Vol Report
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- Phillip Fulmer, QB Erik Ainge and LB Jerod Mayo address the media
- Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe talks to the media
- Defensive coordinator John Chavis talks to the media
- DT Demonte’ Bolden talks to the media – Part I
- DT Demonte’ Bolden talks to the media – Part II
- Dave Hooker interviews WR coach Trooper Taylor
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Tennessee Stat Book
Granted, Tennessee doesn't launch football seasons with the Outback Bowl circled on the calendar.
Granted, the Vols would rather be planning a trip to New Orleans (preferably Jan. 7, but Jan. 1 as an acceptable fall-back).
Still, athletic director Mike Hamilton deserves credit for any leverage he was able to wield to maneuver the team to Tampa to face Wisconsin rather than the Chick-fil-A Bowl, played in UT's personal torture chamber, the Georgia Dome.
A January 1 bowl is better, even than one played the night before. What day out of the 365 says college football more than New Year's Day?
Now, all the Vols have to do is this:
Win.
"The bowl is important because it's the last taste you have in your mouth about a team,'' Phillip Fulmer said Sunday night.
And it's a taste that lasts for months. Lose and there's no redeeming yourself the next Saturday.
There's been an epidemic of bad bowl breath around Tennessee lately. The Vols are 3-6 in their past nine bowl games.
Fans have only to recall last year's trip to the Outback, a dud of a 20-10 loss to Penn State. The last taste of the 2006 team sapped much of the good will generated by a regular-season rebound from the 2005 fiasco.
"There's the old saying, they remember what you do in November,'' Hamilton said. "You can translate that into the end of the season.''
Winning or losing a bowl game appears to have little bearing on how the team will perform in the following season.
Rout Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl in '04 then go 5-6 in '05.
Get hammered by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl in '97 then go 13-0 in '98.
But the outcome of a bowl does affect the aura of the long offseason.
"If you win,'' said Fulmer, "you want to keep the momentum going. And if you lose, you try to turn it into a motivational factor.''
Tennessee, at this juncture in its history, needs momentum more than it needs spinning a loss into motivation.
The shabby recent bowl history doesn't define the program but it is one tell-tale sign of UT's general declining national prestige.
That decline doesn't sit well but Hamilton doesn't believe the Tennessee fan base is as divided as some would portray it on the issue of Fulmer's leadership.
"Having said that,'' Hamilton added, "I do believe it's important to win 10 games and finish the season 10-4 as divisional champions and win a bowl game against a quality Big Ten opponent.
"That does serve as a rallying cry for our fans, wherever they might sit.''
The team sitting in Tennessee's path is capable of delivering an Outback downer, just as Penn State did a year ago.
The Badgers have momentum on several levels. After a midseason slump, they won four of their last five games to finish 9-3. They've also won nine of their past 12 bowl games.
That includes 17-14 over Arkansas last year and 24-10 over Auburn in 2005.
"We've been fortunate the last two years to play good on the day that it matters,'' said coach Bret Bielema.
The Badgers rank 19th nationally in rushing offense and have three different backs who have run for 400 or more yards.
They have an All-Big Ten tight end, Travis Beckum, with 73 catches and a mobile quarterback in Tyler Donovan.
They rank 36th nationally in total defense. Special teams are solid with All-Big Ten kicker Taylor Mehlhaff and the league's top punt-returner, David Gilreath.
Even if they do fit the Big Ten stereotype as slow afoot, that didn't seem to hinder Penn State last year.
Bottom line, if you're going to play on New Year's Day, expect a worthy opponent. It's no day to mail it in.
Fulmer was surprised last year by the unpleasant ending to an otherwise pleasant bowl trip. The Vols practiced well, got in a great scrimmage in Tampa, felt they had favorable match-ups with Penn State.
Then they went out and laid an egg.
Headed into this particular offseason, the program needs something more fulfilling to last until another September rolls around.
It needs to play good on the day that it matters, the last day it matters.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 71
Hunter writes:
Well at least Wisconsin's strengths don't play into our weaknesses....good running game, mobile QB, great tight end, great special teams......
Could be a bad start to the New Year, folks.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
The only thing this bowl really gives us is practice reps for next year's team. If we beat Wisconsin, it won't be a big deal because it's a game we should win. If we lose to Wisconsin, folks will wonder "Why?", myself included.
