Recruiting Forum: Football Talk XII

[volssam]

cynic

Sin-Nick*

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Sin-Nick*

Reported

 

[Aesius]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

 

[OrangeBlood4life]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

I somewhat agree. I want to give it all we have for every game,but to me, the Florida game is most important to me. My best friend is a gator fan and have a cousin that's a gator fan. I am so sick of losing to them. I would love nothing more than being the final nail in the coffin for muschamp. After they fire him I hope they hire another bust or someone that will Kiffin them. I think it's time for them to hit some really bad times.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

I see where you are coming from, but that logic goes against everything that most coaches try to teach their players (except maybe Dooley). Butch teaches 63...give 6 secs of maximum effort for 3 plays. He expects 100% effort every play. You play to win every single game. It would go completely against your teaching to coach games any other way than giving 100%, and doing everything possible to put your players in a position to win every game.

 

[The Breakerboy]

You all have lost your minds thinking we should play conservative against any damn body. Some of you are still thinking like Dooley or Kiffin is coaching. This is a high powered young offense coupled with a fast young defense. We need to our up points and force the game into a shoot out. The athletes on the backend will make plays even with the growing pains. I think Butch with as aggressive as he is will implement the type of fast paced gameplan that I'm describing. With the WRs we have and Lane/Hurd we better not lay back period. Make them stop is you don't stop yourself before the game starts!!!!!!

 

[BleedorangeinGA]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

We are going to kick, fight, scratch, bleed and claw just to reach 6 wins this season. No game will be taken off.

A Bowl game is the goal and spring board to keep momentum moving forward.

 

[Vols4us]

You all have lost your minds thinking we should play conservative against any damn body. Some of you are still thinking like Dooley or Kiffin is coaching. This is a high powered young offense coupled with a fast young defense. We need to our up points and force the game into a shoot out. The athletes on the backend will make plays even with the growing pains. I think Butch with as aggressive as he is will implement the type of fast paced gameplan that I'm describing. With the WRs we have and Lane/Hurd we better not lay back period. Make them stop is you don't stop yourself before the game starts!!!!!!

This.

Every win and honest attempt to win, regardless of final outcome, builds toward a successful program. When there was no talent you might play the rope a dope. But you now have strong talent that needs experience going full steam within the system. The more UF has to game plan for the better.

 

[uahvol88]

I think we'll be 2-2 when Florida comes into town making it the big swing game of the season. We win, we're looking at 4-2 going into the away game at Ole Miss - which I think is the litmus test for our overall progress as a football program. We haven't won an SEC game on the road since 2007. 7 years. Ole Miss is a better football team, but beatable.

We lose that Florida game, we will in all likelihood have to win out in November to make a bowl game.

 

[theutvolunteers]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

Terrible mindset to create with a young team. Sounds like a good way for them to start believing they're not good enough to beat anyone; only some teams in possible bad years.

 

[The Breakerboy]

Also Georgia is switching to a new defense and has a horrid secondary. And on offense what are they outside of the RBs? They are in for it when we come to Athens....

 

[Dust10]

Yeah it's crazy to play it safe with OU and Georgia and go all out against Florida. If we lose against Florida, then we've wasted opportunities against OU and UGA as well. Every game we need to go all out try and get a W.

 

[005]

not sarcastic

 

[Ericvol2096]

Literally every game this year is winnable this year to me besides the game at Oklahoma (too early and first road game for so many players) and at South Carolina (due to payback factor and the position on the schedule for us).

We have a bye week before the Georgia game. Samford is not in the upper echelon of toughest places to play in the SEC and we will have the extra week to prepare and get the freshman up to speed. It will be a very tough win but it is possible.

UF is obviously a big toss up. They SHOULD have all the pressure on them with a coach on the hot seat and likely having two weeks leading up to the game of anger after a beat down @Alabama. They have LSU, Missouri and UGA up right after us and Muschamp CAN NOT lose in Knoxville if he wants to keep his job. He and Roper will be going at each other after the Bama game and the implosion will be on if we can come out swinging.

@Ole Miss looks to be a good shot at an upset. We fall right between Bama, A&M and LSU for the Rebels. They will be at home it will be a game they are over looking. We will be coming off the Chattanooga game and will hopefully be 4-2 and brimming with confidence.

Bama at home is the least likely on this list, but in Knoxville anything can happen. We likely are a year or two away from truly having the horses to keep up, but I think the Kiffin anger and atmosphere will be out of control. Like the UGA and SC games last year we just need to get this game into the 2nd half and anything can happen.

The rest are obviously winnable.

