Don’t be angry. Be honest. (I’m encouraged)

[dwc13]

You’ve lost it. That QB was dropping dimes. We will be lucky if Nico ever gets to 80% of what there QB was last night. Kind of puzzling that you could even type that after watching what we did last night…..

Howard is a very accurate passer when given time. And he's very experienced. It didn't hurt (probably) having 3 future NFL receivers starting, with a 4th (Brandon Innis) a top reserve. Any team electing to single cover Jeremiah Smith is just asking for trouble...as long as Kelly/Day don't go crazy stupid with running plays up the middle. But the real key was the embattled Buckeyes O-line, which did a great job with pass protection last night. For the most part, they kept the pocket fairly clean on passing plays.

Nico Iamaleava is going to continue to improve. He's got intangibles that can't be taught. I really like the kid and I'm saying this as an Ohio State & Nebraska alum; no pre-conceived bias or hidden agenda here. Properly reading defenses, going through progressions, and making throws while anticipating receivers getting open (before they're actually open) takes lots of game experience. Practice reps only help so much. Actual game experience is invaluable. Iamaleava was learning on the job this season and that's a big ask. I think the experience he gained this season is really going to pay off in 2025 if he gets some help. FWIW, Tommie Frazier struggled at times as a true freshman once he took over as starting QB in 1992, but he -- and his Nebraska teams -- got a lot better over the next 3 seasons. But I digress. Tennessee needs to get some help for Iamaleava -- starting with difference makers at WR/TE and better pass protection (signing David Sanders Jr. is a great start).

I hope the Vols win the SEC next season. I can't stand Alabama, Georgia and Texas, lol. Wouldn't mind a rematch in the 2025 CFP Playoffs. I've never seen a game in Neyland Stadium. Feel free to hook me up with tickets, lol. Safe & enjoyable holidays, all.

 

[hound dog hillbil]

We are not a contender,it will be years to come before we are.

 

[sami]

Howard is a very accurate passer when given time. And he's very experienced. It didn't hurt (probably) having 3 future NFL receivers starting, with a 4th (Brandon Innis) a top reserve. Any team electing to single cover Jeremiah Smith is just asking for trouble...as long as Kelly/Day don't go crazy stupid with running plays up the middle. But the real key was the embattled Buckeyes O-line, which did a great job with pass protection last night. For the most part, they kept the pocket fairly clean on passing plays.

Nico Iamaleava is going to continue to improve. He's got intangibles that can't be taught. I really like the kid and I'm saying this as an Ohio State & Nebraska alum; no pre-conceived bias or hidden agenda here. Properly reading defenses, going through progressions, and making throws while anticipating receivers getting open (before they're actually open) takes lots of game experience. Practice reps only help so much. Actual game experience is invaluable. Iamaleava was learning on the job this season and that's a big ask. I think the experience he gained this season is really going to pay off in 2025 if he gets some help. FWIW, Tommie Frazier struggled at times as a true freshman once he took over as starting QB in 1992, but he -- and his Nebraska teams -- got a lot better over the next 3 seasons. But I digress. Tennessee needs to get some help for Iamaleava -- starting with difference makers at WR/TE and better pass protection (signing David Sanders Jr. is a great start).

I hope the Vols win the SEC next season. I can't stand Alabama, Georgia and Texas, lol. Wouldn't mind a rematch in the 2025 CFP Playoffs. I've never seen a game in Neyland Stadium. Feel free to hook me up with tickets, lol. Safe & enjoyable holidays, all.

Good, thoughtful take - sometimes a look from someone not living this 24-7 all season can be very instructive, sometimes more than even the rational viewpoints of the fan base, never mind the trolls who live to come out from under their rocks after every loss. Nico was always a work in progress this season, which was clear to anyone in the fan base with a clue.

OSU was a monster hiding in the weeds and never quite showing its true self until last Saturday. The Michigan game was clearly an anomaly, and maybe Day getting in his own way, but to me it seems that the talent on OSU kind of played down to its competition all season, never really seeing a real challenge after Oregon.

With the playoff and the 'disrespect' that OSU was getting from the national media and its own fan base, the monster was unleashed with all its fury. We are still clearly in the building process trying to get to elite status, and we got a look at truly elite CFP talent on Saturday, like nothing we've seen aside from UGa and some of the Saban teams.

