Tennessee Stat Book
When a football program is at a low ebb, its fans develop all sorts of coping mechanisms to deal with the dilemma.
You might cope by venting in a chat room or on a sports-talk show. Or, you might e-mail a sportswriter and offer story suggestions, such as; "I think the entire coaching staff should be fired - not at the end of the season, right now."
If your favorite team had a particularly bad weekend, you might amend the e-mail to read: "I think the entire coaching staff should be fired. But they should be tortured first."
Less emotional fans persevere through the worst of times by recalling history.
For example, when Tennessee suffered a fourth consecutive loss to arch-rival Florida in 1996, its factually oriented fans could say, "Maybe we can't beat Florida, but Coach (Phillip) Fulmer has never lost to a team from the state of Tennessee.
"Never has. Never will."
That was a couple of months before the Vols lost to Memphis.
But a year later, after the Vols again lost to Florida, the same fans could reassure themselves that the program could only go so low by saying, "Maybe we can't beat Florida, but Coach Fulmer has never lost to a program located within 200 miles of Knoxville.
"Never has. Never will."
Eight years later, the Vols lost to Vanderbilt.
When the Vols lost to Florida 59-20 Saturday, their fans might have wondered, "What's left?"
Their most informed fans then come to the rescue by pointing out, "Coach Fulmer has never lost to a team with a lame-duck mascot.
"Never has. Never will."
That brings us to UT's next opponent, the Arkansas State Aggies or Anacondas or Skeeters or - my personal favorite - the Ivory Billed Woodpeckers. Those are among the mascot names suggested for a program that will continue referring to itself as Indians until next spring.
In accordance with the NCAA's attempt to become more politically correct, Arkansas State agreed this summer to retire its Indian mascot. It has until Aug. 1 to find a new mascot.
Such uncertainty hasn't affected the football team. Arkansas State lost to Texas by only eight points, 21-13, in the season opener. Last Saturday, it defeated SMU 45-28.
An opponent that beats SMU by 17 points wouldn't normally raise an eyebrow of a UT fan. But these aren't normal times.
In games against Cal and Florida, UT gave up a total of 104 points. In its 5-6 season of 2005, the Vols didn't give up 104 points in the first six games.
In the only game this season that didn't qualify as a defensive disaster, the Vols held Southern Mississippi to 19 points. They still treated USM quarterback Jeremy Young to a career day passing.
I know what you're thinking: "But the Sun Belt?"
The Sun Belt isn't the Division I-A joke it used to be. In fact, it just had a career weekend. Arkansas State beat SMU by 17 points, Florida Atlantic upset Minnesota, and Troy gained 582 yards in beating Oklahoma State 41-23.
Like Troy's Omar Haugabook, Corey Leonard gives Arkansas State an athletic quarterback who can run or pass. Tailback Reggie Arnold, who rushed for 156 yards against SMU, was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection last season. Wide receiver Levi DeJohnette had six catches for 92 yards against Texas, and caught six more passes against SMU.
Never mind if they have a lame-duck mascot. If you want to be politically correct, call them Arkansas State or the team with the mascot to be named later.
But against UT's defense, you also can call them a threat.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 35
hdhurst writes:
Lose to AS? Whatever. Considering all that's happened to the program this early, I will give the 2 left lugnuts off my F100 if they lose to this team. When tragedy hits "home," you either wither away or you summon your soul to overcome the fight. This staff and players have a lot of fight in them; they just haven't shown it yet. I believe what has happened to this point has resulted in staff and players hitting ground zero and will now rise to the occasion. The 5-6 season 2 yrs back was looked at as an abberition, but the significance of this poor start will certainly put a drive in the staff and players to put the VOLS back on the map. In my opinion, this starts with this game and I believe it will happen. GO VOLS!
objk1#231846 writes:
hdhurst-I thought the same thing about Memphis.
Fulmer may have lost this team. I hope not.
