Clarification: Tennessee is NOT competitive in the SEC

[JustinVol]

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?

Limit things??? Wow, this is the dumbest post I’ve read.

 

[Vol4gzus]

More people making up what they want to fit their agenda. When I say “could’ve chased a saban or Kirby, it doesn’t mean the literal name. It means a high level coach instead of sifting through dooleys, Pruitt’s, and butch

Oh now we change it up a bit do we? Oh.
.Franklin from vandee? Patterson at TCU? Kelly at Oregon?

 

[BAMA-DAWG]

Be sure that Greg Sankey and the power brokers are aware of the problem in the SEC. Fact is, regarding college football, the schools not named Bama and UGA have sucked for the better part of two decades. Bringing in UTex and OK will give the SEC more spots in the expanded playoff, while the existing SEC schools become irrelevant.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Let me see which button to push...oh my...nice slap in the face on key punching and setting up an account. You still make the assumption that I'm ok with the same coaches you keep running out there from the post Fulmer days. Still can't name a coach who would come here after they saw the treatment Fulmer received. My age doesn't matter because regardless I can read facts etc. But for the record was in stadium as a young adult when Vols beat Bo Jackson and aubbie. Was at game when Larry Seivers caught td to beat Clem and his son. You may now return to your throne of judgement .

Considering you were there for all those great moments, it’s even more puzzling that you think the university has done it’s best when it comes to coach hunting.

 

[Butch s]

Do you know for a fact that 4 years isn't in his NIL contract? His parents are big on academics...do you know for a fact they didn't want him redshirted at all possible his true freshman year? Much like Dobbs parents wanted him to be redshirted until an injury threw him into action.

I don’t and I assume neither do you

 

[Vol4gzus]

Considering you were there for all those great moments, it’s even more puzzling that you think the university has done it’s best when it comes to coach hunting.

You are The Supreme broken record! Pitiful is almost my label,but not yet. There is still hope that somehow you can flush the same,lame thought(which I never made or alluded to) that The University,my alma mater, had done its best in "coach hunting" after the Fulmer firing debacle. That continual post,in your mind alone, seems to make your post rational. Without that your house of cards implodes quickly. Wow I actually found the keys to type again. Now you may return to your throne of judgement unless somehow you admit your mistake that I never embraced this poor coaching hunt mentality you want to attach to me. Adios amigo...

 

[sami]

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

Actually, you have a few tiers:

Tier 1 - Alabama, Georgia

Tier 2 - LSU, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee
Tier 3 - Kentucky, Ole Miss, Miss. St., Missouri, Arkansas, USCjr, Texas A&M (although they should be in Tier 2)
Tier 4 - Vanderbilt

It remains to be seen whether Texas and Oklahoma will be Tier 1 or 2 now that they are competing against the big boys for talent.

 

[Budalicious]

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.

Could you clarify that? Hell we hire and fire coaches and offer coaches jobs like we change drawers. It’s not from lack of effort. Who knew Kiby would bloom. He is the only Saban assistant to do good. Richt left Georgia loaded annd stable And Saban…. Well they don’t grow on trees. You people make it sound like we are the only ones losing to them.

 

[sami]

Perhaps the better question is whether we ever will be competitive consistently against the likes of Georgia and Alabama? While adding Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC may become even more of a "have's" vs "have-nots". Texas and Oklahoma are going to have to prove they can deal with the grind of the week after week SEC slate vs what they have become accustomed to in the Big 12. I'm not sure either can despite the resources they have at their disposal, but their arrival will undoubtedly change the league and will expose Texas recruits to more SEC accessibility. Post expansion:

