Tennessee should be bowl eligible

[KBVol]

I've seen this posted a couple of times now. I don't really understand the logic though. All things considered, USC and UGA should field much better teams than Mizzou does this year. Why do you think this?

I'll take a stab at it. Tennessee tends to match up with Georgia and SCar every year and the results on the field back that up. We've played each closely in recent years. Mizzou has lost a lot this year but they've won the 2 times we've played since they joined the SEC, including an absolute beat down last year. I'm not saying I completely agree with the poster you responded to but I can use those thoughts to rationalize his points in my own mind.

 

[Boca Vol]

I'll take a stab at it. Tennessee tends to match up with Georgia and SCar every year and the results on the field back that up. We've played each closely in recent years. Mizzou has lost a lot this year but they've won the 2 times we've played since they joined the SEC, including an absolute beat down last year. I'm not saying I completely agree with the poster you responded to but I can use those thoughts to rationalize his points in my own mind.

If Butch is the coach we all think and HOPE he is then MIZZOU 2014 shouldn't be an issue. I'm saying this based on consistency at the QB position and no key injuries.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Agree 100%. Throw in a win against Ole Miss or USCe (I think a win against one of them is definitely possible) and you have a 7 Win team and solid proof to fans and recruits that Butch's plan is taking hold and will produce results.

I think we beat USC before we beat Ole Miss. But I think win number seven comes from beating Florida at home before it comes from beating USC or Ole Miss on the road.

If we win seven games its because we took care of business on our own field. We will probably lose to Bama, but we can win the other six. That gets us bowling, just win at home. We should beat UK on the road for sure.

Then, if we can pull off an upset at USC, UGA or Ole Miss it is just icing on the cake.

But we have six winnable games at home. Just take care of business in Neyland and we will go to a bowl game.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

I'll take a stab at it. Tennessee tends to match up with Georgia and SCar every year and the results on the field back that up. We've played each closely in recent years. Mizzou has lost a lot this year but they've won the 2 times we've played since they joined the SEC, including an absolute beat down last year. I'm not saying I completely agree with the poster you responded to but I can use those thoughts to rationalize his points in my own mind.

Tis true. We do always seem to play a better game against UGA and USC for whatever reason.

I think that, if the common opinion at this point was that all three of those teams were evenly matched, I could use that to support why we might have a better chance against UGA or USC. But I don't think that will be the case this year. UGA and USC should be outright better and away.

I like the odds against Mizzou at home better, while I still don't think the others are impossible

 

[ntxVOL]

Missouri will be a loss this season for us but we should pick up a win against UGA or USC.

It would be nice to start a new tradition of beating Mizzou every year. Starting with the 2014 recruiting class, one of their goals should be to never lose to Missouri.

 

[Rudy123]

You are saying that it is more likely that we lose to Mizzou at home than beat UGA or USC on the road? Really?

Yes!!! "That is why you play the game"

Had I told you in 2007 that we would lose to Wyoming at home in the 2008 season, would you have believed me?

Had I told you in 2004 that we would lose to Vandy in 2005, at home, would you have believed me?

Had I told you in 2009 that in 2010 we would lose to Ky. would you have believed me?

Had I told you in 1984, that in 1985 we would beat Miami in a bowl game, would you have believed me?


None of the games on a schedule are a given.

 

[Sharriscgcs]

I think we beat USC before we beat Ole Miss. But I think win number seven comes from beating Florida at home before it comes from beating USC or Ole Miss on the road.

If we win seven games its because we took care of business on our own field. We will probably lose to Bama, but we can win the other six. That gets us bowling, just win at home. We should beat UK on the road for sure.

Then, if we can pull off an upset at USC, UGA or Ole Miss it is just icing on the cake.

But we have six winnable games at home. Just take care of business in Neyland and we will go to a bowl game.

We play UK at home and Vandy on the road, but I agree...this should be the year we beat FL. At home and little bit later in the year than normal, to me, makes that a must win to see progress. That should get the fires burning under the Muschamp hotseat too :yes: We should be back to the point where beating UK and Vandy, regardless of where it is played, is a foregone conclusion.

