this team has definitely made progress.....

[PowerWookie]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

 

[Exiled]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

Uh oh, you're in trouble. Optimism is NOT allowed on Volnation until July.

 

[patrick]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

So no complaints about losing to Vandy in a game we were favored to win??? This brings Sunshine Pumping to new whole new level. But hey you have ever right to your opinion. Have a nice day.

 

[Boca Vol]

I think one of the problems with a lot of fans is that fans are always looking for something to hold on to in hopes of making them feel better about the future.

The positives and negatives are about equal this year. However, the negatives made a late push to even the score. If the season had ended after the SC game, there would be buzzing going into the off-season. It didn't and we had to suffer through another horrible/lackluster November.

Let's just get through Sat with no injuries, get to signing day (which will cheer this place up), and look forward to the future.

There's no amount of turd polish that can make the last few years of UT football look better. It is what it is.

 

[PowerWookie]

So no complaints about losing to Vandy in a game we were favored to win??? This brings Sunshine Pumping to new whole new level. But hey you have ever right to your opinion. Have a nice day.

i felt the vandy game was a coin flip and so did Vegas as a 3 point favorite is essentially an even matched game +3 points for home field advantage. One less block in the back and we win... that is about right.

 

[gasguy98]

I think one of the problems with a lot of fans is that fans are always looking for something to hold on to in hopes of making them feel better about the future.

The positives and negatives are about equal this year. However, the negatives made a late push to even the score. If the season had ended after the SC game, there would be buzzing going into the off-season. It didn't and we had to suffer through another horrible/lackluster November.

Let's just get through Sat with no injuries, get to signing day (which will cheer this place up), and look forward to the future.

There's no amount of turd polish that can make the last few years of UT football look better. It is what it is.

Well said. As I have written (and been crucified for by many) all we want is a sign that things are actually getting better. Anyone honest with themselves knows that right now the results (not necessarily wins but level of performance) are no different than a Dooley coached team

 

[DaddyChad]

I think with equivalent talent, experience, and a will to win this team can consistently beat all SEC east competition.

 

[AlumniChase]

lol @ 5 wins. Not so fast my friend...

 

[tm3]

"games competitive through the first half" was a Dooley trademark.

and now it is a sign of progress?

 

[tm3]

I think with equivalent talent, experience, and a will to win this team can consistently beat all SEC east competition.

and being competitive in half of the conference (7 teams) would be kind of reminiscent of co-co and co-co-co championships of the 7 team Big Least. i see the parallel.

 

[BVols20]

lol @ 5 wins. Not so fast my friend...

This. The Cats aren't going to give us the game.

 

[holtridge]

The team made progress in the fact that they beat South Carolina. A ranked opponent.
I was there that day and I saw improvement from 2012's team.

 

[patrick]

i felt the vandy game was a coin flip and so did Vegas as a 3 point favorite is essentially an even matched game +3 points for home field advantage. One less block in the back and we win... that is about right.

Tennessee should never lose to Vandy - ever.

Even in the dark days of UT Football when John Majors took over the program in 1977, his teams beat Vandy.

 

[patrick]

The team made progress in the fact that they beat South Carolina. A ranked opponent.
I was there that day and I saw improvement from 2012's team.

What about the Oregon game, the Fla game, the Mizzou game, the Auburn game, the Bama game, the Vandy game???

Any progression there?? Doubtful.

What I and others have seen is regression across the board since the S. Caro game.

 

[soda23]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year


When did we win the 5th game ??

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

When did we win our 5th game ?

 

[holtridge]

What about the Oregon game, the Fla game, the Mizzou game, the Auburn game, the Bama game, the Vandy game???

Any progression there?? Doubtful.

What I and others have seen is regression across the board since the S. Caro game.

It will all be ok.

 

[TucsonVol]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

We only have 4 wins! Wake up dreamer!!!!!!!!!

 

[Volumnus 2011]

Tennessee should never lose to Vandy - ever.

Even in the dark days of UT Football when John Majors took over the program in 1977, his teams beat Vandy.

This is stupid. This is a very different Vandy team and a very bad Tennessee team. Not only is our depth bad, but walk ons are starting. If walk ons start, who backs them up?

Things change. Once we get back where we want to be, then it will be unacceptable to lose to Vandy. Until then, we have to take the hand we are dealt and live with it.

I hate the next year argument, but good lord. We have a GREAT recruiting class coming. Those guys will contribute next year and only get better. Then we can judge progress.

Florida just lost to an FCS school, which is much worse than losing to Vandy. A compelling argument can be made that their loss can be attributed to bad qb play. That's what we are working with as well. It is exactly what it is.

 

[gnm53108]

I think one of the problems with a lot of fans is that fans are always looking for something to hold on to in hopes of making them feel better about the future.