Georgia and Alabama remain the gold standard in the league. Bama will have the pick of the litter whenever Saban retires.
LSU really should be next in line given their advantages to elite athletes in the bayou and ready access to Texas, and nationwide exposure.
Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma....all have potential to compete at top level but A&M has already proved they can't consistently and expect the same will happen with the Longhorns and Sooners. Texas has immense resources so I could be wrong on them.
Tennessee, Auburn, Florida ...all have potential as well, with Florida having highest ceiling as their issues of late have primarily been head coaching. Auburn historically is a dysfunctional program with peaks and valleys. Tennessee has to recruit at a much higher level to compete with best and has to have elite level QB play in Heupel's offense or we are middle of the pack. UT will never have the # of elite athletes as those above us so coaching chops really matter.
Missouri may sneakily benefit from Texas/Oklahoma entry than one may think. Historically when they were in the Big 12 that grabbed their share of Texas athletes. UT has split our series with Missouri thus far so we can't discount them.
Arkansas could benefit more from Texas/Oklahoma entry into the league, but doubt they can consistently escape being a mid-tier team.
Ole Miss - I bet Kiffin wants out in a hurry as he will never compete with the best in the SEC. Once Kiffin leaves I think they are toast and will slide backwards.
Kentucky - same with Stoops. He has done the best he can with the Wildcats. Will never be a contender. I expect Kentucky will slide backwards post league expansion.
South Carolina - historically average to below average program and the dial will not move in the years to come. If they don't replace Beamer soon will continue to slide backwards.
Mississippi State - they are in trouble in my opinion. Mike Leach made them interesting. That is no longer the case.
Vanderbilt - life is going to be much more difficult as a Commodore fan and they already live at the bottom.

Excellent post and analysis. Well done.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Could you clarify that? Hell we hire and fire coaches and offer coaches jobs like we change drawers. It’s not from lack of effort. Who knew Kiby would bloom. He is the only Saban assistant to do good. Richt left Georgia loaded annd stable And Saban…. Well they don’t grow on trees. You people make it sound like we are the only ones losing to them.

Hire and fire like changing drawers? That’s exactly the problem. Post fulmer we made a bunch of offers and hires that we found in the underpants isle instead of coughing up money for a real coach. And if we’re being honest not that many here were excited about the name heupel. Losing to them is one thing, competing with them is another.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

You are The Supreme broken record! Pitiful is almost my label,but not yet. There is still hope that somehow you can flush the same,lame thought(which I never made or alluded to) that The University,my alma mater, had done its best in "coach hunting" after the Fulmer firing debacle. That continual post,in your mind alone, seems to make your post rational. Without that your house of cards implodes quickly. Wow I actually found the keys to type again. Now you may return to your throne of judgement unless somehow you admit your mistake that I never embraced this poor coaching hunt mentality you want to attach to me. Adios amigo...

You alluded to exactly that when you tried to flame me for saying there weren’t better coaches out there to chase when we made hires like Dooley, butch, Pruitt. That’s how English works. I would tell you where I went to school, but I’m assuming you give a **** about as much as a give a **** where you went. Adios

 

[Vol4gzus]

You alluded to exactly that when you tried to flame me for saying there weren’t better coaches out there to chase when we made hires like Dooley, butch, Pruitt. That’s how English works. I would tell you where I went to school, but I’m assuming you give a **** about as much as a give a **** where you went. Adios

You are the master of the twist! AGAIN, I NEVER SAID "there weren't better coaches out there." NEVER "flamed you either." That's you perception of being "flamed". If always in a defensive posture your dialogue attempts will do as here....implode. What I said about the hires being whatever you want to attach this time. You want to hide your school is fine. Then you want to go expletive because that really gets in my grill?(NOT) I simply told you my school because you called into question if I understood Vols history. You are simply master of twist and shout apparently. That's how English works for sure. GO VOLS!

 

[HoopCreekVol]

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.

You make a good point in that GA wanted more. Richt was consistently winning every year and would have been the darling of any college program. Job security was no issue at the rate he was going. But GA made a commitment to go to the next level and it paid off.

 

[hUTch2002]

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.

Kirby was a complete gamble and just happened to work out. There was zero proof he would anything like what’s he’s been. Good for UGA but they flat out got lucky.

 

[volfan102455]

florida state won’t win out, bama or uga will be in 100%

So you believe they are going to lose to Florida or Louisville?

