UT 05/06 to Parallel AU 03/04..Its Possible

[rbratch1]

I've been holding off posting this for a while but I finally thought now would be a good time to bring up the possible parallels that we could have this season with the 2004 Auburn Tigers.

We are coming off a very disappointing season after being the preseason pick to win the SEC just like Auburn was in '04. Yes we were 5-6 and AU was 7-5, but we were very close to being in the Music City Bowl like Auburn was in '03. A few plays here or a stop there and we would've played late December football in Nashville. Auburn won one big game that they probably should not have in '03 (probably vs. UT) we did vs. LSU last year. We had a 4 game losing streak last year, Auburn only lost two in a row twice, but that was with an overall weaker schedule (there SEC schedule wasn't as tough as ours last year). They lost to USC and LSU badly (National Title Teams) we lost to ND by 20 and GA. by 13 (BCS Teams) but it was closer than indicated in both contests. Auburn had the talent and just couldn't put it together, a lot like us last year. I know we don't have the same talent in the backfield like Auburn did, w/ Cadillac and Brown and the other two backs, but we have some developing skill players on offense who have the potential to become NFL players such as Foster, Meachem, and Cory Anderson, will make a roster with someone.

Anyways Auburn made changes to there staff after their season, obviously we did also. Most notably on both accounts the OC, Al Borges and Coach Cut. Al Borges was the big difference in the season for Auburn in '04 and made their offense almost as outstanding as their defense who gave up over 20 points twice, 20 to Ark and 28 vs. UT. Jason Campbell became one of the best quarterbacks in the league in '04 and was a 1st rounder to Washington. Erik Ainge has the ability to do the same this year under Cutcliffe. Our defense will be inexperienced but very fast and athletic, especially in the secondary, much like the Tigers in '04. Auburn faced LSU in their third game of the year and won a tight one, we face FLA this year in the 3rd game, also a divisional rival in the third game. They faced GA. late in the year in a top 10 SEC game, we face LSU in November this year which has the potential to be the same. Our non-conference schedule this year than Auburn's was in '04, but if we can survive Cal then we will be okay.

I realize that these two programs are not exactly mirror images of one another, but you can't help but notice that there are similarities between both programs, you also can't help but hope that there are some similarities to both programs because Auburn has become the class of the SEC the past 2 years w/ the exception of that blip in the Capital One bowl.

Please feel free to rip me now and tell me that I am crazy for posting this and that I don't know dick about UT football.

They also had Aaron Sears brother on their team.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Good jumping off point into the volnation pool. These off season rantings on message boards are just to keep everyone juiced for the real deal, beginning of September. That's what we all live for. Welcome and keep on keeping on!!!

 

[volmazing]

Wow!!! I've thought the same thing for a while now and just haven't said anything. Glad to know there are other people out there who thought of it.

 

[Chattownsfinest]

Another thing to consider is something I read in Phil Steele's magazine who BTW was the only mag in the country to not pick us to win the SEC east and picked Georgia instead.

87 we went 10-2-1
88 we went 5-6, were upset by a Steve Spurrier led Duke team, and scored only 205 points
89 we went 11-1 and won the SEC

04 we went 10-3
05 we went 5-6, were upset by a Steve Spurrier led South Carolina team, and scored only 212 points
06 ?


I will say this if Cut can make Ainge an SECC caliber QB again he will solidify himself as the best QB coach in America.

 

[milohimself]

I will say this if Cut can make Ainge an SECC caliber QB again he will solidify himself as the best QB coach in America.

That title still belongs to Jeff Tedford. But good comparisons any how.

 

[hatvol96]

Another thing to consider is something I read in Phil Steele's magazine who BTW was the only mag in the country to not pick us to win the SEC east and picked Georgia instead.

87 we went 10-2-1
88 we went 5-6, were upset by a Steve Spurrier led Duke team, and scored only 205 points
89 we went 11-1 and won the SEC

04 we went 10-3
05 we went 5-6, were upset by a Steve Spurrier led South Carolina team, and scored only 212 points
06 ?
I will say this if Cut can make Ainge an SECC caliber QB again he will solidify himself as the best QB coach in America.

How are three seasons almost twenty years ago relevant to this year?

 

[Freak]

How are three seasons almost twenty years ago relevant to this year?

It shows that just because we went 5-6 last year doesn't mean this year is a write off.

