Can't really say I disagree with *most* of his choices... USC at number 4 is a bit baffling to me. Seeing Clemson at 23 is surprising too, considering the hype train surrounding them and their God-send QB Deshaun Watson.
I think us at 20 is a good fit considering how much experience we've got coming back. Hopefully we exceed expectations this year in a big way. Anyway, can't wait for this season to start... this offseason, for some reason, has been especially long.
http://fanbuzz.com/story/phil-steele-releases-his-2015-preseason-power-p...
Check it out, thoughts?
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Thoughts: this offseason has been incredibly long.
That is all.
Agreed... enough already!
Gee...only 7 SEC teams in the top 20.
Watson's good, but Clemson lost quite a bit and we don't know how upright he can stay for the whole season.
Not really surprising, they always load the pre-season polls with SEC teams. Alabama is a given, and Auburn, I think, will be good with the pick up of a good DC. Texas AM should be considerably improved after snagging LSU's DC as well. Other than those three, I only like UGA.
I don't get where all this hype for Tennessee originated. Yes, they thoroughly dominated Iowa in a bowl game, but they still lost 10-9 to Florida, and went 7-6 (I believe) And it's not like schedule sets up well for them. I guess they're basing it on recruiting.
All the other SEC teams I'm not sold on.
I am definitely not sold, but it would be great to have a top 20 matchup in Bristol. I'll ride the Tennessee train over the Bama/LSU etc. train.
Definitely, and I think we're setting up for it to play out that way next year. Granted, I kind of wish it had been this year, seeing as how I think our defense is going to be really special this year. Either way, ...should be a great game. Literally cannot wait.
I 100% agree with you. I am looking forward to getting back to where every game means something. Obviously we had a great tease game 2 last year, but after week 4 I was back in rebuilding mode. I think with our defense this year with Kendall, Faycson, Maddy, Ekanmen, BigPapi, and the rest of the squad, I have high hopes. What I like about next year, is that the offense should be improving. You have an experienced Bucky, Ford, A running back crew that has more talent than most of the NCAA (just stay healthy). The Xfactor is Lawson, because you know Bud puts a decent defense out there.
Jones is a good coach that knows what he's doing. Back to back top 5 recruiting classes and a QB who looked like he was finally putting it all together. And the SEC east is a mess. So why not Tennessee?
I'd look more towards UGA for control of the SEC east. Hell, Florida should be surging back to relevancy soon with their coaching change + always fertile recruiting grounds
Georgia would be my choice this year as well. I'd say no to Mizzou but the past two years happened. You're absolutely right with Florida, I just don't know of it'll happen this year.
I think Tennessee is at a point that they need a nudge to get back to at least SEC relevancy but I don't know if they're there yet. Close though. I'm also on the Tennessee hype train purely so that they do really REALLY well and get spanked by us in Bristol. Not just because I'm a Tech fan but also so I can rub it in my family's faces.
FTFY: Texas AM should be considerably improved after snagging
LSU's DCVT's WR coach as well.He's incredibly high on Stanford and Miami. I can't imagine Stanford will end up in the top 10, but the guy does his research.
Tennessee is recruiting really well. Their fans are bragging about having 72 (recruiting) stars on their DLine alone (/s). Those stars don't mean a thing if the kid gets arrested or suspended or busts, and any combo of the 3.
I think Tennessee is trending upwards but I'm not sold that they can put all the pieces back together and win their division just yet. I keep hearing that 2016 is going to be their comeback party.
God I hope not, but if so I hope they at least drop the 1st game. I've said this several times, but living in SWVA and dealing with these people every day is annoying enough, but if they beat us on the big stage it is going to be downright unbearable. They have that special kind of fan that you just absolutely despise. Not all, but most. If we lose, the orange jogging suits will be out in full force. It has been a nice peaceful existence while they have sucked hind tit.
It's never peaceful. They think just because they're in the SEC that if they go 0-12 they're still better than any non-SEC team.
I am still boggling a bit that he has VT over Clemson.