You combine that talent with elite coaching on both sides of the ball, and you get 42-17. I don't see OSU losing again, with its biggest challenge probably this week in this ridiculously constructed bracket. Beyond that, only Georgia poses a potential threat, but with the backup QB is a wild card at this point.

Best of luck moving forward, and enjoy the holidays.

 

[xpsyclonex2002]

OP isn't wrong. I very much like CJH. But he's also got to acknowledge the predictability of the play calling and the fact that he clearly doesn't trust Nico to run a full offense. Next year there will be absolutely no excuse for Nico to not play to his potential. We rightfully can blame the o line for not giving him enough time. But at the end of the day, he's the man. If he can't execute the full playbook by next year, Why keep him as the starter? 3 years in the program and he can't fully execute the playbook?

Next year could be a little hairy. We aren't coming in with any proven stars in the offense. The D is losing it's best and no one has proven that they are ready to step in. The secondary is still our weakness. No solution on the horizon.

 

[HoptownVol]

Cycle of being a top ten team?

Delusions of grandeur!

 

[Carl Pickens]

Everyone ignores the elephant in the room. That is when a petulant Fulmer ditched Lane Kiffin, who had the inside playbook on Sabin, for Heupel. With what he's done with Ole Miss, Tennessee would have a national championship by now. 'nuff said!

 

[DaddyChad]

Delusions of grandeur!

Name ten above them. First six should be easy enough.

 

[Orangecrush#27]

You bought into the hype of this game.
Most fans would, but OSU was the only team we’ve played all year that pure talent advantage and coaching advantage. UGA is not as talented as this Ohio State team.
The talent on that OSU team- should not have lost twice this season. The feeling I had watching that game was similar to Nebraska 1997 vs Tennessee.

WHAT DID YOU ALL ACTUALLY EXPECT TO HAPPEN?

That game was lost before it started.
They knew how to stop our schedule (same as Georgia). Except unlike Georgia- Ohio State has the best WR in college football. An All -SEC Rb that is now part of a 1-2 punch for the Buckeyes.
They were clearly more talented and better prepared.

Solution- play the younger more talented guys sooner and bring new blood into the offensive room of coaches.

Just to be clear- Keenan Pili could have been healthy. Cam Seldon could have lived up to his talent. Mike Matthew’s could have been used much more and none of that would have changed the outcome tonight imo.
Ohio State still hasn’t played their A-Game and we were never a threat to them. And we’ve got some good talent- but we need more.

Ohio States starters were better and their bench was as well.

It was good for them to actually play a legitimately more talented team that was motivated.

I’m not saying anyone is stupid for being upset…
Or feels like our coaches aren’t good enough.
I’m just being honest in that Ohio State has a ton of future NFL players and we never stood a chance if they were motivated.

The seasons over.
- focus on the new class for 2025.
- Transfer Portal
- adding depth to the coaching staff.

I think Tennessee exceeded expectations.
Time for them to rest up and get ready for Winter S&C.

Nobody had this team making the playoff b4 the season with a freshman qb. If you expected TN to run through the toughest bracket of the playoffs you let your emotions take over. I’m proud of the team for this season. Saturday was a rough loss for sure, but the season as a whole was a success.

 

[nomads-11]

How in heck could you watch that and think we had the better QB????
Howard was 24-29 and putting passes perfectly on target.

Nico played his a$$ off and did more than anyone but he was far from being the best QB

Put Nico behind their line and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't go 24-29. They said Howard only hit the ground once in the game. Less talented QBs look damn good when the OL actually can block and they're not running for their life.

And that IS the point. Fix the damn OL and watch Nico put up similar numbers. Until then the Howards of the world will look better on any given night.

 

[GVol1966]

Put Nico behind their line and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't go 24-29. They said Howard only hit the ground once in the game. Less talented QBs look damn good when the OL actually can block and they're not running for their life.

And that IS the point. Fix the damn OL and watch Nico put up similar numbers. Until then the Howards of the world will look better on any given night.

Ifs ands and buts.
We were talking about Saturday night.
No debate to it. Howard was really good.
Nico was a dog, did the best he could under the circumstances.

 

[nomads-11]

Ifs ands and buts.
We were talking about Saturday night.
No debate to it. Howard was really good.
Nico was a dog, did the best he could under the circumstances.

Why? Why did Saturday happen wrt the offense? Why was Howard good?

