Best Tennessee Team of All Time?

[BlinghamptonVol]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the most dominant offense of all time. Heup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

 

[Jeff Clark]

I think this is the best Tennessee offense ever

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Who were the lads that were unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon? The fellas who went the entire season not allowing opponents a single score?

That's who I'd tag as the best Defense in Vols history. The 1938 crew.

As for Offense, it is these lads we're watching right now.

Put that all together and name a best team? A single best team? Impossible, I think.

Just very thankful that we're living through one of those superlative seasons.

Go Vols!

 

[HalfullVol]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the most dominant offense of all time. Heup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

early caffeine buzz flow

carry on!

 

[newyorkvol]

We will know in 7 games or less

 

[utvolpj]

We're a little over halfway. Just let it play out before searching to tag this team

 

[Jeff Clark]

Who were the lads that were unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon? The fellas who went the entire season not allowing opponents a single score?

That's who I'd tag as the best Defense in Vols history. The 1938 crew.

As for Offense, it is these lads we're watching right now.

Oh, to be living through such times.

Go Vols!

1939 Tennessee was unbeaten and unscored upon until the 1940 Rose Bowl(14-0 loss to 7-0-2 USC)

1939 10-1 Tennessee Vols SEC Champions tied with 8-1-1 Tulane and 7-2 Georgia Tech

@NCSU W 13-0
Sewanee W 40-0
@Chattanooga W 28-0
Alabama W 21-0
Mercer W 17-0
@lsu W 20-0
The Citadel W 34-0
Vanderbilt W 13-0
@kentucky W 19-0
Auburn W 7-0

Rose Bowl

USC L 14-0

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the most dominant offense of all time. Heup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

Got to love your enthusiasm, bub. But.., uh...ahem, the season isn't over yet.

 

[NighthawkVol]

1939 Tennessee was unbeaten and unscored upon until the 1940 Rose Bowl(14-0 loss to 7-0-2 USC)

1939 10-1 Tennessee Vols SEC Champions tied with 8-1-1 Tulane and 7-2 Georgia Tech

@NCSU W 13-0
Sewanee W 40-0
@Chattanooga W 28-0
Alabama W 28-0
Mercer W 17-0
@lsu W 20-0
The Citadel W 34-0
Vanderbilt W 13-0
@kentucky W 19-0
Auburn W 7-0

Rose Bowl

USC L 14-0

Correct, it was the 1939 team that didn't allow a point in the regular season before losing the Rose Bowl. The 1938 team went 11-0, won the Orange Bowl over Oklahoma 17-0 and only gave up 17 points all season. That team won a share of the National Title, having been voted #1 in 5 of the 8 selectors at the time. The AP, in its 3rd year, went with TCU because it was led by media darling Davey O'Brien.

Also, the strange thing about being conference co-champs in 1939 was that Tennessee and GT were 6-0-0, while Tulane was only 5-0-0.

 

[Madscientistvol]

1939 Tennessee was unbeaten and unscored upon until the 1940 Rose Bowl(14-0 loss to 7-0-2 USC)

1939 10-1 Tennessee Vols SEC Champions tied with 8-1-1 Tulane and 7-2 Georgia Tech

@NCSU W 13-0
Sewanee W 40-0
@Chattanooga W 28-0
Alabama W 28-0
Mercer W 17-0
@lsu W 20-0
The Citadel W 34-0
Vanderbilt W 13-0
@kentucky W 19-0
Auburn W 7-0

Rose Bowl

USC L 14-0

Also, looking back on games and seasons like that, the bowls were after the champions were declared and were very much like exhibition games. Going to the rose bowl in the 40s would have been by train more than likely too, and I’m not even sure the full team ended up traveling.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Also, looking back on games and seasons like that, the bowls were after the champions were declared and were very much like exhibition games. Going to the rose bowl in the 40s would have been by train more than likely too, and I’m not even sure the full team ended up traveling.

Correct. And George Cafego was out with a knee injury. Cafego was probably the best player in America that season.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Also, looking back on games and seasons like that, the bowls were after the champions were declared and were very much like exhibition games. Going to the rose bowl in the 40s would have been by train more than likely too, and I’m not even sure the full team ended up traveling.

According to the 100 Years of Volunteers video the team had a special train and the whole team plus fans went to the Rose Bowl. There were a whole lot less players on the teams then.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Correct. And George Cafego was out with a knee injury. Cafego was probably the best player in America that season.

