Observations From Columbia

[Vfl2407]

Was at the game with my son. Was looking forward to seeing the high powered offense in the flesh. Here are a few observations I can share with VN:

1) The team seemed “off” all night from the crowd. It was as if they were playing in GA. again. The crowd was hyped and expected to be throttled. They never stopped scoring and the crowd got rowdier and more energized.

2) There was a lot of orange there, ready to cheer but…we were stunned frim the first possession and mostly kept at bay.

3) USCs top running backs out forced them to play the pass—which totally played in their favor. As anyone could see on TV, the defense got no pressure on Rattler and he torched them all night.

4) Tillman and Hyatt and Hooker seemed ‘off’, and couldn’t get in a rhythm. You could see it in the body language the entire game. CJH always talks about what fighters they are, but this was truly an off night. Many of the overthrows were not on the QB, but the receivers looked like they gave up the route early and we’re hoping for the flag.

5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.

6) The orange helmets were not good IMO. Im all for the players picking and being excited, but this was not one of the better looks. Looked very much like Clemson during the game.

7) Kicking was abysmal.

8) All the MISSED TACLKES- sheesh! When UT played GA, one thing I noticed was GA didn’t miss a tackle all day. UT was not making any stops last night. Any.

Its really hard to think of anything positive from the night. We know the defense has struggled but has come through on occasion this year. No adjustments, no hair on fire. This one was hard to understand and hard to watch.

9-1, looking for win number 10 and a chance to slide into the CFP, Heisman hopeful…I don’t think they could have performed any worse. The flu and RSV are terrible in Knoxville right now. If someone told me the team was struggling with illness, I would believe it because that is what it looked like.

I really like Heupel and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.

good take except for the orange helmets. On tv, they looked great and nothing like the darker orange of Clemson.

 

[EZE]

It was a sh@t show of epic proportions. Better hope they get it back together this week. Because, other than LSU, this team has not played well on the road.

Tried to give the Pitt game away…bad against Georgia…and then the bottom dropped out against SC.

It’s crazy to think that even Vandy doesn’t feel like a sure sun after last night.

 

[Volfan1000]

Was at the game with my son. Was looking forward to seeing the high powered offense in the flesh. Here are a few observations I can share with VN:

1) The team seemed “off” all night from the crowd. It was as if they were playing in GA. again. The crowd was hyped and expected to be throttled. They never stopped scoring and the crowd got rowdier and more energized.

2) There was a lot of orange there, ready to cheer but…we were stunned frim the first possession and mostly kept at bay.

3) USCs top running backs out forced them to play the pass—which totally played in their favor. As anyone could see on TV, the defense got no pressure on Rattler and he torched them all night.

4) Tillman and Hyatt and Hooker seemed ‘off’, and couldn’t get in a rhythm. You could see it in the body language the entire game. CJH always talks about what fighters they are, but this was truly an off night. Many of the overthrows were not on the QB, but the receivers looked like they gave up the route early and we’re hoping for the flag.

5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.

6) The orange helmets were not good IMO. Im all for the players picking and being excited, but this was not one of the better looks. Looked very much like Clemson during the game.

7) Kicking was abysmal.

8) All the MISSED TACLKES- sheesh! When UT played GA, one thing I noticed was GA didn’t miss a tackle all day. UT was not making any stops last night. Any.

Its really hard to think of anything positive from the night. We know the defense has struggled but has come through on occasion this year. No adjustments, no hair on fire. This one was hard to understand and hard to watch.

9-1, looking for win number 10 and a chance to slide into the CFP, Heisman hopeful…I don’t think they could have performed any worse. The flu and RSV are terrible in Knoxville right now. If someone told me the team was struggling with illness, I would believe it because that is what it looked like.

I really like Heupel and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.

Last night was a clunker from the Tennessee squad and it won't get any easier in Nashville with Vanderbilt playing for a chance at a bowl game and possible three game winning streak.

 

[Volz4lif3]

“5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.”

