Tennessee Will Never Be Elite Again (2021 Article)

[Vol-in-Atlanta]

I never forgot about this article. I think it's time to go remind this clown on Twitter.

The truth hurts, but here it is: Tennessee, you will never be elite again...

Article:

First and 10: The truth hurts, but here it is. Tennessee, you will never be elite again

Tennessee has to accept the reality that the 1990s are long gone and not coming back. Matt Hayes explains why, what's realistic and what's next for the Vols.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

Matt Hayes Twitter (X) Account: x.com

This article reminds me of how foolish you can be by trying to predict the future.....especially when you do it in writing. I remembered it as well. To think schools with rich football histories like Tennessee and Nebraska would just roll-over and die is beyond stupid.

It did not go unnoticed that he was putting Urban Meyer and Dabo in the same camp as Saban.

 

[wmcovol]

It’s still early. Vols aren’t elite yet.

 

[Vol-in-Atlanta]

It’s still early. Vols aren’t elite yet.

We are miles away from 2021 and the trend is up. In my mind top 10 are elite.

We're "elite" enough to serve this guy some crow.

 

[wmcovol]

We are miles away from 2021 and the trend is up. In my mind top 10 are elite.

We're "elite" enough to serve this guy some crow.

Oh I agree we’re miles away from ‘21 but we’re only 1/3 thru the reg season. Pump the brakes & enjoy the ride.

 

[MadMaxSC]

There are so many obvious holes in this story that make no sense to anyone that knows football.

For instance
Lie: Tennessee is the SEC’s version of Nebraska, a former college football power that continues to circulate through coaching failures without addressing the true north reason.....Players

Fact check: Nebraska always had and always will have recruiting issues. They depended on their walkon program to rise to prominence. Developing a large amount of their talent in-house and recruiting a lot of under the radar guys that fit their system. once they moved away from the triple option they were toast. Their recrtuing classes are mostly 3 stars with a few 4's and a rare 5 sprinkled in.

Lie: The Vols’ recruiting footprint is the state of Tennessee — and fighting an uphill battle in the South. Or potentially using an illegal move (see: Pruitt firing).

Fact Check: UT has always recruited Nationwide and has a very strong recruiting base across the south. Until post Fulmer years UT didn't recruit hard in TN. In state recruiting took off right around the time the level of football instate jumped. Especially middle TN and West TN.

Gaslight alert: Because there’s only one Dabo. Just like there’s one Saban and one Urban Meyer and after that, there’s a deep, deep chasm to the rest of college football coaching fiefdom.

Truth: Before those guys were those guys, they weren't. Josh Heupel exists.. he's real there's also only one of him. There is also Kirby Smart. Just saying there are always great young coaches stepping up to replace the old guard. You just gotta be ready for them when they come around.

Lie: Want to know who can take the current Tennessee situation – with its inherent geographical footprint recruiting issues and lack of elite high school players in the state of Tennessee – and win big?

Fact Check: As mentioned before the lack of high school talent was true in the 80's through the 90's and early 2000's its no longer true. As far as geographical footprint issues that's NEVER been an issue. Knoxville is one of the best situated SEC cities as far as that. As far as the SEC and College football in general goes its one of the few colleges in a major city. Most big colleges are in podunk towns or at best cities you wouldn't know of unless you knew of that college. Most college towns you wouldn't want to visit unless there is a game. I used to also believe the myth that UT had a hard time recruiting but history has shown that's false.. when is the last year UT didn't have a top 25 recruiting class? Do you know how few teams can claim that? I did some research because my memory cant be trusted....I was able to find an article from 2021 that looked at the last 20 years of rivals. UT's average recruiting class at that time was 13.4 over 20 years ranked 11th.. That period of time is the whole desert. So where is the recruiting problem?


Why do people just suck up this garbage without using their brains and doing a bit of research on the statements people make? There are many other hilariously wrong statements (factually) in that article that I could go into but this board has a short attention span and I've already probably made a few heads explode.

I don't believe 2-3 great seasons makes a program, "elite." The Vols are vastly improved but they are not Alabama and, probably never will be. We can enjoy the success we have without having to be "elite." "Damned good" is OK with me.

