What do you think about games like TN-Martin? Good or bad right now? Especially when having a season like we are having...

[NEWDAYVOL]

Apologize if a thread like this gets started every year. There are many different angles to this.

Do you all think games like TN-Martin are a breath of fresh air for the team (while running the SEC gauntlet) or a let down/chance to lose focus (especially when we are hitting our stride)??

Is there any upside? We could drop in polls if it isn't a blow out. Do you like games like this or no? Maybe a chance to settle down after the big Alabama win and work on things we would like to fix. Should SEC teams ever play FCS schools? Why not a lower G5?

 

[VolForLife83]

Don't care for these types of games. One to open the season is all we should have. Besides, we've got Vandy annually

 

[Orange931]

A lot of people believe in emotional letdown after a big win, so if that’s true then this game sits in the perfect spot. I’d rather play UT Martin than Kentucky this week, even though we’re gonna beat both.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Upsides:

1. A breather between tough patches in the schedule. Not a bye week, but still a breather.
2. Help a little brother program (they're usually Tennessee schools) by funding much or all of their entire athletic department's needs for the coming year. Can't over-estimate how important these "go get a whupping" games are to the FCS schools, financially.
3. Easy W to add to the tally.
4. Chance to give backups significant playing time and game experience.

Downsides:

1. Not a very compelling game. Some fans hate because it's boring.
2. Harder to sell out, and close to impossible to get on national TV. So not a payday for us.

I personally think the positives far outweigh the negatives. I hope we NEVER get rid of the one FCS game we play each year.

Go Vols!


p.s. Some folks think of the Group of 5 games as identical to the FCS games. I don't. G5 teams can rise up and bite you in the butt if you're not careful. Anyone wanna schedule App State? Point is, G5 teams are often P5 teams who aren't quite there yet, but are trying to make their case. They can be hella dangerous.

The FCS is an entirely different animal.

 

[chattaboogie]

I think the way our cupcake games along with our bye fell on the schedule this year has gone a long way towards us being undefeated right now. Ball State let us get tuned up for Pittsburgh. Still needed overtime. Akron was a break to work on things before Florida. Came down to the last play but we looked much improved and looked like the much better team. The bye week gave us two weeks to calm down after the huge Florida win and game plan for Death Valley. Team looked crisp and ran the corndoggies out of the stadium. The Alabama game was our best performance and it’s hard to even put into words how big that win is. I am so glad to have this UT Martin game for our guys to recalibrate. We have improved drastically week after week and if that continues then we may just be headed to Atlanta.

 

[TnVol!]

We need this type of game this week. We also need to take care of business.

 

[LowKey]

Every team has some lolli-pops on the scedule and 1 or 2 legit non-conference games. We took care of Pitt at Pitt. Think that was plenty.

 

[jaxvol]

I never liked the small conference cupcake. I would rather we play a weak P5 team. However, with the redshirt rules letting you play in 3 games, these are very important for those players battling for starting next year as a redshirt freshman.

 

[sjt18]

Necessary for the lesser programs. Often helpful for the bigger program to get a break in the season... like UT this weekend. This game and the by were pretty well positioned. Would have been ideal if both were a game later.

 

[Volle]

It's a long season-- it's good to schedule a couple of cupcakes. One thing I like is it gives families with kids a chance to get less-expensive tickets and experience a game day without the intensity of a big SEC game. Also I like that it gives the subs a chance to get some playing time.

 

[JoAllan]

There are plenty of terrible FBS teams out
There. Season like this I would love to throw away the FCS for anything else.

Heck there are plenty of terrible power 5 teams out there.

In no way does Tennessee “need” another great OCC game……..their schedule is good. However that schedule will take a hit this week. If you want a “cupcake” play an FBS cupcake or play a terrible power 5 team. It looks better and it makes the schedule look much better.

 

[EaglesVols91]

Don't care for these types of games. One to open the season is all we should have. Besides, we've got Vandy annually

I think it’s good to have them. It’s almost like another bye week and they’re good games to get extra game practice, especially for the young guys. They also generate a lot of revenue so that schools like UT Martin can continue operating their athletics program

 

[CNCVol88]

I think they're necessary for the health of the sport as a whole and UTs policy of playing only FCS teams in state means that money stays in state and sometimes when they play UTM and UTC it stays in the UT system.

