We finished #9

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Could argue for #7. I think we beat Boise and Arizona state. AS usual, TN got screwed by having to play the best team in the country(At their home and terrible weather) in the first round PO.

Arizona State would have beaten us. They actually looked respectable against a playoff team. We got dog walked both times we played a playoff team.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

we got manhandled by OSU less than everyone else they played in the playoffs, imo

Did you even watch the Texas game? We lost by more than anyone else fwiw.

 

[207 others]

Anyone who thinks we should be higher than #9 is schizophrenic this is the best we could hope for

 

[ENGRVOL]

During our decade of dominance (1990s) we only finished better than #9 in the final polls 4 times (1990,1995, 1997, and 1998) and #9 twice (96 and 99).

In the 2000s we only finished better than #9 once (2001). Don’t need to say how many times we finished (or didn’t) in the top 10 in the 2010s

Just shows how much Heupel has elevated this program

 

[CAVPUT]

Could also argue we have no business being in the top 10, getting man handled like we did by UGA and OSU, and losing to .500 Arkansas

Very true. I think the ranking was very generous and shows a lot of respect for the brand

 

[OffTackleVol]

Amen, brother! A Top 10 finish, 10 wins, made the playoffs, beat Bama and Florida, went on the road to Norman and gave Oklahoma a loss at night in their first-ever SEC game.

A LOT of other schools' fans would trade places with us in a heartbeat.

Yep, I enjoyed the season so much that I'm going repeat everything you just posted............10 wins, top 10 finish, beat Bama and Florida, and Oklahoma on the road at night on national television prime time.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Did you even watch the Texas game? We lost by more than anyone else fwiw.

We also played them in Columbus at night coming off of a loss to their most hated rival . Not denying what happened or suggesting that it should be acceptable moving forward, but that game was different than their other CFP games. I would say that Oregon took it on the chin worse than we did, considering the circumstances, and I think Texas played them better than anyone.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

We also played them in Columbus at night coming off of a loss to their most hated rival . Not denying what happened or suggesting that it should be acceptable moving forward, but that game was different than their other CFP games. I would say that Oregon took it on the chin worse than we did, considering the circumstances, and I think Texas played them better than anyone.

Yes, Texas definitely played them better than anyone. Had the ball at the 2 with the chance to tie in the final minutes

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Arizona State would have beaten us. They actually looked respectable against a playoff team. We got dog walked both times we played a playoff team.

I am not sure I would have said “would”. Instead, I would have said “could”.

 

[dillyo51]

NOBODY better complain about a TOP 10 Class. Remember Butch?? Remember Lane? Remember Pruitt? Remember Dooley?

Congrats Coach Heupel, staff and team!!

Unfortunately, I remember.

 

[AstonRoyal]

When I think about the sh## show that the Vols were in for the past 15-20 years, it makes me so happy that we are relevant again. Go Vols!

past 15-20 years were an anomaly and should never be considered the standard to improve upon. Finishing in the top 10-15 every year should be the minimum standard.

It was a good season... still a lot of work to be done. We can do better.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Tennessee over Boise. Other than that, about right. The positive is that the team that knocked Tennessee out of the CFP (at home in 15 degree temps with Osu coming off that bad Loss to Michigan) anyways, Osu ended up beating them all, and soundly. UT's loss looks much better now.

 

[TheDirector]

But they were already conference champions as of the last AP poll. I can understand Arizona State moving up for playing a great game against Texas, I suppose, but absolutely nothing about Boise State's performance against Penn State should have vaulted them over Tennessee.

We finished 8 in the coaches and ahead of Boise State.
NCAA College Football Coaches Poll | USA Today Sports

 

[Jax_Vol]

I am of the firm belief that we were truly the second-best team in the country.

And, if we had won the coin flip for hosting, would have upset the best team.

I bleed orange.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Could also argue we have no business being in the top 10, getting man handled like we did by UGA and OSU, and losing to .500 Arkansas

Not really

 

[bubbag]

Personally, if I was ranking teams not based on W/L and post-season results but on who I thought really fielded a better team in terms of overall talent and ability, I would rank as follows. I know ND beat Penn State but I still think the latter fields a better team overall. And Georgia is assuming without Beck. With Beck, I think they are probably in the #2 or 3 slot.

1) Ohio State
2) Texas
3) Oregon
4) Penn State
5) Notre Dame
6) Georgia - Tennessee / Tie
7) Arizona State
8) Ole Miss
9) Indiana
10) Boise

 

[Cartervol]

Pretty good with that offense.

 

[UT97Vol]

Both won Conference Championships so I assume that is why?

They were both behind us after winning conference championships, lost just like we did in the playoff, and yet they both jumped us. That’s kind of unsupportable.

 

[utvols74]

At full strength and with no NIL distractions, UT beats Ariz State and Boise - but I'm not so sure about Ole Miss and So Carolina.

 

[Pride85]

Some fans think we had a bad year.

I think you may have left off some quotation marks.

 

[MAD]

That’s because they’re stupid noobs.

 

[Orangecrush#27]

How does Boise get blown out but not drop and we lose to the national champion and fall? Also Arizona State moves up? Huh?

Throwing the conferences a bone. It’s not just about the 2 teams.

 

[deatojl]

But they were already conference champions as of the last AP poll. I can understand Arizona State moving up for playing a great game against Texas, I suppose, but absolutely nothing about Boise State's performance against Penn State should have vaulted them over Tennessee.

Even with Arizona State, and I had a suspicion they might jump us, how do you lose your only playoff game and move up three spots?

 

[deatojl]

Yes, Texas definitely played them better than anyone. Had the ball at the 2 with the chance to tie in the final minutes

We had the ball at Georgia's 41 yard line halfway through the fourth quarter with a chance to tie and end up losing by the same margin. Yet, you consider that being "dog walked".

 

[tennrich1]

Yeah the tiny little detail of playing the eventual NATIONAL CHAMPIONS on their home field at NIGHT seems to get lost on some. I personally think it was a huge obstacle for us to overcome. Could we beat them in Neyland?