Guys….

[SprocketRocket]

Look, the reality is that GA is a good team. We went on the road and we lost. We didn't get blown out or embarrassed - we lost. We lost to a very good team at their place. There is no shame in that. Not into moral victories - this wasn't one. It was just a loss. And in the eyes of the pollsters, not even a bad one.

If you had told me at the beginning of the season that going into the GA game, we would be playing for a spot in the SEC Championship Game I would not have been terribly surprised. I also would not have been terribly surprised if we went into the GA game in the spot that GA was in - with two losses and that game being a playoff elimination game. It wasn't. Keep in mind that GA's backs were against the wall. I loved seeing Ole' Miss paste them the week before, but they got embarrassed and that was all Smart needed to motivate them. They got hammered the week before, they were facing playoff elimination, and playing at home at night in their first home game in over a month. They were ready for us. If you want to be mad about a loss, be mad about losing to Arkansas. This was always going to be a tough out. Always.

 

[EZE]

I'd like to reach a point where we can criticize our team without being accused of wanting to fire every coach and player, being called negavols, etc. Anyone questioning the game needs to be reminded that we once had Dooley, Cornbread, etc and we don't want to go back to that right ?

Tone matters. I think most folks can handle objective analysis. It’s the unhinged rants that are ridiculous.

 

[Other_Guy]

There are 2 ways of looking at this and I go back and forth:
1. Tenn is likely going 10-2 and even missing the playoffs would be favored over the rest of the field and likely going 11-2 after going 9-4 and also 11-2. That's a miracle from where they were 2020. We'll take it.
2. South Carolina is only 1 game worse than Tenn and their FR QB is playing incredibly well. This was Tenn's best chance of going 11-1 and making a deep run but the team clearly isn't good enough and it's not clear enough to me that they would be better next year. This was kinda "the year".

 

[EZE]

There are 2 ways of looking at this and I go back and forth:
1. Tenn is likely going 10-2 and even missing the playoffs would be favored over the rest of the field and likely going 11-2 after going 9-4 and also 11-2. That's a miracle from where they were 2020. We'll take it.
2. South Carolina is only 1 game worse than Tenn and their FR QB is playing incredibly well. This was Tenn's best chance of going 11-1 and making a deep run but the team clearly isn't good enough and it's not clear enough to me that they would be better next year. This was kinda "the year".

We are getting to the place that every year could be “the year.”

 

[CAVPUT]

I knew you'd be here. You are pathetic.

He ain't wrong. He makes valid points shared by a lot of people. Instead of calling him names, try debating him. Make your points. I'll hang up and listen.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Thinking back earlier in the season, Georgia was viewed as a sure loss and many fans would be thrilled to be 10 and 2 (assuming we don't stink up the rest of the season. That said, I wish our OC and DC would realize they'll never get fired and start pushing the pedal to the metal.

 

[Other_Guy]

We are getting to the place that every year could be “the year.”

Yes but I think many of us think next year would be tougher given who they're losing but we severely overestimated nicos development

 

[aRmo]

I would be happy with 10-2 and a playoff birth. If we dont get in the playoffs then i will be disappointed. The goal this season was to get into the playoffs. So if we dont meet our goal its ok to be disappointed. Just dont do what FSU fans did last year and threaten to sue everyone who moves.

 

[Nicovfl8]

And gals,

that loss stings, as all losses do. Please quit with the negativity though, my goodness. Some of you wear the rest of this fan base out. We sit here in Nov with 2 losses and the opportunity to finish the regular season that way. You’d be a liar if you said you wouldn’t take that in August. Relax and let the chips fall. Any ball knower in America knows we deserve a top 12 spot if we win out. Obviously there’s room for improvement with players and coaches, but please step away from the ledge. Don’t all the sudden develop amnesia from the last 15 years.

Totally agree, just win these last 2, let everyone else play their tough games and be fine. Mark my words, we will be in the 12 team playoff.

