My observations from my first visit to "The Swamp."

#1
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vtvol98

my $.02 as well...
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#1
First, I would like to tip my cap to the Florida fans. They were very hospitable: no bad words, no piss bombs. They were just as concerned about their team's ability that to beat UT as we were about our team's ability to beat them. Maybe it was the fact that UT hasn't beaten them in close to a decade but they were very cordial and gracious at the final whistle.

That being said, traffic to and from Gainesville is a complete clusterf#@&. I have never been to a town where parking is defined by the vacant spot of grass you can find. It took forever to leave Gatortown and I blame that on the Gainesville P D. Folks, there is nothing wrong with blocking off some eastbound lanes of FL RT 24 and turning them into westbound lanes to effectively funnel traffic out of town. In this regard, the KPD has it right in regards to Cumberland Ave. after a ball game.

Nice pick by Swafford. He might not be the highest rated back in the secondary but he may just give production like Prentiss Waggner.

This was a winnable game that UT literally fumbled away.

Kudos to Butch for playing Nathan Peterman. While NP didn't produce much, Butch showed that he wasn't afraid to make a change at QB to provide a spark. I realize that Justin Worley threw for 150 yds in garbage time but he is not the answer. The pick by Gorman at the six and a half minute mark in the 4th qtr when UT was down by 14 was another example of bad decisions by Worley. You can't force things against this secondary. Time to groom and anoint either Dobbs or Ferguson as the starter for South Alabama. No need to wait the future is now.

The Tennessee offensive line is incredibly overrated. I realize that Florida is loaded with defensive talent but 66 yards on 23 carries for Tennessee's running game is pedestrian at best. This unit was to be the strength of this team and has been marginal at best.

On the bright, Tennessee did not quit and played hard until the end. That is a complement to this coaching staff and gives me hope for the future. This team will upset someone this season, it just won't be Florida.
 
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#2
#2
As this was also my first trip to Gainesville I agree with everything except the traffic part. We came in on E University Ave and parked at the McDonald's on 13th and it was easy as pie.
 
#3
#3
I think there's some over exaggeration on our o-line, it may not be top 10 material but Florida has one of the better defenses in the country which lead to our line looking weak.

Also, I find it hard to believe there were no 'piss bombs' or cuss words, especially knowing how bad Florida played in the first half.

Anyways, good post OP.
 
#4
#4
vtvol98 said:
First, I would like to tip my cap to the Florida fans. They were very hospitable: no bad words, no piss bombs. They were just as concerned about their team's ability that to beat UT as we were about our team's ability to beat them. Maybe it was the fact that UT hasn't beaten them in close to a decade but they were very cordial and gracious at the final whistle.

That being said, traffic to and from Gainesville is a complete clusterf#@&. I have never been to a town where parking is defined by the vacant spot of grass you can find. It took forever to leave Gatortown and I blame that on the Gainesville P D. Folks, there is nothing wrong with blocking off some eastbound lanes of FL RT 24 and turning them into westbound lanes to effectively funnel traffic out of town. In this regard, the KPD has it right in regards to Cumberland Ave. after a ball game.

Nice pick by Swafford. He might not be the highest rated back in the secondary but he may just give production like Prentiss Waggner.

This was a winnable game that UT literally fumbled away.

Kudos to Butch for playing Nathan Peterman. While NP didn't produce much, Butch showed that he wasn't afraid to make a change at QB to provide a spark. I realize that Justin Worley threw for 150 yds in garbage time but he is not the answer. The pick by Gorman at the six and a half minute mark in the 4th qtr when UT was down by 14 was another example of bad decisions by Worley. You can't force things against this secondary. Time to groom and anoint either Dobbs or Ferguson as the starter for South Alabama. No need to wait the future is now.

The Tennessee offensive line is incredibly overrated. I realize that Florida is loaded with defensive talent but 66 yards on 23 carries for Tennessee's running game is pedestrian at best. This unit was to be the strength of this team and has been marginal at best.

On the bright, Tennessee did not quit and played hard until the end. That is a complement to this coaching staff and gives me hope for the future. This team will upset someone this season, it just won't be Florida.
Click to expand...

RBs ran 17 times for 58 yards (11/45 in 2nd). We ran better in the 2nd Half when, ironically, we had a QB with a pulse.