This has been my experience too. And it’s been that way through multiple trips there, and it’s hard to understand why they’re so awful, because they’ve never won jacksh*t.

I’ve been asked what’s the worst fan base in the SEC many times, having traveled to just about every SEC venue multiple times (haven’t been to Arkansas, Mizzou or Miss State) and my quick answer without hesitation is South Carolina, easy.

I had a guy call me a “Cuban mfr,” and no I don’t speak Spanish and no I don’t look particularly Cuban, had another guy grab my shirt, they were especially horrendous to Florida fans when they had Spurrier.

I woulda turned into Razor Ramon that night if he woulda grabbed me..’ hey yo Chico… you don’t kno who you messing with Manne”…

 

[BlinghamptonVol]

“5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.”

This has been my experience too. And it’s been that way through multiple trips there, and it’s hard to understand why they’re so awful, because they’ve never won jacksh*t.

I’ve been asked what’s the worst fan base in the SEC many times, having traveled to just about every SEC venue multiple times (haven’t been to Arkansas, Mizzou or Miss State) and my quick answer without hesitation is South Carolina, easy.

I had a guy call me a “Cuban mfr,” and no I don’t speak Spanish and no I don’t look particularly Cuban, had another guy grab my shirt, they were especially horrendous to Florida fans when they had Spurrier.

Maybe you misheard them and you heard ‘Gruden mf’er’. People on VN hear ‘Gruden’ all the time. For instance, when admin says ‘Dooley’, ‘Jones’, or ‘Pruitt’, everyone starts hearing ‘Gruden’ then. Maybe it’s reverse for you. I

 

[Sara Clark]

I had no problems with fans sitting around us. They were very kind and went out of their way to come over and speak to us before the game. The walk to and from the stadium could have easily turned in to a problem if we had allowed it. One college kid thought he was going to flip my son's hat off his head, others were flipping birdies, a lot of f you were flying, some comments about how bad we stink, while holding noses as we walked by. We also encountered some spitting while walking up the steps to leave.

And NO, I didn't stay for the entire game, I watched Milton's 1st possession and left once I heard them talking of a rush. I had no interest in staying around and possibly getting physically or verbally attacked. There is NO way I would go to an away game and allow my child to go to the restroom by himself, he's 15. Nor would I feel comfortable about going to the restroom alone. Sad, but that's the world we live in.

 

[maryvillenative]

Was at the game with my son. Was looking forward to seeing the high powered offense in the flesh. Here are a few observations I can share with VN:

1) The team seemed “off” all night from the crowd. It was as if they were playing in GA. again. The crowd was hyped and expected to be throttled. They never stopped scoring and the crowd got rowdier and more energized.

2) There was a lot of orange there, ready to cheer but…we were stunned frim the first possession and mostly kept at bay.

3) USCs top running backs out forced them to play the pass—which totally played in their favor. As anyone could see on TV, the defense got no pressure on Rattler and he torched them all night.

4) Tillman and Hyatt and Hooker seemed ‘off’, and couldn’t get in a rhythm. You could see it in the body language the entire game. CJH always talks about what fighters they are, but this was truly an off night. Many of the overthrows were not on the QB, but the receivers looked like they gave up the route early and we’re hoping for the flag.

5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.

6) The orange helmets were not good IMO. Im all for the players picking and being excited, but this was not one of the better looks. Looked very much like Clemson during the game.

7) Kicking was abysmal.

8) All the MISSED TACLKES- sheesh! When UT played GA, one thing I noticed was GA didn’t miss a tackle all day. UT was not making any stops last night. Any.

Its really hard to think of anything positive from the night. We know the defense has struggled but has come through on occasion this year. No adjustments, no hair on fire. This one was hard to understand and hard to watch.

9-1, looking for win number 10 and a chance to slide into the CFP, Heisman hopeful…I don’t think they could have performed any worse. The flu and RSV are terrible in Knoxville right now. If someone told me the team was struggling with illness, I would believe it because that is what it looked like.

I really like Heupel and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.

