Confident USU Fans (blue cool-aid)

[sjt18]

Now you are just making yourself look foolish...ever hear of A.J Johnson, you know the Tenn player that is pre-season All American?

How many USU players made this list...EVER?

Phil Steele's 2014 college football preseason All-America team - ESPN

My friend... you just don't understand. You see their LB's are better than AJ. In fact, I believe one poster on the board linked here said that UT had not seen LB's as good as the ones they will see vs USU... You know, the SEC is know for producing very few good LB's and all.

And their QB? Murray, Newton, McCarron, Shaw, et al... They're TRASH compared to Keeton.

Dude you just need to get with the program... The monster Aggies are going to walk into Neyland with their superior players and stomp UT to a pulp...

Dang boy... ev'body 'no dat....:whistling:

 

[sjt18]

The thing that sticks out to me when reading their boards is that they are praying that Daniel Gray is healthy enough to start for them at corner . . . and they feel like they're secondary will be able to hold up against our WRs. :no:

If all other things were roughly equal (they're not but let's pretend)... then what you cite here is the gamechanger. UT may go 8 or 9 deep with guys that their secondary simply can't cover. Add the TE's and you've got 10-12 that can hurt them on any given play... add 3 guys who really catch the ball well out of the backfield... and we're up to as many as 15 guys.

They'll be thinking North, North, North to start the game. Opportunities should abound for the other guys to make big plays. I hope Smith gets his confidence booster early and shows off that speed he has.

 

[Boca Vol]

If all other things were roughly equal (they're not but let's pretend)... then what you cite here is the gamechanger. UT may go 8 or 9 deep with guys that their secondary simply can't cover. Add the TE's and you've got 10-12 that can hurt them on any given play... add 3 guys who really catch the ball well out of the backfield... and we're up to as many as 15 guys.

They'll be thinking North, North, North to start the game. Opportunities should abound for the other guys to make big plays. I hope Smith gets his confidence booster early and shows off that speed he has.

Inb4 we have no one who can get them the ball!

 

[BGKYVol]

Yeah they would have won if not for that. After all, we were 5-7 and they were 8-4, and everyone knows how many games you win is the only thing that matters when it comes to judging talent/matchups. Just ask your typical Utah State fan.

I am not sure why you are so offended that the USU poster supports his team?

According to you all that matters is that UT has won a lot of games over the past 100 years. Are you a typical UT poster, because that is a lousy reason to think UT will destroy USU.

I believe that UT will win by low double digits, but do not feel the need to insult USU and its posters because they have confidence in their team.

You remind me of the UF fans that I have encountered that are not content to support their team but feel the need to insult and harass the opposing teams' fans.

You can support your team without acting like a d-bag.

 

[Volz4lif3]

I am not sure why you are so offended that the USU poster supports his team?

According to you all that matters is that UT has won a lot of games over the past 100 years. Are you a typical UT poster, because that is a lousy reason to think UT will destroy USU.

I believe that UT will win by low double digits, but do not feel the need to insult USU and its posters because they have confidence in their team.

You remind me of the UF fans that I have encountered that are not content to support their team but feel the need to insult and harass the opposing teams' fans.

You can support your team without acting like a d-bag.

I agree..

 

[BGKYVol]

No one called UT a good team last season...even after the S. Carolina game. If you take out a severely injured UGA team and the result of that game it looks much worse when you calculate the average of Oregon, Bama, Mizzou, and Auburn. That average was 47.5 to 12.5.

Yes, UT played a tough schedule last year but they weren't very competitive outside of S. Carolina and an OT loss to a much over-rated UGA team.

Playing that schedule and pointed out where the opponents were ranked isn't really relevant when UT wasn't competitive in the games.

A voice of reason in the wilderness of insane fandom...

 

[sjt18]

Inb4 we have no one who can get them the ball!

Thanks... FTR, I actually think UT has 3 that can get them the ball.

 

[sjt18]

A voice of reason in the wilderness of insane fandom...

I think UT beats USU because the 2014 Vols are a better team than the 2014 Aggies. I think the Vols win by a fairly significant margin because I don't think their back 7 can cover UT's TE's, RB's, and WR's.

Tradition and crowds and noise and weather and all that stuff makes it fun. It is nice and probably serves as a slight advantage. But the game is played by players and coached by coaches. It comes down to executing and winning the point of attack battles.

If this game is lost then we should have serious doubts about the staff. Right now... through what they've done this fall to include the management of the QB competition... my confidence is increased fairly significantly over what it was just a few months ago.

 

[sjt18]

Your exact sentence was, "Sorry to disappoint, but losing to #6, #1, #2, #4, #5, and beating #10 in the country (rankings at the time we played them) doesn't make us a bad team."

All I said was when you get your butt handed to you in those losses then it does make you a bad team.

Regarding Worley, I'm not sure. There were some who put Bama on upset alert last season after the USC game. UT was getting hammered when he left the game.

As far as Neal taking every snap at RB, what does that have to do with UGA marching down the field to score a TD and tie the game?