 

[volssam]

Literally every game this year is winnable this year to me besides the game at Oklahoma (too early and first road game for so many players) and at South Carolina (due to payback factor and the position on the schedule for us).

We have a bye week before the Georgia game. Samford is not in the upper echelon of toughest places to play in the SEC and we will have the extra week to prepare and get the freshman up to speed. It will be a very tough win but it is possible.

UF is obviously a big toss up. They SHOULD have all the pressure on them with a coach on the hot seat and likely having two weeks leading up to the game of anger after a beat down @Alabama. They have LSU, Missouri and UGA up right after us and Muschamp CAN NOT lose in Knoxville if he wants to keep his job. He and Roper will be going at each other after the Bama game and the implosion will be on if we can come out swinging.

@Ole Miss looks to be a good shot at an upset. We fall right between Bama, A&M and LSU for the Rebels. They will be at home it will be a game they are over looking. We will be coming off the Chattanooga game and will hopefully be 4-2 and brimming with confidence.

Bama at home is the least likely on this list, but in Knoxville anything can happen. We likely are a year or two away from truly having the horses to keep up, but I think the Kiffin anger and atmosphere will be out of control. Like the UGA and SC games last year we just need to get this game into the 2nd half and anything can happen.

The rest are obviously winnable.

I think the S Car game is extremely winnable. I don't respect them as a legitimately top tier team

 

[SouthKnoxVOL]

I think the S Car game is extremely winnable. I don't respect them as a legitimately top tier team

When is the last time we've beat them in Columbia?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

After playing so well in Neyland last year, I'm curious to see how we play Bama this year. I don't expect a win, but I think it'll be a good chance to gauge the progress the team has made

 

[31VFL]

A little off-topic, but it feels like Marques Pair has been here 10 years.

 

[YorkVol]

I just keep thinking about the Florida game. Ya'll will disagree, but I think Butch should just let the team take their lumps in the OU and UGA games (provided they don't appear especially vulnerable) by playing conservatively, and then throw the kitchen sink at the Gators when they come to Neyland.

Gotta beat UF this year at all costs, IMO. That's something Fulmer could rarely do, even with absolutely loaded UT rosters. If Butch can do it in year two and prevent the streak from going to 10, he's a Knoxville hero and will build even more momentum for the program.

I feel ya and I want to beat Florida as much as anyone. But, you have to play to win every game, otherwise, you don't get the true game reps you need, players don't learn from their mistakes and you delay growth as a team. It was somewhat acceptable for some vanilla games at the beginning of last season as no one expected the coaches to have the full playbook installed. But, the UGA game showed they had a lot more in the book and could be effective against anyone. For everyone who was here for Spring training, the playbook should be installed and there should be no reason not to work the scheme to our advantage beginning with game 1.

 

[volatil]

When is the last time we've beat them in Columbia?

Can be said about any of the teams we played on the road.

We haven't won on the road against anyone relevant since LSU

 

[TriCitiesVol]

Just got my season tix in the mail!! GBO

This is how I feel right now lol

Get Your 2011 Tickets Now - YouTube

 

[gnm53108]

I think the S Car game is extremely winnable. I don't respect them as a legitimately top tier team

Kinda hard to respect a chicken...unless it comes from Pepper Fire. Thats good stuff.

 

[volssam]

When is the last time we've beat them in Columbia?

Doesn't mean anything. We have been awful the last few years.

But to answer your question -- 2006

 

[flowd82]

2013 record:
11-2
Returning starters:
O-7, D-11, S-2
Avg. Pts per game:
32.8
Avg. Pts allowed:
22.1

STRENGTHS
Considering the Sooners, a popular pre-season pick to be an inaugural College Football Playoff participant, return 48 letterwinners, there are plenty of strengths from which to choose.

But Oklahoma returns 80 percent of its tackles for losses last season and 79 percent of its sacks. Moreover, linebackers Frank Shannon (6-1, 238, R-JR.) and Dominique Alexander (6-0, 227, So.) return after combining for 172 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for losses last year. And safety Quintin Hayes (6-0, 190, Sr.) is back after a notching 75 tackles, breaking up six passes and picking off two more a year ago.

Stats National Rank
Total sacks 28 (33 for the season)
Total defense 20 (350.2 YPG)
Scoring defense 22 (22.1 PPG)
Turnover margin 21 (+ .62 pg)

The Sooners deploy a multiple defense that features plenty of aggressive, blitzing looks. They count five returning starters along their defensive front who have combined for 48 career starts. They have nine players on defense with eight or more career starts and return the players who combined for 63 percent of their fumble recoveries and 63 percent of their interceptions a year ago --- despite losing DBs Aaron Colvin and Gabe Lynn who had combined to make 62 career starts.

