The Official Tennessee vs. Indiana Tax Slayer Gator Bowl Game Thread, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN

ESPN had to rush for the big news on Jason Garrett. Why does everybody care so much about that damn team?

Nobody does.

Short of funny memes, there is nothing that that organization offers the country. Memes, and pain for the fools that still follow them.
 
Celebrate if you want. Winning is certainly better than losing. But bottom line is that did nothing for our program. Some how we found a way to regress with extra healing and practices. Something is off. Whether it be talent, coaching, drive, I don’t know. That kicker lost the game for IU more so than us winning. A W is a W. But it does nothing for the program. That’s just the truth. It wasn’t convincing. It was terrible to watch. It’s not like we scraped by a win against some good team. It was IU. It should have been 21-24 to 3 at half.
This couldn't be more wrong. The team played pretty well. The same thing that has hindered UT all season showed up again. That is bad QB play. You say the kicker lost the game but it was the defense that forced the long FG. The score doesn't reflect how well the UT team played because of the bad QB play. They handled IU pretty soundly, had the terrible INTs never happened and scored TDs inside the 10 the score wouldn't have been close. This team will be a contender with a good QB or at least one that doesn't play bad.
 
No shame in being pissed at JG. He played bad for 3-1/2 quarters... but those calling out coaches is crazy IMO. You can’t coach your way around QB’s - PLURAL - badly missing everything. They were correct in benching JG and correct in bringing him back in. Gave us best chance to win. And that’s not me playing Monday QB. My posts back it up.
This Qb switching back and forth is not going to work next year and destroy the morale of many of the UT’s Qb’s. I bet both Maurer and Shrout will transfer. Shame if it happens.
 
His stamp? I wish him well but honestly he basically won games he should have this year and did not have the team ready to beat to low level teams beginning of the year. Jury is out. Beating KY, Candy, Missouri, and USC should be automatic for Tennessee. Start beating Alabama, UGA, Florida and ill be a firm believer.
Like I said Pruitt is a D coach and he personally coaches that D and he put it in their hands to win at the end. Not hard to understand in this game.
As to your broader point what we’re witnessing is a total rebuild from the bottom up. Our bigger problem is on O and beyond that with the dysfunctional team chemistry Pruitt inherited thru mismatched recruit classes spent chasing stars not functional cohesiveness.
I’m beyond impressed with what Pruitt & Co have done with the complete cluster they inherited. I don’t think Saban & Co in their prime could have done any better really. Just find a real game manager QB who can also break a game open and we’ll start seeing those wins you need to make you a believer. It’s a 3-5 year rebuild.
 
Like everyone else, I was disappointed with the offense most of the night. Indiana is not that good defensively... but hey, it's a win. 8-5. It's hard to complain too much about that bottom line. Probably the ugliest 8-5 in history, though.
 
If you eliminate the two ints, Indiana only had 12 points, that’s pretty good, they scored 10 on OSU. JG played like he did at the first of the season, not sure you can put that on the coaches.
Defense played well.
 
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I wouldn't call that win lucky...when we had the worst luck in the world for 3 quarters. We finally decided to win this damn game....took some chances....and it is as it should be,
 
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What a win. I can’t believe it. Now the off-season will be enjoyable. Happy for the seniors who’ve endured so much. And happy for my sick dad, who may not see the VOLS play again. GO VOLS!

Hope your dad gets better. The game must have been tough for him to watch but the final score must have brought a smile to his face
 
Pretty simple. A decisive win would’ve shown progression. We didn’t do that tonight.
Defense played well outside the QB escapes. I think Pruitt showed he can coach D. We were on point the entire 2nd half of the year.
We have QB issues... plain and simple. We also signed a pretty good one. Pruitts trajectory is solid.
 
Celebrate if you want. Winning is certainly better than losing. But bottom line is that did nothing for our program. Some how we found a way to regress with extra healing and practices. Something is off. Whether it be talent, coaching, drive, I don’t know. That kicker lost the game for IU more so than us winning. A W is a W. But it does nothing for the program. That’s just the truth. It wasn’t convincing. It was terrible to watch. It’s not like we scraped by a win against some good team. It was IU. It should have been 21-24 to 3 at half.

While I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound it definitely doesn't feel like a victory.

I think JG's play makes this team inconsistent because Indiana actually gained confidence from his terrible play. It wasn't just the 6 points at halftime but the pick 6. All of that gave the appearance of a team unravelling. You had to figure Indiana gained some confidence to move the football after UT squandered opportunity after opportunity and JG gave them their first 3 points basically.
 
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We will celebrate.. you should try it. Regardless of what "should've been" we won. What would a blowout have done for us at this point? Recruiting is basically wrapped up for this year. Let the coaching staff make adjustments to set us up next year. Or you can just be mad I guess..
It would have allowed me to win my bet that was placed when we were a 1.5 point favorite.
 
Life of the party pal. Your missing the point. Of course I’d rather win than lose. But if you’ll be realistic you’ll agree. I get it. A W is a W. But it was IU. The play wasn’t anything to be proud of. It didn’t bode well for the future. Somethings is off. Players, coaches, I don’t know. And I sure hope they figure it out over the off season. We were a bad IU kicker away from living another Ga. state, BYU adventure. He missed a fairly short FG, and a XP. We really did nothing well other than defense playing decent. I’ll take the W and be happy about 8 wins. But I also won’t kid myself and jump on the “we’re beating OU wagon”. Open your eyes.
Actually I am proud the team can overcome bad start and win a bowl game down 22-9 with 5 min to go. Now we are 8-5 which shows significant improvement from pruitts first year to his 2nd year
 

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