The addition of Bru McCoy this week raises the ceiling on our hypothetical offseason conversations. And it was already fairly high given what this offense did last season, even with Velus Jones and Javonta Payton now off to the NFL. There may be more on the way: Last season Cedric […]
Football
Tennessee Volunteers football news, information, commentary, and analysis. Gameday on Rocky Top is a community of reasonable fanatics all sharing a passion for Tennessee athletics. Scores, game previews and recaps, and more, all often with a touch of humor.
Draft Picks, Recruiting Rankings, Wins, and The Future
We’re in this interesting place where matching our best regular season in 14 years is a baseline conversation for year two. That’s in part because Josh Heupel and his team did such a good job exceeding expectations in year one. So when we look back on “the wilderness”, it’s with […]
First Impressions of 2022 Expectations
In 2022, how would we feel about 8-4? In the last 14 years, it’s a number the Vols hit only twice. Tennessee went 8-4 in 2015 and 2016 under Butch Jones. Both of those seasons came with mixed feelings, an 11-game winning streak bookended by disappointing outcomes to open 2015 […]
2022 Expected Win Total Machine
Spring practice is over, opening night is two days closer, and it’s a good time to break out the expected win total machine. Tennessee’s number one ranking in baseball will help these next 136 days from here to Ball State pass more quickly. But after spring practice is still a […]
Grading Year One Coaches with SP+
There were 18 coaching changes on the FBS level heading into the 2021 season; that number jumped to 29 on the carousel’s latest round this winter. Timing – not often Tennessee’s friend these last 15 years – is definitely on our side in this regard. Last year, the Vols rode […]
How much difference will more depth make?
Here’s one thing it feels like is happening to Tennessee more often than it actually is: the Vols get to third-and-short, go fast, and get stopped because defenses know what’s coming. Even in Josh Heupel’s fast-paced offense, no two games are exactly alike. It feels like the Vols do that […]
Forward Progress is Beating Forward Progress
Tennessee played four one-possession games this year. They went 1-3 in them against teams that are currently 11-2, 10-2, 9-3, and 9-4. In the three losses, specific calls that should’ve/could’ve gone the other way stand out: Against Pittsburgh, a horrendous spot to leave the ball short after a third down […]
Tennessee’s Recruiting Finish in Blue Chip Ratio
And so thus ends what we hope will be the strangest recruiting cycle of our lives. New coach not hired until January 27! First year of NIL! Unknown recruiting sanctions! A billion guys in the portal! 3-7 last year! 78-82 from 2008-2020! At the end of all that…well, we really […]
Hendon Hooker & Tennessee’s Record Book: Present and Future
Sundays are for good news: With that, the Vols are a win in the Music City Bowl away from one of the most enjoyable off-seasons we’ve seen around here in the post-Fulmer era. One way to quantify what Hendon Hooker’s return is worth? The records he has a chance to […]
Episode 182 – Heupel, Hoops, and Holidays
Will and a muffled Joel are once again joined by Chris Pendley, this time to talk about all things Heupel, hoops, and what’s happening over the holidays.