Why does it feel like everyone has written us off?

#51
#51
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't give a rat's ass what any media or alleged 'experts' think, but the answer to your question is pretty simple - we are an entirely different team from the high flying group that was the sensation of CFP for most of last year, we took a hideous loss to a mediocre Florida team, and it's becoming clear that our passing attack is not going to suddenly 'click'.

What I actually wish is for CJH to accept this for the balance of 2023 and coach to win close to the vest, defensive oriented games, as hard as that might be for him. Lean on the rushing attack, defense, and special teams, and figure out a scheme that allows Joe to contribute and not be a liability, with more called QB runs and deep shots. And please get Dee Williams some offensive touches!

I think 11-1 is unrealistic, but 9-3 and even 10-2 is within reach if this group can get comfortable winning ugly games like last Saturday.
 
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#56
#56
We have a tough path forward with no margin for error...beat Bama at Bama, beat Kentucky at Kentucky, beat Missouri at Missouri and then beat Georgia at home...

One game at a time...one play at a time...
 
#59
#59
The path to winning the East, beating Bama, Georgia, and going to the CFP is more attainable than in many year's past. I think everyone has admitted that its a down year for the conference.

The bigger concern should then be, why has most people written us off if the path is easier? Well, truth is they don't believe in our team despite having a top ranked defense and rushing attatck. Or in other words, they must think very, very poorly if our passing offense. And that's really it. Fix the passing game and maybe they will take us seriously.
 
#60
#60
You think we've looked like a playoff team?!? Defense maybe but our offense, minus the backs, hasn't been good.
 
#61
#61
Because our offense can't score points. We can move the ball a bit by running it, but our red zone offense has been subpar and our passing game has been non existent.
 
#63
#63
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...
One word: Milton
 
#64
#64
Orange931 said:
150-200 yards would be plenty of passing yards with our run game. Our problem is not capitalizing in the red zone.
Click to expand...
If you can't connect on explosive plays, and you aren't efficient, you better have a good field goal kicker and a great defense.

I think Heupel is going to have to be more willing to take points early in the game. Getting a first down on 4th and 1 from the 25 barely increases your chance of points with how ineffective we are in the Red zone.
 
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#66
#66
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...
If we win out, we are in. I think it is certainly doable. The conference is more wide open than I can ever remember. It will be interesting to see what UGA looks like without Bowers. He has bailed them out a lot. If we can hit a big play or two a game, not even for touchdowns, we will have a chance against anybody.

I could be totally wrong, but I think this squad reminds me a lot of the good Virginia Tech teams with good defenses and great special teams. The offense was outstanding on the ground and could hit a big play in the air.
 
#67
#67
The problem is simple. Watch the games again and ask yourself across the board what's the difference between this year and last year. The difference is buy in. Up until they played TA&M every game had one thing in common it looked like everyone out there except maybe 5 starters total were playing at 3/4 speed. Not because they were tired and wore out no its something every coach at every level has seen before. Its all about buy in. Last years team had some talent and development gaps absolutely but they bought into the system. When that happens you see a higher level of focus on the little details, and you see everyone running and hitting as if they were in a higher gear. You see pin point passes and ball hawk interceptions, you get pancakes off the snap and stripped balls on open field tackles. Across the board the team starts to look like they want to be there. This years team does not have that buy in yet but they have a lot of talent which is why they are winning ugly games against weak opponents. They couldn't focus and get that extra gear in the swamp so they got over run by a weaker opponent but not so weak as to be a push over, thus why they lost and looked bad doing it.

Now they did look better against TA&M but part of that was the comfort of playing with a friendly crowd at home. Even then it was closer than it should have been and the focus was very questionable.

Now the good news is some of the team has bought in, the running backs, Squirrel, D-Line are playing with more focus and intensity even a bit of edge but facing Bama as an away game and Georgia later down the road the rest of the team needs to show some serious "want to" before anyone starts taking this team seriously as a contender. And frankly if I were an outsider looking in I would say that's the right call with what we've seen.
 
#69
#69
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...
I actuallly saw a guy on youtube pick us to win today, and he wasn't a Vol fan.
 
#70
#70
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...
Because Joe and the receivers just had their worst game and we are down McCoy. Any team with one loss could say, if we just get this or that clicking we would be better. Of course, it would be nice.
 
#71
#71
TNHopeful505 said:
Seriously, in every news source I see, nobody is talking about the Vols even having a shot at the SEC of the CFP. I recognize that the one loss to Florida hurts us, but there are teams with bad losses still being talked about. Just feels like everyone has written us off.

I still believe we have a solid chance to run the table, win the east and who knows what else?

Georgia is very beatable, as is Bama. Our defense has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the SEC and have lived in the backfield of the opposing teams.

We just need Joe and the receivers to start clicking. If that happens, we absolutely can win out.

Why are we not getting talked about?
Click to expand...
Vols can change that narrative real quick Saturday.
 
#72
#72
We have our own problems but let’s just use the SEC network for example. In the summer there upset darlings were Kentucky and South Carolina. All the hype and hoopla is over now. Now many on there are honking on Missouri as second best. The main 2 of Bama and LSU get all the respect in the west. They love LSU and they loved the Aggies until we beat them now they are out on them. Georgia is perceived as unbeatable by the media. At this point I don’t want their love. Fly low let em give us no chance. Use it for motivation. Beating Bama now would be great. Tennessee is capable of winning this game, the staff and the players have to believe. The Vols have to bring their best and bring it for 4 quarters! GBO
 
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#74
#74
The defense has played strong, especially of late.

However, QB and WR play has largely regressed all season. Sure, we’ve seen a few flashes of good, but nothing has looked great on offense.

There’s still time for something to click. Unfortunately, at this point the odds are that we are who we are: a middling offense (at best) with a strong defense that can’t win a meaningful game on the road. That last part just hurts because of how inexcusable the UF loss was.

But who knows?
 
#75
#75
BigOrangeTrain said:
In what game has UGA really looked like a playoff team?
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Heather Dinnich stabbed the Dawgs by excluding them from the pre first 4 qualifying for playoffs. They're ready to jump off a cliff. I think she had OSU, Washington, FSU, Michigan. SEC a no show this year so far. We need the 12 team playoff or the SEC is going to get embarrassed LOL.
She stated weak schedule, they haven't played a team that's in the current top 25..
 
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