Everyone knew that if we didn't have a QB they would just load up and stuff our run. Which they did. Numbers... much less talent... were against us.
 
#5
#5
vtvol98 said:
First, I would like to tip my cap to the Florida fans. They were very hospitable: no bad words, no piss bombs. They were just as concerned about their team's ability that to beat UT as we were about our team's ability to beat them. Maybe it was the fact that UT hasn't beaten them in close to a decade but they were very cordial and gracious at the final whistle.

That being said, traffic to and from Gainesville is a complete clusterf#@&. I have never been to a town where parking is defined by the vacant spot of grass you can find. It took forever to leave Gatortown and I blame that on the Gainesville P D. Folks, there is nothing wrong with blocking off some eastbound lanes of FL RT 24 and turning them into westbound lanes to effectively funnel traffic out of town. In this regard, the KPD has it right in regards to Cumberland Ave. after a ball game.

Nice pick by Swafford. He might not be the highest rated back in the secondary but he may just give production like Prentiss Waggner.

This was a winnable game that UT literally fumbled away.

Kudos to Butch for playing Nathan Peterman. While NP didn't produce much, Butch showed that he wasn't afraid to make a change at QB to provide a spark. I realize that Justin Worley threw for 150 yds in garbage time but he is not the answer. The pick by Gorman at the six and a half minute mark in the 4th qtr when UT was down by 14 was another example of bad decisions by Worley. You can't force things against this secondary. Time to groom and anoint either Dobbs or Ferguson as the starter for South Alabama. No need to wait the future is now.

The Tennessee offensive line is incredibly overrated. I realize that Florida is loaded with defensive talent but 66 yards on 23 carries for Tennessee's running game is pedestrian at best. This unit was to be the strength of this team and has been marginal at best.

On the bright, Tennessee did not quit and played hard until the end. That is a complement to this coaching staff and gives me hope for the future. This team will upset someone this season, it just won't be Florida.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing before the season started. Now I'm not so sure.
 
#6
#6
iKrager said:
I think there's some over exaggeration on our o-line, it may not be top 10 material but Florida has one of the better defenses in the country which lead to our line looking weak.

Also, I find it hard to believe there were no 'piss bombs' or cuss words, especially knowing how bad Florida played in the first half.

Anyways, good post OP.
Click to expand...

I threw some at my tv.

It made me feel like I was there....and it gave Verne some color
 
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#7
#7
vtvol98 said:
First, I would like to tip my cap to the Florida fans. They were very hospitable: no bad words, no piss bombs. They were just as concerned about their team's ability that to beat UT as we were about our team's ability to beat them. Maybe it was the fact that UT hasn't beaten them in close to a decade but they were very cordial and gracious at the final whistle.

That being said, traffic to and from Gainesville is a complete clusterf#@&. I have never been to a town where parking is defined by the vacant spot of grass you can find. It took forever to leave Gatortown and I blame that on the Gainesville P D. Folks, there is nothing wrong with blocking off some eastbound lanes of FL RT 24 and turning them into westbound lanes to effectively funnel traffic out of town. In this regard, the KPD has it right in regards to Cumberland Ave. after a ball game.
I
Nice pick by Swafford. He might not be the highest rated back in the secondary but he may just give production like Prentiss Waggner.

This was a winnable game that UT literally fumbled away.

Kudos to Butch for playing Nathan Peterman. While NP didn't produce much, Butch showed that he wasn't afraid to make a change at QB to provide a spark. I realize that Justin Worley threw for 150 yds in garbage time but he is not the answer. The pick by Gorman at the six and a half minute mark in the 4th qtr when UT was down by 14 was another example of bad decisions by Worley. You can't force things against this secondary. Time to groom and anoint either Dobbs or Ferguson as the starter for South Alabama. No need to wait the future is now.

The Tennessee offensive line is incredibly overrated. I realize that Florida is loaded with defensive talent but 66 yards on 23 carries for Tennessee's running game is pedestrian at best. This unit was to be the strength of this team and has been marginal at best.

On the bright, Tennessee did not quit and played hard until the end. That is a complement to this coaching staff and gives me hope for the future. This team will upset someone this season, it just won't be Florida.
Click to expand...


Maybe Worley wouldn't have forced a throw if we weren't down 14 through no fault of his own. I have *no problems with Butch making a change but it was apparent very early that change was not gonna work. It was too late to fix it when he finally did & we blew a great opportunity to win the game.
 
