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Nice response... who knows what will happen before the first down of the season. You never know when your star QB will break a leg on a scramble or if that backup QB you have is a future #1 pick.

He has the same optimism that every team, coach, and fan does this time of year.

I've also heard other comparisons to the '98 team b/c of having a new QB from a previously very good one. The Vols will be a very good football team with a good D, but I don't think they lost their O-coordinator and WR's coach right before the '98 season though. Or did they?

Fatty-Phil-Fulmer just needs an SEC title b/c the lease from his NC from 10 years ago is starting to run out, and the two SEC east title payments are not gonna hold for very long.

It is real simple, beat LSU and Georgia and the pick means nothing. Loose to LSU & Georgia, you finish 3rd.

Who cares about the medias predicitions. It will all be determined on the field every glorious Saturday this fall..............I think the SEC east is going to be one of the more interesting story lines again this yearl. Win or lose, I will still try to drink my Vols to victory.

Oh the great pumpkin does it again!!!!

One of my favorite moments in SEC Lore was when, a few years ago, Tenn. was not bowl eligible.

I believe The Great Pumpkin is wrong.

Ambushed at the Rose Bowl!!

Shepiam - don't forget about Florida.

I think the same can be said about UGA and Florida. Everybody has a shot of #3 in the SEC east.

A coach feels his team is 'underrated'? That's news. Someone please FM me when a coach feels his team is 'OVERrated'.

How 'bout em - There may be some truth to that in the grumblings of some in Knoxville, but Fulmer just got a new contract. If he's axed, it would be costly so I think he'll be around for a while. We'll just have to see how the season plays out. There's too many questions with this team - new OC, a new QB... who knows?

Zz Dawg, I stand corrected. Thanks

good call Yoda.

TNVoltheway, that's true. He probably will be around for a while. He's a good coach thus far who's been able to keep his ship pretty steady. We'll see if the new guys can bring 'em through.

With the backup of a new contract in his pocket, Phil is getting kinda uppity, I think. I'll be suprised if they don't have at least 3 conference losses.

UT has a good chance this year of exceeding expectations.

if crompton is as good as expect, and the d-line is effective, UT can beat any team in the country, period. they have arguably the best o-line in the nation as well as the best saftey combo in berry and morely, foster is a top 5 RB and the recivers are expirenced and productive, plus with the addition of the TE transfer from FSU they have a more dynamic attack than last year. UT's big issue last year was the play of the d-line, if they pull it together which they have the talent to, they will be fine

Keep in mind this is the SEC, no one last year was expecting GA to be anywhere near as good as they turned out (especially us Florida fans). UT is a game every year that I'm happy to just see over. There are so many talented athletes in this conference that you never know when the next Moreno will appear

Tennessee is in a tough spot. Georgia is everyone's favorite and Florida has the returning Heisman trophy winner to go along with a good young defense.

That's tough for any team to deal with.

If Phil believes that then that would be a very good motivational tool to use considering the problems Geogia and Florida could cause his squad this year. Wins cures all!

What ever

Other than the team picked to finish 1st, is there any coach who wouldn't say the same? Is there a coach who in pre-season would say "I don't think we will do nearly as good as expected"?

Johnathan Brown | 07/30/08, 04:07 PM: "Keep in mind this is the SEC... There are so many talented athletes in this conference..."

With so many good teams in the SEC... remaining unbeaten is a miracle! Other conferences have a couple of hot teams but here, even Vandy or Ole Miss can surprise you!