Ok Heup Train what scenario could cause us issues?

[VFL-82-JP]

Things that could cause the Vols issues and derail the Heup train:

a) losing to three or more of the second-tier teams in the East: Kentucky, Mizzou, USCe, Vandy.
b) it being revealed that Heup is actually an illegal immigrant from Columbia named Pablo Vasquez, a drug runner who 'defected' once he got into the US and set up an alternate identity, who it turned out was actually really talented both playing and coaching football...and now must be deported.
c) the NCAA losing its mind and sentencing the Vols to the death penalty in football, a punishment not seen since 1987 SMU. [within a month, the NCAA would cease to exist]
d) a meteor measuring 20 miles in diameter hitting Wilmington, NC, vaporizing much of the US east coast from Maryland to Georgia, and causing the Appalachian Mountains in four states to slump into the ocean, that in turn causing Knoxville to be hit by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake and Neyland Stadium to collapse in on itself.

Those are the only scenarios I can think of that could cause us problems. I believe we're safe from just about all of them. But take a closer look at Heupel's complexion, next time you see him. Just in case.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

I don't think the Vols are beating Georgia this season at their place. They are just too talented, too tough at home. Especially for a huge game like this one will be (look what they did to Oregon). The Vols are focused on Kentucky as they should be, because losing this game could really tarnish what is looking like a stellar season (even with a loss to Georgia).

 

[USMC-TNVOL]

The SEC should get 3 teams in, but they won't. Truth is we need an expanded playoff yesterday.

Yes, but the fact they’re going to 12 was kind of overkill. I think 8 is a better number.

 

[volbound1700]

Things that could cause the Vols issues and derail the Heup train:

a) losing to three or more of the second-tier teams in the East: Kentucky, Mizzou, USCe, Vandy.
b) it being revealed that Heup is actually an illegal immigrant from Columbia named Pablo Vasquez, a drug runner who 'defected' once he got into the US and set up an alternate identity, who it turned out was actually really talented both playing and coaching football...and now must be deported.
c) the NCAA losing its mind and sentencing the Vols to the death penalty in football, a punishment not seen since 1987 SMU. [within a month, the NCAA would cease to exist]
d) a meteor measuring 20 miles in diameter hitting Wilmington, NC, vaporizing much of the US east coast from Maryland to Georgia, and causing the Appalachian Mountains in four states to slump into the ocean, that in turn causing Knoxville to be hit by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake and Neyland Stadium to collapse in on itself.

Those are the only scenarios I can think of that could cause us problems. I believe we're safe from just about all of them. But take a closer look at Heupel's complexion, next time you see him. Just in case.

China attacking Taiwan.

 

[BanditVol]

Maybe they just play complimentary football but they are second in scoring Defense, 4th in rushing, 10th in red zone, and 4th in total defense.

2nd in scoring and 4th in total defense is great, but not necessarily due to the Dline.

Rushing D is the only thing I would tie specifically to the Dline

You just can't say a Dline is "dominant" when they are 124th in Team Sacks

NCAA Statistics

They may be living off their rep last year, but 124th sucks. No way to put lipstick on that pig

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Yes, but the fact they’re going to 12 was kind of overkill. I think 8 is a better number.

12 will allow the controversy of who's in to continue which translates into more money. If it was a cut and dried playoff, the interest (money) would not be nearly as high.

 

[utkell65]

Nothing derails TENNESSEE this year. Here's how it plays out.

We take care of KY this weekend and face an undefeated uga next week with a repeat of the 06 beat down in Athens.

We then put together 3 more beat downs on USCjr, Mizzou and candy. Go to the SECCG where JH and CT have 4 TD catches each and HH adds another TD with a 20yd scamper. We then get to watch Saban have a total meltdown on national TV after Tennessee hangs 63 on them. Immediately after the game Saban announces he's retiring effective immediately. All true Alabama fans are placed on suicide watch and the bandwagon fans give their bama gear to Goodwill and start buying Tennessee stuff.

We go into the CFB playoffs ranked #1 and put Clemson to bed by halftime. Then we get the second ranked buckeyes whose fan fanbase tells anyone that will listen that Tennessee hasn't played anyone all year and will beat us by 4 tds. We then proceeded to give them a repeat of the 96 Citrus Bowl. However this time it's fiddy to 14. Afterwards Marvin Harrison tells Jr that he needs to enter the transfer portal and play for another 5 star Tennessee QB and so he announces he'll be transferring to The University of Tennessee Volunteers. The true WRU.

 

[SaintLouisVol]

While it is not pleasant to consider, I believe that should Tennessee get the opportunity to play Alabama again in the SECCG, they will not emerge victorious. Just my gut.

 

[DD4ME]

Not arguing the value of Hooker but I think the leadership first of Heupel and then of the team makes every player more replaceable than any team since the early 2000's. In the past, injuries led to hopelessness and ultimately excuses. UT has suffered some important injuries. You really haven't been able to tell it on the field.

Agree. UGA vs USCe is probably the kind of performance that could throw UT's O off the tracks. But UT's OL is better than USCe's.

Interesting nugget. Against FBS opponents only, UT has the SEC's top rush D. The Vols, Bama, and UGA are all around 93-94 ypg. UK is next at 127.

Agree with Bama. IMHO, tOSU has not been tested. They've played a weak schedule in the comparative sense. In a strange way, I don't think we get to see who they truly are until they face Michigan at the end. It would be a major shock if PSU can stay on field with the Buckeyes.

I wouldn't put Pitt or UF in that category. One of the impressive things not talked about with Heupel and this team is that they have gotten better each week. UT now would monkey stomp Pitt right now. It would be ugly.

IMO, they grew up some vs UF. The celebration had already started and UF caught a couple of miracles.

