Our trip to Tuscaloosa

#1
ConantheVolbarian

ConantheVolbarian

What is best in life? Winning by fiddy!
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#1
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
 
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#2
#2
Longsufferingvol said:
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
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Let's revisit this in October...after Florida and after Bama plays a few...
 
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#6
#6
Florida, Bama, and Georgia line up perfectly for this to be the year where Tennessee redefines who they are as a program in the eyes of the college football world. Yes it will be hard to do and may look impossible in ways but for anyone to be great they have to start doing what they are not supposed to do and for Tennessee now unlike years past that is not viewed as something far fetched.
 
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#7
#7
Southeastern VFL said:
Florida, Bama, and Georgia line up perfectly for this to be the year where Tennessee redefines who they are as a program in the eyes of the college football world. Yes it will be hard to do and may look impossible in ways but for anyone to be great they have to start doing what they are not supposed to do and for Tennessee now unlike years past that is not viewed as something far fetched.
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So nice to have GA in November instead of 1 week after Florida
 
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#9
#9
Proud Army Wife said:
We gave them a run for their money in Tuscaloosa in ‘21 until we ran out of depth in the 4th. We’ll be alright.

I’m expecting a more old school Bama, but interested in seeing how their qb situation works out.
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That could be the start of the decline for Alabama if it doesn't work. Not saying that they are going to drop off the map but it could be the start of them starting to look human again.
 
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#10
#10
Southeastern VFL said:
That could be the start of the decline for Alabama if it doesn't work. Not saying that they are going to drop off the map but it could be the start of them starting to look human again.
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Gumps will tell you we say that about them every year, but deep down they know the dynasty is coming to an end sooner rather than later. Saban is old old, and you can see their lack of discipline that the constant change in coordinators created.
 
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#11
#11
Proud Army Wife said:
Gumps will tell you we say that about them every year, but deep down they know the dynasty is coming to an end sooner rather than later. Saban is old old, and you can see their lack of discipline that the constant change in coordinators created.
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My best friend and college roommate was born Bama and is still Bama! But he is by far the most level headed Gump I’ve met to date and always has been. He’s been saying the past few years that about to be going backwards and just said earlier today that this year the spiral might really pick up for them.

Steele will have a top notch Defense on the field, probably the best they’ve had since Pruitt left, but the gonna be ground heavy offense this year.
 
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#12
#12
ALLVOL 4LIFE said:
My best friend and college roommate was born Bama and is still Bama! But he is by far the most level headed Gump I’ve met to date and always has been. He’s been saying the past few years that about to be going backwards and just said earlier today that this year the spiral might really pick up for them.

Steele will have a top notch Defense on the field, probably the best they’ve had since Pruitt left, but the gonna be ground heavy offense this year.
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Steele does put good defenses on the field but his defenses have the tendency to get lit up at least once or twice a year sometimes more.
 
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#14
#14
I mean, it’s going to be a very difficult game to win, don’t get me wrong. Alabama is one of the most talented teams in the country. But I’m going to continue to say that UT matches up well with this Alabama team imo. Alabama is going to be a run heavy team. Tennessee has a lot of depth on the defensive line to counter that and had the #2 rush defense in the SEC last year, I believe. Alabama’s receivers are solid, but none of them are first round talents like the Waddles, Smiths, Coopers, Williams, Ruggs, Ridleys, Jones of the world. And then there is the fact that 2 years in a row now, Heupel has schemed wide open touchdowns against Saban’s defense. He clearly knows how to score points against that scheme. Again, it will not be easy. Saban almost never loses at home. I think Bama has lost 8 home games under him. But we have a team capable of handing him loss #9, without question.
 
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#15
#15
I don’t see it as an automatic loss but the fact that they’re going back to the style they used very successfully for years and that Kirby copied has me concerned about the game. They still have a ton of talent and in the past changing QBs didn’t really affect them like we all hoped. I think it’s premature to think we’ve conquered them and the game isn’t a concern. Also I would think they’ve got our game circled and it’s at their place to boot. It will be a tough game and the refs in the past have been biased.
 
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#16
#16
Longsufferingvol said:
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
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I agree with you, I just don’t think our offense will be close to what it was last year - we lost a Heisman caliber QB, the Bilitenkoff winner, an All-American WR, and a top 10 pick at LT.

