Our chances at Oregon.....

[Vol8188]

Their passing game is underrated. Mainly because their run game is so good. Our front 7 is not that good. I will gladly eat my crow if we shock the world. I just dont like how our D sets up for them.

We are very good at DT, with McCullers who is projected as a first or second round pick.

We have a MLB who is as good as any MLB in the nation. Maggit is another very good LB.

And we have great depth on the Dline.

Next to oline, our front 7 is our biggest strength.

 

[BellottiBold]

A couple of general responses to the posts since my "manhandle" comment, and realize first, that I'm mostly just talking **** for the hell of it and because I generally find it hilarious that people read what they do into rivals rankings - even if they are a reasonable predictor for NFL draft success.

1. Oregon's talent on both lines has been significantly upgraded over the past few cycles (since you last saw us.) In the past we got away with fielding lines with lots of tweener/undersized types - those days are in the past. We have lean, tall, strong, and fast players on both units now. This season Oregon has the caliber of athlete in the trenches that it takes to go toe to toe with the SEC, and that's not because of those players' star ratings from high school, it's because they have the frames and athleticism TODAY to match up.
2. Building off of that first point, it's absurd to claim that you know how physical Oregon plays, because our linemen have never been this talented, never mind the fact that you're basing your opinions on what you've seen from teams in previous years - with different rosters.
3. Oregon is likely to pass the ball more thanks to a veteran QB, a more developed/talented receiving corps (again, of any Chip Kelly team) and relative youth at RB.
4. Then again, in mentioning the youth at RB, I'll also point out that Oregon's upgraded its size at that position. Byron Marshall will break out this year, and he's a legit 200 lb kid with speed. Behind him look for one of the freshmen to contribute, both themselves powerfully built at 200+ (either Tyner or Kani Benoit.) It's been a long time since Oregon had two freshmen running backs arrive with that kind of size. All three kids named are bigger and more powerful than Barner.

 

[1974Vol]

Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I would like to see both Oregon and Tennessee play a couple of games before making any detailed commentary. But I will say this I hope the ducks come in thinking they can just roll their "Tron Inspired Laser Guided" helmets on the field and put a whopping on the Vols. I love the smell of Roasted Duck in the morning, it smells like...Victory

 

[Vol8188]

We've upgraded both our offensive and defensive lines as well, since we last saw Oregon.

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

We are very good at DT, with McCullers who is projected as a first or second round pick.

We have a MLB who is as good as any MLB in the nation. Maggit is another very good LB.

And we have great depth on the Dline.

Next to oline, our front 7 is our biggest strength.

We are learning yet another D system. We were slow across the board last year. We will have to see a dramatic change to have any hope. I dont see that happening with us playing cupcakes to start the season. I really wanna be optimistic but keep getting slapped in the face with reality. OR has been a top 10 team the past 5 years and I dont see us beating them at home. I hope like hell I am wrong.

 

[1974Vol]

We've upgraded both our offensive and defensive lines as well, since we last saw Oregon.

Come on 8188 that walk-on OL almost beat Bama:loco:

 

[Vol8188]

Come on 8188 that walk-on OL almost beat Bama:loco:

Lol if only they knew how to protect our kicker.

 

[zreeves]

A couple of general responses to the posts since my "manhandle" comment, and realize first, that I'm mostly just talking **** for the hell of it and because I generally find it hilarious that people read what they do into rivals rankings - even if they are a reasonable predictor for NFL draft success.

1. Oregon's talent on both lines has been significantly upgraded over the past few cycles (since you last saw us.) In the past we got away with fielding lines with lots of tweener/undersized types - those days are in the past. We have lean, tall, strong, and fast players on both units now. This season Oregon has the caliber of athlete in the trenches that it takes to go toe to toe with the SEC, and that's not because of those players' star ratings from high school, it's because they have the frames and athleticism TODAY to match up.
2. Building off of that first point, it's absurd to claim that you know how physical Oregon plays, because our linemen have never been this talented, never mind the fact that you're basing your opinions on what you've seen from teams in previous years - with different rosters.
3. Oregon is likely to pass the ball more thanks to a veteran QB, a more developed/talented receiving corps (again, of any Chip Kelly team) and relative youth at RB.
4. Then again, in mentioning the youth at RB, I'll also point out that Oregon's upgraded its size at that position. Byron Marshall will break out this year, and he's a legit 200 lb kid with speed. Behind him look for one of the freshmen to contribute, both themselves powerfully built at 200+ (either Tyner or Kani Benoit.) It's been a long time since Oregon had two freshmen running backs arrive with that kind of size. All three kids named are bigger and more powerful than Barner.

i agree with a lot of that except i still dont believe oregon is nearly as physically imposing in the trenches as SEC teams. at a quick glance (and google search) the average sec OL weight is ~308 and DL is ~290 and oregons average OL looks to be about 285 and DL looks to be around 270...im not calculating it and i know weight isnt everything and oregon prefers speed but i just cant see them physically matching up on the line with SEC teams...they can certainly outlast them but that isn't the same thing

 

[1974Vol]

Lol if only they knew how to protect our kicker.

