Posted by BigVolinCarolina on April 30, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone surprised? The NCAA got themselves into this mess and, like any other bureaucratic organization, it's going to take them awhile to get out of it.

I'm just gonna sit back and watch...and pull for the Vols in the process.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is this being reported on GoVols.com? It's not like we are going to a BCS bowl any time soon or are in danger of finishing in the top 4. When was the last BCS bowl we were in?

Posted by juicetke on April 30, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course not! The Pac-10 and Big 10 will always oppose it as it is the only real chance they have of getting a team in the championship game.

Posted by volchiq on April 30, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who didn't see this coming?

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 30, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer has told me for 10 years in a row (including this year)to pack my bags for a national title game when he stops on the Big Orange Caravan tour in my town.

I guess he really is Santa Claus.

Posted by ehudgin1 on April 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thing is, if you ask the NCAA leaders would they not tell you that they are in business for the fans? Who believes that nonsense. It's all about money and the earliest we could see anything would be six years from now becaue of TV contracts. And yeah, it won't happen then because that would require a Big 10 or Pac 10 team to play an extra game possibly, and more than likely play an SEC team, we all know OSU doesn't want that happening.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on April 30, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I read on here that Fulmer kidnapped the Lindbergh baby.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer didn't kidnap the Lindberg baby, but he did lead his own investigation of it and meet with witnesses at Shoney's.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 30, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

C'mon fellas, is crowning a true national champion really worth giving up the pageantry and tradition of the Rose Bowl sponsored by Citi Corporation and formerly sponsored by ATT? And think about poor Notre Dame, where would they fit into this playoff? Losing records aside, Notre Dame should be guaranteed a spot in this proposed four team playoff.

Posted by imwithphilly on April 30, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since the Big 10 and Pac 10 are always going to veto a plus one, the NCAA should at least require them to have a conference championship. In the format it is in now OSU/Michigan and USC are guaranteed BCS births.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on April 30, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I also read that Fulmer is the leading suspect in the anthrax case.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He was a suspect but the Feds ruled him out as one when they determined the powdery white residue was merely dried up glaze from Krispy Kreme.

Posted by superk on April 30, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Solution???? Causually eliminate the Big 10 and Pac 10 from championship consideration. Wiht the human element that should be easy.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 30, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To finish my thoughts, how would this playoff affect the student-athletes? Mike Slive has already told us that higher education is the number one priority in college football. You really can't add games to an already crowded schedule of 11, no wait, 12, no wait 13, hold on a second, a 14 game schedule. When would these student atheletes have time for academics? Between occassional class attendence, off-season wsorkouts, scrimmages, team meetings, team functions, games, travel time for road games, and interviews when can we reasonably expect the student athlete to find time for someone else to take their exams?

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 30, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He just thought it was a baby, in reality it was a bakers dozen of those famous fritters.

Posted by chrslyp on April 30, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the only reason the pac 10 and big 10 don't want any changes is because they have the easiest road to get to the nc game, whereas the sec, has the toughest conference and a conference championship game where most of the time, the favorite is often challenged, i.e. this last years game, where lsu was obviously better, though we gave them a run.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 30, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry for the type-o's, on a bit of a rant when it comes to this subject.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on April 30, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your right guys we want be there let's forfeit the season we suck don't report anything else on this page about the bcs or about football. Season is over we forfeit we suck. Fulmer just go eat KK or Shoneys.
You guys are a pathetic people.
GO VOLS!!

Posted by HotlantaVol on April 30, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't blame the PAC10 and BIG10+. It's much more efficient to get to the BCS game with only 12 games on the schedule than to have to play a conference championship, playoff game and then the BCS game.

Posted by GoVol on April 30, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kick the Pac-10 & Big-10 out of the BCS. They screw up everything with their allegiance to the Rose Bowl. Talking to California fans last year, I was amazed at how many of them still regard the Rose Bowl as the ultimate...even over the BCS championship game. Their thinking is really warped!

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mjohnsonvols-

Amen brother.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on April 30, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry.
A pathetic bunch of people.
I know how people are on here they have won the nobel prize for posting and will call you out on bad grammar.

I really think we need a playoff. They it will hurt the regular season. I think it will help teams will not be afraid to schedule big teams. Unlike now with the bcs teams schedule 1-AA teams.
That is just an excuse. They say there is nothing wrong with the bcs everything is wrong with the bcs.