G5 games are more dangerous to a program ie ATM and Appy this year but no one in the P5 would agree to only play other P5 schools and that would really hurt the G5 programs.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

Every team has a UT Martin on their schedule.

Gets you bowl eligible for some teams, a chance to rest injured players, get reps for backups, and a break from having your body beaten on by SEC programs.

Also avoids the trap letdown game. Usually. (cough, cough, Miami, cough, Notte Dame, cough, A&M)

It comes at a good time too. Kentucky gets an extra week to game plan and rest up, so helps even out that advantage.

 

[OrangeTsar]

I don’t enjoy them as fan, but they are great for the team IMO. Give us a chance to get our second and third string some serious playing time. We usually think ahead to next season, but it is always good to get reps like this before a tough stretch like we have with KY and UGA. It gives us a much better shot if we suffer some key injuries going forward in the season.
Also, let’s us get some banged up players some rest.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

UTs policy of playing only FCS teams in state means that money stays in state and sometimes when they play UTM and UTC it stays in the UT system.

I hadn’t thought about that, but it’s a great point. Maybe not a direct benefit for UT, but good for our state and the taxpayers who support the Univ system.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Apologize if a thread like this gets started every year. There are many different angles to this.
Do you all think games like TN-Martin are a breath of fresh air for the team (while running the SEC gauntlet) or a let down/chance to lose focus (especially when we are hitting our stride)??
Is there any upside? We could drop in polls if it isn't a blow out. Do you like games like this or no? Maybe a chance to settle down after the big Alabama win and work on things we would like to fix. Should SEC teams ever play FCS schools? Why not a lower G5?

I like lunch breaks. I bet the team does too. Fans don't play in the games, so....

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

Also an oppty for fans who might not be able to go/afford a ticket otherwise see the team play.

I haven’t priced them out, but betting this weekend’s game is cheaper than last Saturday’s on the reseller market.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

I think they are good, for several reasons.

1. Money for the smaller schools.
2. Rest for the starters.
3. Getting the backups more experience.
4. Gets the smaller schools the experience of playing in front of a big crowd.
5. Gets the smaller schools TV exposure.

If we don't win blowouts in this type of game, we don't deserve a high ranking.

I'm fine with a semi breather before the UK and UGa games.

 

[farmdogvol]

It as a great revenue generator for FCS school. Plus they have to recruit also. This is almost like a bowl game for them, they get to tell their recruits they get a chance to play UT in Neyland stadium. Probably all of their instate recruits grew up Vols fans.

 

[TGVol]

I usually hate these types of games but this one time may be an exception. Desperately needed after the huge win to hopefully put the game away quickly and rest key starters before UK and UGA. Also will be nice for younger players to get some playing time experience in sold out Neyland (my guess our every home and away game for the remainder of the year will be sold out).

 

[Madscientistvol]

While they just seem like a chance for your guys to get hurt when you’re on top. I appreciate those games when we were wandering through the desert. Imagine a couple winless seasons or one or two win seasons without them and how much harder it is to climb back with that stank on the program. Give them their payout and the hope of an epic upset, play clean football, win anyway, and move on.

 

[BanditVol]

In general they are boring but I don't mind them too much.

In the dark decade that just passed, I was happy to see one guaranteed victory, though I am almost ashamed to admit that

This particular game comes at a good point in the schedue for us so I am glad it's there. Just hope no one is injured.

 

[CNCVol88]

Also an oppty for fans who might not be able to go/afford a ticket otherwise see the team play.

I haven’t priced them out, but betting this weekend’s game is cheaper than last Saturday’s on the reseller market.

Yea they're 20 bucks tomorrow.

 

[VOLtaism]

I don't think D1 should play any other rank. If they are D1 then its fine. Thats the only line for me from a safety perspective. Every school needs crip games because you can't play 12 SEC schools and expect good results. At the same time revenue is an issue due to the high cost of employees (coaches).