Yeah that "armpit" block was pretty ugly:ermm:

 

[monkeymantn]

We've upgraded both our offensive and defensive lines as well, since we last saw Oregon.

Perhaps our biggest upgrade is our coach!!!

 

[vols4evah]

We are learning yet another D system. We were slow across the board last year. We will have to see a dramatic change to have any hope. I dont see that happening with us playing cupcakes to start the season. I really wanna be optimistic but keep getting slapped in the face with reality. OR has been a top 10 team the past 5 years and I dont see us beating them at home. I hope like hell I am wrong.

This is a common misconception, our defense was not slow last year.
They where confused and disoriented but they where not slow. They where in a brand new 3-4 defense that was very complicated and they where poorly coached. They had to think on every play before they could react and that put them a half a step behind which made them appear slow.

you realize that last years defense was almost the exact same one that was a top 30 defense the year before when they where all younger ? Nobody said they where slow then but somehow they all just magically got slower a year later. I mean seriously think it through.
Our defense has plenty of speed, and this year they are back to the same defensive scheme they are used to playing.

This year our defense will be back to SEC form and playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. They will be playing to make a statement and they wont quit this year in the 3rd/4th quarter because they are much better coached and they are hungry.

Coach Jones and staff believe in them and they are starting to believe in themselves.

Its time we the fans start believing in them also.

 

[checkerboards09]

This is a common misconception, our defense was not slow last year.
They where confused and disoriented but they where not slow. They where in a brand new 3-4 defense that was very complicated and they where poorly coached. They had to think on every play before they could react and that put them a half a step behind which made them appear slow.

you realize that last years defense was almost the exact same one that was a top 30 defense the year before when they where all younger ? Nobody said they where slow then but somehow they all just magically got slower a year later. I mean seriously think it through.
Our defense has plenty of speed, and this year they are back to the same defensive scheme they are used to playing.

This year our defense will be back to SEC form and playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. They will be playing to make a statement and they wont quit this year in the 3rd/4th quarter because they are much better coached and they are hungry.

Coach Jones and staff believe in them and they are starting to believe in themselves.

Its time we the fans start believing in them also.

Great post.

 

[OrangeBlood4life]

I want to believe we could upset them. I watch every game thinkin we could win. I think it's a long shot, but you never how our guys are gonna play.

 

[drodvol]

It ain't the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog! I believe , especially our D will be playing with pure attitude this year. They hear the negative talk and I believe they are coming with something to prove. This post doesn't have any facts or stats in it im just saying you can't take away the human factor. Weather we win or lose Oregon won't walk all over us. They will know they were in a fight. And if they drop there guard for a minute they will lose. This IS a winnable game!!!:machgun: :gun:

 

[OWB]

I hope we beat Oregon...or else I'll have to divorce my wife because I'm determined that since we met (2008), that the Vols are cursed.

This season might not be good for your marriage.

 

[bigdaddy]

This season might not be good for your marriage.

it might not be good for my ulcer named "steve" as well

 

[checkerboards09]

This season might not be good for your marriage.

Oh well. He didn't want her anyway....

 

[Smokefatty]

This is a common misconception, our defense was not slow last year.
They where confused and disoriented but they where not slow. They where in a brand new 3-4 defense that was very complicated and they where poorly coached. They had to think on every play before they could react and that put them a half a step behind which made them appear slow.

you realize that last years defense was almost the exact same one that was a top 30 defense the year before when they where all younger ? Nobody said they where slow then but somehow they all just magically got slower a year later. I mean seriously think it through.
Our defense has plenty of speed, and this year they are back to the same defensive scheme they are used to playing.

This year our defense will be back to SEC form and playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. They will be playing to make a statement and they wont quit this year in the 3rd/4th quarter because they are much better coached and they are hungry.

Coach Jones and staff believe in them and they are starting to believe in themselves.

Its time we the fans start believing in them also.

I have faith in the team and the coaching staff, but there is no getting around the fact that we were slow last year AND the year before. Wilcox doesn't get enough credit for what he did with that defense. We get faster this year with Sapp moving to LB, Maggitt and Randolph being healthy (hopefully), and Teague and Waggner graduating. The D-line still lacks anyone that has proven to have the explosiveness to be a good pass rusher. I'm hoping Williams or Vereen can fill that role. There are some great players on D, but to deny the weaknesses at CB and speed on the D-Line and MLB is just putting your head in the sand. It will take great coaching to get us back to the D we had in '11.

 

[Vol865]

This is a common misconception, our defense was not slow last year.
They where confused and disoriented but they where not slow. They where in a brand new 3-4 defense that was very complicated and they where poorly coached. They had to think on every play before they could react and that put them a half a step behind which made them appear slow.

you realize that last years defense was almost the exact same one that was a top 30 defense the year before when they where all younger ? Nobody said they where slow then but somehow they all just magically got slower a year later. I mean seriously think it through.
Our defense has plenty of speed, and this year they are back to the same defensive scheme they are used to playing.