 

[golf437]

Just what do you think got CBJ and staff into the living rooms of top prospects across the nation, sure as hell wasn't b/c he was the coach of Cincy. :jpshakehead: :no:

Sorry what you are saying is wrong. They have signed for the coach and His dream. To these young kids Tenn tradition years ago means nothing.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

Sorry what you are saying is wrong. They have signed for the coach and His dream. To these young kids Tenn tradition years ago means nothing.

Really? So why is it called the Legacy Class again?

Yeah it's been a while but I'd say that there are several legacies and home growns that it means a whole lot to

 

[JettVol]

There is no reason UT shouldn't go to a bowl this year. Wins over these teams would have the Vols bowling:

USU
Ark St.
UTC
Mizzou
UK
Vandy

That's not an impressive 6 wins, but it is 6 wins.

We should win all of these games. I agree. Its 6 wins and that is what this team needs right now.

 

[terrypedigo]

Also, a sneaky game in my mind is Ole Miss. I really think we have a good chance in that game. Its sandwiched right in the middle of two big road games for Ole Miss and if we could sneak out a win, that would also go a long long way towards a bowl game.

The heck with Ole Miss, beat the gators.:lolabove:

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

We play UK at home and Vandy on the road, but I agree...this should be the year we beat FL. At home and little bit later in the year than normal, to me, makes that a must win to see progress. That should get the fires burning under the Muschamp hotseat too :yes: We should be back to the point where beating UK and Vandy, regardless of where it is played, is a foregone conclusion.

Vandy is a home game no matter where it's played. Our fans always out number their fans in that crap hole stadium, even while we've been down.
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[Roustabout]

Any other conference, this is an 8 win team easy.

 

[KBVol]

If Butch is the coach we all think and HOPE he is then MIZZOU 2014 shouldn't be an issue. I'm saying this based on consistency at the QB position and no key injuries.

I agree. I keep going back to the stat that every coach who's won an SEC title since the conference broke into 2 divisions, east and west (I think that's right), has won at least 9 games his second year. Not saying Butch has to win 9 games this year to have future success at UT, but he's gotta show some vast improvement overall from last year's team which constantly got thumped by any of the good teams, save SCar. 5-7 and/or getting blown out again by the 4 best teams on our schedule ain't gonna cut it.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Yes!!! "That is why you play the game"

Had I told you in 2007 that we would lose to Wyoming at home in the 2008 season, would you have believed me?

We lost to Wyoming because Fulmer had just been fired.

Had I told you in 2004 that we would lose to Vandy in 2005, at home, would you have believed me?

If you had told me that we would be 5-6 in 2005 I would have thought you crazy.

Had I told you in 2009 that in 2010 we would lose to Ky. would you have believed me?

We did not lose to Kentucky in 2010, but regardless,
nothing about Derek Dooley surprised me

Had I told you in 1984, that in 1985 we would beat Miami in a bowl game, would you have believed me?


None of the games on a schedule are a given.

I guess I dont get your point in response to my question.

No, you shouldnt take any game for granted, however we have a better chance of beating Mizzou at home than beating those other two teams on the road. Winnig on the road in the SEC is always tougher than winning at home (unless you are playing Vandy or Kentucky).

 

[Boca Vol]

I agree. I keep going back to the stat that every coach who's won an SEC title since the conference broke into 2 divisions, east and west (I think that's right), has won at least 9 games his second year. Not saying Butch has to win 9 games this year to have future success at UT, but he's gotta show some vast improvement overall from last year's team which constantly got thumped by any of the good teams, save SCar. 5-7 and/or getting blown out again by the 4 best teams on our schedule ain't gonna cut it.

That's exactly how "progress" should be measured. UT can go to a bowl this year and NOT be an improved team. Beating UTC doesn't prove a thing. Hanging with Oklahoma, Bama, & UF does. I want to see more UGA & S. Carolina type games against the upper competition. I know UT won't win them all, but it's nice to watch the whole game on the edge of your seat vs. the game being over at half-time.

 

[MWAVolfan]

That's exactly how "progress" should be measured. UT can go to a bowl this year and NOT be an improved team. Beating UTC doesn't prove a thing. Hanging with Oklahoma, Bama, & UF does. I want to see more UGA & S. Carolina type games against the upper competition. I know UT won't win them all, but it's nice to watch the whole game on the edge of your seat vs. the game being over at half-time.

Must.Beat.Florida.This.Year.

Not to get to a bowl game, but to prove we are headed in the right direction. Embarrass Florida in front of our fans and recruits and hopefully on national TV will be Butch Jones true statement game at UT.

