2006 Football

[hatvol96]

I go to UT, but grew up in the midwest, ie, Big XII country. So, I understand they don't hold the SEC in as high regard as most people in the South. However, the SEC is leaps and bounds better than the PAC-10, the Big East, and the old ACC.

Next, teams in every major conference regularly schedule non conference patsies. That is why the Texas-Ohio State game was such a big deal this year, because Texas wasn't playing 3 non conference teams, the best of which is North Texas (also insert OU there.)

True, USCs win over OU was one of the most dominating national championship performances in the history of college football championships (a whole 7 years&#33 However, that in no way makes it automatic that they would have even beaten that Auburn team. USC got to a very immobile Jason White early, threw him off his rythm, and the game was over. Jason Campbell, however, was more in the Vince Young mold, a QB that could throw and run. Oh, and Campbell had 2 more than capable RBs to hand the ball to, in Cadillac and Ronnie. Auburn would have matched up very well against that USC team, especially since L. White wasn't yet the factor that he was in 2005.

Oklahoma just signed up for series with Ohio State and Miami. Miami also signed up to play Ohio State and Texas A&M. The SEC simply lags behind in non conference scheduling. Too many games against the hyphenated LA schools. SEC ADs don't want to give up home dates. It's an issue of economics.

 

[hatvol96]

He might be, but he wasn't paired with a mobile QB to give the USC defense fits.

Oh, and Peterson had a stellar outing in 2005, must have just been a sophomore slump, huh?

When healthy, he was as good as any back out there. Guess you missed the Holiday Bowl.

 

[therealUT]

When healthy, he was as good as any back out there. Guess you missed the Holiday Bowl.

Of course I missed the Holiday Bowl. Doesn't really have a great stat line from that game though...

23 carries 84 yards 0 TDs 3.7 yds/per

What am I missing???

 

[hatvol96]

Of course I missed the Holiday Bowl. Doesn't really have a great stat line from that game though...

23 carries 84 yards 0 TDs 3.7 yds/per

What am I missing???

That's my point you didn't see it. He had two of the best runs of the season in that game. He would have had several more carries, but he cut his head open on one of the really good runs.

 

[therealUT]

That's my point you didn't see it. He had two of the best runs of the season in that game. He would have had several more carries, but he cut his head open on one of the really good runs.

Cut his head open on one of the runs...How many more carries does he need, when he is toting the rock 23 times at only a 3 yard clip???

If he cut his head open after say 5-10 runs, averaging around 4.5-5 per carry, I would say, kudos!

That is not the case. He benefitted off of teams focusing on White, and now when he is the focus of the defense he does not perform at near the same level. (see Darren Sproles)

 

[hatvol96]

Cut his head open on one of the runs...How many more carries does he need, when he is toting the rock 23 times at only a 3 yard clip???

If he cut his head open after say 5-10 runs, averaging around 4.5-5 per carry, I would say, kudos!

That is not the case. He benefitted off of teams focusing on White, and now when he is the focus of the defense he does not perform at near the same level. (see Darren Sproles)

OUs quarterback play was pretty bad for the first 2/3 rds of the year. Watch what he does with a more mature Rhett Bomar at QB this year. Couldn't have been too bad, multiple NFL scouts were quoted before the Holiday Bowl saying he would have been a top 5 pick in this year's draft had he been eligible. Adrian Peterson is to Darren Sproles what Maserati is to KIA.

 

[volfan2024]

Also, who cares what classification McGahee was? Look at the true freshman numbers of Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Marshall Faulk, Jamal Lewis, and Adrian Peterson. Running Back is a position that guys come in and play immediately at with some regularity.

I dare say Herschel Walker may have been the best overall back to ever come out of the SEC.Strong as a bull, fast as a horse. :dunno:

 

[VOLracerx]

Herschel was the man.

 

[hatvol96]

I dare say Herschel Walker may have been the best overall back to ever come out of the SEC.Strong as a bull, fast as a horse. :dunno:

I'll take Bo. The long run he had against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football is the most awesome display of speed I've ever seen by a big back.

 

[vader]

I'll take Bo. The long run he had against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football is the most awesome display of speed I've ever seen by a big back.

It was awesome that same night when he ran over Bosworth near the goal line. Bo had speed and power.

 

[volfan2024]

I'll take Bo. The long run he had against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football is the most awesome display of speed I've ever seen by a big back.

It seems UT had more trouble containing Herschel Walker.I remember all the UT guys he ran over, Bill Bates,etc.Jimmy Noonan UT's nose guard back when Herschel was a freshman, well he tackled him out of bounds and it took a while for Jimmy to get up. I was there with my dad.My (now departed) dad remarked he had never seen anyone do that to Noonan. Herschel beat us single handedly and if my memory is correct, Ford fumbled on the one yard line diving for the touchdown and we lost by 2 or three points.Bo too was a great back no doubt.

 

[Taylor Moran]

does anybody think Crompton will take the starting position from Ainge?

 

[utvolpj]

does anybody think Crompton will take the starting position from Ainge?

By what game? Ainge starts the season but the better question is whether he finishes it.

 

[therickbol]

does anybody think Crompton will take the starting position from Ainge?

Barring injury...not a chance. Sorry but Ainge is just flat out better right now. Crompton might develop into a better QB than Ainge before his playing days at UTK are over. Thats certainly possible. But, Ainge has the physical tools, he is coachable, and Cutcliffe says his fundamentals are already 100 times better than last season. And, he still has a whole summer of work to put in. I think we will be fine at QB. For all you that wanted to promote Crompton to superstar status before he went through a practice--you might want to think about the fact that Crompton is not even entrentched in the backup role. Cutcliffe spends more time raving about Bo Hardagree and they share 2nd team snaps.