No win against a lower-grade New Year's Day bowl will wash away an opportunity to win the SEC.
Nonetheless, GO VOLS!
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
What a stupid article!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
We'll kind of put closure on this season and make it a kick off to next year," Fulmer said Sunday. "We have a chance to win 10 ballgames and send the seniors out in fine fashion."
Anyone else see the double speak in this statement?
Oh!
He means stay the course!
Play the seniors and lose again.
Yup.
Great start for next year!
Good thing we didn't have to play any Gators,Tide,or Bears, the last half of the season!
JUST KEEPING IT REAL!
BigOrangeJeeper writes:
NCCOLTSFAN I am sure without a doubt in my mind that if we played the tide or Cal tommarow we would win both games by at least 2 touchdowns. You are failing to keeping anything real. Idiot.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I see Wisconsin as a paper tiger in a weak big ten. It will be an interesting match up though.
TN needs to show strong. They will be on the national stage with one of the early games on New Years Day. They need to show some emotion and fire that will hopefully turn the heads of some recruits and send them into the off season with success in their minds.
Let's go ahead and say UT 31 - WI 17
newtonrail writes:
BigOrangeJeeper, Amen!!!
chrisw2967 writes:
BigOrangeJeeper: its always if this or if that happened and the reality is we didnt beat Ala or Cal and I guess without a doubt also if we played Vandy,Ark,Ky again we would get the same results again to ?
Its not like after Ala beat us we just started blowing everybody out to finish the year off , heck we struggled in every ball game excpet Ga and Ark 2 out of 13 isnt bad for your standards then.
but the def. in the CG was the tenn def. were use to seeing.
bloodrunsorange writes:
If Ainge is having a 3 and out day or a day who he doesn’t know who his team is (they were in ALL ORANGE last game), I’d really like to see Crompton play some significant time with the guys next year. To see him run and gun like Schular would definitely be to the team and our advantage. He’s got it in him and bowl games are for next year’s team. I still believe he’s every bid as good as the swamp lizard’s QB. Bowls are not for trying to put confidence in guys who are gone. Recruiting more speed, some Linemen, and Linebackers are a must. Of course we’ll take all the Eric Berrys we can find. A good taste in January would so help going into February, the cold months, and the football withdrawal. Nobody has signed anything yet! I’m ready for next year. Go Vols!
eb502us#225637 writes:
I wish I had confidence that we could beat a team from the lowly Big 10 however, I have seen nothing all year that indicates that we have a clue what we're doing offensively. Hard to score points when Cutcliffes best play is to call for a 5 yard out on 3rd and 10.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
You're right eb502us...now just trying to figure out where exactly all those 33 ppg came from...
special teams - hmmm no other than field goals
defense - hmmm maybe a few
offense - hmmm can't be, Cutcliff doesn't know offense from a picket fence...where did all those points come from????
Singaporehillbilly writes:
I was on a flight overseas and could not watch the game. Sorry to see the final score but nobody expected us to be in this position. I look forward to beating Wisconsin, but I will be pulling for Ohio State. I grew up in Baton Rouge and under no circumstance will I pull for the "Thai-girls."
GO VOLS.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
The expected anti-Phil "I've got a national championship on my resume, but what have I done for you lately" Fulmer rants are going non-stop. Now, compare Fulmer to the much-maligned Les Miles. He's been slammed by LSU fans all year and even our "knowledgeable" local radio sports talk show personalities have taken shots at him. And, now he's on the verge of winning a national championship. A lot of people are going to have egg on their faces. Maybe the Fulmer haters would like to trade him for that prince-of-a guy Bill Belichick. Yeah, steal a page from his book and cheat, cheat, cheat. No thanks. I'll stick with the classy Fulmer. Good luck Vols.
inquiry writes:
Tennessee fans take note.. I saw Wisconsin / Auburn here in the Capital One bowl two years ago.. they have a GREAT fan base and travel well, coming early in the week and making a presence.. I hope to see many orange shirts here in Florida for the game.. They are a great group of fans too, I switched sides from Auburn (SEC) to Wisconsin when they were here. You almost hate to beat em, but we will.. GO VOLS
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Given our bowl performance over the past 10 years, I don't have much faith in Coach Fulmer's ability to get us ready.