 

[livefaith]

To be fair, at the time not single fan could have forseen the rise of Heupel. I certainly didn't.

I was honestly just in a kind of blind hopefulness. Butch and Cornbread had decimated us to literally a mid pack to bottom ½ SEC program. Heupel was a breathe of fresh air (read not from Saban/Bama). But, like most here, Scott Frost looked like the UCF superstar and CJH looked like a program manager with 3 straight years of sliding downward.

But, as much of a dumpster fire as we had at the time, I honestly thought Josh Heupel wasn't that bad of a hire. Had no idea he would build what he has built. And I would never have bet $100 that we would be where we are under his reign. So, like the rest of the world, it's a little bit of a shocker to see how successful that he has been on several levels.

 

[livefaith]

I don't believe 2-3 great seasons makes a program, "elite." The Vols are vastly improved but they are not Alabama and, probably never will be. We can enjoy the success we have without having to be "elite." "Damned good" is OK with me.

Dude, I hate to say it. But that's about the most disgusting statement I've ever read on Vol Nation.

 

[DC_Vol]

I’ll never forget Bo Bounds preaching about Michigan, Nebraska, and Tennessee all being has beens who would never be great again.

Going 1 for 3 ain’t bad (in baseball)

 

[tennrich1]

Oftentimes using the words NEVER and ALWAYS can make fools of us all!

 

[cardvolfan]

There’s still a difference between being underwhelmed with a specific hire and declaring categorically that a top program historically won’t and in fact can’t rise back to prominence, ever.

Fans can whine and cry, but people outside the program, let alone someone who’s supposed to be a journalist/pundit should know to avoid talking in such absolutes. It was a monumentally shortsighted and just plain stupid take.

You could easily write a similar clickbait piece about Florida right now. @lawgator1 has even declared that the UF football program is done, because he’s a fan and fans are emotional. How many of us think for a second that he’s right? Not many.

This is absolutely spot-on.

 

[perico]

Yeah you knew who he was lol. Keep trying junior.

I knew who he was. I would think most people who were following college football when Heupel played would know exactly who he was since he won the NC and was the AP offensive player of the year and 2nd in the Heisman voting. Heupel was a huge deal.

 

[arkyvol]

This guy isn’t worth the print it would take to point out he is an idiot.

 

[calban]

I wouldn't waste my time reading this but I would say in this day and age anyone with a computer or cell phone can write trash and post it. They should however begin their garbage with the words, "I'm NOBODY and this is just MY Opinion" End it with "didadidadida, That's All Folks" and then just STFU and go back to Mama's basement.

 

[Delmar]

It really boils down to having a good or bad administration and picking the right or wrong coach. And with the new scenario of having money to compete on NIL. We’ve talked ad nauseum of what picking the wrong coach can do to a program and we did it 3 times in a row. Add poor administration for about 20 years and it gets worse. That will kill your program worse than anything.

 

[Behr]

You having to google his name fits in perfectly with your absolute total ignorance of this sport.

Lol. And you're a liar if you thought something he didnt.

 

[pimo1]

I don't believe 2-3 great seasons makes a program, "elite." The Vols are vastly improved but they are not Alabama and, probably never will be. We can enjoy the success we have without having to be "elite." "Damned good" is OK with me.

its not about 2-3 good seasons its about where we are.. This are not flash in the pan seasons. its very clear that he is building an organization that's sustainable. he didn't get lucky and have a few good players and he's gonna fall off when they graduate he has built a pipeline for continued success. Like UT had before.

 

[Mccage]

Thoughts for sale!!! You can sale yours too!

 

[chuckiepoo]

Lol. And you're a liar if you thought something he didnt.

Prophecy?

I see folks making iron clad proclamations of future results as following the formula of click bait artists which abound in sports media. I refer to them as NB4s. Rarely are they called to task when their “vision” fails reality. Retractions? Don’t count on it. The news cycle has moved on.

 

[volbound1700]

I never forgot about this article. I think it's time to go remind this clown on Twitter.