I think UT hurting themselves and surviving is the real story there. I don't think either team was particularly well rounded.


I think UGA is the team most built to cause UT problems. I think Bama on D is a poor man's version of Bama. I don't think they're very good on O.

UGA is loaded and more than most teams have strengths that appear to match UT's.

I agree with all your points. I agree we would stomp Pitt now, but we also have persevered in a lot of close games and I guess my point is they were close even down to Bama. In most of those games, we could have won by multiple scores if not for some mistakes on our end. I think as the degree of difficulty goes up it is not impossible to see a scoop and score or missed XP causing us a loss.

 

[DD4ME]

Nothing derails TENNESSEE this year. Here's how it plays out.

We take care of KY this weekend and face an undefeated uga next week with a repeat of the 06 beat down in Athens.

We then put together 3 more beat downs on USCjr, Mizzou and candy. Go to the SECCG where JH and CT have 4 TD catches each and HH adds another TD with a 20yd scamper. We then get to watch Saban have a total meltdown on national TV after Tennessee hangs 63 on them. Immediately after the game Saban announces he's retiring effective immediately. All true Alabama fans are placed on suicide watch and the bandwagon fans give their bama gear to Goodwill and start buying Tennessee stuff.

We go into the CFB playoffs ranked #1 and put Clemson to bed by halftime. Then we get the second ranked buckeyes whose fan fanbase tells anyone that will listen that Tennessee hasn't played anyone all year and will beat us by 4 tds. We then proceeded to give them a repeat of the 96 Citrus Bowl. However this time it's fiddy to 14. Afterwards Marvin Harrison tells Jr that he needs to enter the transfer portal and play for another 5 star Tennessee QB and so he announces he'll be transferring to The University of Tennessee Volunteers. The true WRU.

Love the enthusiasm

 

[DD4ME]

2nd in scoring and 4th in total defense is great, but not necessarily due to the Dline.

Rushing D is the only thing I would tie specifically to the Dline

You just can't say a Dline is "dominant" when they are 124th in Team Sacks

NCAA Statistics

They may be living off their rep last year, but 124th sucks. No way to put lipstick on that pig

You could be right. In the games I have watched of theirs, they appeared to control the line. Oregon, especially, was a beat down on all levels.

 

[sechamp2012]

Hoping for a scenario where we make it to Atlanta, and someone else besides bama. That said, if we did and played them again, it'd be sweet to win. Shut up all the crying bammers who want us on a neutral field.

I really don’t think BY could play any better than he did vs us. He was Houdini on some of those plays where most QBs would have been sacked or threw interceptions. Who could have a monster game in a rematch is Gibbs on O and 31 on D. Be great game to see again but let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Matt2496]

While it is not pleasant to consider, I believe that should Tennessee get the opportunity to play Alabama again in the SECCG, they will not emerge victorious. Just my gut.

Even if we lose to Bama in that scenario, I think we still make the playoffs.

 

[BanditVol]

You could be right. In the games I have watched of theirs, they appeared to control the line. Oregon, especially, was a beat down on all levels.

Oregon is always beat down by SEC teams, lol

Except for Dooley years...dot!

Thank God that's behind us

 

[GoDucks349]

Oregon is always beat down by SEC teams, lol

Except for Dooley years...dot!

Thank God that's behind us

Over the last 20 years Oregon is 4-4 vs the SEC. 4-0 in home and home games and 0-4 in special games (pre-season and bowl games). Granted, not great, but certainly not "Always beat down by SEC". And yes, the Georgia game was pathetic from a Duck stand point.

 

[BanditVol]

Over the last 20 years Oregon is 4-4 vs the SEC. 4-0 in home and home games and 0-4 in special games (pre-season and bowl games). Granted, not great, but certainly not "Always beat down by SEC". And yes, the Georgia game was pathetic from a Duck stand point.

I just recall LSU beating the crap out of you a several years ago.

I also acknowledged that we got slapped by Oregon when Dooley was our coach, which accounts for two of your wins. Sorry, that doesn't count.

 

[Shaun1985]

I keep hearing about playing the same team twice and how we don't want too but we should probably feel sorry for Bama and Georgia. They gotta try and stop this offense twice in one year. Poor bastards lol

 

[Gandalf]

It’s possible that we play both Alabama & Georgia twice this year

Dear Lord that’s a nightmare scenario for all 3 of us. I’m sure Bama is not eager to play us again and after Saturday, GA won’t be either.

 

[Orangeslice13]

It’s possible that we play both Alabama & Georgia twice this year

We could play Alabama 3 times if it fell that way.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

I think this team could legit win any game at least once. Unfortunately we play in a conference where we might face opponents multiple times. If you had to pick a team or a recipe to defeat UT outside of them beating themselves what is it? Below are mine.

1. Will not say it specifically, but Hendon Hooker is the juice that runs this team.

2. Dominant D line that can control the line of scrimmage. Best shot at this is UGA.

3. An equally potent offense and slightly better defense that can eek out a win. Closest approximation was Bama because of Young. Do not want to play that guy twice personally. Best shot in playoffs is Ohio State.

4. Well rounded team that just presses the breaks in their favor. Could be any of the playoff teams. Examples are the Pitt game, UF game, or Bama game minus a made play by UT.

I love that I can post this and genuinely not fear a likely scenario, but being honest no team is unbeatable. The biggest risk I think we face is playing opponents multiple times. I think in a one time head to head with all the teams in CFB we win. Truly.

Best shot in the playoffs is Clemson.
Their defense is good but their secondary is suspect.

They have a good running game but their receivers are average and their tight ends drop a lot of passes.

Their RT is a true freshman who has whiffed on some key blocks.