For the Vandy lurkers here or if any Vol fans want to cut and paste onto their site, feel free. But my take on this whole thing, a Vanderbilt Fan's answers to the common misconceptions.
Vandy Fan: Neener, neerer! We beat you two years in a row!
Grand Vol: Yes you did. Congratulations for winning back to back since the 1920s.
VF: Ancient history!
GV: Perhaps, but in more recent years, like in the past decade you still haven't achieved that fact.
VF: You're still working on ancient history! We're a nationally relevant team!
GV: Well, no, you aren't. Nationally relevant would mean that your program would be receiving consideration for a pre-season Top 25 berth. And that happened....when?
VF: So?! We ended up getting ranked at the end of the season!
GV: And had to fight your way for that. When teams like Boise State and Northern Illinois get more consideration for a Top 25 position than you do, your program isn't relevant. So to be nationally relevant, your team needs to get way more consideration throughout the season for a top 25 berth than just winning your bowl game and getting the post season spot.
VF: So?! We were still ranked! And you haven't been in how long?
GV: Well, two years actually. And we got ours on week 3. And this should go to show UT has more of a national impact than Vanderbilt ever has had.
VF: Two years, pshaw! We've been post season ranked for the past two years!
GV: <sigh> Yes, and went to bowl games as well. Unfortunately, your team didn't have enough clout to get into the Citrus Bowl even though it has direct tie ins to the SEC.
VF: Yeah, but we won back to back bowl games!
GV: For the first time in...well, ever.
VF: Ancient history again! We're the best team in Tennessee.
GV: If so, why did the recruits flock to us this year?
VF: Well, Franklin grabbed a lot of in state talent.
GV: You sure you want to go down this road? Furthermore, UT had commitments from quite a few of the top talent in the State prior to his departure.
VF: Yeah, but we signed a good class! Men of steel and good character!
GV: Like raping a student character?
VF: But star rating doesn't matter! We had a two star that now leads the SEC in passing yards.
GV: And that happens how often out of all the two star talent that gets signed?
VF: Doesn't matter, our two and three star talents can and will become SEC contenders!
GV: Although history and statistics are against them?
VF: There you go with ancient history again!
GV: <sigh>
VF: Still doesn't change the fact we are the dominate team in the State!
GV: And since you are, why is it you can't sell out your stadium? Do you have more following than Tennessee?
VF: That doesn't matter! We still beat you two years in a row!
GV: So selling out a 102,000 seat stadium doesn't mean we have a good following? Or turning Dudley Field orange on game day doesn't help either?
VF: You're dumb for scheduling games out of conference that you're going to lose!
GV: Hmmm, well, you might have me there. But then again, if Tennessee scheduled four out of conference powder puff games, we might have had a better record as well. But it's hard to justify having Old Dominion type teams on your schedule year after year when you happen to have the Power T brand.
VF: But you're dumb for doing it!
GV: No, actually, those teams traditionally consider it a good match up. Playing Tennessee means they get a better match up than Vanderbilt. They see Vandy as a sure win game. Not so much for UT save the past couple of years.
VF: But we're nationally prominent now!
GV: <sigh> Yes, of course, how could I forget. Either way, traditionally UT is a better match for out of conference teams like Oklahoma, Oregon and Virginia Tech than Vanderbilt. We've got a better program overall historically.
VF: Are you talking that ancient history thing again?
GV: <sigh>
Feel free to use as needed.
