Is it just me

#1
GBO97

GBO97

The Beast is Rising
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
3,098
Likes
2,968
#1
Or are lots of people getting more pessimistic about this team? A few weeks ago, I seem to recall many UT fans, opposing fans, and media saying that we would likely go bowling, and that 7-5 was very possible. Now, it seems like many people (esp the media) think we will struggle and more than likely miss a bowl. Some people won't even give us a shot against rebuilding Florida and Mizzou teams at home. I've even heard a few of our fans say recently that 4-8 is the expectation for this team. (Whereas a few of our fans have seemingly drifted in the other direction, saying we should expect 8-4.) I feel like we are getting even less respect as the season grows closer. It's like people think Butch won't have this years team any better than last year's, possibly even worse. But maybe that's a good thing.
 
#2
#2
Finally the fans are getting it.

It will be ugly early on... the young guns will be out of position, and often. Running backs will get hammered in the backfield. Just will take time.

Later in Oct and Nov I expect the Vols to gel... 6-6 and will go bowling.
 
#3
#3
GBO97 said:
Or are lots of people getting more pessimistic about this team? A few weeks ago, I seem to recall many UT fans, opposing fans, and media saying that we would likely go bowling, and that 7-5 was very possible. Now, it seems like many people (esp the media) think we will struggle and more than likely miss a bowl. Some people won't even give us a shot against rebuilding Florida and Mizzou teams at home. I've even heard a few of our fans say recently that 4-8 is the expectation for this team. (Whereas a few of our fans have seemingly drifted in the other direction, saying we should expect 8-4.) I feel like we are getting even less respect as the season grows closer. It's like people think Butch won't have this years team any better than last year's, possibly even worse. But maybe that's a good thing.
Click to expand...

Everyone is afraid to believe things could be getting better because of Dooley. He sucked the life out of VN. Fortunately, it seems CBJ has made a u-turn and has us going in the right direction again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#4
#4
I have been a VOL ALL my life. I enjoyed the tail.end of Dickey's run, the lean years when Bear beat us every freakin' year, the Sugar Vol's, the NC, and the decline we have suffered. So I have come to temper my expectations but I do feel good about this team, real good, although I know we will get pummeled in some games. I think we go bowling, somehow we get the wins. The one thing I do not understand is how so many on VN want to ignore all the talent on FL and consider this a sure fire win for us. They were decimated by injuries, some of which we inflicted, last year. That resulted in 4 - 8, not because of poor recruiting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#5
#5
Mostly because a starting QB has yet to emerge. I think we tend to (perhaps irrationally) think "oh $h!t they all still equally suck"
 
#7
#7
I started a thread of similar content recently. I think we have just experienced so much failure lately that a lot of our fanbase is afraid to believe anything decent is possible. Obviously, we aren't going to compete for a championship at this point but it is perfectly reasonable to shoot for 8 wins. Instead most people seem to be fine if with getting to 6 wins. Wtf. I'll never be fine with losing every single game of consequence
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#8
#8
There is absolutely no excuse for us not to win 6 games this season and go bowling. The QB play should be better this season and we were a couple of plays away from going 7-5 last year. There is no Auburn or Oregon. Mizzou has lost almost all of their offensive weapons and many on defense. UF is at home so at least there is a home field advantage.

USU, Arky St., Vandy, Chattanooga and UK should not present much of a challenge for the talent we have.
 
Last edited:
#9
#9
I must be weird, but I'm pretty dang happy to see progress. I don't require championships the first year, or even the first 2-3 years. I just want to see teams that try hard, that don't give up even if they're vastly outmanned, that hold their heads up and keep trying.

When you have teams that do this, you're going to start being champions soon enough.

In other words, I'm old, and I have patience, and I understand that some things take time. :)

eta:

PS: if you live long enough, you will find that for one reason or another, you will get your a$$ kicked. (It's a hard lesson to learn, but it's part of life.) The measure of you as a human being is how you react to this, and how you move forward.

GBO
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#10
#10
GBO97 said:
Or are lots of people getting more pessimistic about this team? A few weeks ago, I seem to recall many UT fans, opposing fans, and media saying that we would likely go bowling, and that 7-5 was very possible. Now, it seems like many people (esp the media) think we will struggle and more than likely miss a bowl. Some people won't even give us a shot against rebuilding Florida and Mizzou teams at home. I've even heard a few of our fans say recently that 4-8 is the expectation for this team. (Whereas a few of our fans have seemingly drifted in the other direction, saying we should expect 8-4.) I feel like we are getting even less respect as the season grows closer. It's like people think Butch won't have this years team any better than last year's, possibly even worse. But maybe that's a good thing.
Click to expand...



The media hasn't changed their predictions just because practice has started. People just ignored it over the offseason because it didn't jive with their own unrealistic predictions. But now practice has started and some of the issues the media have pointed out are being played out of the practice field and reality for them is setting in. Practice is going about how I expected it to because I think this is a 6-6 team. But I can see how the 8-4 crowd might be going through a little wake up call right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#11
#11
VolNExile said:
I must be weird, but I'm pretty dang happy to see progress. I don't require championships the first year, or even the first 2-3 years. I just want to see teams that try hard, that don't give up even if they're vastly outmanned, that hold their heads up and keep trying.

