Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[CAVPUT]

I honestly feel that if we were on the ND/PSU side of the bracket, there's a good chance it's us going to the finals. We had the unfortunate draw of OSU, and they are a buzzsaw. I don't want them to win it all, but they're going to win it all.

Both PSU and ND are complete teams. Fundamentally solid and very well coached. Not sure we could have beaten either of those 2 squads outside of Neyland and playing our best football. Last night confirmed in my mind what a superb job Heupel did to get this team to 10 wins and the playoffs with that roster. Borderline miraculous if I'm being honest. About the only position group that would measure up to those two teams was the DL and RB. IMO, every other position would be a step or two behind their counterparts for ND and PSU. Under the circumstances, it was a great season for UT.

 

[Pepe_Silvia]

If you ever feel like our receivers were ineffective this year, realize that last night Penn states wide receivers had one combined catch for -3 yards.

 

[CAVPUT]

I’d like TX to win tonight because of my disdain for OSU, but also because I want an actually good natty game. However, TX is gonna get boat raced.

Never say never. Everyone has been raving about OSU and they've already been given the crown. Wouldn't rule out texas tonight and if they don't get 'em, ND might. ND doesn't have their elite talent, but they've got a great head coach who has them believing and hungry. That makes them dangerous. If OSU gets by texas, they'd better bring their A game vs ND.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

He makes it hard to hate on ND. It’s like when your kid does something stupid. I want to hate on him, but I can’t because he’s my kid. I want to hate on Freeman, but I can’t because he’s so damn likable. And I love what his QB was saying at the end about Jesus, loving God, and how he shouldn’t be on camera because he didn’t live up to his expectations. I don’t like ND, but I’m definitely pulling for them in a few weeks.

100% agree! They made me a fan of this team in 10 days. I hope they win it all. Probably will get smoked by OSU, but I’ll be pulling for them. Freeman and Heup are cut from the same cloth. Just classy coaches no matter the circumstances.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

Nothing more annoying than a northern transplant to make snide remarks about places in the South closing for moderate or low snowfall.

It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to recognize the major differences in infrastructure and equipment to clear snow and ice in the South.

I miss something?

 

[SoilVol]

I miss something?

Nothing here. Just seeing on social media people I know who have transplanted from Northern states or who lived in Northern states at some period of their lives and they do not have the brain capacity to understand why the South doesn't and can't handle winter weather the same way.

 

[NighthawkVol]

i could see him doing both.. But to be midweek starter, I don't know that he'd get as many relief appearances on weekends that we usually need him for. It'll be interesting to see.. only thing I can say for sure is he won't be a weekend starter

It would be a bit of a waste to start him midweek. He’s much more valuable out of the pen on weekends.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Both PSU and ND are complete teams. Fundamentally solid and very well coached. Not sure we could have beaten either of those 2 squads outside of Neyland and playing our best football. Last night confirmed in my mind what a superb job Heupel did to get this team to 10 wins and the playoffs with that roster. Borderline miraculous if I'm being honest. About the only position group that would measure up to those two teams was the DL and RB. IMO, every other position would be a step or two behind their counterparts for ND and PSU. Under the circumstances, it was a great season for UT.

I’d take late season Nico over either of those QBs. Neither looked good and both made some awful decisions. Our CBs are also on par with theirs. Although given Penn State’s unwillingness to throw to WRs, it wouldn’t matter if we played them. Otherwise, agree.

 

[UTSuave’]

@Tennessee Golfer @peaygolf

 

[UT = Checkmate]

Stop it...

Looks gorgeous but I know those mosquitoes were problematic. I was in st Lucia for my honeymoon and it’s beautiful but mosquitoes were crazy

 

[TN-POSSUM]

Why would you need Jordan and Kobe? Kobe provides nothing that Jordan doesn't give you. He's like a Xerox of Jordan. Similar but lower quality. Shaq also wouldn't cut it today's game. He can't shoot or pass and would foul out in the first quarter. Get rid of Shaq and Kobe.

If it were 90s rules, keep Shaq and cut Steph cause he's a defensive liability.

In today's game though, it's small ball with scorers galore. ..