IBleed
I know they just do it to get under skins but it is getting to the point where it is not funny anymore and they are starting to really get bad. You can hait Fulmer all you want but some of the things that are siad on here about him are terrible and nobody should have to go through those kind of comments.

Posted by Volfan1 on April 30, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BCS = hypocrites.
"two semester sport" "lessen the importance of the regular season"
Well, then, we need to move basketball back to begin in January and forget the 65 team NCAA tournament. Let the AP poll at the end of the conference tournaments determine the National Champion. Makes about as much sense as the BCS.

Posted by utfpmd on April 30, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You morons can say what you want, but we were a dumb mistake by Erik Ainge away from going to the Sugar Bowl, where we would have killed Hawaii. Think how different things would have been w/o those interceptions against LSU, yet you continue to blame Fulmer.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We're always 1 play away from winning.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on April 30, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen utfpmd.
Be prepared people on here are going to try to bring you down. Oh look somebody is already on it.
Same person who takes a golf article and a DVD article and brings Fulmer in the conversation. Wow now he has talent.

Posted by bigbluevol on April 30, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The notion of damaging the student athletes' academics with a playoff is ridiculous. I guess the guys in 1-AA, II, and III don't have any academic concerns since they have a playoff. Just admit that boosters, presidents and bowls are afraid of losing that money and people would be a lot less irate. You could still have a playoff and the bowls for teams that don't make the playoff. Not a lot of people are watching the Insight.com bowl, the Meineke Car Care Bowl or the Sun Bowl unless their teams are in them.

Posted by JWilly on April 30, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Using the 4-team format, this past year (and maybe other years) the SEC would have (likely) had 2 teams in the top 4 format. How would the Wimp-Ten and the Puney-Ten have explained that away? These two country club conferences just want to keep the big bucks rolling their way (Rose Bowl) without having to earn anything on the field. So long as they own the national media, they have no incentive to change anything.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's gonna be a long summer for you mjohnsonvols.

Posted by bshone on April 30, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if a plus-one system will make it become a two-semester sport, just play the 1vs4 and 2vs3 games in the middle of December - i'm bored out of my mind anyways from the second the SEC championship is over up until the bcs bowl games.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on April 30, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin
Did I bring your name up?
If I did I'm so sorry. Why would betray God?
If the shoe fits wear it big boy.

If you are going to be the one to make it a long summer all I have to say is bring it fat boy

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 30, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yawn, college football is greedy corporation. Good thing they added yet another 2 bowl games, 1 in Baltimore and the other I forgot.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mjohnsonvols, why are you asking me if you brought my name up? You would know it if you did.

I have no idea what you are talking about with betraying God.

How can I make it a long summer? I was merely skimming over your posts and it seemed as if you were getting tired of it. I was just trying to let you know that it's probably going be like this or worse over the course of the summer since there really isn't much to talk about.

I'm fat now? That's a new one. LOL!!!!

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 30, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin', he doesns't know who he's messin' with....

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sure he does Greer. I am going to play nice with him for a little while though before I start referring to him by his pet name, moronjohnsonvols.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on April 30, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm messin with a with a bunch of goons who get off on bashing a people.
Workin I did not bring your name up if you were skimming my post you would know that.
Greer you can come get some as well.
Sorry I called you fat workin just getting it started a little.
Boring summer already just getting things fired up a little. Not scared of you guys just trying to make it fun.
I understand you hate and is fine guys just picking up the slack for the kool aid drinkers.
have a good day guys.

Posted by wr23 on April 30, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is all Fulmer's fault!!!!!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not trying to scare anybody not do I get off on bashing people. I look forward to the mini-challenge. I've already tried to think of ways to make this a little more fair, such as typing with one hand, limiting my comments and replies to 20 words only, typing in haiku prose, etc. but can't come up with one to even the playing field fenough for you guys.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on April 30, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know I'm crazy, but I love the bowl system as it is. I'm one of the goofs that cuts out the bowl schedule and trys to watch some if not all of each bowl game. I can't help it. I'm a college football junkie. I can't get enough college football. I go into withdrawals when the season is over. I love the NFL too, but even the NFL can't take away the pain of the college season ending.

Although, I would probably love the Plus One deal if it ever came about.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 30, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck LMFAO 4:16 post

Posted by MOOREVOLS on April 30, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One good thing that has helped take away the pain of the college football season ending is Bruce Pearl and the boys.

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 30, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mjohnson, i don't enjoy bashing either. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you are indeed a very pretty man.

