Outside of Bama and UGA this may be our toughest game left

#1
Oldblood

Oldblood

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#1
I know this sounds crazy with a line of 13.5 - 14 points, but, as of now, this Arkansas game is the one we are most likely to lose (according to projections and betting lines) of all of the games we have left.

Right now we are definitely double digit favorites in every other game. This speaks to not only the dominance of our beloved Vols but also the weakness of our remaining schedule. You could argue that Kentucky is better than we initially thought but we'd still be a big favorite at home. And outside of Georgia, our only road game left after this one is Vandy.

Having lived through nearly two decades of mediocrity, I'm trying to take some time to enjoy being a top-level team again.
 
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#2
#2
This game and KY, for different reasons. But, if we take care of business we'll be ok. If we don't we could be in for a dog fight...another prime time away game hostile environment, so anything can happen. On one hand, I suspect JH may be somewhat conservative b/c away game, etc, and hard to risk giving them a short field or have mistakes give them hope...but, if we're able to come out aggressive and get on them early, and play solid D, I think it will be a rout.
 
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#3
#3
njvols said:
I suspect JH may be somewhat conservative b/c away game, etc....
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What on earth gives you that idea?

Not even counting his time at UCF, Josh Heupel has coached our Vols in something like 14 true away games. Plus bowls and neutral site games such as the NC State match a month ago.

How many of those did he call conservatively? Exactly one.

There is no body of work to suggest that Josh isn't going to light his hair on fire and go nuts with the offense tomorrow, just as he almost always has over the past 7 years as a head coach.

Let's don't lose sight of who he is, at his core.

Go Vols!
 
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#5
#5
Are there drugs that can be prescribed to our fan base? Collectively we have a chemical imbalance. Some may be more off than others. But yall have got to stop being scared of every game, every week. The team will play well, and they may win or lose, but enjoy the ride. Yall are refusing to enjoy this by worrying about every game.
 
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#7
#7
Yeah, right. KY is very formidable. I refuse to EVER think of Florida as an easy game until we actually beat the brakes off of them. South Carolina, yeah no. After 2022 I'm never thinking of them as a gimme.
 
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#8
#8
titansvolsfaninga said:
Are there drugs that can be prescribed to our fan base? Collectively we have a chemical imbalance. Some may be more off than others. But yall have got to stop being scared of every game, every week. The team will play well, and they may win or lose, but enjoy the ride. Yall are refusing to enjoy this by worrying about every game.
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And if we finish the month undefeated the goalposts will get shifted to the team isn't good until they finish the season undefated because of that one game SC cheated in 2 years ago.😂
 
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#9
#9
Brave Volunteer said:
Yeah, right. KY is very formidable. I refuse to EVER think of Florida as an easy game until we actually beat the brakes off of them. South Carolina, yeah no. After 2022 I'm never thinking of them as a gimme.
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Agree Kentucky could be tough but we seem to have their number. It's also at home. We don't play South Carolina this year.
 
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#10
#10
VFL-82-JP said:
What on earth gives you that idea?

Not even counting his time at UCF, Josh Heupel has coached our Vols in something like 14 true away games. Plus bowls and neutral site games such as the NC State match a month ago.

How many of those did he call conservatively? Exactly one.

There is no body of work to suggest that Josh isn't going to light his hair on fire and go nuts with the offense tomorrow, just as he almost always has over the past 7 years as a head coach.

Let's don't lose sight of who he is, at his core.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...
I think maybe just maybe if the defense is playing well and we get up a bit he may dial it down a little. Only reason I think that is due to the health of our tackles. If everyone is healthy I imagine we see some offensive fireworks. How the Oline plays will influence play calling though greatly imho.

Question is can Arkansas score over 24 points vs this defense bc I see no way they keep us under 24. Again just like OU, Tennessee had way more win conditions than Arkansas. Arkansas probably will be the most balanced team Tennessee has played to this point and with home field advantage this could turn into more of a fist fight than we want if we allow it to.
 
#14
#14
October is our tough month. If we get through it unscathed or even with 1 loss, we are likely in the playoff.

We got Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky

Compare that to Georgia, Miss State, UTEP, and Vandy in November where I feel like Georgia is the only true threat. Everyone in the October schedule has a puncher's chance to beat us (well Alabama will be favored).
 
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#16
#16
Oldblood said:
I know this sounds crazy with a line of 13.5 - 14 points, but, as of now, this Arkansas game is the one we are most likely to lose (according to projections and betting lines) of all of the games we have left.

Right now we are definitely double digit favorites in every other game. This speaks to not only the dominance of our beloved Vols but also the weakness of our remaining schedule. You could argue that Kentucky is better than we initially thought but we'd still be a big favorite at home. And outside of Georgia, our only road game left after this one is Vandy.

Having lived through nearly two decades of mediocrity, I'm trying to take some time to enjoy being a top-level team again.
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Per ESPN FPI:

Arkansas | Saturday | Fayetteville, Ark.​

  • FPI chance to win: 82.1%
  • Opponent FPI rank: 27th
 
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#19
#19
Kentucky is a tougher opponent than Arkansas IMO but they don't match up well against Heupel and company. I haven't seen Heupel's Tennessee teams play Arkansas yet so hard to tell.
 
#20
#20
Brave Volunteer said:
Yeah, right. KY is very formidable. I refuse to EVER think of Florida as an easy game until we actually beat the brakes off of them. South Carolina, yeah no. After 2022 I'm never thinking of them as a gimme.
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SC got our plays from Michigan in ‘22. There will never be a repeat of that night with them on the winning end.
 
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#21
#21
VFL-82-JP said:
What on earth gives you that idea?

Not even counting his time at UCF, Josh Heupel has coached our Vols in something like 14 true away games. Plus bowls and neutral site games such as the NC State match a month ago.

How many of those did he call conservatively? Exactly one.

There is no body of work to suggest that Josh isn't going to light his hair on fire and go nuts with the offense tomorrow, just as he almost always has over the past 7 years as a head coach.

Let's don't lose sight of who he is, at his core.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...

I think he has matured as a head coach and going forward will coach based on what it takes to beat teams. Showed that against NC State and then Oklahoma. At least I hope that is the case. He won't continue to dominate on offense in the SEC with a fire away offense.. There are times when you win with defense or need to protect QB.

My worry tomorrow is, can they protect Nico? If they can't the game could end up being closer than we want it.
 
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#24
#24
TAF said:
NOBODY should be looking past FLORIDA. The Gators have OWNED TENNESSEE since 1990...no matter HOW you look at it.
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This right here UF has always only cared about beating UT since Spurrier they do not care about any other team Period .
 
#25
#25
volbound1700 said:
Kentucky is a tougher opponent than Arkansas IMO but they don't match up well against Heupel and company. I haven't seen Heupel's Tennessee teams play Arkansas yet so hard to tell.
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Kentucky has Mincey. That game is circled for a few guys. You don’t want a bad Oline vs an elite dline with motivation to embarrass a cat. Their line is bad our crowd noise and dline will live in their nightmares after that game. Arkansas has a much better chance than Kentucky imo to make it a game. We should blow the doors off both these teams.
 
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