I like the guys we’ve got coming back, I just don’t think it’s a given we are anywhere close to the same production on offense. As great as Coach Heupel has become, it’s still a players game.

All that said, I think this is the year the wheels come off on the Tide and their dynasty starts to unravel.
 
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#18
#18
Bama will be a tough out the crowd will be amped like UGA was but if they do start to lose it. Their recruiting will fall off immediately because the word that Saban is on his last leg won't transfer well to the NFL wannabe 5 stars and Gump's hold on to him as long as he is staying. The purchase of a 14 million dollar house, I think even he sees some writing on the wall.
 
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#19
#19
KTrain said:
Bama will be a tough out the crowd will be amped like UGA was but if they do start to lose it. Their recruiting will fall off immediately because the word that Saban is on his last leg won't transfer well to the NFL wannabe 5 stars and Gump's hold on to him as long as he is staying. The purchase of a 14 million dollar house, I think even he sees some writing on the wall.
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I think ole nick sees that this year will be tough and the schedule next year is really tough. Just hope it boots his ass to retirement. Have had enough of that geezer. Tennessee game will be circled by gumps this year- we can beat them but will have to play really well as you are playing the gumps and the goons(turd home refs). A tough out.
 
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#20
#20
Longsufferingvol said:
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
Click to expand...
Nah vols will win this game convincingly
 
#22
#22
Longsufferingvol said:
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
Click to expand...
First our game with them last year could have gone either way. Second our offense will likely be close to as good as last year BUT their defensive backfield will be better (count on it). Third their offense will not be as good (no Young) but our defense should be a little better overall. Sooo if all these things cancel each other out,,, home field is theirs this year...
 
#24
#24
I was at one of my 5:00 pm watering holes a couple of nights ago - Furniture Factory here in Huntsville. Old fellow (about my age) with a Bama hat on. He started trash talking. Of course the number 15 came up (streak), and he said "I'm still not so sure we lost that game". I like the guy and pick my battles, so I grinned and had all these thoughts buzzing. Wanted to say sarcastically "OMG you're right - the refs really goobed you again, just like all the other times you've lost". But I didn't. There is a mentality though, amongst many down here of a superiority complex - granted, they have been more than good for a long period. He then started spouting numbers about the number of times Ga and Tn has beaten them in the last 20 years. Do they play Ga every year? I don't think so. And did Alabama benefit from most of the teams in the west sucking for a long while, you remember, when Florida and Georgia were both playing pretty good, and we had them every season.

So, yes, Bama has 5 star talent and we aren't there yet. Bama's tumble will begin when Nicky decides to quit, or even throws a target date out there for that. I think OP has a good point. Another victory, especially in Tuscaloosa would maybe accelerate that. Recruits want to go to the good programs. Saban won't be around another 5 years, and, if we can keep him, Heupel will. If Tennessee keep winning 9 or more, the winds will shift for Bama.

I'm with OP on this one. My reasoning is, this coach knows how to get the team mentally in a place where they are convinced they've worked just as hard as the other team and can win if they execute. Only bad example was South Carolina last season. Still amazed at how Beamer's moons lined up on that ugly night. Haven't felt that way since Georgia State.

They don't like losing in Tuscaloosa. Cam Newton went in there and pulled one out from a big deficit, once. That pissed them off. The good news, Bama lost. The bad news, it cost Auburn a couple of trees on Toomer's corner. Milton could blow Bama's mind just like Cam Newton did that day. Johnny Manzel also caused many tight sphincters in Tuscaloosa one fine day. It can happen.

Go Vols
 
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#25
#25
Longsufferingvol said:
It seems like all the experts and even a lot of Tennessee fans are chalking this up as a loss, but my question is why?

All indications are that Alabama has a QB issue and will go back to a more run-first offense in 2023. And our offense that the Tide couldn't stop last year will probably be just as prolific, if not more so. When I look at this game with my brain (and not my heart) I see us as a bad matchup for Alabama even in Tuscaloosa.
Click to expand...

Maybe so, but I don't think we're going to be able to chalk up most games on the schedule as a certain win or loss, especially before we've seen any of the teams in action against real competition. Let's play a few games before serious speculating.
 
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