USU Aggies Spring Ball Video

[RockyTop411]

sjt, good posts past couple days.

 

[Madmartigan]

Don't mistake me dismissing their fans' delusion for dismissing their players. I am aware that USU has players that can hurt UT and especially if the coaches don't plan effectively for them. But the raw, in your face, bald truth is that UT has better athletes and more of them. These guys keep trying to dance around that fact... And you know me. If someone starts evading points of fact, I have a hard time letting go.

UT has better athletes and more of them. This from a USU fan- I hope you feel better. I understand the Tennesee fan's point of view: better athletes, better talent = easy win. Consider it from the USU fans point of view- we've played with these supposedly bigger and much better teams just fine the past four outings- what is different about Tennessee to make us think this one will be a blowout? We also have the better player at a key position- QB.

 

[RockyTop411]

UT has better athletes and more of them. This from a USU fan- I hope you feel better. I understand the Tennesee fan's point of view: better athletes, better talent = easy win. Consider it from the USU fans point of view- we've played with these supposedly bigger and much better teams just fine the past four outings- what is different about Tennessee to make us think this one will be a blowout? We also have the better player at a key position- QB.

I don't know if you can call him better right now after he blew his knee out. Before he did, yes. Now? Hard to determine.

 

[sjt18]

But you don't understand, those low-star players have gotten up for 4 quasi-good teams in the last four years. I mean, they still lost those games. But they got up to the 'sorta-competitive' level with four decent teams in four years. Their low-start players are better than our 3-4-5* players. Book it and assume the position.

And the thing they REALLY don't want to talk about is that the coach and players who did that... are gone. The coach(es) and players who gave UT its longest down run in over a century of football are also gone. Both teams are "new" again. So the major question is "who has more talent?" The follow up is "who has the better coaches?"

I am very comfortable answering UT for the first. The only shadow of doubt I have about this game lies with the second question... and even that isn't very much.

I criticized Jones for '13. But alot of his development work and philosophies have me hopeful... almost optimistic.

 

[sjt18]

UT has better athletes and more of them. This from a USU fan- I hope you feel better. I understand the Tennesee fan's point of view: better athletes, better talent = easy win. Consider it from the USU fans point of view- we've played with these supposedly bigger and much better teams just fine the past four outings- what is different about Tennessee to make us think this one will be a blowout? We also have the better player at a key position- QB.

You definitely have a more proven QB. However I think that is a less secure point since all of the WR's he was throwing to while earning his stripes are gone. You lost your top 2 statistical WR's last year following a loss of your top 4 the year prior to that. I know it stings but the fact is that programs like yours don't find enough of those 2* diamonds in the rough to just "reload".

I believe this is a 17+ pt game based on the talent gap. If it is closer or you somehow pull off a big upset then give your coach a ton of credit... and prepare to lose him to a big time program.

Finally, nothing has been very easy for UT recently. I have been a critic of Jones but I see some things now that I am beginning to believe in. This isn't just a talented football team. They're a high character, hard working team too. If all other things are equal... you go with the more talented team.

UT IS young and still need to recruit more good players to compete for the SEC. But I am pretty confident that this team will not be a reflection of the past 3 that seem to boost your confidence so much.

 

[sjt18]

sjt, good posts past couple days.

Like me better as a friend, huh? :hi:

 

[sjt18]

You know that whole adage about talent losing to hard work and desire? It can and does translate in college football. Not saying it will in this game, but it's something to consider. Tennessee certainly is the more physically gifted group of the two.

I agree with you completely here... which is why I have gone from a less confident position to a much more confident position.

Jones is and has shifted UT culture. He's hungry and those who follow him are beginning to reflect that. He is a very hard worker... and so are the people he surrounds himself with.

Give you a case in point. E Moseley was a very good HS QB at one of the better HS programs in NC. He was recruited by most everyone as a DB and signed with UT. He always had elite football speed... but he was light at 165 lbs (about 5'11"). In about 3 months of UT's S&C program that very motivated young man has gained about 15-20 lbs of muscle.

That story keeps getting repeated about players that Jones kind of held back from playing much last year even if they didn't have a RS as well as new players.

I believe you are going to see a MUCH different kind of team.

 

[24/7vol]

I agree with you completely here... which is why I have gone from a less confident position to a much more confident position.