Last edited:
#8
#8
Another thing: UT ran a man blocking scheme (similar to Alabama) under Chaney/Pittman last year. We switched to a Zone-blocking scheme this year. Couple that with growing pains @QB and youth/etc @WR and this year was going to hurt on Offense. They should continue to get better as the season goes on. Jones inherited a good OL, true, but a good OL for a completely different offensive system.
 
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#9
#9
govols/cc said:
Maybe Worley wouldn't have forced a throw if we weren't down 14 through no fault of his own. I have problems with Butch making a change but it was apparent very early that change was not gonna work. It was too late to fix it when he finally did & we blew a great opportunity to win the game.
Click to expand...

I agree that the change from Peterman was too late. We could have avoided Peterman's INT with 5:00 left in the 2nd Quarter. Lets just play hypothetical and say without that INT UT still sputters but scores a FG. Florida doesn't get that possession with a short field and doesn't get the TD.

That's a 10-point swing.

It would have been 10-10 going into the half instead of 7-17.
 
#10
#10
DC Vol said:
I agree that the change from Peterman was too late. We could have avoided Peterman's INT with 5:00 left in the 2nd Quarter. Lets just play hypothetical and say without that INT UT still sputters but scores a FG. Florida doesn't get that possession with a short field and doesn't get the TD.

That's a 10-point swing.

It would have been 10-10 going into the half instead of 7-17.
Click to expand...

Bingo.

Also, concerning your post on blocking, maybe it's just me, but I feel like we've never run the ball especially well with zone-blocking. This line certainly hasn't done well with it.
 
#12
#12
TennesseeOrange said:
Bingo.

Also, concerning your post on blocking, maybe it's just me, but I feel like we've never run the ball especially well with zone-blocking. This line certainly hasn't done well with it.
Click to expand...

They're a scheme mismatch. It's not an ideal circumstance for CBJ as he doesn't want to have to re-engineer his entire offensive philosophy to fit his players available but he does want to know what he has.

Regardless, this team, regardless of man/zbs or pro/spread/option can't run on anyone unless we find a passing game. Otherwise, teams will put 8 against our RB with only 5-6 (with H-Back) blocking. Numbers are far against you there.

This Offense will pop with a QB that has some wheels, I think. I will absolutely say that I'm still not happy with the playcalling.
 
#13
#13
I know hindsight is always 20-20 but cannot help wonder what if Worley had played the first half. Would the score have been any different ???
 
#15
#15
DC Vol said:
They're a scheme mismatch. It's not an ideal circumstance for CBJ as he doesn't want to have to re-engineer his entire offensive philosophy to fit his players available but he does want to know what he has.

Regardless, this team, regardless of man/zbs or pro/spread/option can't run on anyone unless we find a passing game. Otherwise, teams will put 8 against our RB with only 5-6 (with H-Back) blocking. Numbers are far against you there.

This Offense will pop with a QB that has some wheels, I think. I will absolutely say that I'm still not happy with the playcalling.
Click to expand...

At least the UT H-Back didn't tip off where the play was being run like the last 3 games.
 
#17
#17
govols/cc said:
If you think Worley is bad then you gotta see that Peterman is 10 times worse.
Click to expand...

Maybe Peterman is not the answer. But I can tell from watching Worley that he is DEFINITELY NOT the answer. I don't have a problem with this coaching staff burning a redshirt on Ferguson or Dobbs if either can get the job done. This season is about getting to six plus wins and a bowl appearance (with the 30 days additional practice time)and nothing more. Whether Butch achieves this with Peterman, Ferguson, or Dobbs; it doesn't matter. Worley will not get this team there. Let him go down into the annals of UT QB busts and forget about him.
 
#18
#18
iKrager said:
I think there's some over exaggeration on our o-line, it may not be top 10 material but Florida has one of the better defenses in the country which lead to our line looking weak.

Also, I find it hard to believe there were no 'piss bombs' or cuss words, especially knowing how bad Florida played in the first half.

Anyways, good post OP.
Click to expand...

Again I guess people don't seem to realize that when you have no fear as a defense of a passing game, it is easily done to load the box with an extra defender or two or even three at some times.

