97 vs 98 Vols

[BernardKingGOAT]

About what I expected from you. You couldn’t answer. Thanks for playing.

You were trying to make an ignorant point with a dumb question because I stayed a fact about Manning vs. Brady. Pard, you never made it to the game

 

[jsc1973]

I went to whatifsports.com, which is a simulator, and I simulated the 97 team against the 98 team. I simulated the game five times, and the 97 team won all five games, and honestly it wasn't particularly close (screenshots attached). I know it's just a simulator, but...

This is why you play football games on a field and not on a computer.

I remember right after the Fiesta Bowl to end the 98 season, some computer system picked Ohio State No. 1 and a few Buckeyes fans actually seriously posted about it on the old AOL forums for college football. I told them they could enjoy their Cyber Championship won in the Compaq Presario Bowl and we'd enjoy the real thing.

Anyway, there are a few reasons why the 98 team won and the 97 team didn't. One is that college football as a whole was stronger in 1997. Another is that the 98 Vols were tougher, physically and mentally, and a defense that had its moments in 97 but also struggled in some big games came into its own. A friend of mine, another sports journalist (I've been a sports editor for 20-plus years), told me after the Georgia game in 98 (a 22-3 win where we were underdogs after Jamal Lewis was hurt) that Tennessee's defense was national championship caliber and he thought we would win it. Another is that while the offense was not as efficient, it was a better unit as a whole. The 97 team relied on Peyton Manning to do everything, and if he was off, they did not win. The 98 offense was a team, not "let Peyton do it," which if you remember the 97 SECCG, you know how perverse their dependence on him was.

And last but not least, they made the plays when they needed to and got a few breaks when they needed them as well. Unless you're 1995 Nebraska, you need things to bounce your way at some point to win a natty. The refs made a bad call that hurt us against Arkansas, but Billy Ratliff didn't give up and Clint Stoerner put the ball on the ground instead of just pulling it to his chest and going down. And I think we caught a huge break when Kansas State got upset in the Big 12 championship. I would have been fine with facing UCLA or Florida State, because I liked those matchups for us, but K-State would have been tough.

And if the 1997 Vols could have somehow played the 1998 Vols, I suspect that the '98 Vols would have found a way. They always did, whether it was dumb luck, destiny, or some other sort of mojo. I wrote a few years ago that maybe it was the ghost of George Cafego, who passed away early in 1998, who was really the one who tripped up Stoerner.

 

[adam.vol]

The 98 Vols won when the 97 Vols couldn’t for one reason: Al Wilson at middle linebacker. Watch the games where he was injured and tell me we looked like a championship defense.

 

[dieseldaddy]

People don't really remember how good those late 90s Nebraska teamswere,maybe the best teams I have ever watched. May all time wish I could see is 95 Nebraska vs 01 Miami. Would be a great game

 

[Frozevol]

For the OP … read through all the team comparisons about how great our various teams were in the late 90s. And they were loaded teams. However they were maddeningly inconsistent and often played to the level of competition. IMO strong coaching is what keeps team focused and consistent. We had very good coaches, but not on the level of Osborne, Spurrier and even Saban (LSU then). The frustration that we now call BVS was created during those years. Class dismissed.

 

[VOLLeeann]

People don't really remember how good those late 90s Nebraska teams were,maybe the best teams I have ever watched.

I remember steroids.

 

[Cdywolfe]

I also think a factor about the 97 team that really gets neglected is that the night before we played Nebraska, Michigan had won the Rose Bowl. This essentially turned the Orange Bowl from a chance to win a championship to a chance to come in 2nd. I really wish Tennessee would’ve played before the Rose Bowl.

I’m not saying we beat Nebraska but I know how disheartening it was for me as fan and I can only imagine how it was for the team. I think at a minimum they put up a better fight than they did if a championship had still been on the line.

 

[#1fulmerite]

This is why you play football games on a field and not on a computer.

I remember right after the Fiesta Bowl to end the 98 season, some computer system picked Ohio State No. 1 and a few Buckeyes fans actually seriously posted about it on the old AOL forums for college football. I told them they could enjoy their Cyber Championship won in the Compaq Presario Bowl and we'd enjoy the real thing.

