Not necessarily. I think a Seven win season would be a "small step backwards" given all the hype, predictions and expectations.

By comparison, Urban Meyer puts a black stripe on each freshman's helmet. The stripe isn't removed until their practice performance merits it and until the stripe is removed, the frosh is not an official member of the team. The last I checked only 2 of the 15 freshmen had lost their black stripes, one being Isaiah Prince a stud O lineman. He'll still play sparingly this year as there is a lot to learn before he's a Slob. I feel sorry for that freshman Vol O lineman. He has no clue yet what it means to be an O lineman in the SEC. Wait until he's banged up and going against some senior D tackle from Bama or Arkansas (or Oklahoma).