With no true fullback in this system and our TEs not being the best blockers it's more than difficult to block 6-8 defenders at a time. Not to mention we run read option after read option with little to zero threat of the qb running the ball.

Our oline is built for a smash mouth, hat on hat, I-form football. I like the scheme but our personal isn't right for what we are running. Florida has a damn good defense but stretching the defense is a MUST!!! We have yet to do that this season and our play calling has been confusing to me more than a few times.

Seems like everyone is learning about this team at this point including CBJ and staff
 
#19
#19
Giveem6 said:
Again I guess people don't seem to realize that when you have no fear as a defense of a passing game, it is easily done to load the box with an extra defender or two or even three at some times.

With no true fullback in this system and our TEs not being the best blockers it's more than difficult to block 6-8 defenders at a time. Not to mention we run read option after read option with little to zero threat of the qb running the ball.

Our oline is built for a smash mouth, hat on hat, I-form football. I like the scheme but our personal isn't right for what we are running. Florida has a damn good defense but stretching the defense is a MUST!!! We have yet to do that this season and our play calling has been confusing to me more than a few times.

Seems like everyone is learning about this team at this point including CBJ and staff
Click to expand...

I think they realized this and pushed the OL to lose weight. They're way to big to play ZBS.

I don't think CBJ should re-engineer his entire offense but surely there are things he could do to maximize it.

Again, AP was a no test. WKU was a good test and WKU stopped our run in the first when our passing game struggled and then we ran it down their throat in the 2nd.

Oregon was a horrible test.

Florida was also a bad test as Peterman caused them to sell out against the run. When Worley came in, we ran better (almost 5ypc in our limited runs).

Regardless, until we show a passing game, everyone will be able to stop our run. Why are run games at bama, lsu, georgia successful? QB play. LSU's run game was atrocious last year, actually, they just got more yards due to a higher volume of runs attempted.

Why?

Lack of QB play last year. What's the difference?

This will shock you:

QB play.

QB is the most important position in the game for a reason and that's where this entire team is weakest to this point.
 
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#20
#20
They need to play the best QB Regardless of class if a freshman has more talent play him so he can gain experience I do know that worley plays scared and doesn't go threw his read also stears down the Wr. Worley is not ut answer
 
#21
#21
ncvol004 said:
They need to play the best QB Regardless of class if a freshman has more talent play him so he can gain experience I do know that worley plays scared and doesn't go threw his read also stears down the Wr. Worley is not ut answer
Click to expand...

*thru
*stairs
 
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#22
#22
DC Vol said:
I think they realized this and pushed the OL to lose weight. They're way to big to play ZBS.

I don't think CBJ should re-engineer his entire offense but surely there are things he could do to maximize it.

Again, AP was a no test. WKU was a good test and WKU stopped our run in the first when our passing game struggled and then we ran it down their throat in the 2nd.

Oregon was a horrible test.

Florida was also a bad test as Peterman caused them to sell out against the run. When Worley came in, we ran better (almost 5ypc in our limited runs).

Regardless, until we show a passing game, everyone will be able to stop our run. Why are run games at bama, lsu, georgia successful? QB play. LSU's run game was atrocious last year, actually, they just got more yards due to a higher volume of runs attempted.

Why?

Lack of QB play last year. What's the difference?

This will shock you:

QB play.

QB is the most important position in the game for a reason and that's where this entire team is weakest to this point.
Click to expand...

Exactly... Got to achieve offensive balance. That is the goal and every scheme has it's own ways to achieve this.
 
#23
#23
OP glad you had a good experience except for the game result of course.

I have been to the swamp twice, in 2001 and 2003.

In 2001, on a lark, my dad decided to take myself and my 2 brothers on a road trip to the FL game. Little did we know what a great game it would be. Sent Darth Spurrier to the redskins! :rock:

The four of us went back again in 2003. Another great win.

2 years later, my dad had to have heart surgery. 2 years after that my dad passed away due to cancer.

My dad was a great American, a great father and a VFL!

I will not be back to the swamp.


.
 
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#24
#24
DC Vol said:
They're a scheme mismatch. It's not an ideal circumstance for CBJ as he doesn't want to have to re-engineer his entire offensive philosophy to fit his players available
Click to expand...

This is my one disappointment with CBJ. Since he was hired he continually said he adapted his O to the skills of his players. Appears he's determined to run his O regardless of the roster.
 
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