Is Saturday the Biggest Game in 23 years?

[The Original Fade]

If Vols lose it will cement the opinion that Heupel teams play poorly on the road.

I think if we lose the conclusion on Heupel will be that he’s a very likeable guy with a good offensive mind but not an upper tier head coach

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Let’s just say that it is a BIG game. Then we can say that every game we win after that is a bigger game. Once again, we pretty much control our own destiny. Fewer and fewer schools can say that.

Exactly . Going forward, if we win… the game in front of us will be the biggest game since.. It will be uncharted territory bc no one has been in this situation before.

Looking at it past Vandy, how important is it to sell the program that we are a Playoff team? One of the top programs in the country, one of the top 3 programs in the SEC? There is a lot significance that will go along with a win on Saturday.

 

[Behr]

Biggest since vols gamecocks 2022 for sure

In my opinion it's bigger because of the gamecocks 2022.

 

[JRich]

It’s definitely a “big game” but not sure it carries the weight of some games of the past.

The Arkansas game is looking pretty big now.

 

[loservol]

I think if we lose the conclusion on Heupel will be that he’s a very likeable guy with a good offensive mind but not an upper tier head coach

This game calls for one of those situations where you need a rah rah meathead type of coach, becuase talent wise the Vols have the edge over Vandy.

 

[WillisWG]

A meaningful Vandy game

 

[SmashMouth]

Man, its so rare to get a shot at the championship, much less a second chance shot. I truly hope the Vols take this game to heart. Supa rare opportunity.

 

[ENGRVOL]

It’s the biggest game that will ever be played at vandy’s stadium (aka mini-Neyland West)

 

[Larkin]

It’s Vandy. We know it’s Vandy, but with everything on the line, I can’t remember a bigger game since a December 2001 game in Atlanta . We don’t need to go down that rabbit hole of horror, but this seems like this is the biggest and best opportunity we’ve had in a long time . USCjr in 2022 is also in the discussion.

What say you guys and girls?

You know what? I think "To Heupel" this is the biggest game. He failed at South Carolina. HE CAN"T AT VANDY

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I believe, in much the same way how losing to LSU in the 2001 SEC CG changed this program's trajectory under Fulmer, losing this game to keep us out of the playoffs could have the same negative impact on the program's trajectory under Huepel. This game is extremely important for several reasons!

 

[RDU VOL#14]

You know what? I think "To Heupel" this is the biggest game. He failed at South Carolina. HE CAN"T AT VANDY

I think you and I disagree here. It’s a game to get to the postseason. We’ve never been in the CFP before. Obviously it’s expanded, but the ramifications for everyone involved, not just Heupel, are huge.

 

[bpalmer28]

I'd say so. Tennessee's season is 100% on the line and it's the biggest game Vanderbilt has ever played in.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Not so sure on that. Knocking their rival out of the playoffs is probably more motivation for them than they’ve had in a long time

Absolutely. I’ve lived in middle TN all my life. Went to school, church and worked with many Vandy fans. Beating TN in anything is the goal. To knock TN from a playoff spot would be the ultimate. It would cap what would have to be considered their greatest football season in modern times.

 

[bpalmer28]

I believe, in much the same way how losing to LSU in the 2001 SEC CG changed this program's trajectory under Fulmer, losing this game to keep us out of the playoffs could have the same negative impact on the program's trajectory under Huepel. This game is extremely important for several reasons!

Absolutely. Win and Tennessee cements itself as a championship contender with its first ever playoff appearance. Lose and the momentum is gone as finger-pointing begins. Big fork in the road.

 

[vol94]

This game has a similar feeling to the 2001 LSU game in ATL for the SEC championship. Win and TN takes a flight to Pasadena to play Miami in the Rose Bowl for a national title.

This is Vandy and a regular season game. Plus, a win gets us to the playoffs, not a title.

However, it’s win and go home. A win puts us in position to win a natty. A loss would be devastating for the program, Heup and Volnation.

I have so much nervous energy as I’ve been the dam$ stadium when Vandy beat TN, inc 2016.

 

[volbound1700]

For Tennessee, it is pretty big.

I felt like 2022 against Georgia was bigger.

 

[The Original Fade]

This game calls for one of those situations where you need a rah rah meathead type of coach, becuase talent wise the Vols have the edge over Vandy.

So like bring in Ogeron for the pre-game speech? I like it

 

[RDU VOL#14]

For Tennessee, it is pretty big.

I felt like 2022 against Georgia was bigger.

I’m feeling like this one is much more attainable.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I think if we lose the conclusion on Heupel will be that he’s a very likeable guy with a good offensive mind but not an upper tier head coach

There really is no excuse for UT to not be ready for this game. I know it is a road game but UT fans will be the majority in the stands. This is an earn that paycheck type of game for JH.

 

[loservol]

So like bring in Ogeron for the pre-game speech? I like it

If the Vols came out on fire and dominated their will, Vandy would fold.

 

[DaddyChad]

Big game for both teams.

 

[DaddyChad]

If Vols lose it will cement the opinion that Heupel teams play poorly on the road.

This isn’t going to be a “road” game.

 

[Kylo]

So much on the line. "We" need this. To say we are actually "over the hump" we need to win this game. This isn't the biggest or best opponent we've faced this year, but this is by far the biggest most important game, to our program, in many many years.

That said, I believe we do.

Vols by Fiddy!!

Preach!!!

 

[05_never_again]

It’s Vandy. We know it’s Vandy, but with everything on the line, I can’t remember a bigger game since a December 2001 game in Atlanta . We don’t need to go down that rabbit hole of horror, but this seems like this is the biggest and best opportunity we’ve had in a long time . USCjr in 2022 is also in the discussion.

What say you guys and girls?

It's hard to do a direct comparison to that game because the postseason format that exists today did not in 2001. The SECCG loss in 2001 lost an SEC championship and a chance to play directly for a national championship, so even if we lose Saturday I would say that loss is bigger.

 

[adam.vol]

I believe, in much the same way how losing to LSU in the 2001 SEC CG changed this program's trajectory under Fulmer, losing this game to keep us out of the playoffs could have the same negative impact on the program's trajectory under Huepel. This game is extremely important for several reasons!

When all you have to do is win this one game to get in, you can’t afford a top paid coach who can’t make the difference needed. There are no distractions after this game. This is the only opponent remaining to focus on.

I think you and I disagree here. It’s a game to get to the postseason. We’ve never been in the CFP before. Obviously it’s expanded, but the ramifications for everyone involved, not just Heupel, are huge.

My thoughts as well. This is a “we made it” contest. Win and we’re a playoff program. Lose and we didn’t make camp on this race to the summit. No search parties will be coming to save us this far into the journey.