Clarification: Tennessee is NOT competitive in the SEC

[volbound1700]

I hear people saying this, that isn't true.

The statement should be Tennessee isn't competitive against Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee, under Heupel, has a winning record against the SEC outside of Alabama and Georgia.

The SEC outside of those two programs is a bunch of mediocre to bad teams. The fact is the sport sucks because our league is a 2-team league. We might as well not even play the games and just have Alabama and Georgia play in Atlanta and that be the SEC season.

Maybe Oklahoma and Texas will change things but outside of 2019 LSU, no one has been competitive among the other SEC in the past decade. Even Georgia really wasn't that great until 2017.

Fact is that Saban (and now Smart) have sucked all of the life out of the sport...

It isn't just Tennessee having this problem...

 

[EastTNVol6240]

I hear people saying this, that isn't true.

The statement should be Tennessee isn't competitive against Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee, under Heupel, has a winning record against the SEC outside of Alabama and Georgia.

The SEC outside of those two programs is a bunch of mediocre to bad teams. The fact is the sport sucks because our league is a 2-team league. We might as well not even play the games and just have Alabama and Georgia play in Atlanta and that be the SEC season.

Maybe Oklahoma and Texas will change things but outside of 2019 LSU, no one has been competitive among the other SEC in the past decade. Even Georgia really wasn't that great until 2017.

Fact is that Saban (and now Smart) have sucked all of the life out of the sport...

It isn't just Tennessee having this problem...

I’m not real sure what you’re trying to say. Personally I’m jealous of those programs. They did what it took to get where they are. Bama brought saban in and made him the highest paid coach at the time. Ga fired richt who was winning 8-10 a year but they wanted more. Now look where both teams are. They did what it took whether it was popular or not. Tn has shown they won’t do what it takes. Mediocrity is where we will stay.

 

[DaddyChad]

We have a winning record other than the two best teams in the country over the past decade.

 

[volbound1700]

We have a winning record other than the two best teams in the country over the past decade.

Not really, Florida beat us and under Butch Jones and Pruitt, they had a losing record against the SEC West.

 

[volbound1700]

I’m not real sure what you’re trying to say. Personally I’m jealous of those programs. They did what it took to get where they are. Bama brought saban in and made him the highest paid coach at the time. Ga fired richt who was winning 8-10 a year but they wanted more. Now look where both teams are. They did what it took whether it was popular or not. Tn has shown they won’t do what it takes. Mediocrity is where we will stay.

Frankly, what I am saying is CFB has a problem with parity. The SEC has a problem with parity. If you get sick of it, stop watching.

If the other 12 SEC programs really made noise about it and the fanbases dialed out, the SEC would lose a ton of $$$. That talks.

Perhaps there should be a limit at how long a successful coach can stay at a program or limit on # of 4 and 5 stars a program can recruit to make it more like the NFL were you at least have hope with draft and salary caps that your team can be competitive and the talent is more balanced.

Try being a Vandy fan.

Also for all the whining about Tennessee not being competitive against the SEC, it is a BAD statement as most of the SEC is still behind Tennessee. Would you rank Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Miss State, Vandy, etc. ahead of Tennessee? They are in the SEC. More teams suck than are good in the SEC.

It isn't just the SEC, B1G has same problem.

When I first started watching College Football, teams like Illinois, Purdue, and Northwestern actually won B1G title. Auburn, Miss State, Arkansas, Tennessee, etc. made the SEC Championship game and had great seasons.

Now there is 0 parity outside of maybe the Pac12 which is going defunct now and the Big12. You can just pencil Alabama or Georgia as SEC Champ every year and Michigan or Ohio State as B1G Champ. Why play the game under that scenario and why should Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, LSU, USC, etc. fans even watch when you know who is going to win every year?

It is like showing up to playground every day to get kicked in the balls. Why watch this sport when it just punishes 90% of its fans year in and year out because it lacks rules that create parity and in fact, even is rigged to have teams like Alabama win it?

 

[EconVol92]

Right now there are 6 teams that all the other teams in the SEC would trade places with in a heartbeat. While some of the teams may be down they will rise again at some point.

Those teams are Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.

The other teams might have an up year or two, but they will return to the lower levels before long.

I can’t explain why A&M has not had any time of extended excellence as they appear to have all the pieces needed unlike the other non mentioned teams.

 

[volbound1700]

Right now there are 6 teams that all the other teams in the SEC would trade places with in a heartbeat. While some of the teams may be down they will rise again at some point.

Those teams are Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.

The other teams might have an up year or two, but they will return to the lower levels before long.

I can’t explain why A&M has not had any time of extended excellence as they appear to have all the pieces needed unlike the other non mentioned teams.

True but you have to go almost a decade (other than LSU in 2019) where even those "top" programs even won anything meaningful. In the case of Tennessee, you have to go back a Century so I am not sure we belong in that top 6 category anymore.

