The Vandy game is CRITICAL

#27
#27
HuntlandVolinColo said:
Yeah, and then after this game and perhaps the bowl game, we get to find out what all the ncaa drama was about!
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I’m ready for a resolution to the NCAA investigation. I would be shocked if there was a postseason band. If so, then make it this yr to get it out of the way instead of 2024 when we are hopefully playoff bound.
 
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#29
#29
Considering we already cut schollys and visits and totally cooperated with ncaa, they should mostly leave us alone and maybe a probationary period or something.
 
#30
#30
HuntlandVolinColo said:
Vandy pass defense is about as bad as ours. They allow 153 rushing per game too.

So, Milton should tossing 60-yard dimes to Squirrel and Hyatt while Sampson/Wright and Small are plowing the middle of the field.

Game is at Vandy, so we have home field advantage too!
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Im hoping we go big and run more early.
 
#32
#32
Volunteer_Kirby said:
The team quit in 16. Straight quit after the 2nd half of the Bama game. This team is different and they actually care about each other. That 16 squad was playoff talent with no real leadership and tragic coaching ineptitude.
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The defense didnt care about anyone in the SC game, subpar opponent ripped them apart.....
 
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#33
#33
The comparison to 2016 is not really the best in my opinion. We were winning with miracles against rivals who yes, had dominated us recently, but were having a down year. We didn’t beat any really good teams and it was clear that we had issues with game planning and play calling that year. We also had a track record under Jones of underperforming in his earlier seasons with us, having many disappointing games. Most were super excited with the early success that year, but plenty of doubt still existed. We definitely had some very talented athletes who I will remember as great Vols. I am proud of what they accomplished.

Now we have much less worrisome game planning and play calling, especially on offense. Plenty of people critical of defense, which is fair, but we still aren’t seeing the kind of boneheaded decision making that has everyone saying out loud they don’t understand the play call several times each game. Our roster has some talented players but we lack in depth. We have overachieved, winning games we weren’t expected to, and until Saturday were taking care of the games we should. Some of the teams we have beaten like Florida might be comparable to the 2016 Georgia or Florida, but we have beaten some legitimately good teams like Alabama and LSU who are still ranked highly. Heupel actually has a track record of overachieving in his tenure, having gone 7-6 in his first year after he took over for the 3-7 Pruitt team.

It is critical that we play well against Vanderbilt. We should not lose that game, and if we do it’s a cause for concern. If that happens, it will be one thing this team does have in common with the 2016 team. We could still recover and get things on track if that happens, but it becomes a lot harder each time you mess up, and losing a game you should win is definitely that.

How we play in a loss and the circumstances matter too. It is bad regardless, but if we play as badly as we did against SC it is much worse than if some weird things happen and things go against us in a close game. Not the end either way, but definitely going to cause some doubt that will make the job harder.
 
#37
#37
HuntlandVolinColo said:
Vandy pass defense is about as bad as ours. They allow 153 rushing per game too.

So, Milton should tossing 60-yard dimes to Squirrel and Hyatt while Sampson/Wright and Small are plowing the middle of the field.

Game is at Vandy, so we have home field advantage too!
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We haven’t played well there in recent years losing in 2018, 2016 and 2012 hopefully we murder them Saturday night
 
#39
#39
Clad in Big Orange said:
How do you explain vandy winning at Kentucky and beating Florida? They are not a joke. It will be a tough game.
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in my opinion, I think the main reason Vandy won the last two games is that the other teams (Kentucky & Florida) just simply overlooked them and assumed it would be a cakewalk. Sorta like we did against South Carolina, (and hopefully won’t do this week). Then the game changes, the underdog maybe isn’t as weak as thought, momentum changes, the game begins to shift, and then it’s often too late.

Our biggest victories of the year (Florida, Bama, LSU) we’re when we were expected to lose or it was a toss up. We were very familiar with being the hunter, but very unfamiliar with being the hunted for a change. It’s a “winning” culture change, and it’ll come with continued success, but right now we’re in transition from a long time loser to an “overnight” success.
 