Posted by murrayvol on April 30, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisible: So sorry but those typos are unacceptable. We'll need a do over asap.

Fulmer protectors: I seriously doubt that CPF lays awake obsessing about what is said (good or bad) on this board.

Posted by bricker865 on April 30, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

los bastardos.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin-

There's a blog site that you might be interested in that caters to all the pessimistic d*uche b@g Vol fans just like you. You guys are worse than all the Gator and Bama fans combined. Here's the link:

www.outermonvolia.com

You should check it out. You might actually make some friends and never have to come back here again.

I bet if you ever got face to face with CPF you'd freeze up and ask him for his autograph. You suck as a human being. Here's to a long summer.

Posted by volroadwarrior on April 30, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fire Fulmer!!! He lost the SEC championship game. Fire Pearl!!! He can't get past the sweet 16. Fire Summitt!!!! She will never top what she did this year. Fire em all. That is the depth of intellect of the morons who get their panties in a wad and can't solve a problem any other way.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IBleed, I don't get online to make friends. I was in the same room as him last year. I ignored him because he's irrelevant now. I made sure I spoke to Pearl though.

Posted by volguy40 on April 30, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya know...we all love the Vols....but the Fulmer bashing is ridiculous....I think his time is coming..but until then...think that possible recruits and current players and their parents could be reading this....just seems like alot of hate being spewed towards a bunch of kids..(YES...lets remember that they are kidssss)....decisions are made...and some are wrong and some are right....and we can meet here to discuss them...but to continually spit the venom that is on here...(without naming names) is silly....just think if your child was playing at UT and you read some of the things directed towards him...or the staff...or the University.....just doesnt add up....anyway...Ill hop off my soapbox...just wanted to say...Its gonna be ok....the sun will still rise ...just hopefully after a win...but trust me...no one...but no one ..hurts like I do from a loss...but in the end...thats all it is guys.....a loss....from kids playing football....GO VOLSSSS.........

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How can you ignore him when you are in the same room with him, and then talk trash about him in a chat room the other 364 days out of the year? That's what sissies do. If you have such a big problem with the guy you should've said something to his face. You should've told him what a lousy coach you think he is.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's not really the time or the place for that sort of thing. It's more of pat on the back sort of environment. If you've ever been to one, you would know what I am talking about.

Posted by jimr07 on April 30, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigbluevol--you mentioned lesser divisions have a playoff. they do not play 12 regular season games and the playoffs are over by mid-december.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 30, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MurrayVol, I am on it boss. Amen on the second part of your post as well. To add a little to it, I still think a 59-20 loss and a 41-17 loss on national tv, along with the coaching changes, did more to adversely affect recruiting than anything said one way or another on this board.

Posted by jdcdjc on April 30, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Ten and Pac 10=$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

If we had the setup they have we might not want to make it an even field either. I just wish there was some way of shutting them out of the BCS.

Go Vols!!!

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin-

Don't act like you have some sense of the proper time and place for your actions/ words. If you did you wouldn't spin every frigging thread into a rant about our football coaching staff. It's more likely that you just didn't have the "cahonies" to say anything. Also, the proper time and place to tirelessly stump for the firing of the coaches is not during the middle of the summer when we are prepping for the upcoming season and many many months removed from our last loss. There is no way in hell that your rants in April will have any effect on who is trolling the sidelines for the Big Orange in the fall, so like I said before, STFU and come back to crucify the coaching staff once we have a loss on the record. Or if you must, try to rant with some sort of insight that is relevant to what the program is doing right now. How are the coaches F-ing up right now? What did they not see and correct in practice that any good coach would've pointed out? How did they fail to get the point across to one of the players? What top notch recruits are we missing out on? Tell us something we don't know for a change instead of pointing back to the negatives from years past that we are all aware of or resorting to dumba$$ 3rd grader humor about the coach's weight problem.
I never claimed to be Fulmer's biggest fan, but the man has won an awful lot of games and kept us competitive for a long time. We compete for the SEC almost every year. We're not going to win it all the time, and that's not always going to be the coaches' fault. The coaches can't throw the passes, or run the right routes, or catch the balls, or make the tackles, or kick the field goals for the players. In the same light, the players are just kids and they will make mistakes. They'll make them on the field, they'll make them off the field, and they'll make them to some degree their whole life. It is called being human.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IBLEED, proper time and place and "cahonies"? That's not the sort of place/function that you do that at. Sorry that you can't grasp that. Why would I be afraid to say something to Fulmer in person? I mean what is he going to do? It's not like he's going to hit me. Yawn...I quit reading after the 2nd sentence.

