Vol Report
Event Details
- What: Tennessee at Kentucky
- When: Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Commonwealth Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
When Tennessee's team bus arrives at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Kentucky in a key SEC showdown, the No. 19 Vols can be certain of one thing.
No matter how the game unfolds, they've probably already been there.
This season, the Vols have jumped on opponents and held the lead (Georgia and Arkansas), lost a second-half lead but came back to win in overtime (South Carolina) and trailed by double-digits in the fourth quarter and still won (Vanderbilt).
And if the Commodores did anything for Tennessee - which needs a win Saturday (TV: WVLT, 1:30 p.m.) to claim a spot in next week's SEC championship game against No. 1 LSU - they gave UT the final line on its situational resume.
"We've won when we had a lead and protected it," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We've won in overtime, now we've won a game that we had to come back in.
"I think all those experiences make you a better team as you go along. That's what I told the team. There's not much that's going to happen in this game that you haven't experienced to this point. Being able to go and go play well is our goal."
Tennessee (8-3, 5-2 SEC) hasn't been at its best on the road this season.
The Vols are 1-3 away from Neyland Stadium, with those losses (to Cal, Florida and Alabama) coming by a combined score of 145-68.
UT's lone road victory came at Mississippi State in October.
But there's another thing Vanderbilt did for the Vols, too.
Tailback Arian Foster said UT's 25-24 victory helped refocus the Vols, who entered as double-digit favorites.
"A win like this helps you," Foster said. "If we'd have just walked over Vanderbilt like everybody expected, we'd have been kind of riding our high horse going to Kentucky.
"This made us taste, just taste, defeat. That's important because we don't want to feel it again."
Father And Woodson: Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson ranks second in the SEC in passing efficiency and averages 265.5 yards passing per game.
Kentucky also leads the SEC in passing offense.
"Woodson's a great football player," Fulmer said. "They've done a great job developing him. He's a guy that can make all the throws. He's an excellent runner and seems to manage their offense extremely well."
Woodson, who is up for the Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards, figures to test the Vols' secondary.
UT has the SEC's 11th-ranked pass defense, allowing opponents an average of 227.6 yards a game.
"Our secondary is youthful," Fulmer said. "Got some ability, but sometimes it's a thrill a minute to be honest with you."
Injury Update: Defensive tackle Walter Fisher suffered a sprained right knee in the first quarter of Saturday's game, but the reserve is expected to be ready for Kentucky.
"He's got a little bit of a sprained ligament in his knee, but he played through three quarters," Fulmer said. "There's no structural damage. It's just a matter of getting some swelling out and getting ready for Saturday."
Several other Vols sustained minor injuries against the Commodores, but none are expected to miss Saturday's game.
SEC Finish: A win against Kentucky would give the Vols a 6-2 record in conference play.
That would be UT's best SEC record since 2004, when the Vols made their last appearance in the SEC title game after going 7-1.
It would also be just the fifth time since 1999 that UT finished 6-2 or better in SEC play
Polling: Tennessee remains No. 19 in the Associated Press and USA Today polls, but rose to No. 18 in the BCS rankings released Sunday night.
Kentucky dropped out of the rankings with its third loss in the last four games.
The Wildcats were ranked as high as No. 8 in AP poll.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 65
RockyTopRooks writes:
I'll be in Lexington and im praying that are season doesnt go up in smoke. I think we can win despite the fact that our QB will get out played badly. Its sometimes hard to watch but hopefully we'll make enough plays to win. GO VOLS.
BluetickBlues writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
hdhurst writes:
I AM hopeful, but a few things to worry about....
1--TN has won the last 7 of 8 games this year. Is this up and down UT team on route to destiny or are we "due" a loss?
2--KY has (according this article) lost 3 of it's last four, and you know they are always hungry to beat the VOLS (regardless of records or what's on the line)
3--This is a road game, with TN only winning 1 of those this year. KY has the motivation, their crowd, and a QB that can certainly test our young secondary.
I agree with Foster's comments about needing to taste "defeat" in order to properly motivated for this game, but KY will have all the motivation in the world to take us down.
Bottom line: I think we will need our "A" on both sides of the ball in order to take this win and cruise to ATLANTA.
Someone, please tell me I am wrong, but this has game has "pins and needles" written all over it.