The truth hurts, but here it is: Tennessee, you will never be elite again...

Article:

First and 10: The truth hurts, but here it is. Tennessee, you will never be elite again

Tennessee has to accept the reality that the 1990s are long gone and not coming back. Matt Hayes explains why, what's realistic and what's next for the Vols.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

Matt Hayes Twitter (X) Account: x.com

People said the same thing about Alabama during their low point prior to Saban and they are saying it about Florida right now. Overreaction takes.

In the SEC, I feel like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M are basically a solid coaching staff away from being elite (some are now but that is the tier that I feel like fits in that mark).

 

[volbound1700]

Agreed. Most of the things he said were factually wrong. Even ignoring whats happened since then. he was 100% wrong about its recruiting base and success. We have NEVER had recruiting issues. We have first world problems in recruiting. There are 120 colleges in the USA that would trade their recruiting situation with UT's in our worst years. he is like we wont be elite because we lose recruits to UGA? that means no school is gonna be elite ever because all schools lose recruits to UGA, BAMA OSU and both UT's on a regular basis. We compete with elite programs for recruits every year and they compete with US.. because we are in that same zip code recruiting-wise and always have been.

The issues UT had we organizational. We had issues translating talent to wins. Our down (recruiting) years were still top 25 out of 134. If that's not elite what is? Year in year out over the last 50 years only a handful of schools have had the sustained success we have. Between 08 and 2020 we had a bad run. Other than that we have been an elite program almost 100 years. When we fell off we fell off hard.. historically hard..But it was all the Administration that was in place..The good ole boy system is out and we are back.

I think a lot of UT fans are so stuck on comparing ourselves to the top 1-3 teams in the nation we forget we are in the 90+ percentile. That means 9 times out of 10 we are in a better position than any other college you compare us to. That is elite and that's even with the recent 13 years of terrible counted in. We have been in the SEC so long we don't have a good perception of what good and bad is. Its hilarious to see people saying that 9-10 win teams are trash. To win 8+ games you have to be good. You might not be the best but you are shopping at Whole Foods not Aldis.

Here are a few wild stats
In seasons where at least 11 regular season games were played only 7 times has UT won less than 6 games.. all of those happened between 2005 and 2018 (2020 was a 10 game season). We have not won less than 4 games in the modern era during a full season.

Since the advent of color TV UT has 7 4 win seasons plus 2020(10 game season 3 wins). The last time we only won 3 or fewer games in a full season was 1924 (8 game season).

All of our seasons with less than 4 wins came in pre overtime years (we had multiple ties games those years). Except for 2 years 2020 and 1924.

As UT fans we have been spoiled. no one under the age of 100 has seen the Vols fall as low as what we went through. We have been cranking out 8-10 wins since 1970 and only 4 schools (all in the SEC) have been to more bowl games than UT.

BOWL GAMES
1.Alabama77
2.Georgia62
3.Texas59
4.Oklahoma57
5.Tennessee56
6.LSU55
6.Ohio State55
6.USC55
9.Nebraska53
9.Penn State53
11.Michigan52
12.Clemson50
13.Florida State49
14.Florida48
15.Auburn47
16.Georgia Tech46
17.Arkansas44
18.Miami (FL)43
19.Texas A&M42
19.Washington42
21.Ole Miss41
21.Texas Tech41
23.BYU40
23.Notre Dame40
23.West Virginia40
26.North Carolina38

The issue with Tennessee is the lack of National Titles and Heismans. A lot of the other programs in the top 10: Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, etc. have more National Titles and Heismans. Even in its elite years (even with Fulmer), Tennessee is great at being the SEC #2-4 team but is rarely the SEC #1 team. 1997 and 1998 were our best run. So in theory, you can say Tennessee is not necessarily elite due to the lack of sustained (even 4-5 years) time of being the TOP team in the SEC.

The one objection in this era is the Robert Neyland era but it is 80 years ago.

 

[arkyvol]

Writers need clicks and he got them. Now it is time for someone in the press to tell him Tennessee’s record for the past 4 years and have a rebuttal article written by a Tennessee fan and see how many clicks they can get. Just an idea, lol.