1 - Steph
2 - Jordan
3 - LeBron
4 - Bird
4 - KD

I'm a diehard Boston Celtics fan, so personally I'd like to not have any Lakers on my team but since we're talking hypothetically, I agree with what you said about Kobe and MJ. Cutting Steph was a hard choice but I assure you, I struggled with my choices.

The 5 players I picked, would beat the 5 you picked by 20 points.



*Magic Johnson and Tim Duncan not being part of the selections made picking teams tougher than it should have been.

 

[CAVPUT]

I’d take late season Nico over either of those QBs. Neither looked good and both made some awful decisions. Our CBs are also on par with theirs. Although given Penn State’s unwillingness to throw to WRs, it wouldn’t matter if we played them. Otherwise, agree.

There were some throws that were costly, but pressure had something to do with them. I do agree that the case can be made about the corners, but man, those secondaries were physical and pretty solid tackling. Once they made a read on a run, they came up hard with great angles and were sure tacklers. On the whole, I'd take either secondary from last night and feel pretty darned good if I were a DC. We've made a ton of progress in year 4. Still a ways to go before we have a more complete team like the ones we saw last night. Still, we got to the playoffs and that's a tremendous accomplishment considering our limitations. Masterful job by Heupel.

 

[UTSuave’]

 

[JCVol00]

View attachment 713494

Is it just me or does he look like Mason Rudolph

 

[rockytop25]

 

[Vols4us]

Nothing more annoying than a northern transplant to make snide remarks about places in the South closing for moderate or low snowfall.

It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to recognize the major differences in infrastructure and equipment to clear snow and ice in the South.

Perfect description of said transplants.

 

[logginlarry]

View attachment 713496

I mean, Magic Johnson isn't in there?

 

[engineerVOL]

If you ever feel like our receivers were ineffective this year, realize that last night Penn states wide receivers had one combined catch for -3 yards.

Was thinking the same thing last night. that’s a wild stat.

 

[LIvol]

Was thinking the same thing last night. that’s a wild stat.

And there were 2-3 missed holding calls on them blocking so basically we are saying they are responsible for nearly -40 yards. Impressive

 

[engineerVOL]

My kids about 7 am this morning:

 

[engineerVOL]

Nothing more annoying than a northern transplant to make snide remarks about places in the South closing for moderate or low snowfall.

It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to recognize the major differences in infrastructure and equipment to clear snow and ice in the South.

Nothing more annoying.

Just as many Ohio plates in the ditches on days like today as TN plates.

 

[NighthawkVol]

There were some throws that were costly, but pressure had something to do with them. I do agree that the case can be made about the corners, but man, those secondaries were physical and pretty solid tackling. Once they made a read on a run, they came up hard with great angles and were sure tacklers. On the whole, I'd take either secondary from last night and feel pretty darned good if I were a DC. We've made a ton of progress in year 4. Still a ways to go before we have a more complete team like the ones we saw last night. Still, we got to the playoffs and that's a tremendous accomplishment considering our limitations. Masterful job by Heupel.

Their secondaries were superior overall just because their safety play was superior to Tennessee’s. Better LBs too, although we were in their league at LB before Pili’s injury.

The thing that Tennessee didn’t have yet in 2024 that those teams have is talent and DEPTH across the board. The job Heupel has done has made people forget that this was just Year 4 and we’re still limited by the NCAA sanctions. This was our first recruiting class being out from under the investigation cloud.

Those teams could suffer an injury to a guy like Pili and not lose a beat. Telander looked lost late in the season and was a huge step down from Pili. With a healthy Pili and good Safeties, we might’ve beaten Georgia. We had neither in that game.

 

[rockytop25]

Great thinking James!

 

[Kurtastrophe]

Nothing more annoying than a northern transplant to make snide remarks about places in the South closing for moderate or low snowfall.

It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to recognize the major differences in infrastructure and equipment to clear snow and ice in the South.

Arrogance and ignorance. The most annoying combo a person can have.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Those teams were so well coached on both sides of the ball. Yes, they were talented. But, play calling was elite. The defensive play call by PSU to rush three, then stunt DL. Offensive play calling. Fun to watch.