Posted by threehundredbowler on April 30, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workinglikeheck did not have the nerve to say to Fulmers face what she says through the typewriter keys.Talk about two faced.I would like to buy her for what she is worth and sell her for what she thinks she is worth.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin-

If you had stopped reading after the first 2 sentences you would've never gotten to the "cahonies" part. It's not that I don't grasp what you are saying; it's that I just don't believe you and your response gives you away. You didn't have to be afraid of getting hit. You could've (and were) afraid of not being allowed to come back, of getting thrown out, of everyone realizing what an a$shole you are, etc... I'm sure that the brass in that room had a lot more influence on CPF's job then just about everyone who posts on this site, so why not say speak up when you actually had a chance to make your case in front of those people? Because you were scared that's why. Yawn- you're such a tool.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 30, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

soemthing about a large pumpkin doesn't really intimidate me. People already know I am a-hole so there's really no secret there. In fact, it's more of a suprise that I didn't say anything. I do like your use of the word tool though. It's so late 90s, just like Foolmore.

Posted by jamali76 on April 30, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just to let you know IBLEED,it's spelled cajones, not cahonies.It's funny the same people who support Fulmer are the very ones who can't spell or read too well,coincidence?

Posted by dvols on April 30, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

32 bowl games = 64 teams

64 (65) teams in basketball tourney.

regular games in season is what makes college football different than any other sport.

except pac 10, big 10 and lsu

bottom line is take care of your business and you can get to the title game!

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 30, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jamali76-

Sorry I misspelled the one Spanish word that I threw in the post. I took French while I was in college, and I'm sure that it is pretty evident from my writing style in my posts that I don't read very well. I noticed that you didn't bother to attack my argument, just my spelling of a word in a foreign language. I'm sure you'll keep that up until the first time you mess up and someone corrects your grammar and/ or spelling. Until then, would you like to add something relevant, or should I just holler back at you when I am ready for another reading comprehension refresher?

Workin-

I'm sure no one was surprised that you didn't say anything. My guess is that Fulmer came in and your sack shriveled up and you sat there with your little mouth shut.

Posted by pdhuff on April 30, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GreerVol24- 3:24pm -a dozen fritters would last most people a week.

Or two. Ralph's fritters weigh from 12 oz to a pound. A pound fritter is easily the equivalent to a dozen glazed.

Posted by philfan on April 30, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Notre Dame and the few other Division One independent teams should be required to join a football conference, and that each conference should be required to have a playoff at the end of the regular season. Add to this a few more BCS bowls, and I will be satisfied. There will always be controversy with a playoff system for determining a national championship, so I say forget it. The more bowl teams at the end of the year, the better. The BCS system is not perfect but I think it is an honest attempt to be fair and objective. At 119 teams, it would be impossible to find the two best teams in the nation.

Posted by rabidvol1998 on April 30, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whining Like Heck.

Posted by murrayvol on April 30, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff: Are Ralph's fritters cornmeal based or flour based? Just curious.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on April 30, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck, I too wish you would tone it down a little. All these arguments do is force people to read through 50 posts to find two or three opinions related to the article. We are all aware of your opinion now, so why not let it go till you have new material to add to the discussion. I am interested in hearing your opinions but not being beaten over the head with him.

And can we stop with the gender related comments? Maturity...

Oh, and the haikus wouldn't get the job done. Shakespearian sonnet? Its possible...

Posted by supersmo18 on April 30, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We're all just fighting an uphill battle with a lot of wishful thinking. It's all about the Benjamins... I mean, tell me I'm wrong. I just find it ironic that the only, and let me repeat -- THE ONLY -- level of organized football play that does not implement a playoff system of some sort, from Pop-Warner to the NFL, is The NCAA Div. 1 (or FBS or whatever the hell they renamed it--that's gay, too). The only way anyone will ever get a playoff is if a bunch of wackos like us somehow overthrew the current BCS (or as I say, BS) system and did it our way.

Posted by UTfan4life on April 30, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT first BCS national champions!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL at IBLEED, still living in the 90s. Just like Foolmore.