It’s still early. Vols aren’t elite yet.

Agreed. But, if things work out for the Vols, it will be interesting to see how he

This article reminds me of how foolish you can be by trying to predict the future.....especially when you do it in writing. I remembered it as well. To think schools with rich football histories like Tennessee and Nebraska would just roll-over and die is beyond stupid.

It did not go unnoticed that he was putting Urban Meyer and Dabo in the same camp as Saban.

I never forgot about this article. I think it's time to go remind this clown on Twitter.

The truth hurts, but here it is: Tennessee, you will never be elite again...

Article:

First and 10: The truth hurts, but here it is. Tennessee, you will never be elite again

Tennessee has to accept the reality that the 1990s are long gone and not coming back. Matt Hayes explains why, what's realistic and what's next for the Vols.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

Matt Hayes Twitter (X) Account: x.com

I could understand if he said something like, 'it's not likely' or 'not soon', but "never"??? To make a comment like that about a program that has been steeped in achievement and tradition going back for over a century is breathtakingly stupid.

 

[pimo1]

The issue with Tennessee is the lack of National Titles and Heismans. A lot of the other programs in the top 10: Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, etc. have more National Titles and Heismans. Even in its elite years (even with Fulmer), Tennessee is great at being the SEC #2-4 team but is rarely the SEC #1 team. 1997 and 1998 were our best run. So in theory, you can say Tennessee is not necessarily elite due to the lack of sustained (even 4-5 years) time of being the TOP team in the SEC.

The one objection in this era is the Robert Neyland era but it is 80 years ago.

Agreed I try to focus on the 80's and beyond because I mean even as far back as the early 70's passing was very different to what it is today. There have been many changes to football rules but 1978 was a special year.

In 1978: Mel Blount Rule - no (non-incidental) contact with a receiver beyond 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. This was passed in the NFL and trickled down the college level in 2008. That is what lead to what we see as football today basically. Before then DB's and linebackers could maul a receiver all the way down the field until the ball was thrown. Also that same year a rule for offensive linemen was changed allowing them to reach for defenders with an open hand. Previously they had to have their hands closed and held close to their chests. These 2 rules changed the game WR's could run down the field without being molested meaning now you can bring in track guys instead of all your WR's being glorified blockers. Also now QB's could drop back without getting their heads torn off immediately. Imagine pass blocking when you cant move your hands outside of the frame of your chest and have to keep your hands closed.

These things had a direct impact on the college football game. In the 60's passing hoovered right around 100 yards a game. Increasing to around 200-250 in the 80's and exploding after 2008. Kinda makes you think though realizing that certain players in todays college and NFL wouldn't have made it even in the early 2000's at WR. Imagine some of these 150-170 pound WR's making folks look silly if linebackers and DB's could keep hands on them after 5 yards.

 

[pimo1]

Agreed. But, if things work out for the Vols, it will be interesting to see how he



I could understand if he said something like, 'it's not likely' or 'not soon', but "never"??? To make a comment like that about a program that has been steeped in achievement and tradition going back for over a century is breathtakingly stupid.

Exactly his article was nothing but clickbait. Based on a lot of easily proved incorrect opinions expressed as facts. Saying something like Vandy will never be elite would be closer to the truth but also silly to say because we don't know what rule changes happen and even lowly Vandy has proven with a good coach and some decent recruiting they can make noise. Imagine if Franklin had stayed there. Vandy could very well not suck today. In fact they have shown over the last 20 years they are no longer full sweet candy anymore. They got some spice in em the last couple of decades.

 

[Spawn]

Never say never

 

[casual-observer]

I never forgot about this article. I think it's time to go remind this clown on Twitter.

The truth hurts, but here it is: Tennessee, you will never be elite again...

Article:

First and 10: The truth hurts, but here it is. Tennessee, you will never be elite again

Tennessee has to accept the reality that the 1990s are long gone and not coming back. Matt Hayes explains why, what's realistic and what's next for the Vols.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

Matt Hayes Twitter (X) Account: x.com

Receipts. I like it.