When you have teams that do this, you're going to start being champions soon enough.

In other words, I'm old, and I have patience, and I understand that some things take time. :)

eta:

PS: if you live long enough, you will find that for one reason or another, you will get your a$$ kicked. (It's a hard lesson to learn, but it's part of life.) The measure of you as a human being is how you react to this, and how you move forward.

GBO
Click to expand...

Hell yea brotha wise words that everyone on volnation can benefit from. Being a fan and human being. Go big orange.

PS - to add to your wisdom you get your a$$ kicked to appreciate kickin a$$ and winning. VFL
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#12
#12
I think fans/media are not sure about both sides of the lines and how they will do. Also I think they are a little worried about some of the hints that CBJ have been giving in his press conferences about the team and how young they are.
 
#14
#14
AJeray4TN said:
People hate us.
Click to expand...

3n92b.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#15
#15
fade route said:
The media hasn't changed their predictions just because practice has started. People just ignored it over the offseason because it didn't jive with their own unrealistic predictions. But now practice has started and some of the issues the media have pointed out are being played out of the practice field and reality for them is setting in. Practice is going about how I expected it to because I think this is a 6-6 team. But I can see how the 8-4 crowd might be going through a little wake up call right now.
Click to expand...

Reality hates UT!
 
#16
#16
I'm not ready to burn my mattress just yet!
Compared to Dec to Spring to now: we have consistently improved.

Over the last two weeks we have gained much, much more confidence in our Defense. The Secondary and LBs are solid and we have good depth. Our DLine has greatly improved too, especially DE with Maggitt, Vereen, Barnett & Mixon. DT is improving but nowhere near the concern we had after Spring.

Special Teams are starting to look like a real asset too. Medley and Darr are consistently performing well and we have great talent on return teams. We also have much more speed on Special Teams Coverage.

Offense has sputtered a bit since Spring but we are seeing some talent shine through. Coleman Thomas is getting more thrown at him and he is growing and improving. Blair is much improved too but Gilliam is still better. The interior of the Oline is solid but we could use a little more Oline depth...like Robertson. We have a great stable of RBs and WRs. Our TEs keep getting better with AJ and Alex pushing the Freshman. QB has been very spotty and that is a concern because we know how hard they have practiced in the offseason. Maybe they will look the part tomorrow.
 
#18
#18
HuntlandVolinColo said:
I'm not ready to burn my mattress just yet!
Compared to Dec to Spring to now: we have consistently improved.

Over the last two weeks we have gained much, much more confidence in our Defense. The Secondary and LBs are solid and we have good depth. Our DLine has greatly improved too, especially DE with Maggitt, Vereen, Barnett & Mixon. DT is improving but nowhere near the concern we had after Spring.

Special Teams are starting to look like a real asset too. Medley and Darr are consistently performing well and we have great talent on return teams. We also have much more speed on Special Teams Coverage.

Offense has sputtered a bit since Spring but we are seeing some talent shine through. Coleman Thomas is getting more thrown at him and he is growing and improving. Blair is much improved too but Gilliam is still better. The interior of the Oline is solid but we could use a little more Oline depth...like Robertson. We have a great stable of RBs and WRs. Our TEs keep getting better with AJ and Alex pushing the Freshman. QB has been very spotty and that is a concern because we know how hard they have practiced in the offseason. Maybe they will look the part tomorrow.
Click to expand...

A true VN'er always has their mattress ready.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#20
#20
I'm not sold on the offensive schemes. Reminds too much of the Clawfence especially in how "productive" it's been. I think Butch is stubborn in sticking to it rather than try to tailor together something that plays to our team strengths and help us win (as clk did in his one year)

That said I still hope we at least make a bowl game. As a fan I go into every game thinking there's a chance to win but will be realistic about the overall prospects for the season
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#21
#21
I look forward to the posts everyday in Volnation. I have been a die hard fan since before Doug Dickey. I was an athlete and still have to have my sport fix every single day. I love reading the different opinions about the Vols, even if they differ from how I see it. I saw James Franklin come in and turn Vandy around quickly and now you see the Vandy fans with their chests stuck out and wearing the gear. That is what college sports is all about. Be proud through thick and thin. We have been down for several years now but that is about to be old news. Butch gets it. 8 wins this year . 10 in 2015. My glasses may be orange tinted but I know the real deal when I see it. We are loading up with talent. Don't listen to all that pessimism, it starts this year. VFL and proud of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#25
#25
ALLVOL24/7/365 said:
I have been a VOL ALL my life. I enjoyed the tail.end of Dickey's run, the lean years when Bear beat us every freakin' year, the Sugar Vol's, the NC, and the decline we have suffered. So I have come to temper my expectations but I do feel good about this team, real good, although I know we will get pummeled in some games. I think we go bowling, somehow we get the wins. The one thing I do not understand is how so many on VN want to ignore all the talent on FL and consider this a sure fire win for us. They were decimated by injuries, some of which we inflicted, last year. That resulted in 4 - 8, not because of poor recruiting.
Click to expand...

I think people believe FL is a possible win, because their coach may be as bad a head coach as Dooley. He was a great coordinator, but that might be the level at which he petered out. Many people think our program is cursed, but him turning us down was a blessing.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top