Posted by robvols on May 1, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Little 10 and the conference out West need to grow some big, big balls. They want the easy way to the NC. Besides, those conferences (and the Rose Bowl) are only available on national cable. (ABC Sports is dead and the media has not grown to accept the fact!) That is a sad picture to accpet, folks .

It will be much sadder when the NC goes national cable in the next

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on May 1, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WhiningLikeCR, if Fulmer is so irrelevent that you won't tell him what you think to his face then why is he relevent enough that you feel the need to CONSTANTLY bring him up even when an article isn't about him?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Irelevant on the national scale....still relevant locally/regionally due to high % of kool-aid drinkers that don't want results and think Foolmore created Tennessee football.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on May 1, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Now, you said he was too irrelevant to talk to at what I'm guessing was a Big Orange Caravan stop or something similar. If I'm not mistaken, that would be a local/regional event. Why so irrelevant there but not online from the anonymous safety of home?

He’s obviously relevant enough for you to hang on every word uttered from his mouth so you can find some type of fault in it.

Posted by mparker on May 1, 2008 at 1:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sigh;
i'll be godd@m dead and gone before we ever have a playoff. Did you read?? Delaney and his cronies spot it out like it was a nasty word you wouldn't say in school.

The only way to change this is to get fans to BOYCOTT the BCS. All of it, every game. Don't buy tickets, don't watch on tv. It'd take about one year of a 'fan's revolt' to get it done.

Posted by UTvols12342000 on May 1, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fulmer owns workiny-thats why. It is apparent to any logical person.

and even if it was a pat the back/handshaking function, you should have been a MAN, walked up to CPF, shook his hand, said something nice, then make your grievances known in an intelligent and calm manner. That is appropriate anytime anywhere. I think that requires you being more of a man than you are.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on May 1, 2008 at 2:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

See workin, everyone else on here can "grasp" that you were scared too! Bottom line, nobody wants to hear that sh!t about how bad we're gonna be all the time!!!!
It takes the fun right out of it for a whole lot of people, so if all you have to say is negative crap then do the rest of us a favor. Grow a pair and write the AD a letter. We get it already.

Mparker-

You're on to something with the boycot. Too bad none of us could really do it!

Posted by sjt18 on May 1, 2008 at 3:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A plus one or any other concept like that would only increase the likelihood that the SEC champion would win the NC. There's no surprise the other conferences would oppose a system that actually removed more of the politics and voter biases. The only team right now that would routinely compete with the SEC champ is USC.

Posted by RocketVol on May 1, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

when words like "very good discussion" or "we have decided" or "we feel" are used, it means there was no data, no business case, and it's a bunch of kiss-a$$ politicians who love their lofty job the way it is. No decision that is good for the game, or anyone else will come out of them - it's why America is what it is today. Besides, conferences such as the Big11 know that their only chance is to NOT eliminate their own teams prior to the big dance - you already see what the best they have to offer gets them.

Posted by pdhuff on May 1, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just realized, this article is about the BCS. Doesn't concern Tenn fans, we don't participate.

Hope Phil's having fun on the range.

Feel better now.......

Posted by ETorange on May 1, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I keep hearing that UCONN wants to schedule Notre Dame in football wherever they want to play. Maybe they can throw Geno in to be the leprechaun !! And if eveything works, out then the Irish can play Georgia for the BCS National Championship maybe even in Dalton.( Big Carpet Savings)

Posted by richvol on May 1, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What could be easier than to seed four teams? It would make three of the games really important where only one is really meaningful now. It would not diminish any of the regular season...as a matter of fact four teams would be fighting for those spots instead of only two. And did anybody notice that the two teams that had the most to complain about were SEC teams?

To state that the commissioners and presidents have the welfare of the student athletes foremost is on the face of it B---S---. They really believe the fans are stupid.

Posted by pdhuff on May 1, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol - Ralph's fritters are sugar and calory based. Flour and sugar and apples and 50+ yrs know-how. I need to get his address. He could Fedex those bad boys.

Ol' 99gator needs one. On hongry mornings, I bet me and Phil could get one in each cheek. Take to about 10:30 to chew it up, but it'd be better than Skoal.

Fritters rule. Free TDTN!

Posted by mparker on May 1, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

richvol;
they don't think the fans are stupid. it's pure and simple aritocratic disdain. In their heart of hearts, they disdain us and look at us as beer-swilling fat-a$$ swine. Maybe they are right.

What they are forgetting is this: WE fund the whole scheme, from taxes to tickets to you name it.

