#2 Strength of Schedule

[BigOrangeTrain]

Do we need "more proof?" If we look decent in these final games, possibly make a bowl, most will consider that a solid season. Is anyone going to say "man, had we only had the 20th sos we woulda been good?

I dont think it's debatable that if we played an easier schedule, we would have looked better. We have played played 5 ranked teams already. Look at Clemson. They are #2 and have only played one ranked team NCST. And even they werent very good. Would you consider Clemson good? They have struggled with Syracuse and TAMU.

If we would have started with an even decent cupcake instead of WV, we may have came into UF 3-0. Who knows what could have happened at that point?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

A false sense that you are better than what you think you are? We are not a team good, does saying "But our strength of schedule is #2" change that fact? Does it make the sloppy, undisciplined play that we have seen most of the year go away? With the exception of the auburn game we are.on average more than 26 points worse than any team we expect Tennessee to be competitive with (in terms of what most of us have know tennessee to historically to be.)
So tell me, what does saying we have the #2 DID really change?

It changes a lot. When you play superior teams, you normally look inferior. Who was expecting us to be competitive with UGA or Bama? I mean lol. The mist recent history suggests we wouldnt be competitive at all with either team. Yet the UGA was more competitive than I expected. The only real game you can say that expectations truly failed was UF.

 

[stolitonic]

Next year I believe UT and Arkansas are the only two SEC teams not to play a P5 team in OOC. Schedule sets up very well next year including two byes and one before Georgia, no reason at all not to win at least 8 next year. Next year UT will be among the easiest, probably just behind Arkansas in the SEC.

Unless something has changed-only one bye next year-after UF/before UGA.

Having an early bye is only good if injuries pile up in the first few games. BYU is not going to be a pushover in game two. UAB later on in the year is an interesting choice for OOC also.

 

[volfannbama]

It changes a lot. When you play superior teams, you normally look inferior. Who was expecting us to be competitive with UGA or Bama? I mean lol. The mist recent history suggests we wouldnt be competitive at all with either team. Yet the UGA was more competitive than I expected. The only real game you can say that expectations truly failed was UF.

The uga game was never in doubt for them. Plus we still lost by 26 and they dont appear to be as good as once thought. We wouldnt be any "better" if we started the year with a weaker team.

Speaking of weaker teams and a bit off topic, you.saw that Iowa st wvu game?

 

[NEVolFan]

If we can take down Chackalacka... we are going to roll the rest of the way. This is a key game that lets this team show the level of improvement made to this point.

I believe we win... and roll.

 

[volmanNC]

According to this week's Sagarin ratings, we now have the #2 strength of schedule.

Rankings of our opponents

1. Alabama
6. Georgia
12. Florida
19. West Virginia
21. Auburn
181. UTEP
186. ETSU

Future opponents

24. Kentucky
30. Missouri
36. South Carolina
69. Vanderbilt
153. Charlotte

Also according to Sagarin, we need at least 1 upset to go to a bowl game.

I guess they have us as a favorite in Charlotte and Vandy? For me I see the following rating the teams from best to worse;

1) Missouri (little chance to win this one)
2) Kentucky (can win with a really good game..but run defense must show up)
3) USCe ( can win depending on the breaks/turnovers in the game )
4) Vandy ( we can win if we play a solid game )
5) Charlotte ( will win unless we really play BAD )

 

[secking]

Unless something has changed-only one bye next year-after UF/before UGA.

Having an early bye is only good if injuries pile up in the first few games. BYU is not going to be a pushover in game two. UAB later on in the year is an interesting choice for OOC also.

Sept 28 and Nov 16. I like having two open dates, should do it every year.

 

[VolFan..But]

Had Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio State etc played Tennessee's schedule they would have multiple losses in most cases. It is all about the schedule. Always have and always will.

Furman, Ga Southern, Texas A&M, Ga Tech, Syracuse, Wake, NC State. That is Clemson's schedule. If that had been Tennessee's they are probably 6-1 right now. 5-2 at worse.

 

[lukeneyland]

According to that article from the OP, Iowa State has the toughest strength of schedule.

Well that's just dumb lol

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

we shouldve played an easier team than West Virginia in our non conference. I wouldnt mind playing Ga Tech every year as a non conf game.
But we got BYU next year soo

Sorry but I disagree.

UTEP, ETSU, and UNCC is about as easy as it gets non conference already.

They should have played better against what I think will prove an average WVU team.