UT was a bad team last season. That really has nothing to do with this season. UT should handle these games better. I'm not saying they will win all of them but the games should be more competitive.

That... is just an outstanding post. :good!:

 

[Volz4lif3]

I think UT beats USU because the 2014 Vols are a better team than the 2014 Aggies. I think the Vols win by a fairly significant margin because I don't think their back 7 can cover UT's TE's, RB's, and WR's.

Tradition and crowds and noise and weather and all that stuff makes it fun. It is nice and probably serves as a slight advantage. But the game is played by players and coached by coaches. It comes down to executing and winning the point of attack battles.

If this game is lost then we should have serious doubts about the staff. Right now... through what they've done this fall to include the management of the QB competition... my confidence is increased fairly significantly over what it was just a few months ago.

Sj that bout sums it up for me.. On that note Vawls win and close the thread, lol.. I'm just happy it's almost here..

 

[Boca Vol]

Thanks... FTR, I actually think UT has 3 that can get them the ball.

I do as well. I was just kidding. I think the key will be the receivers helping the QB, whomever it is. They have to make plays and go get the ball. I've seen too many UT WR's over the years wait for the ball to come to them. That's probably because UT has had such good passers historically.

I was watching some old replays of UT/UF games from the 90's and it was amazing how the UF receivers bailed out Weurffel.

 

[DuckinVol]

Couldn't help it. Had to post over there. Tried to keep it respectful, but I'm sure it will offend someone. Just the nature of message boards.

 

[supersmo18]

When I was 12 years old in 1958 I attended my first UT game when the MOCS beat the VOLS. The link describes the riot after the game

A UT football riot, Cronkite, and a TV reporter's dilemma | Frank Munger's Atomic City Underground | knoxnews.com

A segment of the goalpost from that game resides locked up in the basement of the Lambda Chi Alpha house at UTC. Pretty cool.

 

[KBVol]

Can anyone in here explain why the Vols are only 6.5 (or 6) point favorites?

( http://www.vegasinsider.com/college...tate-@-tennessee.cfm/date/8-31-14/time/1900#N )

You guys can all retire early if you can put your money where your mouths are here in Las Vegas!

1. UT is currently in, by far, the worst stretch of football in it's history. 4 straight losing seasons.

2. USU has a history of playing well vs Major conference teams.

3. UT has to replace every starter from both lines of scrimmage. IMHO, this sounds much worse than it actually is given our line play from the last few years

4. While USU returns a "Heisman trophy contender" at QB, Tennessee still hasn't settled on one....and the 3 we're choosing from aren't very good.

5. The overwhelming majority of talent on our team are true freshmen or sophomores.

6. USU is currently in the best 2 year stretch of football in their program's history.

Does that help?

 

[MJA]

1. UT is currently in, by far, the worst stretch of football in it's history. 4 straight losing seasons.

2. USU has a history of playing well vs Major conference teams.

3. UT has to replace every starter from both lines of scrimmage. IMHO, this sounds much worse than it actually is given our line play from the last few years

4. While USU returns a "Heisman trophy contender" at QB, Tennessee still hasn't settled on one....and the 3 we're choosing from aren't very good.

5. The overwhelming majority of talent on our team are true freshmen or sophomores.

6. USU is currently in the best 2 year stretch of football in their program's history.

Does that help?

Good post. So despite all of that, Tenn will win by 20+?

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I am not sure why you are so offended that the USU poster supports his team?

According to you all that matters is that UT has won a lot of games over the past 100 years. Are you a typical UT poster, because that is a lousy reason to think UT will destroy USU.

I believe that UT will win by low double digits, but do not feel the need to insult USU and its posters because they have confidence in their team.

You remind me of the UF fans that I have encountered that are not content to support their team but feel the need to insult and harass the opposing teams' fans.

You can support your team without acting like a d-bag.

I agree..

That... is just an outstanding post. :good!:

I'm not sure why everyone is treating me like such an aggressor here. You are defending him for defending his school, but attacking me for defending mine? He came to this board somewhat in peace just talking about a friendly wager, but before long he was going out of his way to point out our recent SEC record, how bad Worley is, and the fact that Western KY gave us the ball several times. So yes, I'm going to lash back and defend my team. He's a big boy, he can speak for himself. I am not a "UF fan who doesn't support his team but trashes others." I respect Utah State. I really like Madmartigan and have never said an aggressive word to him, but if you're going to come to a rival team's board you have to tread lightly or you will get backlash. Surely MJA expects that.

And again, I still stand beside the fact that we were not a bad team last year. IMO we were an average team with a brutal schedule. I'm not sure why Boca is so adamant about contesting that.

 

[Volz4lif3]

I'm not sure why everyone is treating me like such an aggressor here. You are defending him for defending his school, but attacking me for defending mine? He came to this board somewhat in peace just talking about a friendly wager, but before long he was going out of his way to point out our recent SEC record, how bad Worley is, and the fact that Western KY gave us the ball several times. So yes, I'm going to lash back and defend my team. He's a big boy, he can speak for himself. I am not a "UF fan who doesn't support his team but trashes others." I respect Utah State. I really like Madmartigan and have never said an aggressive word to him, but if you're going to come to a rival team's board you have to tread lightly or you will get backlash. Surely MJA expects that.

