We answer your question about the Vols or anything else in our weekly mailbag, Insider Mailing. If you have questions about anything in the mortgage process, go to BenMillerLoans.com.
“With 9 months’ hindsight, was the Nashville game against Bowling Green a good idea? What positives were there?” – Doug Brooks
Daniel: Fair question and it’s tough to pinpoint exact results from that game. But it helped with a couple big-picture goals. One is simply continuing to make Nashville a point of emphasis for the program for years to come. That whole game was a commercial for the program – they were playing UT promotional videos virtually every timeout. And secondly, UT has been battling the City of Knoxville over the Amusement Tax (here’s UT’s side of the argument) for awhile, so the ability to have successful out-of-market games gives UT leverage in the whole situation. Essentially, it says that UT can take its ball and successfully play somewhere else once a year if needed.
Nathanael: I’d have to say yes as a whole. The economic reasons Daniel gave certainly prove that I think, but even looking at it from a more emotional/fan perspective, I’d say it was. Nashville isn’t too far away, and the Vols have a ton of fans in that area. Nashville Vol fans got to cut down on travel, and as Daniel mentioned, it certainly didn’t hurt in recruiting either. The game was exciting, even if it did highlight some of Tennessee’s defensive deficiencies early.
“Are there circumstances under which you could realistically see Hurd returning for senior season?” – @NeylandMafia
Daniel: I’m giving it about a 70% chance overall that he goes pro early. Reasons he realistically could come back: injury concerns, an underwhelming season or, and this is the most likely one in my opinion, he does some market research and realizes he’ll have a better chance to go higher in 2017 due to the strength of the 2016 class at running back (Fournette, Cook, Chubb, McCaffrey, etc).
Still, I think my advice to him, barring something unexpected, would be to go pro after this season. The odds of going early in the draft as a RB are extremely low now, and the pay difference between second round and the mid-rounds isn’t that substantial. I think it will be best for him to go, get drafted (even if it’s not quite as high as it could be in 2017) and save some wear and tear on his body so he can last longer in the NFL.
Nathanael: I mean I think he could come back in 2017. I just think that chance is very slim. Running backs have arguably the shortest shelf life of any position in football, and the sooner Hurd can go make money, the better for him. I think he’ll go after his junior year this year unless he suffers some sort of major injury or has an extremely underwhelming season. And the latter of those two is so highly unlikely that it would have to be an injury that keeps him from leaving early in my opinion.
“If I’m only going to one game this season, which would you recommend?” – Carter Lawrence
Daniel: Has to be Florida, in my opinion. I think you could make an argument for Bristol, but I think that’s more of a novelty. I don’t think the game will be that memorable once you see the setup, and I’m still a little skeptical about the sight lines. The Florida game could be one of the loudest/craziest atmospheres in UT history. And if UT finally gets the win? You’ll want to say you were there.
Nathanel: Absolutely 100% agree with Daniel. The Battle at Bristol would be awesome to go to if you could choose just one, but how could you not pick Florida over it? If Tennessee ends that streak, what Vol fan wouldn’t want to be in Neyland to celebrate that? The atmosphere would be absolutely astounding. I can’t wait to see it if it happens.
“Can you go TOO FAR when owning a Gator fan on Twitter?” – @SethBallew
Daniel: In general, I’d proceed with caution with Florida fans until Sept. 25 – just saying.
Nathanael: You can always go too far. Don’t bring family into it no matter who they are. And yes, Vol fans probably don’t have a lot they can say to Gator fans just yet.
“Were there any incoming players from the 2016 class that weren’t able to qualify for school?” – Tyler Wright
Daniel: To my knowledge, Corey Henderson is the only one in question right now.
Nathanael: Just Corey Henderson right now, but Vincent Perry from the 2015 class is currently working on his grades too. Just an update there.
“First team offense vs first team defense, who wins tug o’war?” – @TNFryed
Daniel: I think the offense, with five 300 pound+ anchors on its side, would be too much for the defense.
Nathanael: I don’t know about that, Daniel. I think the offensive line is strong, yes, but I think the defense has the stronger players overall. I think it would be close, but I’d take the defense.