Offensively, the Sooners have a pair of tackles --- Daryl Williams, 6-6, 329, R-Sr., (24) and Tyrus Thompson, 6-5, 336, R-Sr.. (16) --- with a combined 40 career starts, and brutish guard Adam Shead, 6-4, 339, R-Sr., owns another 28 career starts. That all three are fifth-year seniors only adds to the Oklahoma belief that the line can be potentially dominant.

2014 Schedule
8/30 vs. Louisiana Tech
9/06 @ Tulsa
9/13 vs. Tennessee
9/20 @ West Virginia
10/04 @ TCU
10/11 vs. Texas in Dallas
10/18 vs. Kansas State
11/01 @ Iowa State
11/08 vs. Baylor
11/15 @ Texas Tech
11/22 vs. Kansas
12/06 vs. Oklahoma State

OU is a bit generous in listing Trevor Knight, 6-1, 201, R-So., as a returning starter, since the quarterback has just five career starts, but Knight certainly looked the part of burgeoning star in his surgical dismantling of Alabama in January's Sugar Bowl. Knight is the team's leading returning rusher (445 yards) and passer (819 yards, nine touchdowns). His top returning target is dynamic playmaker Sterling Shepard, 5-10, 195, JR., who tallied 51 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago.

WEAKNESSES
There aren't many glaring weaknesses for the Sooners, but they should need some time to completely fortify their rushing attack. OU is replacing two starters along the offensive front at center and a guard position, while it also is dealing with massive losses to its stable of running backs. OU's top-two returning rushers both are quarterbacks in Knight and backup Blake Bell, who's now a 6-6, 259-pound tight end who nonetheless can still line up in short-yardage running situations as the 'Belldozer.' Touted Sooners signee Joe Mixon (6-2, 211) met with police in Norman, Okla., on Monday after being accused of punching a female Oklahoma student, who alleges that Mixon broke four bones in her face. Mixon has not yet been charged, but police have said they have video that shows Mixon at the scene, according to published reports.

KEY PLAYER

Knight carved up Bama's secondary in the Sugar Bowl but also runs it well.
Knight is the man on which Oklahoma, with that resounding victory over Alabama in what Tide coach Nick Saban described as a "consolation" prize in referencing the 2014 Sugar Bowl, saw understandable optimism about the coming season mushroom into national title dreams. Knight riddled the Tide defense for nearly 350 passing yards and four touchdowns; he added a 10-yard scramble and, shook off an early interception in that contest to absolutely dismantle the 'Bama defense. Knight also led the Sooners' win in the 'Bedlam Series' game at Oklahoma State, a win OU savored as it denied the Cowboys a potential BCS berth. Though Knight isn't a huge quarterback, he's shown a certain knack for making plays with his arm and his legs. He also enters 2014 with supreme confidence and a nice complement of weapons around him. Knight's versatility stretches to his high school days in San Antonio; his senior year of high school saw him tally 3,000 yards' offense, nearly 1,000 of which came on the ground. Knight still owns just five career starts and eight career appearances, but the Sooners believe he's the man who can lead them to a Big 12 title and berth in the playoffs.

ONE MAN'S VERY EARLY TAKE
The Sooners seemingly return just too much firepower on offense and fast, pass-rushing ability on defense. They certainly cannot afford to take lightly this Tennessee team, which should enter Norman, Okla., with ample confidence on the heels of two quality season-opening wins.

But Oklahoma is a trendy pick to be a factor in the national championship picture for a reason. The Sooners can rush the passer; are specifically deep on defense and have a quarterback in Knight who enters the season as a candidate to be a national breakout performer.

Add in the fact that the game is at Oklahoma and that it will be the first true road rest for so many Vols starters and an upset just doesn't seem feasible. Now, Butch Jones very nearly upended an also heavily favored Sooners' squad just a couple years ago with a lesser-talented Cincinnati team, but OU couldn't have viewed the Bearcats the way it is likely to view Tennessee --- especially with Stoops' ever-increasing anti-SEC rhetoric. Lastly, OU is a robust 43-6 all-time under Stoops in the month of September.

-VolQuest

 

[WhitewaterVol]

I think the S Car game is extremely winnable. I don't respect them as a legitimately top tier team

They play very tough at home.

Their last home loss was against Auburn in 2011. They have lost 3 home games in the last 5 years.

Not an impossible game but it would be a big upset for sure. As someone living in SC I'd love for it to happen so all the chickens down here would shut up for another year.