I have $100 that says we lose to WI. My heart says "WIN!" but my wallet says "don't bet on it."
TVT1 writes:
I agree. Sit Ainge and play Crompton
lnbadger320 writes:
it's gonna be great hearing how great they're practicing and the young guys are gonna get a lot of playing time. bla, bla, bla.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
mbumburu, if they will sit Ainge's sorry rear on the bench and let Jones/Crompton loose (throw everything at them), TN wins big. However, it will be the same old conservative, boring, predictable, play not to lose offensive game plan. Jones will come in for a play or two and gain 20-30 yards, and then the idiot Cutcliffe will choose not to play him again. Ainge will still be hung over from the LSU loss, and the Vols will struggle to score 14-17 points. If Ainge plays---TN loses---I guarantee it!
hdav06#387651 writes:
The negative folks can preach all they want that they support the players just not the coach, but it's all hot air. I can't imagine how miserable their lives are but we get a glimpse of it in their illogical and ignorant rants. It embarasses me to think they are Tennesseans. I prefer to think their ancestry is in Alabama or Florida because they aren't true Tennessee fans.
CoverOrange writes:
Classic matchup, optimists vs pessimists. Optimists usually travel well with the club bus always ready to take them over the rainbow with the gas tank half full. Pessimists usually stay home because they figure they will get half way there, can't make it on half empty tank and turn around and come home.
TommyJack writes:
LazzieFrat: At last, a post I agree with! lol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff-like you I was disapointed. I think instead of "negative folks", we have "realism folks" and "happy as it is, great to be going to the game folks". My lst season tickets where in 1971 and since then I have evolved to the former from the latter. I have a ton of Orange stuff like most of us, but I have a ton and a half of doubt if Phil will (not can) compete for a top 10 ranking every year. Sadly, it has left us and many are happy to just go to a bowl. That is their right. It is my right to expect a "return on investment" and the corporate Tennessee Football Nation has looked like Enron lately. Nine in a row is negative/real, but true. We seem to change our standard for performance every year or so (get 'em next year) to lower the bar. Feel better now. Don't feel better about our future.
TommyJack writes:
pdhuff: I wish I had written it..you are on the mark 100%. I guess now you're a loser/hater.
eduardo writes:
Where's the support from the Foolmer sheep, I mean player's! He sure could use it! Oh, he'll probably get that lifetime contract and 2 million dollar bonus from Hamilton today! Gimmee a break!
DooleyNoted writes:
The one matchup I didn't want, a Big 10 running team. Hope we don't lay an egg.
jlange#632002 writes:
cr's back after a 5 week sabbatical. Oh that's right, UT finally lost again so here he is.
atlorange writes:
I have absolutely no faith in this coaching staff to motivate this team to beat Wisconsin. This, of course, is based on our bowl performances of the last 10 years. Pathetic.
Last year's bowl was VERY important to the overall success of the season and UT fell flat. I believe it will happen again. Therefore, NOTHING was accomplished this year. We were VERY lucky to even play for the SEC. An opportunity like that doesn't come around very often. Especially, with UF and UGA on upward trends.
Recruiting looks to be a very subpar year already. Another bowl loss definitely won't help!
GrandCanyonVol writes:
After reading all these negitive comments, you can see where this football program has been for a few years. We are a good fan base, we love our Tennessee football, and when we come out on Saturday to the game, we expect to see quality play. We put our emotions and our money in this thing(really all year long)and we want the team to be prepared to play. That takes good coaching, and we feel that has been lacking the last few years. The team should be ready every week, not just once in a while. We seem to be in doubt as to what the team will do. I remember the days when we KNEW what the team would do. We had confidence in Tennessee football, but no more. Please get back to Tennessee football if you would.