GreerVol22 writes:
I think he has lost this team, and to a large degree his staff. Fulmer has let Ainge down by not benching him to let him heal. This season will determine if Ainge has a shot in the NFL and coach is blowing it for him. And Ainge is helping himself by pouting on the sideline about his injury.
vol88 writes:
Who would've thought Arkansas State would be the defining game of the '07 season?
mtnvol writes:
Jack A$$ says "I just love lame ducks. They are so tasty on my dates with Tim Tebow"
DennisVols writes:
The biggest problem facing UT this weekend will be overcoming the let down after the beating they took in Gainesville. We have to remember these are kids here. Most are still teenagers and with a coaching staff that has failed to seemly prepare them to play competitive football they will begin to question their own abilities. Once the players lose that edge, that cockiness they start to play with doubt. If this is the case ASU has a very good chance of coming into Knoxville and beating UT. Last Sat. I saw a team that looked beat down as well as beat. The greatest challenge this coaching staff has ever faced is in front of them now. How to you bring the mental focus of young talented boys back to the point where they will believe in their abilities and in the game plan you installed so that they can win again.
TriCityVol writes:
15-12 last 27 games and he wants to stay the course? Appalachian State is ranked ahead of Vols in AP this week. As much as we laughed at Michigan we are now ranked below the team that beat them. Appy State from Boone, NC!!!!!
jermlandro#531741 writes:
I agree with CRVol
rkastens writes:
After Cal beat us I found myself thinking, "Yeah,
but we're not Michigan." After Florida beat us like a drum I found myself thinking,
"Yeah, but we're not as bad as Michigan or worse, Notre Dame." After this week we may look as bad as Michigan and when the season is done we may look as bad as Notre Dame (in terms of record). Every game left is in question. I don't think we will lose them all. That will not happen. But there is not a sure win left for this team right now.
snowvol writes:
Fear not fellow Vols fans....Coach is working like heck to get this thing turned around. They're watching the film and no doubt by Thursday, they'll have the cutting edge gameplan in place for Arkansas State. Gotta pound the rock and reestablish the run, get back to playing Tennessee Football because last week, well that just wasn't Tennessee out there...isn't that what Fulmer and Chavis keep telling us? And they know best, don't they? Please, someone get an XXXL canoe, stick the two of them, and the rest of the staff, in it and send them down the Tennessee River on a one way ticket far, far away from Neyland Stadium.
Ironcity writes:
I noticed we have not heard a peep out of Chavis. Isn't he the one that tells Fulmer what he thinks they can hold an opponent to and then we game plan from there? I wonder if Chavis said "I think our defense can keep them under 50 but that doesn't include the usual fumble return, kick off or punt return".
stevefinnegan#262805 writes:
Although this season is off to a very dissapointing start, I still think the Vols can pull off a win on Sat. It might not be pretty but they really 'should' win. Having said that, there is also/always a chance they could choke under the pressure. If that happens, what are the odds of Fulmer getting the axe mid-season ala Johnny? Also, what are the chances of us then being stuck with Cutcliff as the interim/new head coach?
mtnvol writes:
You goobers need to forget the coaching staff leaving/getting fired mid-season. Who would replace them MID SEASON?! Any coach worth having wouldn't leave his team in October to go somewhere else. And the guys in the TV booths are there because they can't coach anymore. Two words....Puh-lease!
fryed004#518992 writes:
Vols will bounce back for 9 straight--a 10-2 season and Phil will retain his job. We win SEC next year with Crompton at QB.
Sheepscape writes:
Mid-season firings have been done before at other schools. That's nothing new. An interim is named until after the season or an arrangment with a buyout is negotiated and the terminated coach finishes the season, but the firing is understood. Chavis and Cutcliffe are good friends will Phil Fulmer, so they may not accept an interim assignment out of loyalty.
Not the ideal situation, but drop one to Arky State this weekend and see what happens.
Oldhickory writes:
Let's talk about Fulmer... Top 10 recruiting classes every year, Great talent at every position. National Championship...
Read 'em and weep. Hamilton - do the right thing and fire Fulmer.
==========
Years without SEC title: 8
Years without BCS bowl: 7
Years without top 10 ranking: 5
Years without AP Top 25 ranking: 2000, 2002, 2005, (2006-25th)
Years with 3 or more losses: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (5 straight years and 7 out of 8 )
Years with multiple losses to unranked teams: 2003, 2005
Years with loss in last 2 games of season: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (EIGHT straight years and counting)
4-8 (.333) vs. Spurrier: (2-3 since 1998 )
2-4 (.333) vs. Richt
1-3 (.250) vs. Tuberville
1-2 (.333) vs. Saban
0-3 (.000) vs. Meyer
9-17 (.346) 1999 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB (thank God for Zook!)
