Ranking the Hardest Games of the 2014 Schedule

[sjt18]

I would say 2014 is on par with last year. The only thing better is that Mizzou and Vandy are gonna regress quite a bit.

Since UT lost to both of those teams wouldn't that in and of itself make the schedule easier overall?

UtahSt is comparable to Vandy of last year...which we should have beaten.

Can you flesh this one out more? Vandy returned their best players who were upperclassmen. USU replaces over half their starters including several statistical leaders.

Chatt much better than APSU

Should that matter? You can probably out jump me. But would that mean much if we were taking turns trying to out jump Lebron?

USCe won't have the superstars from last year except for Byrd and Davis. But they bring back all but about 10players, so they have plenty of experience.

UT brings back about the same number of starters. Who do you think has the more talented players to backfill? IMHO, UT does.


What you seem to have posted here in disagreement with me is that almost every comparable game is a push or weaker... which is pretty much what I said. :ermm:

 

[Boca Vol]

Nobody talks about fact that UGA will be wrangling in a new defense and coordinaor. I believe could be a huge challenge for them. As we all know you never get all defense installed and u always play slow your first year

That's the problem with this sort of thinking. Just because UT struggled in 2012 & 2013 doesn't make it a fact that the D has to suck with a 1st year DC. Auburn somehow managed to make it to the BCS title game with a 1st year DC against FSU who, by the way, also had a 1st year DC!

 

[MADISONGAVOL]

I agree completely. My point is everyone makes every excuse under the sun why we will lose. They will have a new defense and quart back that may not be any better than ours. OLE Miss too. What makes them Unbeatable. I guess we have sucked so long it has changed people. My expectations are somewhat limited. I will say this 2015 Jones has no excuses not to have the opportunity to beat any team on the roster. Meaning he can no longer say we are young or too slow. I do think we surprise people this year and we will be hell on wheels in 2015. I believe we can play uga.ole miss. Florida and realistically win all 3

 

[TrueOrange]

That's the problem with this sort of thinking. Just because UT struggled in 2012 & 2013 doesn't make it a fact that the D has to suck with a 1st year DC. Auburn somehow managed to make it to the BCS title game with a 1st year DC against FSU who, by the way, also had a 1st year DC!

It wasn't a terribly good D at that either. Wasn't Auburn either last or second to last in the conference in passing defense?

 

[Boca Vol]

It wasn't a terribly good D at that either. Wasn't Auburn either last or second to last in the conference in passing defense?

I have no idea. All I know is they were playing for the hardware.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

When I 1st saw your list I thought, WTF? However, after thinking about it I would move Oklahoma to 11 and shift everyone else up.

To me, the toughest games are the ones where the teams are the most evenly matched. Very few expect UT to beat Oklahoma or Bama, therefore there's not much pressure on UT.

However, UT will need its share of wins against: Ole Miss, UF, UGA, Mizzou, USCe, USU, and Vandy. Those are the pressure games for UT.

Simply ranking the opponents by how good the opponent is, sure Bama and Oklahoma.

I expect to beat Alabama. Okie is going to be a tough one to swallow opening the season.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

Ole miss has some serious talent that is a year or two older than our roaster. This is the year they pull it together.

Georgia is going to be out for revenge. They have something to play for.

Florida ... Never bet against a dog backed into a corner. especially coming off a tough ass road schedule.

Kentucky will be tougher than expected.

Mizzou will be down this year. but they will still be mizzou.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

Oh yeah. lets not forget the ole' ball coach. He has a quarter back and some flashy young talent, and he is a great game coach, but I just have to go with my gut. We have shown them we can handle them the last couple of years. I think we make them nervous.

 

[MADISONGAVOL]

Ole miss has some serious talent that is a year or two older than our roaster. This is the year they pull it together.

Georgia is going to be out for revenge. They have something to play for.

Florida ... Never bet against a dog backed into a corner. especially coming off a tough ass road schedule.

Kentucky will be tougher than expected.

Mizzou will be down this year. but they will still be mizzou.

So basically we in trouble again. Make it year 5 and we as Vol fans will always have excuses of why we have sub par years

 

[TrueOrange]

I have no idea. All I know is they were playing for the hardware.