I'm talking about this Saturday too...and I'm talking about Georgia this year, Alabama last year and prior years....and so on. It's a theme here. We whack middle of the pack SEC teams, but bring on the ones you gotta beat and the OL is a no show in so many ways. We'll be back here next year (name the game), saying the same thing, until they fix it. Guarantee it.

 

[HoptownVol]

Name ten above them. First six should be easy enough.

Embrace mediocrity!

 

[DaddyChad]

Embrace mediocrity!

So you just want to run that mouth but not use your brain to back anything up? I guess it’s always good to go with what you’re good at.

 

[HoptownVol]

So you just want to run that mouth but not use your brain to back anything up? I guess it’s always good to go with what you’re good at.

Here ya go... back this up..."ELITE DEFENSE, Best QB in the country, Top 10 team.... I really have to defend the comment about us being a mediocre team? I know UT fans are soft but if you can't admit that then you are too far gone for this forum.

 

[valoisvol]

I specifically watched our LBs during the game. They are not that good especially #22. We need help there

 

[easttnbuck]

Was going to say same thing...egregious penalties get focused on less b/c game was out of hand. And, not for nothing, but no one even mentioned targeting on Nico...OSU guys helmet cracked Nico's helmet on tackle, clearly helmet to helmet.

The only people saying that was targeting are people who really don't know what it is

First,.Nico was a runner and not defenseless. He lowered his helmet and initiated the contact.

If he's not defenseless it can't be targeting if he initiated the contact

 

[Vol4ever]

I respect the opinions of everyone here, but I feel like the “it’s ok, they just had more talent than us!” is just pillow softening. Biggest game of the year, biggest game since 1998, and THAT is our game plan? THAT is how our players respond?

There were zero adjustments. Zero schemes. Zero pride shown by anyone on that sideline. Maybe we come out a loser 10 out 10 times just due to a “talent gap” but there is no way anyone can look at what happened last night and be encouraged. We had three weeks to prepare and that is what we get? Our entire team had quit by halftime with very few exceptions.

Loked the same against Georgia

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Loked the same against Georgia

A lot of those quitters are now in the portal. We will replace them on the field with players who want to play here and win games. We will be OK next year and a National contender in 2026.

 

[87&91ALUM]

I would have liked to see a losers bracket and played Clemson in the Mercedes Dome ATL and if win that one we keep playing til we lose. I love football. Baseball plays winners and losers brackets. My wife and I would have gone to a Clemson vs UT bowl game in the ATL after losing to OSU.

 

[87&91ALUM]

Texas A&M fans having a good time tonight. Ditto Vandy fans. Ditto Arkansas fans. Sitting on my hands.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

What bothered me the most was the lack of heart. I didn't see much leadership on the field. I will rewatch the game but I don't remember any players holding each other accountable. SMH

It is possible that the majority of the squad suffered from the same shock that has been featured by our agenda driven weak minded followers (hate to qualify a lot of them as fans).

The pregame histrionics make me think they really were thinking it was going to be a battle and they were ready. Then the awful start, like the touch face mask call on third down that ended (to their credit) with a TD, almost every bounce going the other way, and getting down 3 scores.

Fought back SOME, cut it to 11, getting the ball after half. Then not flipping the switch and giving the ball back and a quick score. Bet they had some eye rolls like some of us fans. Not a good human reaction, but not an uncommon one.

OSU PERFORMED nothing like the MICH film study. I would have preferred we cut the margin, but rationally a loss is a loss in a winner take all game.

Taking too much from ANY loss or a win is poor use of history. Histrionics by players, coaches or fans is worse. Sometimes you just have to take it like a man, instead of squealing like a (fill in the blank). The greatest indicator of an emotional shortcoming is the use of RHETORICAL questions. Way too many of those in OUR thread titles.

OH LORD HOW LONG? Oops, my bad.

 

[LittleVol]

You bought into the hype of this game.
Most fans would, but OSU was the only team we’ve played all year that pure talent advantage and coaching advantage. UGA is not as talented as this Ohio State team.
The talent on that OSU team- should not have lost twice this season. The feeling I had watching that game was similar to Nebraska 1997 vs Tennessee.

WHAT DID YOU ALL ACTUALLY EXPECT TO HAPPEN?

That game was lost before it started.
They knew how to stop our schedule (same as Georgia). Except unlike Georgia- Ohio State has the best WR in college football. An All -SEC Rb that is now part of a 1-2 punch for the Buckeyes.
They were clearly more talented and better prepared.