7-16 (.304 ) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB
5-15 (.250) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB excluding games vs. Zook
5-13 (.278) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, AUB
3-12 (.200) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, AUB excluding games vs. Zook
5-10 (.333) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA
3-9 (.250) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA excluding games vs. Zook
2-5 (.286) 2000 - present vs. GA
8-16 (.333) vs. Top 10 teams 1999 - present
1-6 (.142) vs. Top 10 teams at home 2000 - present
6-14 (.300) vs. Top 10 teams 2000 - present
17-21 (.447) vs. Ranked Teams 1999 - present
2-5 (.285) Bowl games since 1998 (all double digit losses)
2-7 (.222) Postseason record since 1998 including SECCG (all double digit losses)
therhfactor writes:
Looking for a new coach?
Although I would hate to lose him, this might be your man:
http://blogs.gainesville.com/default....
SweetBlackMagic writes:
I have no idea why it's taken almost EVRERYONE so long to finally see that Fulmer is a TERRIBLE head coach. Good recruiter...terrible coach. Can anyone honestly EVER recall a game in which Fulmer and his staff OUTCOACHED the other team inestead of relying on luck and/or raw talent? The only recent one I can see is the Cal game last year...just an absolute dominating performance. Fulmer has underachieved for too long. He represented UT and the SEC well overall, but there comes a time for change. I say go after Spurrier with everything you have, Hamilton. We deserve a coach as good as him...just imagine what he could do with the talent we already have...not to mention the recruiting classes that would follow.
Basketball_Jones writes:
Explain to me SnowVol, what exactly is playing Tennessee football? Is it averaging 2.1 yds per carry? The old Tennessee Football style is gone, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and Jay Graham are gone we don't have a bruising back to wear down defenses. Also our system does not allow Ainge to throw the ball downfield and teams know that so they can pull their safties and corners closer and that helps against the run. Our receivers are terrible, that goes back to coaching yes the beloved hat backward, chest bumping Trooper Taylor! Last year he was given a cadillac and just had to polish it a bit now we see he can't coach nor can anyone else over there. Time for a change...I only see 2 teams left on our schedule that we can win...Vandy and Arkansas State, we will be underdogs in the rest of our games..so we should win 3 games maybe 4
ellisonfamily writes:
Currently we have over 40 players from UT in the NFL. Many of those are starters. Many others are major contributors. How can we have that many NFL caliber players over the past 8-10 years, yet lack an SEC since 1998? I bleed orange but live in Georgia. As I tell my UGA, dawg friends here, UT coaches can do less with more better than any coaching staff in America.
Colliervol writes:
fryed, we ain't winning a thing with Crompton or without if they don't find an O-line that can block somebody on a running play and some wide receivers that can stretch the field. The O-Line problem has been going on for a couple of years now and I don't think it's going to be solved by 2008. What really worries me about this whole thing is that what you saw,in fact,is "Tennessee Football" in it's current state. And the head man now says he doesn't see the need for radical changes. Hmmmmm.
ellisonfamily writes:
You know the apocalypse is at hand when South Carolina and Kentucky football are in the top 20 and Tennessee is not ranked at all. Then again, Texas A&M used to be a perennial national power. Now they are at the height of mediocrity in an average conference. Could we possibly be going that route...? It is scary to consider.
AllVol writes:
Mr. Adams, that was funny as hell. Thanks for the comic relief--little relief from this nightmare though it was. Very funny, dude. Very funny.
invisiblekid writes:
Adams and most of you guys are missing the bigger picture here. We are STILL in the running for the state championships of BOTH Mississippi and Arkansas with games left against AR St, the Hogs and MS St. Having beaten a powerful Southern Miss team widely considered the best in the state, we are in great shape for that title.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Well...I am just going to go ahead and beat everyone to the punch..you heard it first here so give credit where credit is due..The only thing missing is a book entitled " If I had a game plan, This is how I would do it" <grin>
DarthVol writes:
Finally. Three names I recognize posting under the same column.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Probably shouldn't post this, but I will be the first to predict an upset. From what I here/read, Ark St. might be pretty dang good. No wait, it wouldn't be an upset, because TN (over the last few years) has slowly fallen to the level of the Ark. States. We might be just a little bit better???? I'm tired of hearing that TN has been in this position before. Can people not understand that TN is not a good team, and Fulmer has runned the program into the ground? We have no playmakers! We have an average to below average q-back. Our running backs are slow. Our receivers are slow. The defense is slow. The talent is not there!!