GO VOLS...survive and advance!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
momentum....momentum....momentum....whoever has and keeps momentum will win this game, forget about players saying "we don't want to taste defeat again" yada yada yada ...dear players, keep big "mo" on your side, which team will be most fired up? tennessee, with a chance of a sec championship game apperance or kentucky wanting to end a losing streak, with their team that has acomplished much and also has home field advantage....again momentum....GO VOLS ...it's thanksgiving time and some KENTURKEY
tnfanincali writes:
squeak squeak squeak i'm holding my breath...
we can beat this team, but will we??? God I hope so!!!
imnotwithphil writes:
hdhurst -
To add to your list of worries:
(1) Cold weather
(2) Most talented opponent since Bama
(3) Pressure to win: the Vols will feel it - the Cats won't
(4) Matchups: #26 passing offense (KY) against #57 pass defense (TN)
(5) Coaching: advantage Kentucky
Hopefully the Vols can play inspired ball like they did against Arkansas and Vandy in the 4Q. If they do, we win. If they don't, Kentucky has a team that can beat us...
slambob2#228938 writes:
Vandy is a better team and a better coached team than Kentucky. Vandy went to South Carolina and whipped the Gamecocks - Kentucky lost. Vandy fumbled away the win against Georgia - Kentucky was beaten solidly by the Dogs. The LSU win was huge for the Cats, but the Tigers have been a whisker away from several losses this year and that's one they just couldn't escape.
Having said all that, Kentucky is a very good football team and is a tougher matchup for UT because they can spread the field and distribute the ball. I expect a game that goes down to the final minute - maybe even overtime. Do the Vols have one more roll of double-sevens left? It may take it.
UT 31 Kentucky 27
sharp
slambob2#228938 writes:
By the way, I said the Vols would never, EVER make it this far with the worst defense I've ever seen wearing orange. I'm eating my words. How did they bring all those first-year players in and pull this off? Hats off to Chavis and Fulmer for doing what they did this year. They made me look foolish - along with a lot of others who predicted the end (and quietly wished for it).
sharp
littletheyknow writes:
Have you packed yet!!!!!!
ODA751 writes:
I almost don't know what to think now. At the beginning of the year, the defense was pretty bad but the offense was doing OK. Now, the defense is much improved and the offense is hot and cold. This may not be the prettiest team we've ever had, but I like them. It takes character to turn around a season like this one. There are so many teams out there that have completely tanked since their first loss, yet these young men have continued to get better and better through severe adversity. They're winners.
GreerVol22 writes:
Touch, he didn't miss, really. Those pesky little orange knomes moved the goal post 3 inches right just before the kick. Besides, that kicker has a Vandy education to fall back on.
Those same knomes were running around in JP Wilson's head all day as well!
utalum04 writes:
TouchdownTN....you must be a miserable miserable person. All you do is get on here everyday and critisize the coaching staff. Have you been taking your antidepressants? Man we have TERRIBLE fans!
mtnvol writes:
RUN THE BALL!
tennisvol writes:
Leads the league in passing is not good for the Vols. Which team will show up in Lexington for the game. The one that lost to Alabama and Florida or the one that beat Arkansas and Georgia. We'll know Saturday.
BOASoldier writes:
Kentucky beat LSU and Vandy.... who cares. They also got their butt handed to them by Georgia which we beat... none of that matters. the only thing that matters is the players on the field when the game starts. If we run the ball. We will win big by controlling the clock and keeping Woodson off the field. Kentucky couldn't stop Knowshon Moreno and they won't stop Arian and Hardesty.... IF WE USE THEM and stick with the run.. why in the heck did we pass on 14 consecutive downs Sat. is beyond me. We were running all over them. You have to be able to change the game plan to match the circumstances and it seemed that Cut. was intent on passing.
Volalumnus writes:
TN has gotten marginally better.
The quality of the opponent isn't quite as good.
TNs problems are still there. These are major problems, but they can be fixed if people won't address them or believe if they don't talk about them and look the other way they won't be a problem or keep on keeping on and it will work out.
Why hope for the best when you can work on your problems. The same problems have been there all year. Slight improvements in tackling and less quality opponents have help bounce things our way.
But if you just leave it to hope, those ball also will begin to bounce off the upright and in.
phi0129 writes:
For most of the year, the inconsistency of the team has scared me. The last few weeks I keep saying we will win just to lose at the last moment and dissapoint and break our hearts even more. The last few years have been like that. High highs and unbelievable lows. No middle ground. That's what scares me. It's almost like we are destined to get killed right when we need the victory the most.
