I'm going to watch the game, but....

[sgtwebb1]

it's just not the same anymore.
Players "opting out".
Players already declaring for the portal.

Gone are the days of "I will give my all for Tennessee today".

63 years old, and the last sport I actually enjoyed has been completely taken over by professional athletes.

 

[Rocky Top T]

I'm 63 also and I hate what college football has become.

 

[StuckInBamaVol]

It’s not that deep. I’m looking forward to seeing the new talent play.

 

[kckempf]

If you thought you ever were watching unpaid collegiate athletes I have bad news for you.

 

[VolInDayton]

It’s not that deep. I’m looking forward to seeing the new talent play.

A rotating roster makes it harder to care about young talent when you dont know if they will be on the team last year. I will always root for the Vols, but its a valid point.

 

[vollygirl]

I wish I was more excited about the game. I'll enjoy seeing the players who are getting a chance because of the opt outs, and I'll cheer for Bishop and Miles and Mike, and William Wright. But it's not like it used to be.

 

[YankeeVol]

I wish I was more excited about the game. I'll enjoy seeing the players who are getting a chance because of the opt outs, and I'll cheer for Bishop and Miles and Mike, and William Wright. But it's not like it used to be.

You going this year?

I opted to stay home. Probably the least excited I've been about a bowl game in a long time.

 

[fossilfiction]

Joey is slinging the ball for the last time and I want to see Bielema make that stupid face again when things are going south for him. I am watching and happy to see it.

 

[rocketskates]

Watch it, enjoy it as it’s the last time we get to see the boys in orange and white take the field until next August. But, I hear ya. To me it’s almost an exhibition game. Be nice to go out on a high note but to be fair I couldn’t even tell you who played or won the MCB last year. Go Vols!

 

[TAF]

GO VOLS!!!!

 

[rocketskates]

If you thought you ever were watching unpaid collegiate athletes I have bad news for you.

True. But at least back then the transfer rules were more strict and kids stuck around. Now it’s a game of “who can we keep” each off season.

 

[JBVolunteer]

College football used to be about pride, tradition, and belonging. Now, if you can even afford to get in the door, you’re met with an experience that feels manufactured—more corporate than collegiate. Loyalty is gone. Identity is diluted. What’s left isn’t love of the game or the school, just an unapologetic grab for money.

 

[sonofUT62]

If you thought you ever were watching unpaid collegiate athletes I have bad news for you.

The money isn’t the problem. Do you really think anyone cared if Eric Berry or Juaun Jennings was getting paid? If it was legal I would have written them a check live on Tri Cities news. No one cared when we had the one time transfer. What we have now is almost unwatchable.

 

[Rocky Top T]

If you thought you ever were watching unpaid collegiate athletes I have bad news for you.

It was never to this extent

 

[Rocky Top T]

I wish I was more excited about the game. I'll enjoy seeing the players who are getting a chance because of the opt outs, and I'll cheer for Bishop and Miles and Mike, and William Wright. But it's not like it used to be.

Miles is not playing

 

[vollygirl]

You going this year?

I opted to stay home. Probably the least excited I've been about a bowl game in a long time.

No. I've got a couple out at work, so it's not a good time for me to be gone. And honestly I didn't care enough to figure out how to make it work. Makes me sad to say that.

 

[vollygirl]

Miles is not playing

Aw. I thought he was trying to get back to play in the last game. Hate that for him.

 

[onevol74]

If you thought you ever were watching unpaid collegiate athletes I have bad news for you

Bad news for you too!! Fans were not required to obtain second mortgages to buy tickets.

 

[bmaultbay]

it's just not the same anymore.
Players "opting out".
Players already declaring for the portal.

Gone are the days of "I will give my all for Tennessee today".

63 years old, and the last sport I actually enjoyed has been completely taken over by professional athletes.

I'm 63 also and I hate what college football has become.

I'm only 62, so I have another year before I reach that level of hate

 

[Big Orange Captain]

College Football will never be as good as it was in the 80’s , 90’s and early 2000’s. Is that nostalgia talking? yea probaly a little bit given i’m 47 but still i think most people would agree it was better than in that era. I hate the NIL era. In fact as i get older im finding alot of things were better in the 80’s and 90’s.

 

[volbound1700]

Bowl games are glorified scrimmages for the players that will be around in 2026

 

[Enki_Amenra]

You'll all be right back in the saddle if UT drops 56+ on the Illini

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

No. I've got a couple out at work, so it's not a good time for me to be gone. And honestly I didn't care enough to figure out how to make it work. Makes me sad to say that.

Probably for the best, just like not needing players on the field that are NOT ALL IN. Quality over quantity!

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

it's just not the same anymore.
Players "opting out".
Players already declaring for the portal.

Gone are the days of "I will give my all for Tennessee today".

63 years old, and the last sport I actually enjoyed has been completely taken over by professional athletes.

There ought to be biometrics in that sign. No slap, No coin.

 

[sonofUT62]

College Football will never be as good as it was in the 80’s , 90’s and early 2000’s. Is that nostalgia talking? yea probaly a little bit given i’m 47 but still i think most people would agree it was better than in that era. I hate the NIL era. In fact as i get older im finding alot of things were better in the 80’s and 90’s.

Skeptics will tell you that you loved those time because we were the most successful. Yesterday, Mark Richts god son, the child of a UGA player picked OSU and ran his mouth about Kirby’s philosophy about HS recruiting. Even fans whose teams are winning big are tired of NIL.