotta win these games.

*Vandy. We’ll see how James Franklin does in year two. Given the inconsistency at Maryland, I’m still skeptical. But even if he has a strong year, this still should be a win.

*Kentucky. There is no reason to lose this game. Even less reason than last year.

If we stay healthy, we’re looking at the strong possibility of 8-4 or 9-3 with a shot at 10-2. Falling below 8-4 means we’re not taking care of business in those modest favorite games, and it probably means we’re looking at a new coaching staff. Even Mike Shula went 10-2 in year three. And if Justin Hunter isn’t back 100% (or we’re snakebit again), I think we’re going to be looking at a new coaching staff.

This schedule is favorable. If we have 9 wins, that means Derek Dooley just lost 3 times in a row to South Carolina, which I’m fairly certain is a firable offense, if not a misdemeanor.

To be clear, the 10 wins or bust stance is what expectations and requirements should be…in my opinon. Some will argue 9 is enough, and I disagree. Some may even argue 8 is enough, and I vehemently disagree…and I would urge the proponent of such a position to become a fan of Clemson or NC State…I hear they have nice football programs.

But I think we have to very seriously consider the fact that Justin Hunter might not come back at full speed immediately.

I’m reminded of Derrick Morgan of the Tennessee Titans. He tore his acl 4 games into the regular season last year, and he re-tweaked it in the preseason, and he’s struggled to get up to full speed all year.

Knock on wood, though. I really hope he comes back full speed, or I at least hope that we don’t need him the first 2 weeks and he’s back and ready for the Florida game.

TN is 3 years in to Dooley’s tenure and asking him to field a disciplined team that shows improvement is not asking too much! And in doing this winning 10 games with that schedule is not over the top thinking or raising the ceiling too high! The only games on paper that you can look at and say that a team will have more talent and experience than TN will be AL and GA. And I am allowing losses for those games! The rest of the games are winnable and suggests that coaching makes a difference. And at 2 mil per year he better be able to win 9 of those 10 match ups! Elsewise as TN fans we’re saying that we just want to be an average mid tier SEC team! And that is not what TN is!