Found it.


After Jan 8, they were 13th in the conference in pass defense, 10th or 11th in the conference in rush defense, and 12th in total defense (13th if based on total yards).

They were also 9th in turnovers forced (tied for 10th in INTs forced and 13th in fumbles forced).


And that's after bowl games.

But it was almost all the success of that offense style/scheme (and some miracle plays).

 

[bamawriter]

I expect to beat Alabama.

No you don't. You're just trying to play superfan.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

That's the problem with this sort of thinking. Just because UT struggled in 2012 & 2013 doesn't make it a fact that the D has to suck with a 1st year DC. Auburn somehow managed to make it to the BCS title game with a 1st year DC against FSU who, by the way, also had a 1st year DC!

That is true but its probably the exception more so than the rule. And it is the SEC opener for us anyway (not sure about them). Maybe they don't have all the kinks worked out yet by then and let us put up some easy ones. Here's to hoping so

 

[sjt18]

What alot of this boils down to is coaching. Only a few of us are willing to take the heat for saying it but many of you are dancing all around it. There are many opportunities in this schedule and only a couple of likely stinkers. There should even be an opportunity to play Bama closer than the past few years this fall.

But at some point... coaches have to take what they have and produce. I am NOT saying they won't. Just stating that it is ridiculous beyond measure to keep saying "next year we'll be talented enough for the coaching to work". Coaches coach. That's why Franklin turned around a totally hapless Vandy program in a couple of years. I am very much hopeful this staff can get it done... but I'm not confused about the fact that "getting it" will result in W's and not just talk or "next year".

 

[sjt18]

That is true but its probably the exception more so than the rule. And it is the SEC opener for us anyway (not sure about them). Maybe they don't have all the kinks worked out yet by then and let us put up some easy ones. Here's to hoping so

It depends on the coordinator, the players left, and what the old system was like. Wilcox took over from Monte while losing the top 5 tacklers on the team (including McCoy, Berry, and Big Dan). PPG rose by only 3 and then fell the next year back to 22 ppg.

In perhaps the most extraordinarily stupid move a coach ever made, Dooley hired Sal and switched to the 3-4. In one year basically the same players went from allowing 22 ppg to allowing 36 ppg.

Jancek with many players returning from that D that only allowed 22 ppg only reduced it to 29 ppg last fall.

I HOPE that was just an aberration and the throes of trying to readjust personnel to the 4-3.


It really isn't that uncommon for new coordinators to have success. But usually (not always) they go into a situation where there is talent and a similar system.

 

[Boca Vol]

That is true but its probably the exception more so than the rule. And it is the SEC opener for us anyway (not sure about them). Maybe they don't have all the kinks worked out yet by then and let us put up some easy ones. Here's to hoping so

They open with Clemson then South Carolina. I'd say they'll know their weaknesses by the time UT rolls around. But they could already have 2 losses and that's a great time for UT to come in and make it 3.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

They open with Clemson then South Carolina. I'd say they'll know their weaknesses by the time UT rolls around. But they could already have 2 losses and that's a great time for UT to come in and make it 3.

I concur! I'd be walking around north east Georgia with a heck of a smile on my face when I see that day

 

[ETV]

Florida.

We've lost 9 in a row to them. They are in our division and is the first step at becoming relevant again within our own division.

This game is the most important one of 2014 (at this point in the game).

 

[sjt18]

Florida.

We've lost 9 in a row to them. They are in our division and is the first step at becoming relevant again within our own division.

This game is the most important one of 2014 (at this point in the game).

I tend to think that is about to come to an end IF Jones is the right coach... because I am fairly certain he's not intimidated by UF. If he has the skills to succeed then I don't think he'll keep losing to them. Fulmer and Dooley were usually beat before warm ups when they played UF. Kiffin was the one UT coach since Majors that didn't go jello at the mention of the Gators.

 

[KBVol]

I tend to think that is about to come to an end IF Jones is the right coach... because I am fairly certain he's not intimidated by UF. If he has the skills to succeed then I don't think he'll keep losing to them. Fulmer and Dooley were usually beat before warm ups when they played UF. Kiffin was the one UT coach since Majors that didn't go jello at the mention of the Gators.