The positives and negatives are about equal this year. However, the negatives made a late push to even the score. If the season had ended after the SC game, there would be buzzing going into the off-season. It didn't and we had to suffer through another horrible/lackluster November.

Let's just get through Sat with no injuries, get to signing day (which will cheer this place up), and look forward to the future.

There's no amount of turd polish that can make the last few years of UT football look better. It is what it is.

Good post Boca.

Going forward the only thing I can feel good about is recruiting.

 

[friedeggsammich]

Tennessee should never lose to Vandy - ever.

Even in the dark days of UT Football when John Majors took over the program in 1977, his teams beat Vandy.

Bc everything is exactly the same as it was then. Right

 

[dreVol]

I don't think anyone believes there hase been zero progress. I also think that most people agree with the majority of your points, OP.

The issue is that we looked unprepared for the Vanderbilt game. This was a game where both teams had comparable talent. Playing at home, after a bye week, and on senior night, I expected the team to come out with a on of energy and swagger. I also expected that our game plan would exploit Vandy's weaknesses. Instead, we had a limited offensive playbook (e.g. the entire starting secondary is out and we don't pass the ball!?) and questionable defensive calls (e.g. Tampa 2 letting Matthews exploit the zone!?!?).

The Vandy game was a letdown. Despite the incremental progress the team made up to that point, we were outcoached and outplayed. Whether CBJ is the man for the job remains to be seen (I'm still a believer, but I'm also an optimist). The performance on Saturday, though, cost him some credibility with the fan base. Hopefully, we take care of business against UK and finish strong in recruiting.

As the saying goes, it's always darkest before dawn.

 

[DaphneVol]

compared to last year and if you cannot see it open your mind and think again.

Don't get me wrong I'm not happy with a 5 win season but.....

1.) If we open with NC State instead of Oregon we get 6 wins and go bowling (assuming we beat the pack and the cats)...

2.) All 4 SEC home games were competitive through the first half and 3 of 4 were exciting until the very end with one or two stupid stupid plays loosing those games. This makes it worth going to the games again IMO as I had a lot of fun in Neyland this year

3.) Players and ex-vols are much happier with this staff which appears to be combining with the new facilities and leading to a much better recruiting class

4.) The kids are doing better in school

5.) All of this occurs despite a brand new system and shaky QB play after loosing 3 players who are having a immediate impact on their NFL rosters (Hunter, CP, Riveria) and a talented yet headcase QB

My biggest complaint is that we should have beat UF....

I think one of the problems with a lot of fans is that fans are always looking for something to hold on to in hopes of making them feel better about the future.

The positives and negatives are about equal this year. However, the negatives made a late push to even the score. If the season had ended after the SC game, there would be buzzing going into the off-season. It didn't and we had to suffer through another horrible/lackluster November.

Let's just get through Sat with no injuries, get to signing day (which will cheer this place up), and look forward to the future.

There's no amount of turd polish that can make the last few years of UT football look better. It is what it is.

I'm torn between these two posts and am leaning towards both of you are right!

 

[volboy81]

Tennessee should never lose to Vandy - ever.

Even in the dark days of UT Football when John Majors took over the program in 1977, his teams beat Vandy.

My thoughts exactly. Our dance team should be able to beat Vandy!

 

[OrangeBalls]

Tennessee should never lose to Vandy - ever.

Even in the dark days of UT Football when John Majors took over the program in 1977, his teams beat Vandy.

I think the saying should be that it is unacceptable to lose to Vandy. If you ever accept losing to them, then Cafego's ghost should haunt you until the end of time. The odds of beating them every time aren't realistic, but we've been pretty good at doing it until the last two years. Still, UT has pretty much sucked since 2008 and they're still 4-2 against Vandy in that time who is at their apex right now while UT is arguably at their worst point in the entire history of the program.

And Majors did lose to Vandy once. In 1982.

 

[RockyTop22]

Ill probably get killed for this, and I know this is in no way possible, just having some fun and speculating. What are VN's thoughts on starting completely fresh starting with the current freshman as well as the incoming class of 2014, keeping a few VFLs that played hard through the Dooley days. For example, Pig, Marlin, some of the OL that hasnt played yet (for depth), Maggit, and Randolph, etc would stay.

Personally, I just believe Dooley contaminated our current players to the point of no return, and they just frankly do not know how to win. The only player who stepped up and made BIG plays when we needed to and got the win was Marquez, a freshman. (Worley as well, but he didnt make the greatest throw in the world as it took a circus catch to reel in) I just feel as if these current players that played under Dooley dont have the fight and will to pull out a close game, and we can use a fresh start, as these have been the worst five years in UT Football history.