 

[milohimself]

How are three seasons almost twenty years ago relevant to this year?

People are in the middle of a very long offseason and need something to talk about.

 

[hmanvolfan]

It shows that just because we went 5-6 last year doesn't mean this year is a write off.

Yeah, dammit. Pity the fool that underestimates the Big Orange!!!

 

[hatvol96]

It shows that just because we went 5-6 last year doesn't mean this year is a write off.

Well, if someone can show me two guys comparable to Pickens and Webb that are being added to this team, I'll be more optimistic.

 

[Freak]

Well, if someone can show me two guys comparable to Pickens and Webb that are being added to this team, I'll be more optimistic.

Hatvol, I could spend the rest of my life trying and wouldn't be able to make you optimistic.

Seriously, I'll bet there are a couple of guys who will be big surprises this year. Probably not a Webb/Pickens but good enough to make a difference.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Well, if someone can show me two guys comparable to Pickens and Webb that are being added to this team, I'll be more optimistic.

Keep up the smoke screen hat. They'll never see us coming!!! :ninja:

 

[Chattownsfinest]

That title still belongs to Jeff Tedford. But good comparisons any how.

Disagree. Seriously did you watch Ainge last year??? There is no doubt in my mind that if Cut can turn Ainge into a quarterback who can win an SECC he is the best QB coach in America. Tedford is a system coach much like Spurrier at SC. What have Tedford's QBs done in the NFL? Akili Smith is considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Joey Harrington likewise. Boller is a bust and just lost his starting job to a 33 year old. Carr and Rodgers the jury is still out on.

 

[milohimself]

Disagree. Seriously did you watch Ainge last year??? There is no doubt in my mind that if Cut can turn Ainge into a quarterback who can win an SECC he is the best QB coach in America. Tedford is a system coach much like Spurrier at SC. What have Tedford's QBs done in the NFL? Akili Smith is considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Joey Harrington likewise. Boller is a bust and just lost his starting job to a 33 year old. Carr and Rodgers the jury is still out on.

I thought the comparison was with college QB's. And I know Tedford's QB's don't have a great track record in the NFL. And I consider the jury to still be out on Joey Harrington. It's not exactly his fault he had to play for one of the worst franchises in pro sports. There's a reason Barry Sanders retired early, and it was because the Lions sucked so bad. I'm waiting to see how he does in Miami before I pass final judgement.

Back to the point, no current D-IA coaches have been better at producing college QB's than Jeff Tedford. He has produced nothing but great quality at the position for years. Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller, David Carr, Aaron Rodgers, etc. They may not have panned out in the NFL but there's no arguing they did great in college. Cut doesn't compare.

That's not to say he isn't very good, though. And I think reconstruction of Erik Ainge simply requires this: Rebuild the offense around him, and make sure he knows he is the guy. It ain't pretty, it ain't desirable from a QB but it works. And no QB can succeed if the offense around him is as terrible as UT's was last year. I know Ainge didn't seem to try and make things better, but I know for a fact he is not the sole root of the offensive woes.

You make sure the offensive line will block for their QB. They did not block for Ainge last year.

You make sure the wide receivers will catch the balls they are supposed to catch. I recall multiple instances from last season where the receivers were hit squarely in the numbers with a great pass and dropped the ball.

You make sure your backfield can run the ball. Our number one guy last year was certainly underwhelming. Limited running style, hitting the hole only, and little ability to take the corners. It's hard to chose to run when you know there's a good chance your back is gonna get stuffed.

Pro-style quarterbacks don't make their own success. They take advantage of the opportunities their offense affords them. Building a reliable offensive squad is the key. Tedford has done this both as an offensive coordinator and head coach consistently for many years now. Let's hope Cutcliffe catches up.

 

[Chattownsfinest]

Joey Harrington is a bust. Anytime you are the #3 overall selection of a franchise and are no longer w/ that franchise after 4 years you are a bust. I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing how he does in Miami word is Culpepper will be ready for the season opener.

In terms of college yes Tedford is on another level. But it is the job of a coach to put his player in a position to be successful at the next level. When high school players think of going to a school they think in terms of how those players were developed and what kind of success they had in the NFL. I guess we just have different criteria. I don't think Spurrier is a great QB coach. I think he has a great system which makes his QBs look better then they are. That is the same way I think of Tedford.

