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

#27
#27
If they could only play Tennessee schools I’d be for them but since they all can’t be I don’t see any real positive other than padding stats and a easy W.
 
#29
#29
VOLtaism said:
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).
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I don't think there's any FBS schools that do play D2 schools.
 
#30
#30
Love it. The smaller university gets a big financial boon for their athletics programs and our younger guys that don't get to see the field much get meaningful reps which is even more beneficial now that they're allowed time in four games without burning a redshirt.
 
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#31
#31
As a fan, after the emotional roller coaster of last week and the upcoming stress over Georgia, I can appreciate some boredom to catch my breath. And I don't think we have to worry about any lack of focus by this team with this staff (which isn't something we could say with some previous coaches). So I think this is perfect timing to get people healthy, get a little rest, and get playing time for people who need to be evaluated for next year or just need to have that experience before moving on to a future without football. I hope they all have an absolute blast!
 
#33
#33
In this case it's as good as a bye week for injured players. It lets those with slight bumps and bruises only need to play a quarter or two, and gives a chance for those down the depth chart to gain valuable game experience. Win, win, win.
 
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#34
#34
Don't like SEC teams playing FCS teams. Thought the other night it would be great to have Oklahoma on this year schedule. But the timing for this game is perfect.
 
#36
#36
WillisWG said:
Don't like SEC teams playing FCS teams. Thought the other night it would be great to have Oklahoma on this year schedule. But the timing for this game is perfect.
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I dont mind it. There's only 1 bye now so these games kinda fill the place of a 2nd bye and in the case of Tennessee we keep the money in state.
 
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#37
#37
It's perfect right now! And UT Martin isn't a bad football team relatively speaking.

They're a top 15 FCS program. Which usually means they are better than your worst FBS programs and they're well coached.

It's good for the FCS. Good for us to chill out after a huge win. It's like having a second bye week with another stretch run coming and they'll test you enough to get something out of it. Like they might be better than Ball State and Akron.

I also don't get why people hate watching them. Why? You get to watch us put up a bunch of points and get to see all the young players.
 
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#38
#38
I'd rather have an extra bye week than risk losing a valuable player in a meaningless game. But that'll never happen. So I'm ok with the current scheduling.
 
#39
#39
I think we’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the nation so far, having a get right week after that is very smart. Not only that but we are playing a fellow state school, who doesn’t have much of a athletic budget. This game is huge for UT-M in that regard. Keep Tennessee money in Tennessee as much as we can.
 
#42
#42
JoAllan said:
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.
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So what P5 cupcake do you schedule ten years ahead of time? Mess around and end up with Kansas or Syracuse on a year like this.
 
#43
#43
chattaboogie said:
So what P5 cupcake do you schedule ten years ahead of time? Mess around and end up with Kansas or Syracuse on a year like this.
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You understand this is just a “thinking” & “wishing” thread right?

Heck they don’t even know 10 years ahead of it would even matter……..if your own team will be championship good.

However yes I’d schedule anything over an FCS. And yes there are always bad FBS teams. If they happen to be doing well………it shouldn’t matter if your “championship” quality. You seriously think this team would have a problem playing Kansas this year?


There will always be Ball ST, Temple, Kent, U-Mass……..ect. Teams that “should” be way below you simply because of talent…….no matter if they are having a good year or not.
 
#45
#45
Fans are looking ahead to Georgia. With that attitude, UT Martin and Kentucky are both trap games.

I'm guessing CJH and the team aren't listening to fans. I'm guessing they are taking care of business, one game at a time, day to day, play by play.

GBO! Win out
 
#48
#48
VFL-82-JP said:
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.
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With respect to upside number 2, if memory serves me correctly, the University of Wyoming was able to wipe out fifteen years of Athletic Department debt by agreeing to revise our original contractual agreement and "hosting" their home game at the Titans' stadium.
 
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#49
#49
NEWDAYVOL said:
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?
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1. All teams play these type games, so by not playing them, you're at a decided disadvantage, especially in the SEC gauntlet.

2. Games like this, almost all the time, provide a buffer nearly equivalent to a bye week for players who are banged up and would otherwise play if we were playing an SEC opponent, but can instead rest up without the fear of the team taking a loss in their absence.

3. Games like this are opportunities to get your younger players and backups some important game reps. You won't get that opportunity too often playing Pitt, BYU, Virginia, etc.

4. These games almost always never come with a return game expected, so scheduling is much easier and it pads another home game to your schedule. That is good financial business, even if you pay UT-M $1 million to come play. The profit from a single home game thru concessions, tickets, and merchandise is probably triple that, or maybe more.
 
#50
#50
As a fan, I don’t like it. As I coach, I like it. Chance to work on some new plays, get some guys rested, plan on playing some younger guys. Basically get a breather from this stretch.
 
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