But having said that, I think it's karma time for 2001 and LSU and they are going down to TN in ATL. All we have to do is go beat a t eam that we have beaten the past 24 years!!!! or 23...whatever.
I renewed my hate for ESPN Sat night. They barely showed the TN highlights in conjunction with extensive coverage of the GA game. About 2 sentences by good ole Jesse Palmer (has been Florida punk QB) about how we are going to lose (mind you to a team who last beat us the year I was born) like it was nothing. No matter that we kicked ARK's butt and 2 min before he was praising how good ARK was on ESPN. It's ridiculous. No one will ever give us a chance. It's like if we beat KY we will be considered lucky even though we have beat them 23-24 years straight, have won our last 4 or 5 SEC games while they have lost 3 of 4, and are ranked higher.
What a bunch of BS
txsvol#372416 writes:
A. Foster has a short memory. We tasted, more than tasted, defeat in blow-out losses to California, the overrated Gators, and the Satanic Crimson Tide!!! I believe the hated Bama team found a way to lose to a Louisiana-alphabets team this past weekend, so why did they blow us out on the third Saturday in October? We just aren't good enough to run with the big dogs. Even the middle dogs with a lot of fight in them can give us more than we can handle. Go Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good post phi0129! Think Brooks vs Phil! That'll warm the cockles of your heart. Poor ols Brooks has to use smoke and mirrors to survive, Phil gives up 100 to awful Bama team and average Fla and eats steak! And yeah, Cal is great the last time I checked. To his credit, Phil's been forced into using better players riding the pines, Rogan, etc. Saved his bacon so far! Not many people praying as hard as Sanders is for Woodson to get 425 thru the air! Possible with our non-exsistent pass rush! Don't look good for Sec East leaders (now) to be an underdog to Ky! Remeber LSU (#1) lost in Lexington! Phil will have them ready, he always does. No sweat, Vols win going away!
OldNumber7 writes:
As much as this coaching staff has irked me over the past 2 decades - and I've said my share, I must say two pivotal games that did put us IN position were Georgia and Arkansas - I thought there was no way to beat either. However, those were outstandingly well coached games. Bama was a terribly coached game - and I'm convinced we should have won that game and not be in this position today. Oh well...despite all that we have a legit shot for all the marbles - makes for a much more interesting game this week on big TV too. Time to find out if this team is a clutch team. Go Vols!
asleep#212036 writes:
Jesse Palmer is a Florida whore who wouldn't pick UT over a Class A high school team. Nor would JIm Donnan or Lou Holtz, two guys Fulmer owned when they were in the SEC, or Reese (sp?) Davis, Tuscaloosa native. The only one I heard say he thought UT would win out was Mark May. He said he always goes with the team controlling its own destiny. Who knows? And Sanders will have no laugh if they beat us 48-10. He has done no more to make Woodson what he is today than I have and he is a QB coach, nothing more. Woodson's a natural - just wait 'til the NFL draft and see! It's taken 2 years to deprogram Ainge from Sanders' "coaching". If they beat us, tip the hat to Brooks and Joker Phillips, their OC. Or more likely, flip off Cutcliffe for trying to get Ainge drafted in the first round at the expense of a win. What really concerns me is that Culcliffe will try to use Ainge to show up Sanders. If that happens, I think we will lose. We need to score often, but s-l-o-w-l-y. Keeping Kentucky's possession count down is our onlly hope to win. Go Vols!!!
tnbanker_govols writes:
Tennessee has to go Lexington and leave nothing on the field. Another away game, they better be ready to face some serious opposition. Here are some factors that worry me about this upcoming game to Kentucky:
1) The players being unprepared to play. Phil and his staff better have his players ready to play football. Kentucky has the potential to make some big plays throughout this game. Also, this is an away game. I think you must prepare differently for an away game, especially in the SEC. The atmosphere is just so brutal for the visiting team. This is also a serious concern since we haven't faired well outside of Knoxville all year long.
2) The threat of the long-ball. Woodson is not afraid to sling the long ball. It only takes one 60 yard pass to totally change the course of this game. The secondary is looking better, but traditionally, Tennessee has not faired well against the deep pass.
3) Eric Ainge has got to step up. I applaud Eric for his 4th quarter comeback but Tennessee should have never been in that situation to begin with. Ainge has struggled the past few games and he can't afford to make the same STUPID mistakes against a talented Kentucky team. This past Saturday, I couldn't believe how many times Ainge had an open receiver only to throw it about 6 feet over their head.