Anyway, there are a few reasons why the 98 team won and the 97 team didn't. One is that college football as a whole was stronger in 1997. Another is that the 98 Vols were tougher, physically and mentally, and a defense that had its moments in 97 but also struggled in some big games came into its own. A friend of mine, another sports journalist (I've been a sports editor for 20-plus years), told me after the Georgia game in 98 (a 22-3 win where we were underdogs after Jamal Lewis was hurt) that Tennessee's defense was national championship caliber and he thought we would win it. Another is that while the offense was not as efficient, it was a better unit as a whole. The 97 team relied on Peyton Manning to do everything, and if he was off, they did not win. The 98 offense was a team, not "let Peyton do it," which if you remember the 97 SECCG, you know how perverse their dependence on him was.

And last but not least, they made the plays when they needed to and got a few breaks when they needed them as well. Unless you're 1995 Nebraska, you need things to bounce your way at some point to win a natty. The refs made a bad call that hurt us against Arkansas, but Billy Ratliff didn't give up and Clint Stoerner put the ball on the ground instead of just pulling it to his chest and going down. And I think we caught a huge break when Kansas State got upset in the Big 12 championship. I would have been fine with facing UCLA or Florida State, because I liked those matchups for us, but K-State would have been tough.

And if the 1997 Vols could have somehow played the 1998 Vols, I suspect that the '98 Vols would have found a way. They always did, whether it was dumb luck, destiny, or some other sort of mojo. I wrote a few years ago that maybe it was the ghost of George Cafego, who passed away early in 1998, who was really the one who tripped up Stoerner.

The 98 Vols won when the 97 Vols couldn’t for one reason: Al Wilson at middle linebacker. Watch the games where he was injured and tell me we looked like a championship defense.

Man, Leonard Little lining up at linebacker never really looked right or, maybe natural is the word.

Were we just out of LB’s that year or what because we were awefully good at LB in ‘98!

 

[GAVol]

Man, Leonard Little lining up at linebacker never really looked right or, maybe natural is the word.

Were we just out of LB’s that year or what because we were awefully good at LB in ‘98!

Little was just that much of an athletic freak.

 

[posivol]

Happy Off-season!

The anniversary of our 98 natty was yesterday (Jan 4th) and it got me to thinking. Why did the 98 team win the title and the 97 team didn't? I was in the opening decade of my life in 98, so I only only vaguely remember what it was like to watch it on TV live. This also means I don't have a strong grasp on the differences in rosters between the two seasons, or the strength of the opponents those years. I know that Florida State played a backup QB, which may have made a difference, especially since Wienke was a great college players and Outzen threw a pick 6, which might have been the difference by the end of the game.

I went to whatifsports.com, which is a simulator, and I simulated the 97 team against the 98 team. I simulated the game five times, and the 97 team won all five games, and honestly it wasn't particularly close (screenshots attached). I know it's just a simulator, but...

So, enlighten me. What were the main differences between 97 and 98, and how was the 98 team able to do what the 97 team couldn't.

luck....you could not lose a single game in those days and win a natty.

 

[adam.vol]

Man, Leonard Little lining up at linebacker never really looked right or, maybe natural is the word.

Were we just out of LB’s that year or what because we were awefully good at LB in ‘98!

Little was out of place at LB. Someone thought that would be easier on his knee after ACL surgery than DE. Maybe it was as knee injuries didn’t heal as quickly back then.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Second most disappointing team Fulmer ever had. That roster was absolutely stacked with NFL guys. 2005 was the worst though.

1999 team I always wonder how the season would have played out if we had beaten Florida. That game sucked so much because so many questionable coaching decisions. I think Alex Brown just got another sack. And to get that interception and all we have to do is drive down to get a FG and that 4th down call still haunts me.

Also felt like we should have beaten Arkansas. I know it was a revenge game for them and all but we did nothing on offense the second half.

Hard to judge the Fiesta Bowl.

 

[Godfatha]

The 97-98 comparison is similar to the 22-24 comparison for the baseball team. The teams that didn't win were arguably more talented, but the teams that did win the NC had a different drive about them (and some luck).

 

[EZE]

Frankly, the 99 team was the most talented of that era IMO. Complacency derailed that team also IMO.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

The 97-98 comparison is similar to the 22-24 comparison for the baseball team. The teams that didn't win were arguably more talented, but the teams that did win the NC had a different drive about them (and some luck).

I also compare the 23-24 Basketball Vols with the 18-19 Vols; 18-19 was the better team, but 23-24 won the SEC outright and made the Elite 8.

