University of Tennessee defensive linemen Jordan Williams (54) and Danny O'Brien (95) jog back toward their lines during practice at Haslam Field on Friday.From Big Orange Brian -
You asked this week if 7-5 would be a big disappointment for the Vols this year, but you didn't offer your answer.
I would say disappointing, but not a big one.
What do you think?
Thanks for the 5-at-10 and I listen to you guys on Press Row on the way home every day.
BOB-
Not all 7-5s are created equal, and there are a multitude of reasons for struggles.
If there's no outside alteration to the roster - a major injury or off-the-field incident, each of which affect perception in different ways - then 7-5 would be disappointing for a couple of reasons.
First, 7-5 would certainly be losses to Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma. It likely would be a loss to Arkansas, which means at least three home losses, and those are more disheartening than road losses because it ruins the weekend for those in attendance.
That would also likely mean a loss to one of the three of Florida, Missouri or South Carolina. And if it's another loss to Florida, well, that would be exceedingly painful.
It also would raise the specter of whether Butch can run a program contending for a championship or simply recruit for one heading into 2016.
To be fair, most everyone within the program has been pointing to 2016 anyway, but the expectations and the excitement have some Vols fans talking about double-digit win totals this fall.
Now, to be fair, a 7-5 mark with a win in the bowl game would still be a step forward from last year's record, even if it felt a little less satisfying.
Second, and this is not to soft-pedal this season, it's merely a fact, Tennessee will be a year older in '16 and will return a slew of juniors who will be third-year contributors. That said, the rest of the East likely will be better in '16 too.
Third and likely most importantly for the fan base, this is the first time since Kiffin was pulling everyone's string and spitting into the wind have UT fans had a reason to look into the fall and be excited. That's a good thing and one we support for Johnny Vols Fans everywhere.
It's time to feel good about a talented team that appears poised to take the next step.
But tempered expectations among SEC fan bases are as dated and old-school as leather helmets and lettermen sweaters.
This is the Twitter age and chest-thumping work-week warriors (and worriers) who spend a bunch of time either boasting about their team or roasting their rivals.
For going on half a decade, the Big Orange masses have been forced to be quiet. Now with hope comes volume and with volume comes an increased stake in winning and losing.
And that lifts the expectations skyward, and when expectations shoot up, that's when 7-5 becomes a disappointment.
Even for a program that has not won more than seven games since 2007.
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From Geo
Not sure how this came up but some of us who read the 5-at-10 regularly were talking about it and wondered what's your Rushmore of sports books?
Geo -
Great question.
Far left for us is "Friday Night Lights" which holds a place on the Rushmore of best sports book and the Rushmore of best sports TV show (with White Shadow, Coach, and Eastbound and Down - and this are actual TV shows not 30-for-30s or SportsCenter or Hard Knocks, et al.).
Then we'll go Semi-Tough by Dan Jenkins, Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand and Ball Four by Jim Bounton, although this may be one of the tougher Rushmores because there are a ton of great sports books (The Game by Ken Dryden, Shoeless Joe, Ali to name but three) left on the cutting room floor.
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From Larry T.
5, I read almost everyday and dude how much are you writing now?
I saw recently when you had the most crucial player for each SEC team. Would you give us fans of the league as a whole and not so much the Vols, Dogs or Tide, the most important question for each SEC team?
Thanks and go Mizzou (and ask Paschall Friday what he thinks my Tigers biggest worry is - I'll be listening.).
Larry T. -
We'll certainly ask Paschall. Here's a quick around the league at some (non-quarterback) questions (and we'll get Paschall's feedback today on Press Row and some answers):
Alabama: Who will fill Amari Cooper's massive shoes?
Arkansas: Is there a big play wide out on the roster?
Vanderbilt football coach Derek Mason.Auburn: Will transfers Tray Mathews and Blake Countess help refortify the back seven?
Florida: Will the offensive line overachieve to get to just adequate?
