Two embarrassing losses…

[Madscientistvol]

Two drives that doomed us was the 3 and out after that opening interception and the fumble before halftime. Score any points on those 2 drives and game is much different.

I would up that to 3 and say the 3 and out after halftime as well.

 

[volfeeva]

While I agree with most of your post I do think it will be extremely difficult to recruit top 5 classes every year given perennial recruiting powerhouses like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, LSU, USC and Florida State who seem to be at the top of recruting ranking most years. And now with all the NIL money available I wouldn't be surprised to see well funded teams like Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon move higher up in recruiting rankings. All that said, I think Tennessee can still be a consistent top 10 ranked football team with better coaching. It seems to me that there is a LOT of football talent out there and Tennessee should be able to get their fair share with our traditions, fan base and our growing NIL influence. I know Jimmy's and Joe's are important but IMO great coaches are "importanter" (sic). GBO !!!

Yeah, that Mizzou running back that smoked us for 200 yards yesterday ( Schrader ? ) they got off the portals just this year. A walk on no less.

 

[NighthawkVol]

CJH has not trended the same manner as Smart did , at least not so far. We are better than when he came on board for sure, but in year 3 we still are not getting the talent that moves us closer to compete with the top tiered programs. Or at least we are not that deep in talent so if someone gets injured, their replacement is a big drop off. Also, Smart seem to place an emphasis on solidifying his defense compared to CJH who seems to let the defense come along for the ride while he focuses on the offense.

I’m comparing the fact that they both have blowout road losses in each of them their first 3 seasons.

Of course JH hasn’t had the same success. Kirby inherited a top 3 SEC roster loaded with NFL players. JH inherited a bottom tier roster with less than 60 scholarship players and reduced scholarship every year he’s been in Knoxville. It’s absurd to compare record trends.

The point is, in spite of a FAR SUPERIOR roster, Kirby STILL had to deal with overcoming an annual road blowout or two. So if he had to do it with that roster, it’s unsurprising that Josh has to deal with it with his roster.

 

[Orange931]

This team doesn’t have the depth or the talent to be 10-2. Lots of us said that at the beginning of the season. This team was always 9-3 at best or 7-5 at worst. With the NCAA investigation holding us back and the scholarship reduction, we should be thankful that we are as good as we are. The future is bright.

We haven’t had the “depth and talent” for over a decade according to some.

 

[orchidvol]

To be a consistent winner in the SEC, you have to be in the top 3 or 4 in recruiting nationally every year. Someone needs to figure out what Georgia is doing because since Smart has been there it has been unbelievable. Easier said than done but we need better talent here.

 

[sonofUT62]

5 losses next year are very likely. 8-4 is the ceiling. Next year’s roster will not beat UGA / Bama / OU . . . And we always lose to UF. The oline will be an issue again unless they find a lot of players in the portal.

NC State is no joke.

 

[Rocky Top T]

Next years schedule is brutal and breaking in a new QB as well I’m thinking 7-5 or 8-4. Georgia isn’t going anywhere and neither is Bama and we also travel to Norman to play Oklahoma

Agree, 8-4 at best

 

[Volnbeers]

To be a consistent winner in the SEC, you have to be in the top 3 or 4 in recruiting nationally every year. Someone needs to figure out what Georgia is doing because since Smart has been there it has been unbelievable. Easier said than done but we need better talent here.

Smart built a foundation of 5 and 4 stars thru illegal recruiting in a talent rich state.

When you start to win a bunch of games and then win a national championship, it’s easy to sustain success.

Prolly won’t see the benefits of a level playing field thru NIL for another couple years but unfortunately tennessee will be on the same level as everyone else at that point.

 

[OrangeTsar]

We scored 38 vs USCjr last year in the loss.

And we were still battling in the fourth quarter against USC. This team yesterday flat out quit in the third quarter

 

[imbubbaspitcup]

People anger type on here. It’s actually pretty funny.

I wish people would ANGER COACH with this team, cause the results of these games actually are not funny! 7-36

 

[Volfan76]

Yes but that’s an outlier. The Defense in general, and the inability to stop QB scramble or get off the field has been a 3 year trend.

You have a point. They do struggle with qb contain, but I wouldn't call thw offensive play calling an outlier. They play calling has been very predictable and I think you could make the case that the offense has had success in spite of it, not because of it.

 

[volfan2024]

2 will get you 3.

 

[Other_Guy]

Don't worry guys, nico is the answer.