Given Tennessee’s dominance in November since 1985 (79-9), how likely is it that the Vols will win out and go to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta?
Cast your vote to the left and leave a comment below.
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Comments » 18
UTvols17 writes:
Tennessee could probably win out this year. I was doubtful but after that Arkansas game it may happen. I don't think Vanderbilt will be a problem, but Kentucky will be a tough game. Although they are a very inconsistent team. They could win by 20 or lose by 20 against any given team. I think it all depends on if Tennessee's defense decides to show up.
leedsvol2007 writes:
As good as Arkansas's rush offense is everyone knows they struggle throwing the football leaving them one dimensional on offense.
Vandy and Ky as a pair probably have their best teams in over 30 years.
That said the defense looked like it jelled Saturday with better front, linebacking, and secondary play. It appears the light bulb has gone on for several of the younger players. I don't think its a certainty we will win these two games but I'd say our chances are reasonably good.
Kudos to Ainge and Vinson who are obviously playing in pain.
Go Vols!
DennisVols writes:
UT has to continue to play the way they did against Arkansas and GA. The talent is there and the coaches showed they still have the ability to prepare this squad to play.
There can not be a "let-down" after the big victory. If anything they should be more hungry and driven knowing that the only thing between them and a trip to ATL is Vandy and KY.
I'm not be-littling those two but there is no real reason for UT to lose unless they play down to the competition.
KY will have to play a real tough GA team that seems to have foind themselves since UT beat them.
Vandy while improved and needs to be respected does not have the talent or depth to stand the test if, and I mean if, UT plays the way they are capable of playing.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
We have to remember, this is not your normal November just as it has not been your normal season. Kentucky and Vanderbilt always save thier best for the Vols and this year will be no exception. I will be pulling for our Vols all the way but not makeing any reservations in Atlanta yet.
cnalumni writes:
The vols will win out. They passed the test of SC and ARK. Vandy nor KY will be able to stop the running game of UT. If UT can put pressure on Woodson, He will make the mistakes. He is not good at improvising once the pocket collapses. That gives the Vols a ticket to the SEC chanpionship only to be beaten by LSU. Now that Ohio st is out of the way, LSU controls its own destiny and will not lose another game. Miles will get his NC.
phi0129 writes:
At mentioned by JW and Touchdown, this wacky year leads me to throw all logic and reasoning out the window for my argument.
1) KY is starting to be exposed after climbing as high as #7. Now all those stupid KY fans who prematurely screamed "we are good at football now and you are good at basketball now" might have to wait another 20 years after all. I think an embarassed and dissapointed KY team is too tired and depressed to beat us after GA waxes them next week.
2) Revenge is a dish best served cold and I've been waiting to get back at LSU since 2001. It's our destiny to upset them in the SEC championship and prevent them from winning a NC just like they did to use in 2001 (when they were about as good as we are this year)...hmmm....
zbbb10#212690 writes:
whewwwwww! big orange rolls to atlanta then the n.o. for the sugar bowl.
VolFanInAtl writes:
The defense has earned respect playing well against good ground attacks in Miss. St and Ark. Past matchups against teams with offensive balance like we saw at Florida and Alabama have proved difficult. Vandy's air attack will test the Vols but I believe they come through and perhaps learn a bit more about defending the pass... lessons they will need against KY.
Stalling out and settling for field goals in the red zone, D-tiring strings of 3 and outs, no long ball, Ainge trying to find his technique and poor second half performances all combine to set off alarm bells in reference to the offence. The o-line appears to be consistently strong week after week and a good coach can build an offence around that. Play at all offensive positions is solid but a bit uninspired. Perhaps it's time for Ainge and Cutty to be a little less conservative.
Gains in confidence, confidence, confidence takes this team to Atlanta where they meet this year's ultimate example of what confidence and bravado can accomplish: LSU.
DennisVols writes:
Two games do not make a season.
On one hand we have those who still dwell on loses to UF and Bama as the greatest signs that this program is heading the wrong direction and is doomed.
On the other hand we have those who look only at the GA or Arkansas games as signs that UT is still the team to beat in the SEC.
On one hand the stats from the first 2 show UT in dead last on defense in all categories, on the other hand the latter 2 games would place UT at or near the top.
What we must learn is to not have tunnel vision. This season will not be based on the 1st two games mentioned or the last two. We will have to wait and see if the UT team that got run over by UF and Bama shows up against Vandy and KY or does the team that took down now #9 ranked GA and shut down the best rushing offense in the conference Hogs comes to play.
Take a look at my blog for a look at the road ahead.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Denn...
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
50/50 period.The way this year is going(for everyone)who knows.However if we play 100% and they both play 100% we win.So if they give their all for Tennessee we're going to Atlanta.By the way we better win in Atlanta as well.(if we get there)B/C if we don't it's back to Atlanta for another Peach bowl.
thesavageorange writes:
Sorry Chick-fil-A bowl.My bad memories of the Peach will not go away.ughhhh.
JohnyLobo34 writes:
I'm sorry but this NOVEMBER DOMINANCE stuff is SOOOOOO OVERRATED! For years Tennessee got fat in November off of awful, no horrible: Ole Miss, Kentucky & Vanderbilt teams. They've beaten inferior competition. Since divisional play a bad South Carolina teams was added to the mix. November of '07 will be a different story. If they win that will be an accomplishment. Does the athletic department think the fans & the media are so dumb that this 'NOVEMBER DOMINANCE' phooey is really seen as an accomplishment? Love the Big Orange. But let's keep it real.
invisiblekid writes:
Get back with me in two weeks and I'll let you know if they can win out in the regular season or not. This team has proven it is capable of playing well enough to beat anyone and playing poorly enough to lose to almost anyone. Stay focused on winning one play at a time, then one quarter at a time, then one game at a time and they should be fine.
Colliervol writes:
If you can tell me which team is going to show up, I'll take a guess. But I don't think anybody could predict it one way or another so I'm not going to bother. Agree with IVK. I'll let you know at about 5 pm on the 24th.
Two to go. Just do it.
westtnvol#518878 writes:
I have been quite for the last little while, because I was angry about a few things after Alabama. I was down on the coaching staff. I was looking for one person to blame. My brother said something to me that made me think, and gave me a prospective that I'd not considered.
The coaches are responsible, ultimately, but the players are part of the team too. They've gotta want it. I'm not sure that they had "the want to win" before Alabama, but that game embarrassed a few folks. It maybe made the coaching staff open their eyes, but I think the players got a wake up call too. The intensity on the field is definitely greater.
We may win-out, and if we do we may get LSU in the Championship, then what? Can they beat now #1? If so, we go to the Sugar. That why it's college football....
I've been a Big Orange fan 30+ years. Many of us have seen alot. We've been up and down. This isn't the first time we've been upset with some aspect of the program, however, Tennessee Football always prevails. The fact that we are talked about is a tribute to the program, something we all might forget.
PF, I was angry after Alabama, but something has sparked our team. Find a way to continue it through the end of the year!
utmdm writes:
cnalumni
I agree that LSU probably wins out. Although I think Oregon gives them more of a run that OSU would have.
invisiblekid writes:
Well said westtnvol.
Smokey91 writes:
Two things that I have learned following the Vols for close to 50 years: Never bet on the Vols, but more importantly, never bet against them. Who knows how this season will turn out, but the only thing I am sure of this season is that there is no sure thing when it comes to Volunteer football. Hope for the best. Sure would like to give them Bengal Tigers some pay back. We own them big time.
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