Georgia: There's not much beyond quarterback, but we wonder how good the secondary will be considering the massive losses (transfers) of the last few years?
Kentucky: Who replaces Bud Dupree's leadership and big-play ability on defense?
LSU: Like Georgia, QB1 is the main quandary, but we also wonder how Kevin Steele will do replacing John Chavis as the defensive coordinator?
Mississippi: Another quarterback question mark, but that offense has so much experience. In truth, the biggest question for the Rebels is can they stay healthy? (Their starting 22 is as good as anyone's this side of Alabama's in the league.)
Mississippi State: Who other than Dak Prescott will run the ball?
Missouri: Who other than Russell Hansbrough will make explosive plays?
South Carolina: Who other than Pharoh Cooper will make explosive plays?
Tennessee: Will the offensive line be ready for the expectations?
Texas A&M: Can John Chavis make that much of a difference?
Vandy: Will Derek Mason make it through the season?
Thanks for the question.
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From Stewwie -
For the bag, what are your thoughts on when to draft Le'Veon Bell in fantasy football? Where is he on your Big Board and where would he be if he weren't suspended for the first 2 games?
Stewwie -
Great question.
Bell would be a bona fide No. 1 overall without the suspension because he plays on arguably the best QB-RB-WR trio in the league, which means running against teams with fewer defenders in the box. He also catches the ball as well as any back in the league. Plus, the Steelers defense is suspect, so Bell and Co. will be forced to score a bunch.
In fact, if you pulled the trigger on him at 1, we would not have a problem with that because first-round picks should be every bit as much about having a high floor as the upside, and Bell's floor is higher than almost everyone elses.
FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015, file photo, Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch gestures at a news conference for NFL football's Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix. Lynch is coming back to the Seahawks under a restructured contract for the 2015 season that will pay him $12 million, according to his agent Doug Hendrickson. Lynch agreed to his new deal Friday, March 6, 2015, after meeting with Seahawks officials. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) Also, remember that the money is made in weeks 14-16 in Fantasy, so missing the first two weeks is not as paramount as you'd think.
Here's our top five backs in order:
Marshawn Lynch (yes he's getting close to 30, but that's a powerful dude on a team that features him and will play with a lot of leads), Bell (for the reasons above), Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacey and then Adrian Peterson.
Peterson is the enigma here. Dude has a huge ceiling considering the monster chip on his shoulder and the reports that Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks much improved.
We will break down more of this next week and feel free to send along fantasy question this way.
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- From Dan C. -
No PGA Championship discussion? Just the demise of Tiger? I like Rory to come back strong this week.
Dan C.
That's completely on us, and we'll make it up.
The first-round star was most likely Whistling Straits, which looked like a combo of St. Andrew's and Pebble Beach.
US golfer Phil Mickelson answers questions from the media during a preview day ahead of the Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club, Gullane Scotland Wednesday July 8, 2015. Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson has refused to comment on allegations linking him to an illegal gambling operation, saying he had got used to being an “object to be discussed.” Speaking Wednesday ahead of the Scottish Open, Mickelson says “the fact is I’m comfortable enough with who I am as a person that I don’t feel I need to comment on every little report that comes out.” (Kenny Smith/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT The five story lines that most interest us entering today and the weekend:
5. Yes, Tiger's game has flat-lined, and that fact has covered Phil Mickelson's erratic play. Mickelson simply is killing himself with the putter.
4. Is this Jason Day's time? Hard to know, but you have to figure he's going to get one soon or be faced with wearing the Sergio Garcia-type of albatross on his shoulder.
3. Who this morning will make a run before the winds get heavy?
2. Will the young gun showdown between Jordan and Rory develop? Golf - and golf fans everywhere - surely hopes so.
1. Is Dustin Johnson ready for the moment? If they had 36-hole major championships, DJ would have like five. They do not of course and he has none. Another weekend weekend meltdown would change the future question from "will DJ win a major" to "when will DJ implode at this major" for the foreseeable future.