We didn't have the same experience with their fans. Other than the one who told my freshman daughter and her friend that they should go home and kill themselves, most everyone was friendly... much better than Florida fans.

 

[The Original Fade]

This team just doesn’t play well on the road against good crowds. LSU and Pitt were day games and it wasn’t the same atmosphere as Athens and Columbia

 

[casual-observer]

This team just doesn’t play well on the road against good crowds. LSU and Pitt were day games and it wasn’t the same atmosphere as Athens and Columbia

This was my observation. The entire evening it seemed like something had Tennessee rattled. There was something "missing" from the swagger for sure.

 

[Volz4lif3]

I had no problems with fans sitting around us. They were very kind and went out of their way to come over and speak to us before the game. The walk to and from the stadium could have easily turned in to a problem if we had allowed it. One college kid thought he was going to flip my son's hat off his head, others were flipping birdies, a lot of f you were flying, some comments about how bad we stink, while holding noses as we walked by. We also encountered some spitting while walking up the steps to leave.

And NO, I didn't stay for the entire game, I watched Milton's 1st possession and left once I heard them talking of a rush. I had no interest in staying around and possibly getting physically or verbally attacked. There is NO way I would go to an away game and allow my child to go to the restroom by himself, he's 15. Nor would I feel comfortable about going to the restroom alone. Sad, but that's the world we live in.

You are much better person than me sorry if spitting was involved a$$whippins would be also.. Roy D Mercer style..

 

[Delmar]

“5) USC fans were the worst Ive ever met. Maybe it was the section we were in? LOTs of drunks, lots of bird flipping and lots of F-Us from the fans. They were surprisingly insufferable. Ive been to a lot of stadiums, and this ranks as one of the worst.”

This has been my experience too. And it’s been that way through multiple trips there, and it’s hard to understand why they’re so awful, because they’ve never won jacksh*t.

I’ve been asked what’s the worst fan base in the SEC many times, having traveled to just about every SEC venue multiple times (haven’t been to Arkansas, Mizzou or Miss State) and my quick answer without hesitation is South Carolina, easy.

I had a guy call me a “Cuban mfr,” and no I don’t speak Spanish and no I don’t look particularly Cuban, had another guy grab my shirt, they were especially horrendous to Florida fans when they had Spurrier.

A program that never has been anything and never will be. Fans got to lash out when they get that rare chance to crow. Doesn’t happen often.

 

[Jaws]

I woulda turned into Razor Ramon that night if he woulda grabbed me..’ hey yo Chico… you don’t kno who you messing with Manne”…

Oh I did. It didn’t come to blows but he understood quick and fast to never put his hands on me again.

 

[will-you-shut-up-man]

4) Tillman and Hyatt and Hooker seemed ‘off’, and couldn’t get in a rhythm. You could see it in the body language the entire game. CJH always talks about what fighters they are, but this was truly an off night. Many of the overthrows were not on the QB, but the receivers looked like they gave up the route early and we’re hoping for the flag.

I was on row 22 behind the UT bench. I agree with what you said. One of the above mentioned receivers literally stopped running on a pass play. Normally that would be a walk into the end zone. Everything was off.

 

[Sara Clark]

You are much better person than me sorry if spitting was involved a$$whippins would be also.. Roy D Mercer style..

No, I'm not a "much better person". I told the young man if he so much as put a finger on my child, he and I both were spending the night in jail.

 

[Lurker]

Hard to believe we cut it all the way down to 35-31 and then completely give up. That was the worst effort by a Josh Heupel team I have seen. At least in the Georgia game they were fighting.

At that point in the game, I was "sure" they were coming back for the win. They were, in fact, fighting back, despite something being bad wrong all game. Then, I think the sudden, unexpected and devastating loss of Hooker, combined with the accompanying horrific turnover and quick score just left a poorly playing team in shock --- and they folded. They had struggled to come back and got blown by up the loss of their leader. I don't see this game as being a poor effort by Heupel other than that's where the buck stops.