 

[volbound1700]

2001 would have been difficult with Miami. I think 2001 Miami is overhyped as the BEST TEAM EVER. They had a mediocre QB and coach but they were the best team in that 2-3 year era and would have beat Tennessee. I do think 2001 Tennessee was the most talented of Fulmer's teams.

1997 we had a chance against Nebraska and blew it. 1998 was tougher physically as some posters point out and that gave them the leverage

1999 I think we lost to many player makers but we did have some solid talent. I knew this team wasn't going to win after they lost to Florida. That was the pivotal game.

1996 we had a chance. Not sure why this team isn't talked about more because they could of blew things against Florida and Memphis

1995 Great team but they aren't beating Nebraska.

Regarding the bragging about Miami or Nebraska; sadly as good as those programs are now, they are not on par with the talent we see on the field today with Ohio State under Meyer, Alabama under Saban, Georgia under Kirby Smart, or Clemson under Dabo Swinney in their heydeys. Those title runs/teams were phenomenal and IMO many of those teams are better than 2001 Miami or 1995 Nebraska.

USC had a nice run in 2003-2008 under Pete Carroll and, unfortunately, we never got to see USC against solid SEC teams. 2006-2009 Florida had great teams as well.

 

[KoachKrab127]

The 98 Vols won when the 97 Vols couldn’t for one reason: Al Wilson at middle linebacker. Watch the games where he was injured and tell me we looked like a championship defense.

Al Wilson didn’t play against Auburn, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. I think the defense still looked championship caliber against Auburn. We held them to 9 points, and allowed no TD’s when the UT offense was giving us absolutely nothing. Also, that goal line stand, stopping 4th and 1 four straight times was unbelievable.

The defense also looked championship caliber against Kentucky. We outscored them 38-7 in the first half, stopping UK on 4th down multiple times. I’m pretty sure Lee Corso picked UK to beat us that day, because Wilson was out, UT looked shaky against Arkansas, and Tim Couch was on fire at the time. We blew them out.

And finally, Vandy is well…Vandy. And they were extra Vandy in ‘98. They were awful. We shut them out, got 4 interceptions, and scored a defensive TD in that game. If the defense would have played even better with Wilson, we wouldn’t have been able to tell that much. They basically played perfect.

Having said all that, we definitely lose to Florida without Al Wilson. He forced 3 turnovers in that game. His determination was legendary.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

This is why you play football games on a field and not on a computer.

I remember right after the Fiesta Bowl to end the 98 season, some computer system picked Ohio State No. 1 and a few Buckeyes fans actually seriously posted about it on the old AOL forums for college football. I told them they could enjoy their Cyber Championship won in the Compaq Presario Bowl and we'd enjoy the real thing.

Anyway, there are a few reasons why the 98 team won and the 97 team didn't. One is that college football as a whole was stronger in 1997. Another is that the 98 Vols were tougher, physically and mentally, and a defense that had its moments in 97 but also struggled in some big games came into its own. A friend of mine, another sports journalist (I've been a sports editor for 20-plus years), told me after the Georgia game in 98 (a 22-3 win where we were underdogs after Jamal Lewis was hurt) that Tennessee's defense was national championship caliber and he thought we would win it. Another is that while the offense was not as efficient, it was a better unit as a whole. The 97 team relied on Peyton Manning to do everything, and if he was off, they did not win. The 98 offense was a team, not "let Peyton do it," which if you remember the 97 SECCG, you know how perverse their dependence on him was.

And last but not least, they made the plays when they needed to and got a few breaks when they needed them as well. Unless you're 1995 Nebraska, you need things to bounce your way at some point to win a natty. The refs made a bad call that hurt us against Arkansas, but Billy Ratliff didn't give up and Clint Stoerner put the ball on the ground instead of just pulling it to his chest and going down. And I think we caught a huge break when Kansas State got upset in the Big 12 championship. I would have been fine with facing UCLA or Florida State, because I liked those matchups for us, but K-State would have been tough.

And if the 1997 Vols could have somehow played the 1998 Vols, I suspect that the '98 Vols would have found a way. They always did, whether it was dumb luck, destiny, or some other sort of mojo. I wrote a few years ago that maybe it was the ghost of George Cafego, who passed away early in 1998, who was really the one who tripped up Stoerner.

Some times the most talented teams do not win. That is what happened in both 1997 and 1998. We still have the 1998 NCAA Championship trophy in our show case.