If they can't handle scheduling some teams like WVU, GA Tech, or BYU then they are never gonna be able to handle the SEC again.

 

[lukeneyland]

Sorry but I disagree.

UTEP, ETSU, and UNCC is about as easy as it gets non conference already.

They should have played better against what I think will prove an average WVU team.

If they can't handle scheduling some teams like WVU, GA Tech, or BYU then they are never gonna be able to handle the SEC again.

I agree in the sense that we're going to be best served in the long term my scheduling difficult games. No use in shying away from that

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

I agree in the sense that we're going to be best served in the long term my scheduling difficult games. No use in shying away from that

Exactly.

Every team in the SEC can legitimately claim tough schedules. Nature of the league. If we want an easy schedule then the Vols need to leave the conference.

I'd like to see a tougher OOC schedule.

Only way this is ever getting turned around in a meaningful way is beating our rivals, competing for the SEC, and beating name programs like Oklahoma or WVU. Stomping the ETSUs of the world won't move the needle for recruiting or in the rankings.

 

[hUTch2002]

I go through this every year, but part of the reason for the strength of schedule is the losses.

For instance, if Tennessee had lost to Auburn, Auburn would still be ranked and the strength of schedule would look better.

Alabama is in a class of their own.

I have no idea how good West Virginia is. Their best win is against a Texas Tech team that got boat raced by Ole Miss. I’m not sure how good Florida is, but they have a good win. Georgia does not have a good win and if they don’t beat Florida, they won’t get one al season. Either way, it appears if Florida and Georgia win all remaining games against unranked teams, they will win 10 games.

While I get that all of these teams are quality opponents, I don’t know how good they really are.

Florida is going to be ranked in the top 10 this week. If they beat Georgia, they may stay there a while. Are they a top 10 team?

That’s why it doesn’t really matter until season’s end. Then all is balanced and you can compare schedules much better.

 

[BeecherVol]

I go through this every year, but part of the reason for the strength of schedule is the losses.

For instance, if Tennessee had lost to Auburn, Auburn would still be ranked and the strength of schedule would look better.

Alabama is in a class of their own.

I have no idea how good West Virginia is. Their best win is against a Texas Tech team that got boat raced by Ole Miss. I’m not sure how good Florida is, but they have a good win. Georgia does not have a good win and if they don’t beat Florida, they won’t get one al season. Either way, it appears if Florida and Georgia win all remaining games against unranked teams, they will win 10 games.

While I get that all of these teams are quality opponents, I don’t know how good they really are.

Florida is going to be ranked in the top 10 this week. If they beat Georgia, they may stay there a while. Are they a top 10 team?

Wins over 2 top ten teams and your 1 loss is to a 1 loss UK early in the season.

Sure.

 

[JacketVol]

F GA Tech as long as Johnson is there with their cutblocking scheme. If we never play them again I'm good with it.

Johnson is getting some pressure now.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Tennessee will always play Florida, Georgia & Alabama in the first half of every season. Add in your yearly random, highly-ranked Western Division team and we ALWAYS have a tough schedule. If Kentucky and South Carolina keep up top 25 programs like they currently are, our schedule will be even tougher.

Tennessee pretty much has to be National Championship good at the start of the season or we'll likely go 0-3 against UF, UGA & UA. Our season is likely dead at that point.

We're going to need one hell of a team if we're going to win the SEC Title.

 

[rocytop2624]

So what? Is there a trophy for this? They've been playing tough schedules and sucking for a decade. Doing it over and over has resulted in no improvement. Clearly it's not a recruiting advantage. Cue Hillary. Next year maybe it eases up a bit and they win 7. Maybe SC or Missouri or somebody takes a giant step forward and UT can claim the #2 SOS trophy again.

I know we haven't had a great offensive line since 2004 and no two deep since 2008 . On a positive it looks like we have coaches that knows how important the OL and DL is and will recruit the heck out of them for now on.

 

[rocytop2624]

Tennessee will always play Florida, Georgia & Alabama in the first half of every season. Add in your yearly random, highly-ranked Western Division team and we ALWAYS have a tough schedule. If Kentucky and South Carolina keep up top 25 programs like they currently are, our schedule will be even tougher.

Tennessee pretty much has to be National Championship good at the start of the season or we'll likely go 0-3 against UF, UGA & UA. Our season is likely dead at that point.

We're going to need one hell of a team if we're going to win the SEC Title.

And you can have a #6 recruiting class in the nation and it will be 3rd or 4th best in sec it's gotten alot more competitive since the early 2000's.