You know what it will take?? It will take the big Tin getting snubbed for 3 years in a row. The boycott idea would work, but it would take someone powerful to pull THAT off, and no one in this country seems to give a damn about anything except making moeny.

Kind of a rant, but it to me is a sympton of the sick-a$$, greedy, wrong-headed way that America acts nowadays. We need a new Age of Reason, instead of this Age of Stupidity.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr-

You're right that they don't play 12 games. They play 11. I would gladly trade one regular season home game (someone like Louisiana Monroe, etc) for the chance to host a playoff game (as is the case in the lower divisions). The fact that they finish in mid-December actually only encourages the notion that a playoff can be accomplished in major college football.

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What does it matter to UT whether there is one or not? The way things look, we probably will still not be nationally relevant team in 2014 anyway.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does finishing in the top 15 of a national poll mean you are nationally irrelevant?

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on May 1, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bigblueyouknowwhatvol - not winning a BCS game in 10 years will make people forget about you.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me know when we can get out of September undefeated, win an SEC title or actually go to a BCS game instead of dreaming about it.

I really don't hang on Foolmore's every word because for the most part it's the same excuses and BS. I like how you hang on everything I said. Sorry, but it wasn't at the BOC and it wasn't the time or place. Keep guessing though.

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bigblue -

No SEC title since 98 season or BCS game since 99 season. We can't win our way in and the big bowls don't seem to want to pick us up as an at-large team.

Yes, I'd consider us nationally irrelevant, especially considering this was a 4 team playoff proposal.

Posted by auttat on May 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ibleed, seriously seriously seriously destroyed Workin last night. The guy left him speechless.

It's funny that you say that Fulmer is irrelevant, but every one of your post's concerns him in some way. Wouldn't that make him all too relevant? Or, am I being rational again?

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Also -

When your own athletic department thinks a 10-4 season is above expectations, I think it's pretty safe to say you have become nationally irrelevant.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tiger, I don't think the overall record was what the quote was referring to. I think the point was reaching the SEC title game was above expectations. That's where the bonuses come in. As for the argument that we're irrelevant because it was a four team playoff, that means that there are around 116 irrelevant teams. Silent, obviously people haven't forgotten about UT since we have played in the SEC title game, were on ABC, CBS, and ESPN last year. I understand the frustrations, but don't overexaggerate and get suicidal about it.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL @ auttat!!!!! That is a nice theory and all, however, I don't think my posts about Foolmore would make him relevant again. Didn't know I was that important. Winning an SEC title or getting to a BCS game on the other hand would probably do the trick. Please by all means, continue being rational.

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not really.

Probably 8-10 teams are typically jockeying for one of those top 4 spots with the occasional wild card thrown in the mix. We've not been in that situation in November since 2001.

Nice try though. We're irrelevant nationally. Talk to someone outside of the state and ask if we are relevant. Heck, I'd be surprised if an unbiased person ranked us any higher than 4th.....in the conference.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I also like how I was told in the same sentence to "grow a pair" and write a letter to the AD.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, when the majority of our games are moved from CBS, ESPN, and ABC to Lincoln Financial and we are no longer able to land highly regarded players on a consistent basis, then you're going to be correct. Until then, agree to disagree.

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ummm.........

The Alabama game wasn't on national TV last year for the first time since 1988 and we just got the worst recruiting class of the Fulmer era. I believe 2 conference games went untelevised (pay per view doesn't count) in 2007 for the first time since the CBS/ESPN/LF sports package went into affect in the SEC.

Also take into account CBS dropped the UT/Florida game from a prime time slot to 3:30 kickoff and on weekends when there was more than one CBS game televised, we got the B announcing crew every time.

Next?

Posted by auttat on May 1, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Relevant to you workin. You constantly bringing him up in every one of your posts would make him relevant to you. Sorry I didn't explain myself. I should have known that would have been hard for you to grasp.

Good to know you didn't dispute Ibleed destroying you, though. Let me reiterate a point Ibleed made. You ignore Fulmer when you are in the same room with him, but get on a website and post behind a screen name about how bad a coach he is, or how "irrelevant" he is. All the while, you have the audacity to call someone little or small. HAHA!!! Watch this, I can do it, too...LOL!!!!!!!!!