 

[Undercs]

So you believe they are going to lose to Florida or Louisville?

yes since their qb is done for the year

 

[volfan102455]

Actually, you have a few tiers:

Tier 1 - Alabama, Georgia

Tier 2 - LSU, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee
Tier 3 - Kentucky, Ole Miss, Miss. St., Missouri, Arkansas, USCjr, Texas A&M (although they should be in Tier 2)
Tier 4 - Vanderbilt

It remains to be seen whether Texas and Oklahoma will be Tier 1 or 2 now that they are competing against the big boys for talent.

I agree with this. Those in tier 3 will have years when they are competitive, and the schedule is in their favor. Unlike others I don't automatically put Texas and OU in tier 1. They are tier 2 until they can prove they can survive more than one game against teams in the SEC.

I do think with the addition of the teams and the disbanding of the east / west divisions and scheduling which will no longer favor UGA, we will finally see if Kirby really is that good of a coach or if he just benefited from starting with a loaded team. Saban will eventually retire - you can tell he doesn't like the new rules at all because NIL, the transfer portal and the monster conferences are leveling things. None of those who have been mentioned as replacements have been able to beat him which means that are not him.

 

[volfan102455]

yes since their qb is done for the year

FSU beast Florida. One of OSU and Michigan are going to lose - and FSU will move into the top 4. Oregon and Texas will eventually play each other, and one will lose. If Louisville beats FSU with FSU at 4, they will be in the conversation.

The point is if Bama beats UGA, we have a SEC champion with at least 1 loss. It is widely accepted that the SEC is weak this season. The Texas win at Bama is the reason.

If UGA wins out, yes they are in - because there can only be at most 4 teams with no losses at this point. But if UGA loses - all bets are off for the SEC.

 

[volfan102455]

You make a good point in that GA wanted more. Richt was consistently winning every year and would have been the darling of any college program. Job security was no issue at the rate he was going. But GA made a commitment to go to the next level and it paid off.

Richt left Kirby a LOADED team. Kirby was an unknown and a gamble. He has also benefited by scheduling in the SEC and being in the east. He will no longer benefit next year.

 

[CPVOL]

Do not miss the days of finding myself invested in watching the Michigan/OSU game bc our program was so bad. Never, ever wanna see those days again. Ever

 

[Vol Farmer]

What is this, manifestos night ?

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Kirby was a complete gamble and just happened to work out. There was zero proof he would anything like what’s he’s been. Good for UGA but they flat out got lucky.

I’ll agree. But they took the step off of the ledge to get lucky. They could’ve kept Richt and continued down the path of 8ish+ wins a season. The numbers that many here will tell you we should be ecstatic to see yearly.

 

[hUTch2002]

I’ll agree. But they took the step off of the ledge to get lucky. They could’ve kept Richt and continued down the path of 8ish+ wins a season. The numbers that many here will tell you we should be ecstatic to see yearly.

You’re correct but they also gave Richt a very long time. We’re far from any action with Heupel, as we should be.

 

[volbound1700]

Actually, you have a few tiers:

Tier 1 - Alabama, Georgia

Tier 2 - LSU, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee
Tier 3 - Kentucky, Ole Miss, Miss. St., Missouri, Arkansas, USCjr, Texas A&M (although they should be in Tier 2)
Tier 4 - Vanderbilt

It remains to be seen whether Texas and Oklahoma will be Tier 1 or 2 now that they are competing against the big boys for talent.

Is Tennessee in Tier 2? One good year (2022) doesn't put them in Tier 2. Some of the teams in Tier 3 have had a lot more success the last 10 years than Tennessee. Auburn and Florida have an argument to be in Tier 3 as well.

 

[volbound1700]

Limit things??? Wow, this is the dumbest post I’ve read.

NFL has that model.

That is why it has taken off and blown by CFB in popularity. It actual has parity and you feel like your team has hope instead of being the bitch of your rivals for multiple decades.