Can UT finish the season 11-1 or 10-2?

[jakez4ut]

I voted 9-3, and I'd say that's worst case scenario. LSU is the one game that I worry the most about as to whether or nott hey can win, and with the SEC being as tough as it is, I could see the Vols losing 1 game in the Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky games.

how are those three there and not Bama?

there are 4 games left on the schedule that i think will be absolute dog fights...and maybe a 5th. In order of toughest to least toughest: LSU, UGA, Bama, USC, ARK.

and it's really a toss up for the last three...they all seem to be about on equal footing.

no way we lose to KY or Vandy this year.

 

[GVF]

On paper, loss to LSU. In reality, and as strong as they are, I see a good chance for us to squeeze in one we shouldn't win. I think we kind of expected to beat the Gators if we played good, but we don't exactly expect to beat LSU. But, that's actually the team mentality that has brought on some of these losses in years we should have won some big ones. I see us having found ourselves and rolling forward with that week by week. I see LSU as being on a level plane. They're really still looking for TB's and WR's to step up big. Ours have already accepted the challenge. I bet Spurrier goes out on the field every game, even with the SC roster, expecting to win. That's why he keeps it close with a HS roster.

 

[GVF]

how are those three there and not Bama?

there are 4 games left on the schedule that i think will be absolute dog fights...and maybe a 5th. In order of toughest to least toughest: LSU, UGA, Bama, USC, ARK.

and it's really a toss up for the last three...they all seem to be about on equal footing.

no way we lose to KY or Vandy this year.

I think the Arky game could be scary. I dunno bout those guys. They're kind of hanging on by a thread, but the thread won't break.

 

[GVF]

In reference to my above post and w/o looking up stats, Bowe is the only LSU receiver's name that I can even say i've heard much this year. Plus some RS freshman TB who pumped them up some last week. They are all D. Offensivley, we can hang.

 

[tidwell]

how are those three there and not Bama?

Ya got me. I was in a rush, on the way out the door, and should've just said the entire schedule.

Definitely meant to have the Tide there as well.

Also, I don't think the Vols will/should lose to UK or Vandy... but I'm also not going to let myself think that those games will be sure fire, 20+ point wins either.

 

[jakez4ut]

Ya got me. I was in a rush, on the way out the door, and should've just said the entire schedule.

Definitely meant to have the Tide there as well.

:thumbsup:

 

[allvol]

i'm just talking about the feel good mentality we have right now...last year was hardly feel good anything...yeah, i know we were #3 in the pre season, but that quickly evaporated.

In 92, we had defeated the supposed heavy weights on our schedule, and it was going to be a walk to the SEC CG. the only game left was Bama, and even losing that wouldn't affect the SEC CG spot. all we had to do was beat ARK, SC, KY, Vandy.

and we went on a 3 game skid...and lost to two teams we shouldn't have...on paper--and Florida got the nod in the SEC CG.

this is my point. you look at the remaining schedule this year and on paper, the only game we should lose, right now anyway, would be LSU....

but as we should have learned back then, on paper doesn't mean anything when you still have games to be played. Last year we were out of it before we got started. in 92, we had played our way into a great position...and blew it.

Unless Johnny Majors comes back this season, I wouldn't worry about losing 3 in-a-row.

The history, '92, is something I like to compare to.... however, the context of the 3-game skid in '92 is nowhere near like '06.

 

[allvol]

I keep reading where "on paper" LSU beats the Vols. However, they've only played 1 team (#3 Auburn) considered to be ranked in the top 50... and they only scored 3 pts and lost it. On the other hand, the Vols have played 3 teams (#15 Cal, #46 Air Force, and #5 Florida) in the top 50 and are 2-1 versus those teams. Just questioning why LSU is getting so much love here?

 

[tidwell]

I believe those questions you have for LSU may be answered on Saturday.

And if they are, that will show how good Auburn really is.

 

[Volfaithful]

I don't know what the final record is going to be but I think Coach Fulmer has the team going in the right direction. He's holding the team accountable for their decisions and he's letting them know that "failure is not an option." I like our chances this weekend because he's preparing the team to be disciplined and to play smart, it's going to be a good one.

 

[GVF]

I keep reading where "on paper" LSU beats the Vols. However, they've only played 1 team (#3 Auburn) considered to be ranked in the top 50... and they only scored 3 pts and lost it. On the other hand, the Vols have played 3 teams (#15 Cal, #46 Air Force, and #5 Florida) in the top 50 and are 2-1 versus those teams. Just questioning why LSU is getting so much love here?

Defense more than anything else. Plus the opportunity Russell brings to the game. At the same time, I can see your point. Russell, now being a veteren, should have managed to AU game better at the end, and LSU would have actually won that. He piddled around scrambling instead of throwing away when he had 45 seconds left, then takes over 20 seconds to get hte next play off which happens to be a completion to the AU 5 yard line, then clock zero. In any event, I just think LSU really was the better team that failed to execute at the proper time against AU.

 

[WA_Vol]

The next question I have is, if UT goes 11-1 can they go to a BCS game even if they don't get into the SEC CG?

 

[jakez4ut]

Defense more than anything else. Plus the opportunity Russell brings to the game. At the same time, I can see your point. Russell, now being a veteren, should have managed to AU game better at the end, and LSU would have actually won that. He piddled around scrambling instead of throwing away when he had 45 seconds left, then takes over 20 seconds to get hte next play off which happens to be a completion to the AU 5 yard line, then clock zero. In any event, I just think LSU really was the better team that failed to execute at the proper time against AU.

J. Russell is having a great year all in all...he and Ainge are the leaders in the SEC right now....and they have been lighting up everyone they play, except for auburn. And the defense is down right nasty. right now, 5 weeks in, they are playing better all around football on both sides of the ball than anyone in the conference. this is all subject to change, especially as we all get in to the meat of the conf. schedule...

