Regaining our National Identity

#26
#26
I'd say the intersectional games, like Oklahoma and Utah State, are the opportunities to establish a national brand/perception.

Utah St is an opportunity to blow out a good team at home... Oklahoma, the Vols just have to play their hearts out.

The last time the Vols were in this shape, as a program, the 1978 opener with UCLA and the Notre Dame game in South Bend sent word to the rest of college football that UT was firmly on the way back.

UT lost both games, to powerhouse programs, but they proved to be a hard-hitting, gritty bunch that took it to everyone they played. Especially against Notre Dame.

The Vols had Joe Montana, Vegas Ferguson and their huge offensive & defensive lines wondering what the heck hit them. Vols lead at halftime... they're down 24-14 late and are driving. It was "white knuckle time" for the golden domers, until Touchdown Jesus rewarded the Irish faithful with a pick-six.

The Vols went down, but the whole nation knew that somebody had turned the lights back on in Knoxville. UT dominated it's remaining 4 opponents to establish a reputation as being practically unbeatable n November.

This Vol squad reminds me of that 1978 team... which was Johnny Majors second season on Rocky Top, as well. That team, despite going 5-5-1, established Majors brand at UT. Expect something similar, this season.
 
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#27
#27
I heard on VN that all we have to do to strengthen our national identity is not wear those devil gray jerseys :crazy:
 
#28
#28
TommyOler said:
I'd say the intersectional games, like Oklahoma and Utah State, are the opportunities to establish a national brand/perception.

Utah St is an opportunity to blow out a good team at home... Oklahoma, the Vols just have to play their hearts out.

The last time the Vols were in this shape, as a program, the 1978 opener with UCLA and the Notre Dame game in South Bend sent word to the rest of college football that UT was firmly on the way back.

UT lost both games, to powerhouse programs, but they proved to be a hard-hitting, gritty bunch that took it to everyone they played. Especially against Notre Dame.

The Vols had Joe Montana, Vegas Ferguson and their huge offensive & defensive lines wondering what the heck hit them. Vols lead at halftime... they're down 24-14 late and are driving. It was "white knuckle time" for the golden domers, until Touchdown Jesus rewarded the Irish faithful with a pick-six.

The Vols went down, but the whole nation knew that somebody had turned the lights back on in Knoxville. UT dominated it's remaining 4 opponents to establish a reputation as being practically unbeatable n November.

This Vol squad reminds me of that 1978 team... which was Johnny Majors second season on Rocky Top, as well. That team, despite going 5-5-1, established Majors brand at UT. Expect something similar, this season.
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It would be real nice to get November back.
 
#29
#29
Alabama.... Alabama.... Alabama

Florida and Georgia are nowhere near as important than Alabama especially this year. I would love to see the Tide come to a slam packed "HOSTILE" environment and remind Lane Kiffin that he's hated more in VolNation than the Crimson Tide itself.
 
#30
#30
UT Hill Man said:
One major win won't cut it, see South Carolina.

National stature will only come with a top 10 ranking, something Butch will attain by getting better each year.
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I dont think it will require a top 10 this year - TN will start moving back into the national level discussion if we can manage a top 25 ranking this year (post bowl). I think most people's expectation is that if we can put together a 7-6 or 8-5 season (bowl included) then by 2015 we are competing for SEC East at least and 2016 we should be a top 5 team again.
 
#34
#34
volfan1231 said:
Alabama.... Alabama.... Alabama

Florida and Georgia are nowhere near as important than Alabama especially this year. I would love to see the Tide come to a slam packed "HOSTILE" environment and remind Lane Kiffin that he's hated more in VolNation than the Crimson Tide itself.
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And people wonder why we wanted to keep the vols as our cross division rivals? Nothing better than postponed expectations.
 
#35
#35
volfan1231 said:
Alabama.... Alabama.... Alabama

Florida and Georgia are nowhere near as important than Alabama especially this year. I would love to see the Tide come to a slam packed "HOSTILE" environment and remind Lane Kiffin that he's hated more in VolNation than the Crimson Tide itself.
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I don't care how much the hate for Kiffin is, the hate for ol Parole Tide will always be strong with or without sob's like him..
 
#36
#36
Let's see.

Oklahoma would definitely get us more attention just because I feel like they are covered more by ESPN than Georgia (not sure if true but it seems like that to me).

But Alabama would get us a spotlight especially if they only have 1-2 losses or go to the NC.
 
#37
#37
My perfect season without ending in a championship would be as follows:

1. Beat Oklahoma, resulting in everyone dropping them way down in the polls because we were a 5-7 team last year.

2. Beat Georgia, get Richt fired.
3. Beat Florida, get Muschamp fired.
4. Beat SC, Spurrier retires.
5. Beat Bama, be their only loss all year along with Auburn to keep them from the playoffs.
6. Beat Vandy, their football program ceases to exist.

Even if we lost a few games in the rest of the season...no complaints here.
 
#38
#38
livefaith said:
Three undefeated seasons would be a nice start IMO.
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HesRightYouKnowMorganFreeman_zps8afb3143.jpeg
 
#39
#39
Crush the teams that you're supposed to beat. Bama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina should be a dogfight to the finish. That's what I would like to see over the next couple of years.
 
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