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#40
#40
I think the ease with which SC scored on us is what is creating the greatest angst for this game. I'm mean, the cocks didn't have a great offense all season yet they moved the ball with ease. I don't see USC and Vandy all that different, with the advantage to Vandy that they are on a winning streak and have bowl eligibility to play for. USC already had bowl eligibility and you always play for pride but there was nothing meaningful for them to obtain.

It's also concerning that the game is on the road and at night. Pitt is not very good and we almost lost there and the crowd had nothing to do with it as there was no crowd that day. I don't know how strong the UT attendance in Nashville will be after what happened in Carolina. Vandy is going to give it everything they have, It really shouldn't matter as UT is far more talented. But I remember that 2016 game too well and there's really just no reason to have lost that game. Derrick Barnett, Astro Dobbs, Kamara. Wow just amazing thinking back on it what a terrible loss that was. But it has happened before in a similar blueprint and I'm concerned it is going to happen again this week. We are going to find out if we really have a coach in Josh Heupel this weekend.
 
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#42
#42
The Tall Gguy said:
Yes. This unfortunately feels a lot like that season. Start out 5-0 and choked.
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Please put down the crack pipe! There isnt one single UT fan alive, dead, or in space who in August would not have said " hell yeah, I'll take 9-2 with thanksgiving weekend!" Remember we are suppose to be 8-5 this year. We did beat UF and Bama this year, saying we choked is not only dumb, just simply not true.

Exactly how did we choke? Getting beat by USC could possibly be the best thing for us. We dont have the horses to be UGA or OSU just yet, so lets go to the Sugar or Orange bowl and pound someone and finish the season off with a win and a top 5 ranking.

Allows us to sell the "we just need you and a couple other guys to get over that last hump" to incoming freshmen.
 
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#43
#43
Proud Army Wife said:
Just a week ago I thought this possibility was preposterous 😂😭😔
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I hear ya. I’m still not over this loss, 😩. TN is better than South Carolina as we have more talent, depth and quality wins.

They have quality players and NFL DBs, but I thought 27 points would win the game.

He$&, USCjr had 21 in one qtr and 35 @ the half. They scored 9 touchdowns in 10 possessions. TN got ONE stop the entire game.

That is a concern for any team so Vandy game is not a given, esp if Slaughter and Turner are out. Idk about Bru.
 
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#44
#44
Proud Army Wife said:
There’s still Bama after them. Both will have to lose again. I’m not counting on that.
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We still could be picked by orange bowl 2nd before cotton. Especially if a few more teams lose in front of us and especially if we bounce back strong Saturday. And while I agree on Bama it is the Iron bowl and anything can happen. Throw the record books out the window on that one. GBO
 
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#46
#46
I have a bad feeling about this game. Vandy is playing well to end the year and will be fighting for a bowl bid and we are coming off a loss that derailed a magical season and lost our star qb. I don’t have much faith in Milton and the defense looks like they couldn’t care less at this point.
 
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#47
#47
vol94 said:
I hear ya. I’m still not over this loss, 😩. TN is better than South Carolina as we have more talent, depth and quality wins.

They have quality players and NFL DBs, but I thought 27 points would win the game.

He$&, USCjr had 21 in one qtr and 35 @ the half. They scored 9 touchdowns in 10 possessions. TN got ONE stop the entire game.

That is a concern for any team so Vandy game is not a given, esp if Slaughter and Turner are out. Idk about Bru.
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Agreed. It definitely doesn’t look good and I’m not very confident heading into this weekend. Whatever the issue is better be figured out and fixed quickly. The team we saw fight with intensity and find ways to win wasn’t what we saw Saturday and I’m concerned they’ve given up. Guess we’ll see Saturday.
 
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#48
#48
Kicker82 said:
I have a bad feeling about this game. Vandy is playing well to end the year and will be fighting for a bowl bid and we are coming off a loss that derailed a magical season and lost our star qb. I don’t have much faith in Milton and the defense looks like they couldn’t care less at this point.
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This is where I’m at too. I’m honestly contemplating if I should watch or not.
 
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#50
#50
Florida threw for 400 yards against Vandy but only rushed for 32 yards. We hit our groove with both rushing and passing and we’ll put up points against a defense ranked down there with ours.
I’m more concerned with our defense containing their running QB. We need our guys who played Kentucky to show out this weekend
 
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