 

[GVF]

It won't be automatic bid. I think there is an at large selection or 2, but i do't know the criteria for that selection. For instance, Boise State has a real possibility of going undefeated. They are in WAC (non-BCS conf.), so the only way they get in is an at large. Weak schedule overall compared to BCS conference schedules. They could not beat out UT on an at large if we are 11-1. Same thing happened to Utah and Meyer his last year there.

 

[jakez4ut]

The next question I have is, if UT goes 11-1 can they go to a BCS game even if they don't get into the SEC CG?

yes. Late season victory over what looks to be a very good LSU team right now should be enough to bolster TN to an at large BCS bid, even if UF wins out and goes to the SEC CG.

long, long way to go though. and it starts Sat. night. let's take care of that first....and go from there.

At this point, i'm still more concerned about beating some of our rivals than what bowl we get in to or even if we get to the SEC CG. Wins over UGA, Bama, SC would be great....and plenty to hang our hats on.

 

[GVF]

J. Russell is having a great year all in all...he and Ainge are the leaders in the SEC right now....and they have been lighting up everyone they play, except for auburn. And the defense is down right nasty. right now, 5 weeks in, they are playing better all around football on both sides of the ball than anyone in the conference. this is all subject to change, especially as we all get in to the meat of the conf. schedule...

J. Russell with our receiving corp would equal FUBAR on other defenses. Can you imagine one of our speedsters letiing it rip down the side line, past everyone, to catch up to a 70+ yard in flight pass. Naaaaaaaasssssttttttttteeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

 

[jakez4ut]

Unless Johnny Majors comes back this season, I wouldn't worry about losing 3 in-a-row.

The history, '92, is something I like to compare to.... however, the context of the 3-game skid in '92 is nowhere near like '06.

Oh, i agree...no coaching debates, or interim this or that...but as far as our position in the conference that year, it was similar to this year...that's where i was drawing the comparison from.

We were right there......all we had to do was beat USC and ARK and we were in the SEC CG, and we didn't get it done when no one that would ever happen..

seems like this year, after our quick start and improvements on offense, those games are being looked at as an afterthought by some...not all mind you.

that's all i'm getting at.

 

[jakez4ut]

J. Russell with our receiving corp would equal FUBAR on other defenses. Can you imagine one of our speedsters letiing it rip down the side line, past everyone, to catch up to a 70+ yard in flight pass. Naaaaaaaasssssttttttttteeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

agreed. Russell has a such a quick release...he seems to just "flick" the ball 50-60 yards in the air...get some fast guys that can run under some of those, wow. and it's not like LSU's receivers suck or anything either....

 

[GVF]

I know one thing. If we clean the rest of our plate, with what's left on it, and our only loss is to a UF tam that is still top 5 at seasons end and we beat LSU, they can all kiss my butt if we don't get the No.2 game.

 

[jakez4ut]

J. Russell with our receiving corp would equal FUBAR on other defenses. Can you imagine one of our speedsters letiing it rip down the side line, past everyone, to catch up to a 70+ yard in flight pass. Naaaaaaaasssssttttttttteeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

i think if there was one chink the armour for LSU is the running game...they haven't exactly lined it up and run over anyone really...at least not like they want to or were able to in the past couple of years...kind of like us. the big difference between them and us right now, is the defenses...they are way ahead of us on D.

 

[GVF]

agreed. Russell has a such a quick release...he seems to just "flick" the ball 50-60 yards in the air...get some fast guys that can run under some of those, wow. and it's not like LSU's receivers suck or anything either....

LSU receivers don't suck. They are young. Bowe is holding that corp together right now though. Some aging and maturing needed. They're kind of where we were last year at receiver. You knew it was there, but it wasn't. Honestly though, Russel has been measured from a passing stance, not running forward, at over 70 yards in flight. I saw it in a game last year on TV. He unoaded one from around the 15 or 20, all the way down inside the other 20 off his back foot, not even set to throw.

 

[jakez4ut]

I know one thing. If we clean the rest of our plate, with what's left on it, and our only loss is to a UF tam that is still top 5 at seasons end and we beat LSU, they can all kiss my butt if we don't get the No.2 game.

if we go 11-1...i don't know what i'd do...probably a lot of this::baloon: :yahoo: :w00t: :tease2: :rock:

 

[GVF]

i think if there was one chink the armour for LSU is the running game...they haven't exactly lined it up and run over anyone really...at least not like they want to or were able to in the past couple of years...kind of like us. the big difference between them and us right now, is the defenses...they are way ahead of us on D.

They did have young TB step up last week and show some promise. Can't recal his name. That has been an unexpected short coming for them this year. Shows what Addai was made of. O-line may be a little weaker this year as a contributing factor.

 

[jakez4ut]

They did have young TB step up last week and show some promise. Can't recal his name. That has been an unexpected short coming for them this year. Shows what Addai was made of. O-line may be a little weaker this year as a contributing factor.

yeah, the kid that had such a good game against OK in the NT game a couple of years ago really hasn't panned out like they thought...

 

[GVF]

i think if there was one chink the armour for LSU is the running game...they haven't exactly lined it up and run over anyone really...at least not like they want to or were able to in the past couple of years...kind of like us. the big difference between them and us right now, is the defenses...they are way ahead of us on D.

Miles has got busted on in that he's no Saban. Atleast in my in-laws family. They are all LSU. Native and proud. But, he's no dummy either. He didn't clean house when he came in and load up with his own coaches. He kept alot, including the DC at the time. Guess he's still there. He didn't go out of his way to reconstruct something that was churning. He adapted.