GreeneVol writes:
Ideally I think you would play Crompton at QB and other upstarts at different positions to get ready for next year. Ultimately, you don't worry about who wins this game - you get the jump on next year. But realistically Fulmer can't really do that - too many fans want to win, too many seniors deserve a chance to play one last time and hopefully make an impression on the pro scouts.
linebam writes:
I'm actually excited about the Outback Bowl and glad we're not in a third-tier bowl (i.e. one NOT played on Jan. 1). However, I hope the Vols come out with wreckless abandon and play fun, loose ball. In the SECCG, I think Ainge was coached too strong to avoid a sack at all costs. Looks good on the stat sheet to say "UT quarterbacks were sacked only 5 times all year", but I think to put the mentality on the QB to choose a receiver/throw on the pre-snap read and to throw it away otherwise when pressured worked against Ainge. Ainge's thowaways and throws in the turf (and, yes, INT's) came too soon; had he gone through his progressions he would have seen open receivers and could have been the hero rather than the goat. As a senior, his bad decisions (i.e. unforced "hurries", thowaways, and INT's) were inexcusable.
Huntingdonvol writes:
VERY WELL SAID GRANDCANYON.I LIKE THE IDEA THAT WE PLAY ALL OUR FUTURE IN THIS BOWL,GO VOLS
asleep#212036 writes:
tngeoff,
If we won the national championship next year undefeated, I swear I think some folks on this site would complain we didn't win by large enough margins and those people are not in touch with "reality". That said, I too am disappointed in the way the past 10 seasons have gone. I thought after '98, we were ready to knock down a couple more. Had chances in '99, '01 and didn't take advantage. I think the biggest selling point for me on Fulmer is that the team played with more heart in the face of more adversity than in any of his 15 years. If only the 2005 squad had this much character, our bowl string would still be intact. Next year I think the excuses end, not only with the fans, but with Hamilton as well. Way too many starters returning not to compete for SEC - and I'm talking compete like at 11-1, not 9-3. First, the guys need to prove they take bowl games as seriously as other conferences do. A win would set the tone for next year. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
To be fair, VolCR, do you think the coaches should say we have little real talent, we can't run the ball, our defense is at the level of the WAC and our QB situation couldn't be more of a mess? They always paint it rosy for the fans and then hope they can sort it out once the season starts. It's up to us to set realistic expectations. It is amusing, though, to look back later and see what they said about certain players. I think next year, with our schedule and our returning roster, we should expect at least 10 regular season wins and another shot at the SEC championship. Unfortunately, the two games that really worry me are Florida and Georgia, our two SEC east buddies. But a split of those games would likely have us right there again. I think anything less will ramp the disappointment of the fan base up to the point that Hamilton will have to intervene (replacing Fulmer, forcing him to replace certain coaches, etc...). Meet those goals and I think Hamilton stands pat. Go Vols!!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
linebarger, good points. But if we really had a running game -- I mean a serious, Tennessee-like commitment to blast people off the line, open some holes and run the ball -- my guess is that would have drastically impacted our passing game.
Our rushing offense is currently ranked 70th in the nation, 9th in the SEC. We haven't had a top-20 rushing offense since Jamal Lewis was carrying the ball and Randy Sanders was OC (1999).
My ardent hope is that we'll see a different emphasis for the offensive line next spring, i.e. a return to the running game.
It might happen because we'll have a first-year starter at QB. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't expect Cut to try the no-huddle with a first-year starter.
He and Fulmer have historically been very conservative with first-year QBs.
We might even see a fullback in the backfield. Be still my heart...
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
BUT we only have two FBs even listed on the roster...junior Ryan Hill and soph Court Courtney. Have either of them ever even played a down yet?
VOLinDAWGland writes:
mtoms...we've done well against the running teams - see Ark and GA, it's the quick passing and spread offenses that have undone us. I think we can handle a running team just fine.
asleep#212036 writes:
grvol - right you are. The MAIN reasons Ainge didn't get sacked were that he threw the ball so quickly (easy when the pattern is only 5 yards) and he threw so many away instead of waiting in the pocket for something to open downfield. Crompton wants his uniform dirty - now can he read a defense and make the right throws?
Interestingly, mbumburu, 1999's running prowess was actually a hold-over from Cutcliffe's very successful running offense from the year before. Once he was fully in charge (or was he?), Sanders' teams slipped further and further behind in the running stats. True, Cutcliffe ran the dink and dunk with Peyton as well. The difference was that (1), Peyton could and would throw deep so the DB's had to play off the line, thus opening up massive YAC yards after short receptions, and (2), the running game kept the safeties closer to the line forcing single coverage downfield for the deep throws. Cut's latest two teams don't run well so the safeties can play back, and don't throw deep so the corners don't have to play off the line out of respect for the long ball. I still say he can fix it but not in two years with the players Sanders recruited. It's getting better yearly with yards and points, so like with Fulmer, I want to see next year. Go Vols!!!