I agree with what you're saying about Butch being the right coach. But Fulmer "was the right guy", was a HOF coach with a Natl Championship and a 152-52 record yet Florida owned him. Kiffin might not have gone wobbly at the mention of Florida but they whipped his arse too.

If UT goes 11-1 and UF goes 1-11 next year, I think we know what will have happened..... UF's 10th straight win vs UT.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

No you don't. You're just trying to play superfan.

Alabami's time is up, and they know it. Saban can't handle football anymore. he couldn't handle football to begin with. He had to go to dear old alabami where it's all they got and all they will have. A place where Gomer pyle could coach and get away with it....and now the playoffs..uh oh. It was all well and good when you had the whole south east area given to you on a plater and only had to play 4 games a year and had every voter sucking on the big red knob, but it's a whole other ball game now. Alabami ain't never had to last the full season and neither has Saban. Alabami won't last. They are too big to last, they are too arrogant to last, they are too easily worn out by this new game...and these new athletic youg'ns. Alabami's time has come. And no...I ain't gonna sit here and entertain you post after post any more. I got better things to do. Sleep well bama dreamer. Don't let your Tennessee nightmares keep you up, :hi:

 

[Boca Vol]

I agree with what you're saying about Butch being the right coach. But Fulmer "was the right guy", was a HOF coach with a Natl Championship and a 152-52 record yet Florida owned him. Kiffin might not have gone wobbly at the mention of Florida but they whipped his arse too.

If UT goes 11-1 and UF goes 1-11 next year, I think we know what will have happened..... UF's 10th straight win vs UT.

I wouldn't call the 2009 UF game an arse whoopin'! That was truly going into a gun fight with a knife. UF was expected to win that game by 30-40 points and won by 10.

I've never heard a head coach have to apologize as much as Urban did after that game. It was pretty comical!.

 

[99gator]

I tend to think that is about to come to an end IF Jones is the right coach... because I am fairly certain he's not intimidated by UF. If he has the skills to succeed then I don't think he'll keep losing to them. Fulmer and Dooley were usually beat before warm ups when they played UF. Kiffin was the one UT coach since Majors that didn't go jello at the mention of the Gators.

I did not believe in cosmic forces surrounding the UF game until I saw Nathan Peterman.

Butch may not have turned to jello, but he decided to get stuck on stupid for a week with the most coincidental timing

 

[99gator]

I wouldn't call the 2009 UF game an arse whoopin'! That was truly going into a gun fight with a knife. UF was expected to win that game by 30-40 points and won by 10.

I've never heard a head coach have to apologize as much as Urban did after that game. It was pretty comical!.

Best Tennessee loss ever

 

[KBVol]

I wouldn't call the 2009 UF game an arse whoopin'! That was truly going into a gun fight with a knife. UF was expected to win that game by 30-40 points and won by 10.

I've never heard a head coach have to apologize as much as Urban did after that game. It was pretty comical!.

Point was that Kiffin lost to Florida like all our other head coaches have..... Majors, Fulmer, Dooley, Jones. Tennessee simply does not beat Florida no matter who the coach is. The last UT coach who had a winning record vs Florida was Bill Battle who was 2-1 back in the early-mid 1970s. I'll believe we can beat Florida when we actually do.

 

[sjt18]

I agree with what you're saying about Butch being the right coach. But Fulmer "was the right guy", was a HOF coach with a Natl Championship and a 152-52 record yet Florida owned him. Kiffin might not have gone wobbly at the mention of Florida but they whipped his arse too.

I dislike Kiffin more than the next guy... but what he did vs UF and Bama was pretty good that year. He had far less talent and kept UT in those games.

Fulmer was intimidated by Spurrier and UF. I don't know if that means he was or wasn't the "right guy"... but I think Henry Winkler stole some facial expressions from Fulmer for The Waterboy.

If UT goes 11-1 and UF goes 1-11 next year, I think we know what will have happened..... UF's 10th straight win vs UT.

:no:

And you dog me for being too "negative".....