Jones is and has shifted UT culture. He's hungry and those who follow him are beginning to reflect that. He is a very hard worker... and so are the people he surrounds himself with.

Give you a case in point. E Moseley was a very good HS QB at one of the better HS programs in NC. He was recruited by most everyone as a DB and signed with UT. He always had elite football speed... but he was light at 165 lbs (about 5'11"). In about 3 months of UT's S&C program that very motivated young man has gained about 15-20 lbs of muscle.

That story keeps getting repeated about players that Jones kind of held back from playing much last year even if they didn't have a RS as well as new players.

I believe you are going to see a MUCH different kind of team.

Stop it..you're giving me goosebumps. You've been one of CBJ's biggest skeptics and I understand why. To see you starting to buy in some to what Butch is doing means he must be doing something right.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

UTs WR Corp will eat USU secondary for lunch.

 

[Orange_Crush]

...we've played with these supposedly bigger and much better teams just fine the past four outings...

lol...

4 outings over 4 years.

 

[Madmartigan]

lol...

4 outings over 4 years.

Would it make it better if it was 10 over 10 years or something? We don't play BCS level teams every week, which has been pointed out over and over again.

 

[Madmartigan]

I agree with you completely here... which is why I have gone from a less confident position to a much more confident position.

Jones is and has shifted UT culture. He's hungry and those who follow him are beginning to reflect that. He is a very hard worker... and so are the people he surrounds himself with.

Give you a case in point. E Moseley was a very good HS QB at one of the better HS programs in NC. He was recruited by most everyone as a DB and signed with UT. He always had elite football speed... but he was light at 165 lbs (about 5'11"). In about 3 months of UT's S&C program that very motivated young man has gained about 15-20 lbs of muscle.

That story keeps getting repeated about players that Jones kind of held back from playing much last year even if they didn't have a RS as well as new players.

I believe you are going to see a MUCH different kind of team.

I don't doubt you and the fan base all think Butch Jones is doing a great job and improving things. Those of us that don't follow the Vols as closely only see the W-L record from his one season. Too small a sample size to make any real conclusions one way or the other.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

Would it make it better if it was 10 over 10 years or something? We don't play BCS level teams every week, which has been pointed out over and over again.

And you don't have those players or coaches. The main player from those USU teams is coming off a knee injury.

You also didn't win any of those "outings" and a couple of those teams weren't great either. They won while still playing pretty bad.

 

[Madmartigan]

And you don't have those players or coaches. The main player from those USU teams is coming off a knee injury.

You also didn't win any of those "outings" and a couple of those teams weren't great either. They won while still playing pretty bad.

The only point i'm making is the game could be competitive based on the history- never said we'd win, but yes we still have some of the same players and coaches from both Wisconsin and USC

 

[Orange_Crush]

Would it make it better if it was 10 over 10 years or something? We don't play BCS level teams every week, which has been pointed out over and over again.

It would make it a bit of a better comparison if it were about eight out of every 12 games. Sorry, madmartigan. It was nothing against you or USU. It was a Pavlovian response against the USU trolls who have come on here comparing our win/loss record to yours.

In my defense though-- it's much different to get up for one game a year, than to go through a meat grinder every year. Its easier to get lower talent up occasionally than to keep a team healthy and up through that proverbial meat grinder.

:hi:

 

[Madmartigan]

It would make it a bit of a better comparison if it were about eight out of every 12 games. Sorry, madmartigan. It was nothing against you or USU. It was a Pavlovian response against the USU trolls who have come on here comparing our win/loss record to yours.

In my defense though-- it's much different to get up for one game a year, than to go through a meat grinder every year. Its easier to get lower talent up occasionally than to keep a team healthy and up through that proverbial meat grinder.

:hi:

Yeah no problem- I understand not wanting to feed the trolls and you're right- very different ball game playing a whole season with top notch competition. As a small case study, Utah and TCU have had tough times adjusting to the PAC and BIG 12 compared to when they dominated the MWC pretty regularly.

I'll come back here and eat crow if it's a blowout, I predict it's within ten points though.

 

[sjt18]

Stop it..you're giving me goosebumps. You've been one of CBJ's biggest skeptics and I understand why. To see you starting to buy in some to what Butch is doing means he must be doing something right.