RemembertheAlamo writes:
what does UCLA have returning next year?
volunteers4life writes:
I am just nervous about recruiting, I dont think almost beating a NC team will count for much when recruiting. We may be in bigger trouble without a good recruiting class... Especially since everyone keeps referring to us as having a "declining" program.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
Sept 6 in California......playing UCLA.......I guess that game will tell what we have for the year?
asleep#212036 writes:
vols76,
They apparently won't have their current coach, which is too bad because he definitely sucks. I checked their roster, they graduate 25 plus whoever tries to go to the NFL. Ben Olson, their starting QB, is a junior. Didn't have access to the 2-deep chart to see how many of those seniors played and to what extent. At a miminum, one would assume at least half of your seniors get significant playing time so they are likely losing at least 13 guys off the traditional 2-deep, usually 46 players (44 + kicker/punter). We only lose 7 off the 2-deep (Reynolds, Mitchell, Mapu, Brown, Ainge, Karl, and Hefney). Eric Young's season ended in the Vandy game. On paper, we look better on that count. Sept. 6 we will know for sure. Go Vols!!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Good stuff, asleep. Your comments made me think of Peyton and the hitch route to Joey Kent, which worked so well so many times for 7-10 yards, if I remember correctly.
And then, when secondaries caught onto it into the season, Peyton turned it into the "hitch-and-go" -- Kent would stop, Peyton would pump, the DB would bite, and Kent would take off for the long ball and six points.
Actually, that interception Saturday -- the one intended for Hancock -- made me think of that.
With every secondary in the SEC prepared for these short slants and crosses, a pump-fake and go for the longer ball might have worked.
What if Hancock had stopped for a split second and Ainge had pumped? That DB would have been left standing all alone while Hancock raced downfield to catch a longer throw...
But what do I know? I'm just a former juvenile deliquent from Columbia.
asleep#212036 writes:
mbumburu,
Same here only further up I-65 in Nashville. I was too much of a wimp to play football - played golf instead. Ainge won't hold the ball long enough for Hancock to make that work. Plus, Xenon said something that scared me. He said he knew the throw was coming based on the alignment of the play. If there was one knock on Cut back when, it was that they tended to only run certain plays from certain sets. Figure that out, and it gets much easier to defend. I think that is why the spread is so devastating - every play looks the same pre-snap and then chaos once the play starts. There is almost no way to set your defense based on the alignment so then it's just athlete on athlete - a game teams like Florida love to play.
vols76,
I didn't mean to dis Cottam, Gaines, Holbert, or Parrish earlier but the first two played no significant part in this season due to injuries, Holbert was a non-factor, and Parrish was relegated quickly (and rightfully) to nickel and dime packages, which I wasn't counting in the 2-deep. We have 18 total seniors, of which those 7 mentioned earlier are the only ones who consistently played this season. No wonder we played so many younger guys. And remember, after the 2005 debacle, we had one of our worst recruiting years. Those guys would be sophomores/redshirt freshmen now so all those that you saw are probably the cream of that class. It's scary that we didn't have more upper classmen who could contribute. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
One thing more that has struck me as interesting. After the 2005 season, how many of us would have bet on UT making consecutive New Year's Day bowl games? Hasn't happened since the '97-2001 run. In between, a couple of (lousy) Peach Bowls, a Cotton Bowl, and a no bowl. We are not where we want to be - granted - but we are worlds closer than December 2005! We've gotten better each year since and I saw some definite signs of life in the SEC CG. Let's take care of the Badgers and wait and see for next year. I don't think you kick the coaches if the team is getting better. IF we don't improve next year, then maybe things should change. Go Vols!!!
CoverOrange writes:
The more I think about it (unfortunately, I don't have it on tape to review), the more I'm thinking it was Hancock that screwed up. We have seen that play before, many times. Ainge saw 1 on 1 coverage with the DB off the line and Hancock was supposed to fake downfield then turn in. Instead he sauntered into it and waited on the ball. Ainge hesitated before he threw it, was it because he didn't see Hancock do what he expected? Bad decision on Ainge still, but aided and abetted by Hancock? Anybody got the tape to see?