 

[MWAVolfan]

Just what do you think got CBJ and staff into the living rooms of top prospects across the nation, sure as hell wasn't b/c he was the coach of Cincy. :jpshakehead: :no:

Any kid who has watched UT football for the last decade has absolutely no clue about a winning UT tradition.

Peyton Manning is just a name in the history books to them (or whatever kids read from these days, tablets?)

 

[UTodd01]

The entire SEC will be down this year. The east, in particular, is wide open.

As a matter of fact, every east game is winnable. We always play USC and UGA well. Missouri, UK, and Vandy are wins as of now. Florida would be huge.

Ole Miss doesn't scare me at all. Alabama will be bringing a new QB and Lane Kiffin to Knoxville. Neyland will be shaking.

8 or 9 wins is a real possibility.

 

[MWAVolfan]

The entire SEC will be down this year. The east, in particular, is wide open.

As a matter of fact, every east game is winnable. We always play USC and UGA well. Missouri, UK, and Vandy are wins as of now. Florida would be huge.

Ole Miss doesn't scare me at all. Alabama will be bringing a new QB and Lane Kiffin to Knoxville. Neyland will be shaking.

8 or 9 wins is a real possibility.

Ole Miss is projected to be a very good team and that is factoring in the fact that they play in the west. They will be a much better team than their record suggests. I'd say they could easily win the east.

I think beating USC or UGA on the road will be an easier task than beating Ole Miss on the road this year.

I do agree the SEC East is wide open, however I think Tennessee is at best the 3rd best team in it. Some combination of UGA/USC/UF/UM will finish 1 and 2.

Eight or Nine wins is possible under very extreme conditions. If by some miracle we win the east then my prediction is that Mark Richt and Will Muschamp will both be fired and the ole ball coach will call it a career. But I dont think any of that is very realistic.

 

[darkgable]

Just means some players just need to make plays, that is really what it comes down to. XO are important but its a chess game when it comes to College Football, even as slow as we was last year we still almost beat UGA and beat USCe. It was the teams that spread us out that we had problems with like Mizzu and Ubarn, now add the speed and talent that has winning in there blood it comes down to the inches and making or missing on plays

My concern is Jakes play calling. I think that will be difference. Sometimes his PC makes you scratch your head.

 

[jkleno]

Also, a sneaky game in my mind is Ole Miss. I really think we have a good chance in that game. Its sandwiched right in the middle of two big road games for Ole Miss and if we could sneak out a win, that would also go a long long way towards a bowl game.

Just like last time we "snook" down to Oxford. All I can remember is McCluster running ad nauseuam over us. Scratch that game and hope for Mizzou.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

My concern is Jakes play calling. I think that will be difference. Sometimes his PC makes you scratch your head.

Hopefully that will be different this year now that he has guys that have a year in the system and guys that are too talented to not get the ball in their hands

 

[UTodd01]

Ole Miss is projected to be a very good team and that is factoring in the fact that they play in the west. They will be a much better team than their record suggests. I'd say they could easily win the east.

I think beating USC or UGA on the road will be an easier task than beating Ole Miss on the road this year.

I do agree the SEC East is wide open, however I think Tennessee is at best the 3rd best team in it. Some combination of UGA/USC/UF/UM will finish 1 and 2.

Eight or Nine wins is possible under very extreme conditions. If by some miracle we win the east then my prediction is that Mark Richt and Will Muschamp will both be fired and the ole ball coach will call it a career. But I dont think any of that is very realistic.

Ole Miss aside...

I see no reason why we can't beat UGA, USC and Missouri.

Missouri lost a ton of talent along the defensive line, and one of the best receivers in the league. Depth is a concern since they don't recruit consistently in a league where that's a must. They're kind of in our boat as far as depth is concerned. Obviously our depth issues are due to coaching changes. Their's are due to just being Missouri.

We always battle UGA and USC. This year we have the horses to go toe to toe. We didn't have the horses last year and still went toe to toe with both and beat USC.

As bad as Florida may be once again, that's always a toss up. It really sucks that they continue to beat us when we are both down.

UK is UK and Vandy is back to reality.

East is going to be insane.

 

[FRO]

screw it....lets go undefeated, win the SEC and play in the Nat'l championship.