And again, I still stand beside the fact that we were not a bad team last year. IMO we were an average team with a brutal schedule. I'm not sure why Boca is so adamant about contesting that.

Not attacking you or defending him in what he's said, my thing is we don't need to act like an asshat with him like some Bammers, gators, Dawgs and so forth.. He has came off somewhat confrontational with his use of the words Vawls and of such like we are some backwards as s hillbillies. If we can put up with the rest of the scum of the SEC I believe we can put up with this guy for a few more weeks.. Then poof he's gone!

 

[AVolforLifenmeZac]

Good post. So despite all of that, Tenn will win by 20+?

I think it is going to be a close game until around the 4th quarter. I think our depth will eventually just be just to much for you all to overcome.

I think Utah state is taking for granted what it is going to be like tackling Lane and Hurd all day. Then when you all get tired of tackling them you still have North, Pearson, Malone, Howard, Smith, Wharton, Wolf, Helm, and many others to worry about. I think it could be a great game but we just have to many players that are game breakers for you all to stop. Good luck to your team in every other game in the season besides the opener in Neyland.

 

[sjt18]

4. While USU returns a "Heisman trophy contender" at QB, Tennessee still hasn't settled on one....and the 3 we're choosing from aren't very good.

That's the perception. Otherwise, good post.

Jones is pretty good at propaganda but once in awhile his assistants hurt his effort. While he's been critical of the QB's, Bajakian said they had 3 good players. He's coached good QB's so I assume he knows what one looks like...

 

[sjt18]

Good post. So despite all of that, Tenn will win by 20+?

Only a couple of those things have anything at all to do with this year's game... and one of those is speculation... the other may not be much of a weakness.

The fact that you think the past has bearing on this game... illustrates the problem with "expert" opinions at this point in the year.

Again, by religious principle, I don't gamble. If I did... I would put a LOT of money on UT to cover that 6 pt spread.

 

[Vol865]

Good post. So despite all of that, Tenn will win by 20+?

No just 17

 

[WilliamDuVOL]

Start QB, RB, 2 WRs, 1 OL, 4 D-linemen (both starting DEs, top 2 NGs), 2 starting LBs (a 3rd started the end of last season), FS, one CB

We are also MUCH deeper than the past 3 seasons, as we work our way from a dumpster fire program (pre 2010) to where we are now. We may have had some good starters graduate the past 3 years, but the depth behind them has improved significantly.

Our biggest potential weakness is at DB. I don't have faith that your QBs can exploit it, which is why I think the game will be close.

Phil Steele

I understand you return players from a perspective of having played in games, as do we, but according to Phil Steele you return the least starters in the country, 7 inlcuding a punter and kicker.

We return slightly more at 10, not including a punter and kicker.

 

[TheGoodStuff]

Good post. So despite all of that, Tenn will win by 20+?

I think most here expect/hope for a close win by UT. No doubt USU appears to be a quality team.

However, UT is on the upswing (as reflected in recruiting rankings and team discipline) and eventually should start playing closer to our recruiting rankings. When will that happen? Who knows... latter this year? early next year? USU is already "overachieving" (per your recruiting rankings).

The wild comments about blowing yall out are likely in response to wild claims by USU fans stating that USU is going to come to Neyland on a holiday weekend, with 100K fans and blow UT out.

If I am forced to choose from only one of two "unlikely" outcomes between a UT blowout or a USU blowout, I would certainly pick UT. Especially with the home field advantage.

 

[sjt18]

I'm not sure why everyone is treating me like such an aggressor here. .

I actually just agreed with Boca in the context of that single post that I happen to agree with. Last year wasn't good. I like what Jones has done since but was wholly UNIMPRESSED with what they did last fall.

My position is that these are two different teams from what they were last December. Both lost many players who made those teams what they were. As UT fans, we hope it was a purging of guys who were neither recruited nor developed to play in Jones' O or D systems. For them, they hope that the loss of the coach that led them out of the abyss and most of the players who actually made major contributions over this recent peak will not spell a speedy fall back to where they have historically been.

Just looking at the info we have available about these two teams which largely amounts to media reports, their spring game video, and overall athletic talent... I simply believe that UT wins. I believe the margin expands to 17+ because I don't think their back 7 will fair well against UT's receivers.

 

[sjt18]

The wild comments about blowing yall out are likely in response to wild claims by USU fans stating that USU is going to come to Neyland on a holiday weekend, with 100K fans and blow UT out.

If I am forced to choose from only one of two "unlikely" outcomes between a UT blowout or a USU blowout, I would certainly pick UT. Especially with the home field advantage.

Look at their secondary and compare to UT's receivers... That's where the idea comes from that UT can win this one handily. Even if all other things are equal, that looks like such and overwhelming mismatch that a "blowout" starts to look fairly reasonable.

Football is a funny game. Weird stuff happens. But their back 7 should really struggle against the size, speed, and talent UT will throw at them in the passing game.