Overall, in the midst of a crazy college football season, one could expect anything to happen. Tennessee's defense must continue to play well. It's key for Eric Ainge and the offense to control the momentum of this game. They must keep Woodson and the Big Orange defense off the field as much as possible. Establishing the run will be crucial in this game as well. Tennessee must utilize the run better than they did against Vandy. Foster had a wonderful game last week, but I feel Cutcliffe didn't run the ball enough. Consequently, our defense was spent as a result of being on the field for almost 3/4 of the game.
bleed_orange writes:
It's win one and win a trip to Atlanta. I think our defensive line has to get some pressure on the QB. Let's try to establish the run during the whole game. Keep the turnovers & penalties down. We need a good day from our kicking & special teams too. KY will bring their A game that played LSU. So, we need to bring the team that beat GA and AR not the one that played FL & AL. If we can beat KY at KY, who knows maybe all things go right we can pull the hugh upset on LSU in the SEC Championship game. More unusal things have happen this year. TN is a great team as a underdog. However, I believe LSU is the best team this year. We need a playoff system! GO VOLS!
JDS
asleep#212036 writes:
True enough, jcvet, but you have to admit, ESPN is no fan of the Vols. Ever since they single-handedly awarded the Heisman to Woodson over Manning, I have been dubious of their every mention of UT. Remember after the NC in '98? There were some sniffs of NCAA issues and the first thing ESPN said was that the NC should be stripped and awarded to FSU. Have you heard anything like that regarding USC's 20004 win, with tainted players Jarrett, Leinart, and Bush? Of course not, how silly to impugn the mighty Trojans - why, they probably would have won anyway. I mentioned Mark May only because I felt it significant that an ESPN analyst would have anything good to say about our Vols and he is the only one. Fowler, Corso, and Herbstreit? We suck and are lucky to win, not unlike several posters on this site. Just honks me off. Sorry about all that but it's my day off, it's raining (no golf) and I'm bored. Paranoid rant now officially over! Go Vols!!!
vol4jesus writes:
to non-volCR.......YAWN!!!!! I am amazed at your creativity in that post. Just can't be happy at all. Sad that your supposed team has to lose and coach be fired to be happy...oh well some things just don't change it appears....
Colliervol writes:
TDTN, didn't you learn anything from the Arkansas game about that comparative score thing? Didn't mean anything then and it doesn't mean anything now. It's one game and who plays better when they line up. I mean we don't want to get into comparative scores on Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe do we?
As far as our stopping KY, it boils down to one thing. Pressure Woodson. He and Ainge are no different. If you let them sit back there, they will pick you apart. Pressure them and they aren't so good. I know that's typical for most QB's but it is especially true with Woodson. Whenever he's looked bad, it's when the other team brought relentless pressure. That scheme of rushing 3 and 4 folks ain't working this Saturday. Hope Chavis has seen the film.
orangebloodgmc writes:
This game is gonna be tough, but I hope and pray we put some heat on Woodson. In Bama loss our D was static as hell (and look what happened) but in next game vs. SC we showed some different looks and brought some pressure and it helped make the difference. Winning time of possession would help, but that should not make us go into a conservative shell. All that said, whoever wins battle of special teams will probably win the game.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
sphs- kinda nuts from watching us redefine the meaning of no-emotion football. Nearly nuts from watching John Parker Wilson's helium filled passes being caught! Completely nuts from watching a 12-point dog Vandy team blow a game and somehow the hand of God gently guiding the ball away on the last fg try! Insane over Hardesty not getting but 2 carries aginst Vandy! etc, feel better now! I know it goes against any reason but the die-hardest Fulmerite, but I think the Vols roll over Ky! Now Atl, perhaps another story!
UT_Tim writes:
Randy Sanders knows Fulmer in and out. How couldn’t he after being on the staff for so long. He knows what Fulmer will do in each situation. Unless the UT coaching staff comes out with some new wrinkle, he might as will be calling our plays.
With that being said, KY has really stumbled down the stretch dropping 3 of their last 4 so there’s not better time get in and out with a victory.
mjohnsonvols writes:
I guess we should give back the national title since we were lucky. What an idiot! Give it up jwraymond.
VolCR you couldn't smack down a 3 year old. What an idiot as well.
GO VOLS keep jwray and CR crying for a loss.
Volunatic writes:
CRVol-- are you planning on betting on UT with the spread in following your "SEC road dog" system?