Saban has literally sucked the life out of the league.

 

[volfan102455]

Agree with the OP - you have Bama and UGA ... then the rest of the SEC.

 

[KTrain]

I hear people saying this, that isn't true.

The statement should be Tennessee isn't competitive against Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee, under Heupel, has a winning record against the SEC outside of Alabama and Georgia.

The SEC outside of those two programs is a bunch of mediocre to bad teams. The fact is the sport sucks because our league is a 2-team league. We might as well not even play the games and just have Alabama and Georgia play in Atlanta and that be the SEC season.

Maybe Oklahoma and Texas will change things but outside of 2019 LSU, no one has been competitive among the other SEC in the past decade. Even Georgia really wasn't that great until 2017.

Fact is that Saban (and now Smart) have sucked all of the life out of the sport...

It isn't just Tennessee having this problem...

LSU was in the SECC last year 2022 & the 2019 dominant team, so there's that.

 

[volfan102455]

I would love nothing better than the following to happen:

- Auburn upsets Bama
- Bama destroys UGA in the championships game
- OSU wins out (sorry can't support Michigan as I do think they messed with both an SEC and ACC team last year to keep the path for them to be in the playoffs)
- Washington or Oregon wins out - Washington would be a lock, Oregon if they win out would have overcome their one loss.
- Florida State wins out.
- Texas wins out.

That would undoubtedly put OSU, Washington / Oregon, Florida State and Texas in the CFP and I would be very happy to see Bama and UGA sitting it out.

Texas beat Bama AT BAMA and Bama beat UGA ==> a one loss Texas > a one loss UGA.

Edited to add - even if Bama beats Auburn. You don't leave out the 3 undefeated teams and well Texas beat BAMA at BAMA.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Frankly, what I am saying is CFB has a problem with parity. The SEC has a problem with parity. If you get sick of it, stop watching.

If the other 12 SEC programs really made noise about it and the fanbases dialed out, the SEC would lose a ton of $$$. That talks.

Perhaps there should be a limit at how long a successful coach can stay at a program or limit on # of 4 and 5 stars a program can recruit to make it more like the NFL were you at least have hope with draft and salary caps that your team can be competitive and the talent is more balanced.

Try being a Vandy fan.

Also for all the whining about Tennessee not being competitive against the SEC, it is a BAD statement as most of the SEC is still behind Tennessee. Would you rank Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Miss State, Vandy, etc. ahead of Tennessee? They are in the SEC. More teams suck than are good in the SEC.

It isn't just the SEC, B1G has same problem.

When I first started watching College Football, teams like Illinois, Purdue, and Northwestern actually won B1G title. Auburn, Miss State, Arkansas, Tennessee, etc. made the SEC Championship game and had great seasons.

Now there is 0 parity outside of maybe the Pac12 which is going defunct now and the Big12. You can just pencil Alabama or Georgia as SEC Champ every year and Michigan or Ohio State as B1G Champ. Why play the game under that scenario and why should Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, LSU, USC, etc. fans even watch when you know who is going to win every year?

It is like showing up to playground every day to get kicked in the balls. Why watch this sport when it just punishes 90% of its fans year in and year out because it lacks rules that create parity and in fact, even is rigged to have teams like Alabama win it?

Our program had every opportunity to hire a saban or Kirby. We didn’t. Now we are where we are. That’s on the admin. While I see your point, teams shouldn’t be punished for building what everyone wants to build. If TN was in domination right now your post would look a bit different.

 

[volbound1700]

LSU was in the SECC last year 2022 & the 2019 dominant team, so there's that.

LSU last year wasn't a real contender, they got lucky to beat Alabama in OT in a home game similar to Tennessee. It took a miracle and massive crowd support for either team to beat Alabama last year. Both went back to losing again this year.

 

[volbound1700]

Sounds a lot like promoting socialism. Our program had every opportunity to hire a saban or Kirby. We didn’t. Now we are where we are. That’s on the admin. While I see your point, teams shouldn’t be punished for building what everyone wants to build. If TN was in domination right now your post would look a bit different.

I don't trust that they built it fairly after the Pruitt fiasco. He had to get his cheating model from somewhere and he came from both programs.

Fact of the matter is, did any one enjoy the game yesterday? It is like being a Star Wars fan and going to see some of their modern mediocre movies. People tuned out and complained. Similar result. CFB just isn't fun. Tune out. CFB makes $$$ off fans. If it isn't producing a great product, than tune out and/or complain.

People do that all of the time with cinema, tv shows, music, and other forms of entertainment.

 

[volfan102455]

Sounds a lot like promoting socialism. Our program had every opportunity to hire a saban or Kirby. We didn’t. Now we are where we are. That’s on the admin. While I see your point, teams shouldn’t be punished for building what everyone wants to build. If TN was in domination right now your post would look a bit different.

