State of the Football Program

#1
utvol0427

utvol0427

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#1
What kind of shape does everyone think the UT football program would be in if we would have held on and beat LSU and played for a NC in 2001 and/or we would have beaten Arkansas and remained #2 in the BCS and played for a NC in 1999? That would have meant we would have played for 3 NCs in 4 years. Do you think we would be in the same position as a program as we are now?
 
#2
#2
I think there would be a gold statue of Fulmer outside Neyalnd and all UT fans would pray to it 5 times per day. Seriously though, it's hard to say. Nebraska was in that position and they still hit the skids.
 
#3
#3
I think Nebraskas problem was they went away from the option. They could still be very very successful running their old offense.
 
#4
#4
Right now we are in the mid-echelon of the SEC below UF, LSU, UGA, and Auburn. We are in the Bama, South Carolina (Spurrier will find a Qb) and Arkansas level. Last year we were in a death spiral with Sanders and co. Now we have stopped the bleeding, If Phil still has his recruiting MOJO, there is now reason why we can't claw our way back to the top.

We have what money can't buy TRADITION. Second only to Bama in the conference.
 
#7
#7
rockydoc said:
Right now we are in the mid-echelon of the SEC below UF, LSU, UGA, and Auburn. We are in the Bama, South Carolina (Spurrier will find a Qb) and Arkansas level. Last year we were in a death spiral with Sanders and co. Now we have stopped the bleeding, If Phil still has his recruiting MOJO, there is now reason why we can't claw our way back to the top.

We have what money can't buy TRADITION. Second only to Bama in the conference.
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i agree with that. the big question is can fulmer recruit with those first 4 teams and right now the answer is no. we will need some big wins.
 
#8
#8
rockydoc said:
You are right, they almost, I'm told, bought the death penality.
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I would have died a happy man if Bama would have gotten the Death Penalty. My life would have been complete to see the bama fans take their "12 national championships" as voted on by the Bama Booster Club and have to go cry for a couple of years without a football team. Then when they did come back they would have been competing on the same level as SMU.

Side Note: If it was a smaller scholl such as TCU, Boise St. or someone like that then they would have received the Death Penalty.
 
#9
#9
utvol0427 said:
I would have died a happy man if Bama would have gotten the Death Penalty. My life would have been complete to see the bama fans take their "12 national championships" as voted on by the Bama Booster Club and have to go cry for a couple of years without a football team. Then when they did come back they would have been competing on the same level as SMU.

Side Note: If it was a smaller scholl such as TCU, Boise St. or someone like that then they would have received the Death Penalty.
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Touche!
 
#10
#10
State of the program- Good and on the rise.

UT has young talent. I'm not sure how you label UT mid-echelon at this point having lost only to UF in a very evenly played game.

UT didn't have a running game at all and was still in a position to win. One turn in their favor anywhere would have done it. They probably would have won if they'd continued to pass even with a 10 point lead considering the ground futility.

If they lose to both LSU and UGA then it would be appropriate to call them "mid-echelon"... but let's see what happens. They were fully competitive with UF.
 
#11
#11
sjt18 said:
State of the program- Good and on the rise.

UT has young talent. I'm not sure how you label UT mid-echelon at this point having lost only to UF in a very evenly played game.

UT didn't have a running game at all and was still in a position to win. One turn in their favor anywhere would have done it. They probably would have won if they'd continued to pass even with a 10 point lead considering the ground futility.

If they lose to both LSU and UGA then it would be appropriate to call them "mid-echelon"... but let's see what happens. They were fully competitive with UF.
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That's just my opinion and I hope I'm wrong. But do you see any superstars on this team? I think Harrell will be likely a first roud draft choice and possibly Sears, The verdict is still out on Meachem. In the 2000 draft we had 8 draftees in the first three rounds. I think the talent level has fallen.
 
#12
#12
My hope is that Ainge and Meachem both stick around for the senior years. I would say Ainge is one of the top 5 NFL QB prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft. If he sticks around and plays his senior year, I think he has the possibility of being the best QB in college football.

If Meachem continues to put up huge numbers, I think he would definitely go on the first day of the 2007 Draft... but I know he would be a 1st rounder if he would just come back for his senior year and have a great season.
 
#13
#13
tclowers23 said:
My hope is that Ainge and Meachem both stick around for the senior years. I would say Ainge is one of the top 5 NFL QB prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft. If he sticks around and plays his senior year, I think he has the possibility of being the best QB in college football.
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I think this statement is completely true, especially if Cutcliffe is here next year and doesn't bolt for somewhere else. I think cutcliffe has the talent level to be a top tier QB and I think the NFL respects Cutcliffe as a QB coach and that will help Ainge's draft stock.
 
