Is Oklahoma a must win?

[bpalmer28]

It's tough to imagine a playoff run without a win in Norman being part of the equation.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Feels like this has playoff implications written all over it.

Dunno. I do know we must show up and play the game to win. My dog agrees.

 

[volbound1700]

Because it is at home, I feel more confident against Alabama than I do about winning in Norman.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

To do what? get into the playoff? Its early so a stumble could possibly be recoverable but I cant image we end up in final 12 with anything less than 10-2 record. Considering Georgia is a tough win and maybe Alabama too in spite of new schemes, etc. So that leaves us with little room to choke OK.

We have to go some combination 2-2 against OU, Florida, Bama and UGA to make the CFP IMO. Actually, I’ll revise that and say Florida is a must win and we have to go no worse than 1-2 against OU, Bama and UGA.

 

[Swiftybaby]

Yes I believe so. Sets the tone

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Yea, a 10-2 SEC team is most definitely in the 12 team playoff. It's not out of the question that a 9-3 SEC team is in.

Top 7 ranked teams after the five conference champs. 10-2 is no guarantee.

 

[cgrish]

setting expectations to get to the playoffs is setting oneself up form disappointment. My expectations is to compete every time they hit the field and let the chips fall where they may.

2022 was a good chance with a QB having an elite type season to make some noise yet they fell short. That should communicate how difficult it is to reach the top. The top now is qualifying for the playoffs. Its going to be hard..

Too many fans are expecting too many SEC teams to reach playoffs. It might happen, but I have my doubts. SEC seasons are going to chop up SEC teams from reaching that goal. The league is unbelievably hard now.

JMO

I agree, a real top 12 team in the sec could be knocked out of top 12 with 3 losses. And yet still be one of the 12 best in the country. Just not ranked in the top 12

 

[DarkVolder]

Yea, a 10-2 SEC team is most definitely in the 12 team playoff. It's not out of the question that a 9-3 SEC team is in.

9-3 SEC team won’t get in

 

[DarkVolder]

Yea it’s absolutely a must win with the tough schedule

 

[OffTackleVol]

9-3 SEC team won’t get in

Not impossible........

 

[g0d0fm15ch13f]

Not anymore. The regular season is watered down now. 2 loss teams have a chance now.

cfp expansionists will defend this as a feature, not a bug...

 

[DarkVolder]

Not impossible........

Nope but unlikely I think they will do everything they can to minimize the amount of SEC teams in it

 

[LWSVOL]

I agree, a real top 12 team in the sec could be knocked out of top 12 with 3 losses. And yet still be one of the 12 best in the country. Just not ranked in the top 12

so could a 2 loss team like Oklahoma would have been this year. In fact, with two G5 league champions now eligible for automatic, you likely see two teams in top 12 left out

 

[Volfansince1980]

setting expectations to get to the playoffs is setting oneself up form disappointment. My expectations is to compete every time they hit the field and let the chips fall where they may.

2022 was a good chance with a QB having an elite type season to make some noise yet they fell short. That should communicate how difficult it is to reach the top. The top now is qualifying for the playoffs. Its going to be hard..

Too many fans are expecting too many SEC teams to reach playoffs. It might happen, but I have my doubts. SEC seasons are going to chop up SEC teams from reaching that goal. The league is unbelievably hard now.

JMO

Thanks for your cringy ‘keeping it real’ post in an attempt to diffuse excitement within in the program.

 

[LWSVOL]

Thanks for your cringy ‘keeping it real’ post in an attempt to diffuse excitement within in the program.

What I said is still exciting to me. I get to watch competition every week and pull for them to win. Doesn't diffuse anything in my mind..

 

[Rocky Top T]

If we lose at Oklahoma, we will have 3-4 losses next year

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

If we want a better than 50/50 shot at the playoff, yes.

 

[Nationdom]

Need to beat some teams that matter next year. Oklahoma is one of them. 11-1, loss to UGA

 

[TheVolunteer002]

I want it to be after that debacle I sat through at Neyland in 2015

 

[TheVolunteer002]

To do what? get into the playoff? Its early so a stumble could possibly be recoverable but I cant image we end up in final 12 with anything less than 10-2 record. Considering Georgia is a tough win and maybe Alabama too in spite of new schemes, etc. So that leaves us with little room to choke OK.

You can add Florida to that list too. I don't care how bad they are or how tough their schedule is.

 

[volfanhill]

Feels like this has playoff implications written all over it.

We have to win one of UGA, Bama, or OK to make the playoff. Then win out. That's the minimum we could do and make the playoff

 

[DarkVolder]

If we lose at Oklahoma, we will have 3-4 losses next year

We will lose to Georgia and Bama for sure and considering we have largely played like crap on the road under Heupel I can easily see us losing to Oklahoma. And Florida even at home is no gimme and very much a toss up. I’m not getting my hopes sky high for the 2024 and certainly predicting us to make the playoff. I think 7-5 or 8-4 is where we land in 2024

 

[Volfan1000]

It's tough to imagine a playoff run without a win in Norman being part of the equation.

Yes, This is a big road test for Tennessee.

 

[Budalicious]

Feels like this has playoff implications written all over it.

Every game has playoff implications!

 

[Rocky Top T]

We will lose to Georgia and Bama for sure and considering we have largely played like crap on the road under Heupel I can easily see us losing to Oklahoma. And Florida even at home is no gimme and very much a toss up. I’m not getting my hopes sky high for the 2024 and certainly predicting us to make the playoff. I think 7-5 or 8-4 is where we land in 2024

I agree. Think we win 8. Maybe 9. 10-2 would be great