I'll bit - who is the Saban or Kirby you would hire? Any coach that has been mentioned through out the years has gone elsewhere and ended up being fired.

 

[KTrain]

True but you have to go almost a decade (other than LSU in 2019) where even those "top" programs even won anything meaningful. In the case of Tennessee, you have to go back a Century so I am not sure we belong in that top 6 category anymore.

Saban has literally sucked the life out of the league.

Sucked the life out & NIL & Texas & Oklahoma will make the has Beens, RIP. The fantastic 4 league.

 

[volfan102455]

And as for Kirby - well he started with a LOADED team and took over at a time when the traditionally two best teams (Florida and Tennessee) are struggling with coaching changes. He hasn't had to play the best of the west every season.

Yes I think he has benefited from all that.

 

[KTrain]

LSU last year wasn't a real contender, they got lucky to beat Alabama in OT in a home game similar to Tennessee. It took a miracle and massive crowd support for either team to beat Alabama last year. Both went back to losing again this year.

So, if we had won the East last year after we barely beat Alabama on what they said was a lucky knuckle ball FG. We should just not go to the SECC, if we luck up and win. Gotcha, I understand.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

I'll bit - who is the Saban or Kirby you would hire? Any coach that has been mentioned through out the years has gone elsewhere and ended up being fired.

I dont by get paid millions to run an AD. That’s not for me to decide. I don’t know that we’ve made a “good” coaching hire since dumping fulmer. Jury is still out on Heup depending on who you ask. Possibly kiffin but that still went south. Point is they had many opportunities to spend big money and bring in a big time coach. After the 3-4 awful hires no big time coach was interested given the dumpster fire. Our university wasn’t willing to make the move that others were. Mostly when it comes to money. These issues didn’t just fall in our lap. They were created and multiplied by the admin continually trying to find the next great bargain bin coach.

 

[volbound1700]

I dont by get paid millions to run an AD. That’s not for me to decide. I don’t know that we’ve made a “good” coaching hire since dumping fulmer. Jury is still out on Heup depending on who you ask. Possibly kiffin but that still went south. Point is they had many opportunities to spend big money and bring in a big time coach. After the 3-4 awful hires no big time coach was interested given the dumpster fire. Our university wasn’t willing to make the move that others were. Mostly when it comes to money. These issues didn’t just fall in our lap. They were created and multiplied by the admin continually trying to find the next great bargain bin coach.

Sometimes even bringing in the high dollar coaching hire hasn't worked. Look at Texas A&M.

 

[volbound1700]

By watching and supporting the sport, you basically give a soap box to losers like this lol. Just dial out, that would be the ultimate middle finger to Alabama, Georgia, and the SEC.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Sometimes even bringing in the high dollar coaching hire hasn't worked. Look at Texas A&M.

You’re correct. There’s no guarantee. But you have to attempt to figure that out. We were never willing to attempt.

 

[volfan102455]

I dont by get paid millions to run an AD. That’s not for me to decide. I don’t know that we’ve made a “good” coaching hire since dumping fulmer. Jury is still out on Heup depending on who you ask. Possibly kiffin but that still went south. Point is they had many opportunities to spend big money and bring in a big time coach. After the 3-4 awful hires no big time coach was interested given the dumpster fire. Our university wasn’t willing to make the move that others were. Mostly when it comes to money. These issues didn’t just fall in our lap. They were created and multiplied by the admin continually trying to find the next great bargain bin coach.

Kiffin has not been able to beat Bama or UGA either.

 

[volbound1700]

You’re correct. There’s no guarantee. But you have to attempt to figure that out. We were never willing to attempt.

Just figure out the SEC is rigged for Alabama to win and there is nothing we can do about it. Just turn the sport off. I will watch College Basketball now, at least there is parity in the SEC.

 

[Mightyvol]

I hear people saying this, that isn't true.

The statement should be Tennessee isn't competitive against Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee, under Heupel, has a winning record against the SEC outside of Alabama and Georgia.

The SEC outside of those two programs is a bunch of mediocre to bad teams. The fact is the sport sucks because our league is a 2-team league. We might as well not even play the games and just have Alabama and Georgia play in Atlanta and that be the SEC season.

Maybe Oklahoma and Texas will change things but outside of 2019 LSU, no one has been competitive among the other SEC in the past decade. Even Georgia really wasn't that great until 2017.

Fact is that Saban (and now Smart) have sucked all of the life out of the sport...

It isn't just Tennessee having this problem...

I’m to the point of not watching football anymore, at any level, with the exception of Tennessee and that depends on if the game is competitive. I have found better ways to use my time.

 

[Hunerwadel]

Recruiting trumps coaching most of the time. Being in the top 15 is not good enough. Georgia and Alabama have been in the top 3 for several years now and it shows.