Friday

So, I think on Fridays I'm going to work in some thoughts on sports. I'm a big sports fan, so this will add some different content to the blog.

I'm pumped about tomorrow. The UT football season gets started with the game against UT-Martin. I know the expectations are not that high for the Vols this year, but I'm excited about the direction Coach Dooley seems to be taking the football program. Now, we'll get to see what things look like on the field.

PREDICTION vs UT-MARTIN: UT 34 - UT-Martin 10

Here are three things I'm watching this season...

1) The Trenches
The "O" line and "D" line are where the battles are fought and where the war is ultimately won in the SEC. UT is talented, but very inexperienced on the offensive line. The defensive line is solid on the ends, but very undersized and possibly low on talent at defensive tackle other than Montori Hughes. Someone must step up at DT and this offensive line must mature game to game if the Vols want to even be competitive against the elite teams in the SEC.

2) The Coaches
Most people, like me, seem to be impressed with the work Coach Dooley and his staff have done so far. He is a southern guy, who understands the culture of SEC football and UT unlike that other guy, whose name I won't mention. I think the new Defensive Coordinator is more suited for the college game than that other guys' dad, and our offense may actually be more creative and innovative now that the other guy is gone and Coach Chaney is calling the plays. We'll see how the team and this coaching staff responds after the potential very slow start out of the gates. The coaches must focus on progress and improvement on a weekly basis.

3) Patience
The Volnation must remain patient. This won't be a pretty year. I'm not trying to be a pessimist, just a realist. I hope I'm wrong, but the facts point towards a 6-6 season at best. We'll see what the on the field performance looks like, but I like where this program is headed. We just have to remember that is takes time to create excellence. Saban started 6-6 in his first year at Alabama, and no one is complaining about the job he's done. Pete Carrol also started 6-6 at USC, and we see the success they've had there. We have to be realistic. I believe we are on at least a 3-year plan before we're fully competing at the level Vol fans expect.

I'm picking the Vols to go 6-6 this year. This is a young team in many areas, so I believe as the year progresses, this team will improve. Plus, the schedule gets much easier after mid-October.

UT-Martin: W
Oregon: L
Florida: L
UAB: W
@ LSU: L
@ Georgia: L
Alabama: L
@South Carolina: L
@Memphis: W
Ole Miss: W
@Vanderbilt: W
Kentucky: W