You act like Cut's quarterbacks didn't have good college careers. Peyton owns every record in our book including some NCAA ones for while. Just because he failed to beat Florida shouldn't negate that. Tee Martin won a national championship after being coached by Cut and playing in his offense. Eli Manning came close to an SEC championship with marginal talent (which was Cut's fault but that's not the point). Shuler well I'm not old enough to remember his college career but I assume it was pretty good to warrant such a high draft pick.

And the rebuilding of Ainge is not going to be as simple as you make it sound. First like you said he has to revamp the whole offense. Then after that he has to teach Ainge how to read defenses something both Mannings credit Cut w/ teaching them and something that Randy Sanders obviously didn't have the ability to do. Then he has to rework his mechanics which we already saw some of in the spring. Then he has to rebuild his confidence and the mental aspect. Ainge was a trainwreck last year bottom line. If you want to blame it on the rest of the offense you can but the fact remains that the QB is the single most important position on that offense and when the wins and losses go down they are credited to the quarterback, not the offensive line, or the wide recievers and runningbacks. We both have our opinions but like I said if Cut develops Ainge into a SECC QB he is the best QB coach in the country IMO.

 

[vols2345]

Well, if someone can show me two guys comparable to Pickens and Webb that are being added to this team, I'll be more optimistic.

You my friend are one strange man. All you do is refer to the past and use past stats to solidify your arguments, and now that we show a good one to give us a line of hope for this season you sit here and bash it? Are you ever optimistic? You have been calling for everyones head since our first loss last year, and you consistently argue with everyone on the board just to argue. Do you have anything positive to say? Anything at all?????

 

[milohimself]

Joey Harrington is a bust. Anytime you are the #3 overall selection of a franchise and are no longer w/ that franchise after 4 years you are a bust. I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing how he does in Miami word is Culpepper will be ready for the season opener.

If it were any other team, I would agree with you. But we are dealing with the Detroit Lions and Matt Millen.

In terms of college yes Tedford is on another level. But it is the job of a coach to put his player in a position to be successful at the next level.

I disagree. The job of a coach is to win games by any means necesary. And by that measure, Tedford and Spurrier are both great QB coaches.

You act like Cut's quarterbacks didn't have good college careers. Peyton owns every record in our book including some NCAA ones for while. Just because he failed to beat Florida shouldn't negate that. Tee Martin won a national championship after being coached by Cut and playing in his offense. Eli Manning came close to an SEC championship with marginal talent (which was Cut's fault but that's not the point). Shuler well I'm not old enough to remember his college career but I assume it was pretty good to warrant such a high draft pick.

I was not trying to shortchange Cutcliffe's achievments in any way.

And the rebuilding of Ainge is not going to be as simple as you make it sound. First like you said he has to revamp the whole offense. Then after that he has to teach Ainge how to read defenses something both Mannings credit Cut w/ teaching them and something that Randy Sanders obviously didn't have the ability to do. Then he has to rework his mechanics which we already saw some of in the spring. Then he has to rebuild his confidence and the mental aspect. Ainge was a trainwreck last year bottom line. If you want to blame it on the rest of the offense you can but the fact remains that the QB is the single most important position on that offense and when the wins and losses go down they are credited to the quarterback, not the offensive line, or the wide recievers and runningbacks. We both have our opinions but like I said if Cut develops Ainge into a SECC QB he is the best QB coach in the country IMO.

Is anything in football ever easy?

 

[vols2345]

Is anything in football ever easy?

we sure made fumbling look easy last year.

 

[jakez4ut]

i guess the whole point of the post is that precedents have been set by teams in the past and not so distant past that suggest that it is entirely possible with the right changes made a team can turn it around in a relatively short amount of time. the Auburn reference is a good one as well as the reference to the Vols of old.

only time will tell, but at least there are examples out there to let us know that it's not entirely out of the question, just that it's questionable at this point.

one thing is for sure. We'll find out, and we'll find out rather quickly. If we're 4-2 or better after the 1st 6 games, i'll feel a lot better. 3-3, and the questions still remain, the bickering still remains, and the pressure mounts for the Bama, USC and LSU games.

if we were to start off 3-3, i'd say our record will be 8-4 or worse. We start of 4-2, 9-3 or 10-2 is very possible. I guess if you go by that logic, we'll have a pretty good idea of how good or bad we are before 1/2 the season is over....and we'll at least have tangible results to talk about rather than bantering on what we think will happen.