#14
#14
I am just about over the idea that we suck because we lost to a Top 5 team by one point. Get a life pansies. You can't possibly know how this team will end up only three games into the season. Yes we might implode but I don't think so. The players still feel the sting of 5-6 and I think those of us that are better running our mouths than reading a defense ought to shut up for a while and just cheer on the Vols!

GO VOLS! BEAT MARSHALL!
 
#16
#16
tclowers23 said:
My hope is that Ainge and Meachem both stick around for the senior years. I would say Ainge is one of the top 5 NFL QB prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft. If he sticks around and plays his senior year, I think he has the possibility of being the best QB in college football.

If Meachem continues to put up huge numbers, I think he would definitely go on the first day of the 2007 Draft... but I know he would be a 1st rounder if he would just come back for his senior year and have a great season.
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People forget the insane (-ly bad) huge impact the combine has on a players draft status... Matt Jones anybody? Went from a feasible qb convert to first-rounder in 4.3 seconds. Meach will probably do the same. He's big, athletic, fast and has great hands.

But with Ainge? C'mon dude... Guy's not first-day material right now. In fact, if he doesn't ball this season, I doubt he'd even get drafted.
 
#17
#17
sjt18 said:
State of the program- Good and on the rise.

UT has young talent. I'm not sure how you label UT mid-echelon at this point having lost only to UF in a very evenly played game.

UT didn't have a running game at all and was still in a position to win. One turn in their favor anywhere would have done it. They probably would have won if they'd continued to pass even with a 10 point lead considering the ground futility.

If they lose to both LSU and UGA then it would be appropriate to call them "mid-echelon"... but let's see what happens. They were fully competitive with UF.
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I agree the Vols were fully competitive with the Gators. No doubt about it. That being said, there is more to the "state of a program" than being "fully competitive" against an arch rival. The Vols went 5-6 last year and as you know, didn't go to a bowl game. I've been a Gator since 1990 and I never thought I'd see the day where the Vols would have a losing season. On top of that, I honestly feel the Vols are being out recruited by some of the other SEC programs. More specifically, UF, LSU, and UGA. In college football, recruiting is half the battle. I understand it's 'only' September, but as of right now, the Vols have 12 verbal commits for their '07 class. Only ONE of those verbals is above a 3 star. In fact, he's an OL guy and he's rated 4 stars out of a possible 5. I'm sorry, but to only have 8% of your current class at 4 stars or above at this stage in the game at a storied program like UT is just sad...
 
#19
#19
Summitgator said:
I agree the Vols were fully competitive with the Gators. No doubt about it. That being said, there is more to the "state of a program" than being "fully competitive" against an arch rival. The Vols went 5-6 last year and as you know, didn't go to a bowl game. I've been a Gator since 1990 and I never thought I'd see the day where the Vols would have a losing season. On top of that, I honestly feel the Vols are being out recruited by some of the other SEC programs. More specifically, UF, LSU, and UGA. In college football, recruiting is half the battle. I understand it's 'only' September, but as of right now, the Vols have 12 verbal commits for their '07 class. Only ONE of those verbals is above a 3 star. In fact, he's an OL guy and he's rated 4 stars out of a possible 5. I'm sorry, but to only have 8% of your current class at 4 stars or above at this stage in the game at a storied program like UT is just sad...
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Most of your assertions are correct, and I am terribly concerned about the level of talent on this team. However, UT is a notorious late closer on recruits. That being said, when you are this far behind your SEC rivals it makes it that much harder to close the gap in February.
 
#20
#20
Lexvol said:
Most of your assertions are correct, and I am terribly concerned about the level of talent on this team. However, UT is a notorious late closer on recruits. That being said, when you are this far behind your SEC rivals it makes it that much harder to close the gap in February.
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Notorious Closer?????

Did not happen last year.........
 
#21
#21
milohimself said:
People forget the insane (-ly bad) huge impact the combine has on a players draft status... Matt Jones anybody? Went from a feasible qb convert to first-rounder in 4.3 seconds. Meach will probably do the same. He's big, athletic, fast and has great hands.

But with Ainge? C'mon dude... Guy's not first-day material right now. In fact, if he doesn't ball this season, I doubt he'd even get drafted.
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i agree milo i think meachum is a 1rst or second rounder gone after this year. ainge no chance of getting drafted, reminds me alot of casey clausen. :blink:
 
#23
#23
We will not submit to rest of The SEC. The sense of urgency button has been pushed and we will see better production on the field from here on out !
 
#25
#25
champyvol said:
ainge no chance of getting drafted, reminds me alot of casey clausen. :blink:
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One of the differences between Ainge and Clausen is Ainge is much more athletic and mobile. He also has much more upside improvement to make which is highly probable as he has 1 3/4 seasons left of college ball.
 
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