Could be interesting.
GO VOLS!!! Beat Kentucky!
mjohnsonvols writes:
you are right jwray you have been all year we suck and we should fire fulmer. Bring it jwray I can handle anything you throw at me you have been downing TN all year and I have backed them 100% and will continue to do so win or loose Saturday. Unlike yourself you will come on here win or loose and be negative. YAWN! what a goof!
GreeneVol writes:
This site really needs a separate room - like an 'Alley' or something - so many of you can insult there...or exchange e-mail addresses and do it directly with one another... Or heck - just be civil - is it that hard?
I am close to giving up on trying to predict what these Vols are going to do for a given game - it's an adventure each week. I do think that Ainge will play better than he did against Vandy and the run/pass ratio will be better given the need to keep the ball out of Woodson's hands. The emotion of 'Senior Day' - which I think is a bit of a distraction and added pressure even though it is one of my favorite games to go to - is out of the way. As far as UT feeling pressure and UK having none, I believe the overriding emotion for UT will be more like playing with SEC Championship purpose than of playing with something to lose. At this point a big factor in motivation is senior leadership. We'll see what we got come Saturday.
mikes70gto writes:
Say what you all want,this is just another Kentucky team that will get a beat-down by the Vols.Cant wait for ESPN to throw out their excuses for Ky...they were a beat up team,they had key players hurt,etc.etc. same ole story line. A team that wants to prove everything (Ky) vs a team that needs to prove everything (UT), just wont have the overall talent to get it done.Lets hear it Lou,whats your excuse for the kittys this week.Mark May will have to turn to him and say ,I told you about a team with a destiny and what they could do !!
mikes70gto writes:
Great post ash.Even the BEST teams get lucky sometimes. I feel we are playing on emotions of what could of been. It didnt hurt that we found key roles for key players either.
invisiblekid writes:
Marc_Ash, just to clarify one thing on behalf of imnotwithphil, we did play AL two weeks after GA. Our opponents since then have been SC, AR, Vandy, and LA Lafayette. I think he may have a case because KY isn't just the Andre Woodson show. Little and Locke are two fine RB's and they are 12th in the country in pass defense. Jarmon is also a very good defensive lineman. Not suggesting that you are overlooking the Wildcats, but there are plenty on here who are and I hope the players don't follow that lead.
Colliervol writes:
A couple of notes Mark:
I no longer am interested in 1998. (We've rested on that season for far too long.)
I certainly am not interested in comparing UT to Ole Miss. To say that Ole Miss is a joke would be redundant and not worth the time.
I don't care about the other teams in the top 25.
I don't care about the other 95+ schools in Division I.
I am only interested in where UT is today and where we are going in 2008 and beyond. Your last sentence is the only one that means anything to me. This season has been erratic at best, but they have a chance with one win to really make a statement. (If they got two wins, well, I can't even think about that. Don't want to jinx Saturday.)
utvolfan1968 writes:
TouchdownTN: I saw your post last night..... did you also know coach Wyatt?
ChicagoVol writes:
Yes, it would be 5 out of 11 since 1997, but still: Marc_Ash is right -- we all have to step backwards and realize a couple key 'macro' things before digging into our micro world of (deserved and welcome) Vol craziness...
"Big Picture"
1.) We would have 5 SEC East wins in 11 years. FLA? 3. GA? 3. LSU? 4. Auburn? 3. (Ark, 2, MSU, 1 and Bama, 1, to finish the appearance count). That is truly a sobering and impressive thought, and one that should make the boo-birds back off.
2.) The 2007 College Football season has been one of the wildest, wackiest years in the past 25+ years. Ranking and Conference Upsets galore, 'money game' opponents pulling unheralded upsets (App State?!), injuries, the rise of Kansas and Mizzou (!?) to the top, an LSU team that we (SEC) don't even think is the best LSU team we've all faced in recent years is ranked...#1? C'mon folks...the fact that we've lost 3 and are sitting ready to go to the Championship -- again -- is a testament to the coaches, players and Tennessee spirit. Esp. in a season this upside-down across the country.
However...
Let's dig in to the "internal" picture...