 

[therealUT]

Ainge is the best option we have right now. I agree that he has all the physical tools, I just wonder about how he will react the next time he steps in front of 100,000 with another team on the field. I hope he has matured to the point that he can handle the pressure, and I hope that Orange Nation will get behind him to help ease that pressure.

I have never been a big fan of Ainge, however, if he fails this year, UT fails. If he succeeds, UT succeeds. I wish him the best of luck, and if Cut is really planning on throwing the ball 40-50 times a game, then go ahead and set some single season records Erik.

 

[jakez4ut]

Barring injury...not a chance. Sorry but Ainge is just flat out better right now. Crompton might develop into a better QB than Ainge before his playing days at UTK are over. Thats certainly possible. But, Ainge has the physical tools, he is coachable, and Cutcliffe says his fundamentals are already 100 times better than last season. And, he still has a whole summer of work to put in. I think we will be fine at QB. For all you that wanted to promote Crompton to superstar status before he went through a practice--you might want to think about the fact that Crompton is not even entrentched in the backup role. Cutcliffe spends more time raving about Bo Hardagree and they share 2nd team snaps.

yeah, despite my not so good feelings of late about the spring, one thing that Ainge hasn't had the benefit of at UT is being the no 1 thru the entire spring, summer and fall camps before a season starts. Hopefully that will get him right before the fall. I always felt that last year that was one of the big things holding him back last year....

we'll see.....

 

[volfan2024]

I the real question is will Ainge be looking over his shoulder everytime he throws a pick or makes a bad decision? :dunno:

 

[jakez4ut]

doubtful. I think they have decided on Ainge as the No. 1. he would have to get injured or just play plain bad. Which i can't see him being the same or worse than last year....you only have one way to go from last year's performance....

 

[WA_Vol]

Barring injury...not a chance. Sorry but Ainge is just flat out better right now. Crompton might develop into a better QB than Ainge before his playing days at UTK are over. Thats certainly possible. But, Ainge has the physical tools, he is coachable, and Cutcliffe says his fundamentals are already 100 times better than last season. And, he still has a whole summer of work to put in. I think we will be fine at QB. For all you that wanted to promote Crompton to superstar status before he went through a practice--you might want to think about the fact that Crompton is not even entrentched in the backup role. Cutcliffe spends more time raving about Bo Hardagree and they share 2nd team snaps.

Are you sure crompton is 100% back from shoulder surgery? I thought he was around 90%.

If Ainge is doing so much beter why is his numbers from the scrimmage almost identical to what he did last season?

 

[OWB]

If Ainge is doing so much beter why is his numbers from the scrimmage almost identical to what he did last season?

Overall, he's done pretty well this spring. Not only are the coaches pretty pleased, the players say that it's a totally different Ainge than last year. His form and throwing motions are better, the balls are pretty much on target, he's playing at a faster tempo, and he's understanding the defensive and offensive schemes like he never has before.

Why are you so focused on one average scrimmage where most of our starting offense was out? It's the overall picture that matters and he WILL be better this season.

 

[WA_Vol]

Overall, he's done pretty well this spring. Not only are the coaches pretty pleased, the players say that it's a totally different Ainge than last year. His form and throwing motions are better, the balls are pretty much on target, he's playing at a faster tempo, and he's understanding the defensive and offensive schemes like he never has before.

Why are you so focused on one average scrimmage where most of our starting offense was out? It's the overall picture that matters and he WILL be better this season.

Because he did well in practice last year, and then during games he played poorly.

Don't you remember how Fulmer was praising the QB position last year right before the season started?

How soon they forget.

 

[OWB]

Because he did well in practice last year, and then during games he played poorly.

Don't you remember how Fulmer was praising the QB position last year right before the season started?

How soon they forget.

I understand that and because I understand that, I know that the coaches are being cautious with their praise this Spring. So everyone wouldn't be talking about the improvement that he has made if it didn't exist. Proof is in the pudding. We'll see how he fares tomorrow.

Oh, and last spring the best QB in practice was Schaeffer...not Ainge or Clausen.

 

[WA_Vol]

I understand that and because I understand that, I know that the coaches are being cautious with their praise this Spring. So everyone wouldn't be talking about the improvement that he has made if it didn't exist. Proof is in the pudding. We'll see how he fares tomorrow.

Oh, and last spring the best QB in practice was Schaeffer...not Ainge or Clausen.

Your talking out of both sides of your mouth. First you say the coaches are praising Ainge for how well he's playing and now your saying they are being cautious abour praising him. You cant have it both ways. Either they are or they are not.

 

[OWB]

Your talking out of both sides of your mouth. First you say the coaches are praising Ainge for how well he's playing and now your saying they are being cautious abour praising him. You cant have it both ways. Either they are or they are not.

Go back and read it again because you missed the point. I said that the coaches are being cautious about what they say this season because last season the praise was flying everywhere and look where that got them. So they wouldn't be talking about Ainge improving this Spring if they really didn't mean it.

How is that talking out of both sides of my mouth?

 

[WA_Vol]

Go back and read it again because you missed the point. I said that the coaches are being cautious about what they say this season because last season the praise was flying everywhere and look where that got them. So they wouldn't be talking about Ainge improving this Spring if they really didn't mean it.

How is that talking out of both sides of my mouth?

ainge was 13 of 31 the last scrimmage with several interceptions. If they are praising him, it doesn't seem cautious to me.

I dont see anything wrong with Fulmer praising him last year or this year in practice. I think he probably did throw the ball well then and now in practice. I just dont think thats a great indication of how he will play in the games this fall. The scrimmage numbers look like the numbers he had last season. I dont blame Fulmer praising Ainge for his bad season.