 

[Tennman]

They aren’t beating Ole Miss most likely

They aren’t beating Ole Miss most likely

but we need them too

 

[Behr]

STOP TELLING ME HOW TO FAN.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

but we need them too

Oh for the first time in my life I am unabashedly rooting for Florida. Just don’t expect a win for them.

 

[DaddyChad]

They aren’t beating Ole Miss most likely

Ole Miss is very weird. They’ve lost to some terrible teams and beat some good ones badly. Depends on which Ole Miss shows up in the swamp.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Ole Miss is very weird. They’ve lost to some terrible teams and beat some good ones badly. Depends on which Ole Miss shows up in the swamp.

I wouldn’t call LSU terrible, though they’re not exactly very good

 

[DaddyChad]

I wouldn’t call LSU terrible, though they’re not exactly very good

Florida pretty well trounced them.

 

[loservol]

2. South Carolina is only 1 game worse than Tenn and their FR QB is playing incredibly well. This was Tenn's best chance of going 11-1 and making a deep run but the team clearly isn't good enough and it's not clear enough to me that they would be better next year. This was kinda "the year".

Next season, TN has to go on the rd and play Florida, Bama and right now it just doesn't seem to matter where the Vols play Georgia at.

It is going to be a lot harder and the Vols are probably looking at an 8-4 season, unless something changes for the better.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Florida pretty well trounced them.

Florida is another team that is not terrible but not good

 

[DaddyChad]

Florida is another team that is not terrible but not good

They’re a much better team than they were to start the year. Lagway and that defense will be a handful for Lane this weekend.

IF the conference gives Florida a chance to win. Got to protect your playoff teams.

 

[Golfprovol]

Stop telling others how to fan. Some of us donate a bunch of money and time to this university and especially the football program. And some of us have been ticket holders for 30 years. Some of us are sick and tired of seeing our team keep crapping the bed on the road.

I don’t care if my negativity is wearing you out. I want TN to be THE best program there is. I want us to take that next step into the elite category. I get pissed when we play like crap. If you don’t like that or that “wears you out?” Then there is an ignore button.

Who is "elite" this year?

 

[Golfprovol]

THinking back earlier in the season, Georgia was viewed as a sure loss and many fans would be thrilled to be 10 and 2 (assuming we don't stink up the rest ofnthe season. That said, I wish our OCmand DC would realize they'll never get fired and start pushing the pedal to the metal.

Exactly, most said a loss to Bama and Georgia was almost a given.

 

[All Vol!]

Stop telling others how to fan. Some of us donate a bunch of money and time to this university and especially the football program. And some of us have been ticket holders for 30 years. Some of us are sick and tired of seeing our team keep crapping the bed on the road.

I don’t care if my negativity is wearing you out. I want TN to be THE best program there is. I want us to take that next step into the elite category. I get pissed when we play like crap. If you don’t like that or that “wears you out?” Then there is an ignore button.

You’re an idiot. If you think we played like crap, I doubt a single player on the team would want you as a fan. Here’s a quarter…

 

[LittleVol]

And gals,

that loss stings, as all losses do. Please quit with the negativity though, my goodness. Some of you wear the rest of this fan base out. We sit here in Nov with 2 losses and the opportunity to finish the regular season that way. You’d be a liar if you said you wouldn’t take that in August. Relax and let the chips fall. Any ball knower in America knows we deserve a top 12 spot if we win out. Obviously there’s room for improvement with players and coaches, but please step away from the ledge. Don’t all the sudden develop amnesia from the last 15 years.

I agree that people need to stop off the ledge.

But people can go far in the opposite direction and just not be so emotionally attached to a team.

It’s obvious to an unbiased mind, that Heupel has limitations in - oddly enough- offensive creativity.
It’s a pretty simple fix.
He just needs to bring in an actual OC to take his offense and expand it. Give that guy play calling duties and he himself focus on the team.

Losing to Georgia this time was not about Jimmy’s and Joes. That defense literally knew what were doing on almost every offensive play.

So no need to be so negative. If Heupel makes this move- more than likely Tennessee will rise.
If not….well