This year our defense will be back to SEC form and playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. They will be playing to make a statement and they wont quit this year in the 3rd/4th quarter because they are much better coached and they are hungry.

Coach Jones and staff believe in them and they are starting to believe in themselves.

Its time we the fans start believing in them also.

They also lost the weight from where they bulked up for the 3,4, brewer isnt a DB anymore, and Teague and P.Wagg are gone

 

[photovol]

This is a common misconception, our defense was not slow last year.
They where confused and disoriented but they where not slow. They where in a brand new 3-4 defense that was very complicated and they where poorly coached. They had to think on every play before they could react and that put them a half a step behind which made them appear slow.

you realize that last years defense was almost the exact same one that was a top 30 defense the year before when they where all younger ? Nobody said they where slow then but somehow they all just magically got slower a year later. I mean seriously think it through.
Our defense has plenty of speed, and this year they are back to the same defensive scheme they are used to playing.

This year our defense will be back to SEC form and playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. They will be playing to make a statement and they wont quit this year in the 3rd/4th quarter because they are much better coached and they are hungry.

Coach Jones and staff believe in them and they are starting to believe in themselves.

Its time we the fans start believing in them also.

Yes we all need "Blind Faith"

 

[JohnMarxism]

it might not be good for my ulcer named "steve" as well

I feel your pain. I'm already experiencing a pre-season "Steve" right now

 

[vols4evah]

Yes we all need "Blind Faith"

who said anything about blind faith ?

You just don't have to be so negative about everything.
Stop being a defeatist and claiming to be a realist. This season hasn't been played yet give them the benefit of the doubt, your supposed to be a FAN for crying out loud.

geesh some of you are the biggest whiny crybabies I ever saw.

Waaaah we wont win 5 games waaahhh our defense was slow last year waaah waaah. We cant win all we will do is lose waaahhh waaaahhh woe is me, sniff, sniff, cry, cry.

if your a FAN then grow a pair and start acting like one.

This team is the Tennessee Vols !
show them some support.

PS: when I say YOU I am not pointing at photovol, that I quoted, I mean it in general.

 

[photovol]

who said anything about blind faith ?

You just don't have to be so negative about everything.
Stop being a defeatist and claiming to be a realist. This season hasn't been played yet give them the benefit of the doubt, your supposed to be a FAN for crying out loud.

geesh some of you are the biggest whiny crybabies I ever saw.

Waaaah we wont win 5 games waaahhh our defense was slow last year waaah waaah. We cant win all we will do is lose waaahhh waaaahhh woe is me, sniff, sniff, cry, cry.

if your a FAN then grow a pair and start acting like one.

This team is the Tennessee Vols !
show them some support.

PS: when I say YOU I am not pointing at photovol, that I quoted, I mean it in general.

Chattanooga, I hope the Vols win 10 games this year, I've been a fan since 1962 and I am an Alumni, class of 1973.....I've been here with all the up's and down's for many many years
Go Vols

 

[photovol]

who said anything about blind faith ?

You just don't have to be so negative about everything.
Stop being a defeatist and claiming to be a realist. This season hasn't been played yet give them the benefit of the doubt, your supposed to be a FAN for crying out loud.

geesh some of you are the biggest whiny crybabies I ever saw.

Waaaah we wont win 5 games waaahhh our defense was slow last year waaah waaah. We cant win all we will do is lose waaahhh waaaahhh woe is me, sniff, sniff, cry, cry.

if your a FAN then grow a pair and start acting like one.

This team is the Tennessee Vols !
show them some support.

PS: when I say YOU I am not pointing at photovol, that I quoted, I mean it in general.

Chattanooga, I hope the Vols win 10 games this year, I've been a fan since 1962 and I am an Alumni, class of 1973.....I've been here with all the up's and down's for many many years.....blind faith is a good thing!
Go Vols

 

[BOP]

who said anything about blind faith ?

You just don't have to be so negative about everything.
Stop being a defeatist and claiming to be a realist. This season hasn't been played yet give them the benefit of the doubt, your supposed to be a FAN for crying out loud.

geesh some of you are the biggest whiny crybabies I ever saw.

Waaaah we wont win 5 games waaahhh our defense was slow last year waaah waaah. We cant win all we will do is lose waaahhh waaaahhh woe is me, sniff, sniff, cry, cry.

if your a FAN then grow a pair and start acting like one.

This team is the Tennessee Vols !
show them some support.

PS: when I say YOU I am not pointing at photovol, that I quoted, I mean it in general.

Or, if you want to talk up a win, how about picking a team that we have a better chance of upsetting istead of the 10 Oregon threads. Yes I guess there is a chance we beat oregon. People are acting like we have a better chance against them than South Carolina or Florida because of recruiting rankings or conference affiliation. That's just not the case.