I know I seemed focused on the negative... but that was primarily because we were discussing things that weren't good. Like I said then. If I see good then I call it good. If I see something bad... I'll be honest about that too.

Most of the things I have been able to glean lately have been "good" to excellent.

I pondered how much '13 was kind of a throw away year for Jones but couldn't bring myself to believe he'd do it. But based on more recent actions and behaviors... I'm thinking he turned last season over to the Srs but placed a different kind of focus on returning players. Srs were short term projects while he took a longer view of the returning players.

Give you a possible "for instance". Last year's OL's had to learn what they needed to know to survive last year. The guys behind them could be taught more foundationally with a longer term result in mind.

I could be wrong but some of the words used and actions taken seem to support it.

 

[Orange_Crush]

Yeah no problem- I understand not wanting to feed the trolls and you're right- very different ball game playing a whole season with top notch competition. As a small case study, Utah and TCU have had tough times adjusting to the PAC and BIG 12 compared to when they dominated the MWC pretty regularly.

I'll come back here and eat crow if it's a blowout, I predict it's within ten points though.

No need to come back and eat crow if that happens. You haven't dished any out. Just come on back by, hang out, have a virtual beer, and discuss how nice and welcoming the Vols fans were. :good!:

For what it's worth, I think USU should show well in their conference schedule this year. I think you guys will hold your head high no matter how the season begins-- win, lose or blowout.

 

[sjt18]

I don't doubt you and the fan base all think Butch Jones is doing a great job and improving things. Those of us that don't follow the Vols as closely only see the W-L record from his one season. Too small a sample size to make any real conclusions one way or the other.

As several here will tell you, Jones is winning my trust... I have not and did not give it cheaply. I think they left a win or two on the table last year. But I am beginning (sometimes grudgingly) to believe that he made some sacrifices last season. Player development decisions primarily. The decision not to push Maggitt to return is pretty interesting. The decision by Vincent Dallas or Jones for him to leave the program supports that idea for me as well.

Dallas was probably a guy who could have helped but he really didn't find a fit anywhere in Jones' system. He is a very good athlete and could make noise in the right program.

 

[sjt18]

UTs WR Corp will eat USU secondary for lunch.

I think this is the key to the margin of the game. I'm not sure that USU could not hang close otherwise. I just tend to believe this is going to be like Cincy or NCSU or even Cal a few years back. USU's DB's simply cannot match up with UT's WR's.

USU fans cannot honestly say that their DB group isn't going to take a step back. Perhaps some of their other players look to be holds or upgrades... The DB's don't appear to be as good.

 

[Madmartigan]

I think this is the key to the margin of the game. I'm not sure that USU could not hang close otherwise. I just tend to believe this is going to be like Cincy or NCSU or even Cal a few years back. USU's DB's simply cannot match up with UT's WR's.

USU fans cannot honestly say that their DB group isn't going to take a step back. Perhaps some of their other players look to be holds or upgrades... The DB's don't appear to be as good.

Our secondary is a big question mark. I don't see how at the first of the season we will be better after losing an NFL corner and safety. If your WR are as good as you say it might be big play after big play.

 

[KoachKletus]

Our secondary is a big question mark. I don't see how at the first of the season we will be better after losing an NFL corner and safety. If your WR are as good as you say it might be big play after big play.

Our WR's are as advertised, and then some. The question is at QB.

 

[orangelo]

JOHN YOUNG DANGIT! We gone Whoop Dey AZZ!

 

[GreyWolf1129]

No disrespect intended to USU, or their fans, but this one is not even close. UT...big.

The only way this game is even a game, and it could play out this way, is if UT keeps it very vanilla so as to not show OU our playbook, or our best weapons.

"You can't make chicken salad out of chicken (censored)." That sums up USU's chances in Neyland.

Go Vols.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

No disrespect intended to USU, or their fans, but this one is not even close. UT...big.

The only way this game is even a game, and it could play out this way, is if UT keeps it very vanilla so as to not show OU our playbook, or our best weapons.

"You can't make chicken salad out of chicken (censored)." That sums up USU's chances in Neyland.

Go Vols.

If we can't contain Keaton we could find ourselves needing to open the playbook wide open.

We're gonna need Maggit and Vereen to make his life hell and set an edge well if we're gonna keep them from scoring or moving the chains with his legs.

Their WRs don't worry me too badly, but Keaton's legs scare the hell out of me.