 

[hatvol96]

You my friend are one strange man. All you do is refer to the past and use past stats to solidify your arguments, and now that we show a good one to give us a line of hope for this season you sit here and bash it? Are you ever optimistic? You have been calling for everyones head since our first loss last year, and you consistently argue with everyone on the board just to argue. Do you have anything positive to say? Anything at all?????

How is a period of time almost 20 years ago, under a different coach, a "good one?" Here's a positive comment. I'm positive that comparing '87-'89 to '04-'06 is like comparing apples to aardvarks. How's that?

 

[GAVol]

The title of this thread ends with "It's Possible". That's all anybody is saying.

 

[Freak]

The title of this thread ends with "It's Possible". That's all anybody is saying.

thank you.

 

[lawgator1]

Hmmmm. .. Let's see here, now. At how many trite levels can we dismiss the notion that 5-6 last year means 9-2 or 10-1 this year?

Start with an easy one. I think it was Benjamin Disraeli who said that there are three kinds of lies. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

During my brief foray into graduate school, I had a statistics professor who pointed out that if you have your feet in the oven and your head on dry ice, on average you are pretty comfortable.

I imagine that, over an 80 year history, you could find more than a few examples out there where the team had a bad year, followed by a great year. You could also probably find periods where the team did better if the start of the season was closer to the vernal equinox; that the team fared poorly in years of off-cycle congressional elections; that UT won at least 8 games in a couple of years where the UN was headed by a man from a nation whose capitol city is below the 33rd Latitude; etc., etc.

There is some validity to the notion that a team that plays well one year is likely to do so again based on talented players remaining there. Same in reverse.

But I'm sorry. Saying that you are somehow statistically "due" for a good year after a bad one because it has happened before is intellectually bankrupt.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

Tennessee will have a great season if:

1.) Special Teams
2.) Field Position
3.) Turnover turnaround

 

[volfan2024]

I've been holding off posting this for a while but I finally thought now would be a good time to bring up the possible parallels that we could have this season with the 2004 Auburn Tigers.

We are coming off a very disappointing season after being the preseason pick to win the SEC just like Auburn was in '04. Yes we were 5-6 and AU was 7-5, but we were very close to being in the Music City Bowl like Auburn was in '03. A few plays here or a stop there and we would've played late December football in Nashville. Auburn won one big game that they probably should not have in '03 (probably vs. UT) we did vs. LSU last year. We had a 4 game losing streak last year, Auburn only lost two in a row twice, but that was with an overall weaker schedule (there SEC schedule wasn't as tough as ours last year). They lost to USC and LSU badly (National Title Teams) we lost to ND by 20 and GA. by 13 (BCS Teams) but it was closer than indicated in both contests. Auburn had the talent and just couldn't put it together, a lot like us last year. I know we don't have the same talent in the backfield like Auburn did, w/ Cadillac and Brown and the other two backs, but we have some developing skill players on offense who have the potential to become NFL players such as Foster, Meachem, and Cory Anderson, will make a roster with someone.

Anyways Auburn made changes to there staff after their season, obviously we did also. Most notably on both accounts the OC, Al Borges and Coach Cut. Al Borges was the big difference in the season for Auburn in '04 and made their offense almost as outstanding as their defense who gave up over 20 points twice, 20 to Ark and 28 vs. UT. Jason Campbell became one of the best quarterbacks in the league in '04 and was a 1st rounder to Washington. Erik Ainge has the ability to do the same this year under Cutcliffe. Our defense will be inexperienced but very fast and athletic, especially in the secondary, much like the Tigers in '04. Auburn faced LSU in their third game of the year and won a tight one, we face FLA this year in the 3rd game, also a divisional rival in the third game. They faced GA. late in the year in a top 10 SEC game, we face LSU in November this year which has the potential to be the same. Our non-conference schedule this year than Auburn's was in '04, but if we can survive Cal then we will be okay.

I realize that these two programs are not exactly mirror images of one another, but you can't help but notice that there are similarities between both programs, you also can't help but hope that there are some similarities to both programs because Auburn has become the class of the SEC the past 2 years w/ the exception of that blip in the Capital One bowl.

Please feel free to rip me now and tell me that I am crazy for posting this and that I don't know dick about UT football.

They also had Aaron Sears brother on their team.

Excellent post!Makes perfect sense to me!