Johnny Butler was good but he wasn't Bad News Cafego who wound up playing for the then NFL teams Brooklyn Dodgers,Washington Redskins and Boston Yanks.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Johnny Butler was good but he wasn't Bad News Cafego who wound up playing for the then NFL teams Brooklyn Dodgers,Washington Redskins and Boston Yanks.

Butler, Johnny « Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Right. Butler was in the late 20's...UT's first recognizable star.

Johnny Butler had a long run against Alabama in 1939

 

[NighthawkVol]

Johnny Butler had a long run against Alabama in 1939

View attachment 509909

Had him mixed up with McEver. You're right.

 

[DD4ME]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the most dominant offense of all time. Heup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

They need to finish undefeated to unseat 98. Until then I am going to enjoy the ride. By far the most improved ever and strong case for best offense ever. Doubt the Neyland teams will ever be unseated as the best defense.

It’s been par for the course for the 1939 Tennessee football team to be disrespected. That is one of Robert Neyland’s undefeated regular season teams to not be recognized as national champions by any service despite 1938 and 1940 earning that recognition.

Meanwhile, it’s always left off the list of greatest teams of all time. However, ignoring a team that went the entire regular season undefeated, untied and, here’s the real kicker, unscored on, is ridiculous. The 1939 Vols are the last team in history to shut out every regular season opponent.

Tennessee football: Despite high ranking, Vols’ 1939 defense underrated

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

That 2001 team was pretty amazing and should have been SEC and National Champs. Had they not knocked the stsrting qb for LSU out of the game in Atlanta...they would be considered the best we've put on the field.
Just MO

 

[FlyFishnVol]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the most dominant offense of all time. Heup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

Hey, I am just excited to see UT in the headlines, discussion, predictions, and recruiting; it has been a long drought, my friends; I am embracing this season regardless of the final outcomes. Our dog is hunting, and I am not taking anything for granted. GO BIG ORANGE!!!! What is that you smell, boy? hmm, yes that is one ugly dog (whispering in my dog's ear, he is inbred), don't worry, we won't be here long.

 

[volbound1700]

I don't like claiming best teams until seasons come to end so 2022 team is out for now.

Obviously 1998 is best in recent history. However, I would say the most talented Tennessee team was the 2001 team. I just don't think they had the leadership/heart of the 1998 team.

 

[NighthawkVol]

That 2001 team was pretty amazing and should have been SEC and National Champs. Had they not knocked the stsrting qb for LSU out of the game in Atlanta...they would be considered the best we've put on the field.
Just MO

They had a loss to Georgia in the Hobnail Boot game. They also would've had to defeat a juggernaut Miami team in the NC game. I wouldn't say that beating a 3-loss LSU team in the SECCG would have put them ahead of the undefeated 98 team. But yeah, they were more talented.

 

[savannahfan]

Obviously this is the best UT offense of all time (and in the running for best all time offense in cfb history), but this D has stepped up enough to consider this TEAM the best of all time in Knoxville. Sure, there aren’t any Al Wilsons, Eric Berrys, or Reggie Whites on this D, but man, collectively they are playing way better than their individual talents. This is a true defensive unit, playing together.

My prediction for this weekend: 45-20. We secure our spot in the CFP, Hendon wins the Heisman, and we are elevated above 2019 LSU, 2020 Bama, and 1995 Nebraska as the Hmost dominant offense of all time. eup wins AP coach of the year, and next September there are a ton of babies born all across Tennessee named Hooker Smith and Hooker Jones. Book your Atlanta hotels for the Peach Bowl now!

AND WE ALL LIVE HAPPILEY EVER AFTER!!

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

They had a loss to Georgia in the Hobnail Boot game. They also would've had to defeat a juggernaut Miami team in the NC game. I wouldn't say that beating a 3-loss LSU team in the SECCG would have put them ahead of the undefeated 98 team. But yeah, they were more talented.

IMO that Miami team would have lost to us in the Rose Bowl.


And those last 44 seconds of the HNB game were some of the worst of my fandom. God that hurt so bad...it still.does.

 

[NighthawkVol]

IMO that Miami team would have lost to us in the Rose Bowl.


And those last 44 seconds of the HNB game were some of the worst of my fandom. God that hurt so bad...it still.does.

Beating that Miami team would have been an ENORMOUS upset. We'd have been double digit underdogs. The NFL talent on that team was unreal. Maybe more than any team in my lifetime.

 

[General Jack]

I think the 1998 team would have a real hard time stopping the 2022 offense. And I admit this with Al Wilson being my all time favorite player.