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Thanks again, asleep. You make some very good points. I wouldn't bet on Fulmer and/or Cut changing much of our offensive scheme. They're just too set in their ways, too conservative to try much else, it would seem to me.
They also seem totally committed to the pro-style offense...the 6'4" QB taking a three-step-drop and staying in the pocket...with the rare exceptions, of course (like the G-gun, the Lucas Taylor pass downfield to the tailback, etc.)
I also believe we've said goodbye to the no-huddle until Crompton is a senior. I could be wrong but my guess is that Cut won't risk that with a first-year starting QB.
I hate to say this, I really do, but does anyone honestly believe we'll win this bowl game, given our record in bowls these past several years? Willing to bet $100 on it?
We've won three of the last eight. Hope I'm wrong and we put some STANK on those Wisconsin boys...maybe then I'll believe something has really changed in the program.
LargeOrange writes:
Posted by VOLstuckINky "anyone spending money on this soon to be dud is a fool - Tennessee is only 2-7 in its last nine bowl appearances"
Well, I am proud to say that I made my hotel reservations for Clearwater Beach today, just like I did last year and if that makes me a fool, then I'm ok with that. Instead of betting against the VOLS, I am putting my money into supporting the team I love and will always support. But, I am not satisfied or happy, I am mad that I had to cancel my New Oleans hotel today, but that makes me a fool to you negative people for showing support, even when the chips are down. It is so easy to show up when you know that "your" team is winning and on top, but try flying a UT flag on your house in the middle of GA bulldog country every day for the last 20 years, not just when we are winning but every day. People even use my house as a landmark, they say "you go down to the Tennessee house and turn left...". Yes, I guess I am a fool then, but the one thing I am not is a quitter, and most of you bashers have quit on this team, many of you only 3 games into this season. Yes, we are only 7-7 over the last 14 bowls but I was at every damn one of them and I will be at the next one and so on as long as my income and health allow, I hope I die a Big Orange fool. By the way, volSTUCKinKY-Jelly, Tennessee is 3-6 in its last nine bowl appearances not 2-7.
asleep#212036 writes:
WD40,
Hancock definitely waited on that ball. A more experienced receiver would have caught Xenon (sp?) breaking on the ball and tried to break up the interception. He also, as you said, didn't run the route like he meant it as the DB didn't have to break very far or very hard to make the play.
mbumburu,
I wish I could take your bet but no way. As you know, I'm no hater and I hope to goodness they can come out like '04 and '01 and whack a foe from a lesser conference but as I've mentioned before, I did some graduate work at Mizzou, so my Vols are gonna have to "Show Me"! If they come out and win, I assure you the bar is low for me to jump back on the bandwagon. LIke I've said before, if you're conservative (and Fulmer and Cut are), then teach the linemen how to run block, teach the RB's how to read the blocks and hit the holes, and teach the receivers how to clear out downfield either running the routes to the end or putting the DB's on the ground. Then you can run and open everything else up. You're right, the no huddle is gone for awhile. However, I'm not that big a fan of it. It often seems to make you change the play twice - once when you initially line up, again if after you reset the D changes. Rewatch the West Virginia/Pitt replay and you'll see what I mean. If the QB has to make some choices, I would prefer it to be one audible out of the called play or an adjustment during the play, ala Tebow and Pat White. As long as Crompton (or whomever it is) can change us out of the occasional bad plays based on the initial D, I'm OK with the OC calling a play and us running it. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Way to go LargeOrange. I am planning on attending as well even though we both sat through the debacle last year in the rain. I live in Alabama so I feel your pain with the Georgia thing. Thankfully I live near Huntsville so I am far enough from Tuscaloosa and Auburn that I am not alone. Go Vols!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errr.. asleep, its not making the lesser bowl games thats a problem. It our attitude leaving after the game trying to get our buttocks down from above our shoulder blades where the usual Big Ten or ACC placed them. 2-7. Whew. Wish it wasn't true but anywhere you look around this program in its current state, decline seems to be abounding. I did like the previous comment by someone who said maybe we wren't recruiting top talent because we were well stocked. That was worthy of White House press briefings! Can we beat Wisconsin? Sure. Will we? I say no. Huge effort against LSU and month off will take its toll. There's always next year. Merry Christmas.
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