Solution- play the younger more talented guys sooner and bring new blood into the offensive room of coaches.

Just to be clear- Keenan Pili could have been healthy. Cam Seldon could have lived up to his talent. Mike Matthew’s could have been used much more and none of that would have changed the outcome tonight imo.
Ohio State still hasn’t played their A-Game and we were never a threat to them. And we’ve got some good talent- but we need more.

Ohio States starters were better and their bench was as well.

It was good for them to actually play a legitimately more talented team that was motivated.

I’m not saying anyone is stupid for being upset…
Or feels like our coaches aren’t good enough.
I’m just being honest in that Ohio State has a ton of future NFL players and we never stood a chance if they were motivated.

The seasons over.
- focus on the new class for 2025.
- Transfer Portal
- adding depth to the coaching staff.

I think Tennessee exceeded expectations.
Time for them to rest up and get ready for Winter S&C.

And Ohio State is leading Oregon.
34 OSU
8 Oregon.

YIKES LOL

I was incredibly sleepy when I made then original post before. Fortunately enough people understood. Guys and Gals we have to support Heupel… His offensive foundation is a little outdated. He’s not Jimbo Fishser 3 years ago. But teams can stop us. So he needs to dig deeper and reach outside of his box.

We’ve fixed the defense now - ( honestly 100% believe this) - we just need ONE guy to add to that offensive staff that has a background in misdirection concepts.

Nico: we DONT go 10-3 if Nico is not in Knoxville. Again…we need just little better brain trust in our offensive room. One dude. The right dude. It doesn’t even need to be some hot up and coming coach. Heupel is still very capable.
Our QB looked inept at times because the defense literally had defenders in the spot Nico was taught to throw to under certain formations.


Saban had to change. The great one needed to flip his WHOLE IDEOLOGY. Remember? From ground attack and defense to Spread and speed everywhere. Why would Vol fans think Heupel doesn’t need to adapt when one of the greater coaches of all time did? Saban hired some of the best offensive minds and then added staffers like nobody had ever seen before to facilitate the change.

In Summary: Vol football is DAMN STRONG right now. And thank the Buckeyes for showing everyone that we still have a lot of room to grow. Evidently…so does everyone else including Oregon

I just wanted to hop on and say that.
Happy New Year .

See you all in the spring. Go VOLS

 

[87&91ALUM]

And Ohio State is leading Oregon.
34 OSU
8 Oregon.

YIKES LOL

I was incredibly sleepy when I made then original post before. Fortunately enough people understood. Guys and Gals we have to support Heupel… His offensive foundation is a little outdated. He’s not Jimbo Fishser 3 years ago. But teams can stop us. So he needs to dig deeper and reach outside of his box.

We’ve fixed the defense now - ( honestly 100% believe this) - we just need ONE guy to add to that offensive staff that has a background in misdirection concepts.

Nico: we DONT go 10-3 if Nico is not in Knoxville. Again…we need just little better brain trust in our offensive room. One dude. The right dude. It doesn’t even need to be some hot up and coming coach. Heupel is still very capable.
Our QB looked inept at times because the defense literally had defenders in the spot Nico was taught to throw to under certain formations.


Saban had to change. The great one needed to flip his WHOLE IDEOLOGY. Remember? From ground attack and defense to Spread and speed everywhere. Why would Vol fans think Heupel doesn’t need to adapt when one of the greater coaches of all time did? Saban hired some of the best offensive minds and then added staffers like nobody had ever seen before to facilitate the change.

In Summary: Vol football is DAMN STRONG right now. And thank the Buckeyes for showing everyone that we still have a lot of room to grow. Evidently…so does everyone else including Oregon

I just wanted to hop on and say that.
Happy New Year .

See you all in the spring. Go VOLS

We got our butt's kicked several times due to key missing players, physical and mental toughness, and making mistakes. The teams at the top don't make alot of mistakes, solid with personnel, and tough as nails.

 

[DaddyChad]

We got our butt's kicked several times due to key missing players, physical and mental toughness, and making mistakes. The teams at the top don't make alot of mistakes, solid with personnel, and tough as nails.

We didn’t have the personnel to stop their WRs. If they’re on I’m not sure a college team has a secondary that can stop them. You’ve got a bunch of first round WRs out there and a QB that’s getting them the ball accurately. Hard to deal with.

 

[VOLLeeann]

See you all in the spring. Go VOLS

Didn't you quit the forum? Like forever?