stevefrommemphis writes:
Since Arkansas has always refused to play Arkansas State (the same way Tennessee should refuse to play Memphis State, since there's nothing to gain for UT and a lot to lose), A-State used to have a bumper sticker showing an Indian carrying a hatchet chasing a pig. The sticker said: "How long will the Hogs run?" Seriously, there's almost no chance that Tennessee will lose to Ark State, but if they do, it will rank alongside the 1958 Chattanooga and 1975 North Texas State losses. All you inconsiderate STANDERS can go ahead and stand this week, because I will be running, kayaking, and reading a good book -- nowhere near Neyland Stadium. But tell me, what except the prayer and National Anthem could possibly happen Saturday at Neyland Stadium that would be worth standing for?
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
I would never ever bet on TN to lose, but from this team's character---it could be possible. The most likely scenario will be for TN to score maybe 40-45 points. Our slow running backs might have a good game. Our below average q-back will probably put up good numbers. Our receivers will not drop 3rd down passes. Our defense might limit Ark St. to a touchdown or two. THEN, we get to listen to all the idiots call in and praise Fulmer for what a wonderful job he did getting our players ready and for getting the Vols back on track. We will get to hear all the idiots praise Cutcliffe for a wonderful game plan. We will get to here all the players talk about "how they wanted this game." Wonder what all the idiots will say after the GA, BAMA, SC, ARK, and just maybe MISS ST and KY games???
jaruk123#472898 writes:
Is there a 2 Men And A Truck franchise in Maryville?
vol4jesus writes:
__vol....CR not attached to VOL for apparent reason of NonTennessee fan. YEAh I said it __vol ewe ain't a fan of the VOLS! Your repeated/repititious(SP)/regurgitations rants are old and tired. Yes, they may be very accurate in stat world so rah,rah! Just put your post name in and say ditto my previous 4000 postings. We will know right away your points very well. You hate Coach Fulmer, want him replaced, want better english from the coach and for that coach to always own up when he has erred in his ways on the gridiron. Finally you want players coached up to max potential as we all do. Now that wasn't all of your ____ points, but a decent summary sir. Enjoy hunting or fishing this weekend and relax. Happy posting. GO VOLS beat the Indians!! OOOPs political correct army will come get me for therapy now.
an attempt at a kinder/gentler response
vol4jesus writes:
you are amazed by yourself the most as I see it. Am I right in that or do I go amiss in my estimation? Actually he might do that quite a bit as you say. One major distinction is that he says we will work to get better. You on the other hand are apparently satisfied with your status quo.Just a point for your perusal and thought process.
tnorthern#228599 writes:
I'm not going to pay per view this weekend because I'm calling for an upset. UT will actually win this one, and that's the upset, but not cover the spread.
utclassof1992 writes:
I am afraid that this season will resemble Mike Dubose's last at That School to the Southwest. Remember when LA Tech knocked off the Tide in B'ham in 2000. I feel the same thing coming Saturday night. Just as DuBose had lost that team, Fulmer has lost this one.
leedsvol2007 writes:
Here's a little food for thought. Prior to 1973 SEC schools could recruit up to 60 players per year and when I enrolled at UT in 1969 we had 144 players on scholarship.
After 1973 the NCAA limited annual scholarships to 30 and overall rosters to 120.
In the 80's they reduced the limit to 30 and 96 overall.
In the 90's they reduced the limit to 25 and 85. And in addition the SEC limits partial qualifiers that can be recruited to 2.
The point here is that schools that were traditional whipping boys now have access to talent and in some cases can recruit players that would like to attend an SEC school but cannot due to academics.
Texas by all accounts has a respectable football team and they were almost beaten at home by them. This game is no joke and by any stretch will not be a walk in the park.
GoVols!
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