We are past moral victories

[Dragon18]

The biggest take away from the first two meaningful games, and the biggest difference between this year and last year, is that we are positioned to win football games. If we are being honest with ourselves we were a team that had the possibility to win the game against the Dogs but we made mistakes that did us in. We are young, we do lack depth, but we are also a pretty good football team now. I can assure you that the coaches are not watching the film thinking "wow, we really played great, but just came up short." They are watching the film and saying Fix this and fix that and we are winning." Our team is playing with the mindset to win these games and that is the expectation. Last year we played some games close but you could feel in the games against faster and more athletic teams that we were out matched. Not so any longer.

Now, I am not saying we should expect to run the table. Our freshman will continue to be freshman and our depth could ultimately come in to play as well. But our mindset as a team is a realistic expectation to win when we step on the field (Bama being the only team that may be the exception).

Just my $.02 and I'm sure I didn't do justice to the subtle difference that I see with the mental approach between this team and last year's team, but it is there and it is exciting to see. I predict 7 wins this season and this team poised for a great 2015.

(I intentionally left out our areas of opportunity for improvement because I wanted to focus on the mentality of this team. Feel free to discuss o-line etc... but that is not the point here)eace2:

 

[FiremedicVOL127]

The only thing that I would disagree with ya on is, CBJ n staff will have this team steppin on the field expecting to beat Bama as well. I honestly believe this team thinks they can bet anybody they play! Very refreshing and a great change from previous years.

 

[Dragon18]

The only thing that I would disagree with ya on is, CBJ n staff will have this team steppin on the field expecting to beat Bama as well. I honestly believe this team thinks they can bet anybody they play! Very refreshing and a great change from previous years.

I do agree with you on that point. That statement was made from an experience depth perspective.

 

[FiremedicVOL127]

Baring injuries, I fully expect team 118 to give the red team a run for their money. Bama fan I work with (while he'd never admit it) he's gettin worried bout the 3rd Saturday in October. A few are takin notice, before to much longer the whole country will take notice.

 

[lawgator1]

The only thing that I would disagree with ya on is, CBJ n staff will have this team steppin on the field expecting to beat Bama as well. I honestly believe this team thinks they can bet anybody they play! Very refreshing and a great change from previous years.

While I share your optimism for the Vols moving forward, and think you get a solid W this Saturday, I don't think that your players are so dim that they will not realize that odds are heavily against them versus a team like Alabama.

Your guys are enthusiastic, improving every day, and well coached. They aren't irrational.

 

[FiremedicVOL127]

While I share your optimism for the Vols moving forward, and think you get a solid W this Saturday, I don't think that your players are so dim that they will not realize that odds are heavily against them versus a team like Alabama.

Your guys are enthusiastic, improving every day, and well coached. They aren't irrational.

I'm not sayin they're blind to the reality. I'm sayin that this staff has these players believing and fully expecting to win every game they play. And as a fan i'd expect no less. I am fully aware this team is young and lacking real depth, but they should expect to win. The game is not played to come close.

Now with that being said I'm not one of those fans that if we don't win start calling for coaches jobs. I fully understand the process we are going thru and am thrilled with the improvements I'm seeing. This team is actually ahead of where I expected them to be at this point.