1.) Sorry, but - I DO think that we should be in the mix for the National Championship, let alone SEC championship, EVERY YEAR. Lord, I can't stand them or their fans, but Ohio State has positioned themselves every...single...year...since Tressel took over to be a top 10 program. They are a school that is graduating players, play with on/off field class (their fans notwithstanding), and has risen above the derelict Maurice Clarett flap to be the best program of the past 10 years. THAT is the kind of program we should be...no more stupid arrests and disciplinary issues, good citizens, great football players and 10 wins GUARANTEED, because of the caliber of team we put on the field every year. We shouldn't have ANY 'down' years. I’m surrounded by obnoxious Big 10 folks now, but they all recognize the power and potential of UT and the SEC.
2.) Fulmer. I'm not a fan of 4 loss seasons at a program like ours. And after only 1 of those in his tenure leading up to 1997 (the understandable post-Shuler Colquitt/Helton/Stewart/Manning transition year), we have had four 4+ loss seasons since 1998. Unacceptable. Yes, 5 (we hope) trips to the SEC dance in 11 years, but 4 out of 10 with sub-par low-or-non-ranked teams.
That's my ramble and $.02 on the topic. Kentucky is a legitimate foe with a couple legitimate big-play guys potentially exploiting our virgin secondary, and while the glory that comes with a win is nice to look forward to, it also means that we are a mere loss away from a FIFTH four loss season in 10 years since 1998, and THAT, my Vol friends...would be truly unacceptable.
GO VOLS -- dig deep, think about Tennessee Pride and all that comes with it. I'm hoping for a big impressive win in Lexington...
ChicagoVol writes:
Corrections (before some grammar/fact cop tries to put down my post simply based on a couple overlooked/undertyped things like this):
1.) 4 SECCG 'appearances' is what I meant to say, before mentioning the other teams re: their appearance count, not necessarily "East" and not necessarily "Wins," of course.
and, Tressel has gone 73-15 at OSU in 7 years, with 2 of his 7 being non-10 win years (incl. 7-5 in his first).
So, 5 of the past 6 years have been 10+, but I think you all get my point...
ChicagoVol writes:
"I think with the improvement of the SEC over the past 8-10 years, it just becomes much more difficult. The SEC isn't a conference that has 1 hard game every year like the Big 10, its a conference that produces powerhouses year in and year out that all have to play each other. "
Seriously -- it's true -- and it's this parity (thanks in part to easing Prop 48 regulations and exploiting loopholes therein) across the country that allows the Kansas', Oregon States, Cals, Illinois' and even...Kentuckys (!) to compete on a playing field with traditional powerhouse teams. This year was not an anomaly, I'll bet...you'll see more and more fear of out-of-conference scheduling because of the 'no win' situation. i.e., if you beat App State? Who cares. You're supposed to. But if you lose? Your season could be done.
"Can you imagine if UT was an independent like Notre Dame?"
Well -- we wouldn't (hopefully) make suicide schedules like Notre Dame usually does. With the exception of Duke and the Armed Forces, they consistently play (historically) one of the toughest schedules. Even in this miserable year for them, with a 99 rank in the Sagarin rankings, their strength of schedule is 13th. Ours is 32nd, in contrast. But our overall ranking is 24th on Sagarin, and we are surrounded by: you guessed it! Connecticut, Boise State, Oregon State, Texas Tech, etc. Michigan is right with us, and I'm sure that they're looking at the "new power" rankings of the NCAA just like us and thinking -- how did these teams even get here???
asleep#212036 writes:
First, Ohio State has played exactly two teams currently ranked, Wisconsin and Illinois. They lost at home to the Illini and beat the up-and-down Badgers at home in the 4th. BTW, Wisconsin didn't have their top RB. Using them as an example is specious because they don't play a real schedule.
Second, I would say we were rebuilding as well, or why would we have been playing so many freshmen. Lost all 3 receivers, 4 of top 5 DB's and our all-SEC placekicker. We, too, are expected by most pundits to be much better next year. And who says Saban will turn Alabama around for sure? And what if, the second time through, teams figure out how to defend Tebow and the Gators. And Meyer's teams have never played defense anywhere he's been. Georgia? Pretty strong but we beat the same team that beat Florida and Auburn this year. LSU? 15 senior starters - 'nuff said. Kentucky? 16 seniors. Arkansas? No McFadden, no Jones, no problem. Auburn? No offense and no hopes of one any time soon. Point is, we are in the mix this year and will be next year as well.
Finally, TDTN, I'm proud of you and I agree with most of what you said. I still am not on the Kentucky bandwagon as a loss to us would make them 7-5, including a miraculous win over LSU. They do throw well but not when forced to throw. Stop the run, pressure the passer (like GA and AR) and the game is ours IF Cut will run the ball. Stranger things have happened this year already. Go Vols!!!
ChicagoVol writes:
But before that, bucking your recent trend, four years of non-seniors:
2002- Greene
2001 - Mauck (if you don't count Davey due to injury during game)
2000 - Grossman
1999 - Zow
Class of QB doesn't matter in my opinion. There have been too many good So and Jr QBs in the SEC the past 15 years (UT has had their share of talented Fr-Jr QBs, too -- Shuler, Manning and Clausen, as well as Ainge), incl. ones that took them to the SECCG or major bowl win.
ChicagoVol writes:
"First, Ohio State has played exactly two teams currently ranked, Wisconsin and Illinois. They lost at home to the Illini and beat the up-and-down Badgers at home in the 4th. BTW, Wisconsin didn't have their top RB. Using them as an example is specious because they don't play a real schedule."
I know, I know...LOL - it's tough for me to make that argument (esp. when I also brought up schedule strength), with a team who played Kent St. and Akron and Toledo's Benevolent Order of The Elks Lodge 354 Flag Football "50 and over" team. I readily admit that we (SEC) scoff at the panty-waist schedules the other 'major' conferences schedule. They're a joke. But who's laughing now? Look at the top 10-15 teams! Kansas' strength of schedule is 101...101!?! Embarrassing...and Florida (9) and Oregon (14), are the only top 10 teams with a top 15 Strength of Schedule ranking. The next top 10 SOS-ranking after Florida (giving credence to John Adams' Tebow talk) is California...presently ranked 33rd by Sagarin. #1 SOS? Washington. And they're 4-7!
So the reward for tough schedules is apparently a lower-25 or worse ranking, unless you're Florida.
But in terms of positioning and ranking and wins and sheer ubiquitous 2000s top-ten presence, it hasn't seem to hurt their prominence in the Tressel era...THAT was my point. If part of the magic is making an easier out of conference schedule, then so be it.
Sucks for ratings, but apparently great for rankings.
thesavageorange writes:
ChicagoVol:Just think , if we played Kent State instead of Cal.We would be 9-2 ,and these conversations wouldn't be as fun or funny.The bad part of playing a weak schedule is at some point you will be exposed.Alla last years title game.I would rather play the tougher schedule.Atleast you know what you have.IF you are truly a top ten team you make it through that schedule, and beat a usually evenly matched team in a New Years Day bowl.(now that Notre Dame isn't getting a free ticket)
thesavageorange writes:
Steve Spurrier said it best after the cocks lost to Vandy."We knew they were good.Maybe if they played Ohio States schedule they would be undefeated and ranked #1 in the country".
DSaVol writes:
Don't know why everyone's all excited about a possible championship game appearance. Most have forgotten that this team was the consensus pick to win the East. SO, right now they are only where they were supposed to be. BUT the FACTS are that we've been blown out by 1 good team (FL) and 2 very average ones (Cal, Bama). FACT is we've slipped by some below average teams Vandy, USC. FACT is we've got ONE win against a quality opponent GA - and if everyone is honest, nobody wants to play em right now. AND FACT IS - marc_ass, et al - WE HAVE WON ONE SEC TITLE IN 10 YEARS!! Nobody gives a damn how many times we play for it. THAT only proves the continuing point that this staff can't win BIG games. BUT if you and everyone else are happy with the status quo - then so be it. Just please stop talking about greatness and elite status for this program cause it ain't even close to either.
99gator writes:
i understand why you all would bash jwraymond1.... but, it's not as if there isn't some merit to what he is saying. a win is a win, and after a day or two, you forget how ugly it was and move on.... but....
you did almost lose to vandy....for the second straight time in knoxville. with the whole season on the line, it was almost ruined by vandy. with all the doubters and "haters" out there disrespecting tenn, it was almost confirmed by vandy.
i assume some of you were ready to march on the athletic administration building during the 3rd quarter... so don't act like jwraymond1 is completely out of line.
Colliervol writes:
No Mark, I don't care about stats either. They don't give W's for stats.
And, at the end of all the verbiage, it all comes down to winning Saturday. Period. Anything else is just fluff.
grandolph1958#209664 writes:
i have read alot of bs this past year from fans that must not be happy in there own personel lives. this is football anything can happen. UT coaches have done a great job with our young talent and this will show next year. UT beats up UK by 17 and puts up 250 on the ground.
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