Please, tell me who the irrelevant one his, again.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bigblue, check out the NCAA/Conference differences between teams that 1) go to bowl games and the quality of bowl games 2) teams that appear on national television moreso than teams that do not and so on. The NCAA/Conference distribution is far lower for teams that get on television less and go to lower tier bowl games. So when games like Bama get moved to JP, we don't get as much money distributed to us at the end of the year.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on May 1, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, when the majority of our games are moved from CBS, ESPN, and ABC to Lincoln Financial and we are no longer able to land highly regarded players on a consistent basis, then you're going to be correct. Until then, agree to disagree.

Like the Alabama game to regional tv last year? Like more games than ever moved to PPV instead of regional?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by jamali76 on April 30, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just to let you know IBLEED,it's spelled cajones, not cahonies.It's funny the same people who support Fulmer are the very ones who can't spell or read too well,coincidence?

I'm sorry Jamali, but it looks foolish to criticize someone for spelling when you don't have the ability to properly space your punctuation. And the phrase "read too well", while not technically incorrect, is much less desireable than "read very well". It simply sounds ignorant. I would also think that a comma is not needed between that phrase and the word "coincidence". A period would have been better.

Having said that, I realize that I make grammar and spelling mistakes as well. There is absolutely no relation between support of Fulmer and proper English usage. There is, however, a direct relation between Workinlikeheck's a-hole and his male tramp stamp.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I said the majority of our games. Cal, Florida, UGA, USC, Kentucky, LSU, and Wisconsin on the major networks. Alabama, Arkansas on LF. Pay-per-view for MSU and Vandy (as you said, first time in a while but Vandy has been on and off pay-per-view for years) Ark State and Southern Miss would be pay-per-view games in just about any year. UT/Florida was 3:30 which is the normal time CBS televises games nationally. It's not unprecedented for this to be the case (see 1996 and 1997, 2000, 2002 part of a doubleheader). As for the B crew, CBS was focusing on LSU this year since they were the highest ranked conference team in the country. Both double header games we played in led into LSU games.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Add 1995 to the UT/UF afternoon time slot.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe that may have been ABC, though.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't know pointing out someone's flaws makes them relevant to me. Tennessee football is relevant to me, not Foolmore, which is why I post and why I want accountabilty.

Posted by auttat on May 1, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What? I really don't think you are that dumb, Workin. The fact that you know every one of his flaws and continue to point them out makes him relevant to you. Sheesh!!

Someone can be relevant to you in a good OR bad way. A 5 yr old could see that Coach Phil Fulmer is very, very, very relevant to you, Workin.

Posted by cjraney on May 1, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish I was as cool as the folks on here who have keyboard duels with other posters, triumphing [in their own minds] over every opponent through their insurmountable wit and intellect. So cool.

Long summer indeed....

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Workinlikeheck.

The problem with your style is that you offer no alternatives. You offer no answers. You offer no plan that gaurantees Tennessee football to jump to the forefront on all levels and for an extended period.

Criticism is easy while laying out answers (and gaurantees) is very difficult.

We, as fans, hold Tennessee football and tradition very dear. Not even the most die-hard Fulmer supporter would put HIM before the program. I certainly don't. However, I do not see an answer, a gaurantee, that firing him will put us back to 90's grandeur. I live outside the state of Tennessee and have lived all over the country for most of my adult life. This may be hard to believe, but people in Virginia, Texas, California, and Michigan do not love Tennessee football like we do. A 5-star kid growing up in Oklahoma is no more/less interested in playing at UT than he is Wake Forest or Purdue. Most big-time prospects want to play either for the home team or the team/s that offer the most opportunity. Tennessee has always been a big stage (thus we always recruit some talent)...but having a big stadium just isn't enough! A TV camera doesn't care how big the stadium is! With the mass media as it is today, crowd size and attendance means ZILCH.

Tennessee has a mediocre recruiting base within the state. It's a fact. Probably the worst part is that our state is so looooong from East to West, and Western residents/families do not hold the big orange tradition in as high esteem as Easterners. I won't go into the racial differences from East to West in the state, but this is certainly a factor. So is the population density.

Getting talent at Tennessee is hard. Face it, we are very lucky to have been so consistant at recruiting throughout the decades (including Majors, Dickey, Battle, and even Neyland years). Our winning percentages speak to that ability to convince a kid (who otherwise would say "Tennessee who"?) to come play here. That is becoming a tougher task as the landscape of media exposure allows for the small schools to recruit stars.

Fulmer is not the greatest game day coach, but he is far from the worst. He's not the best coach that Tennessee could hire, but the nature of today's college football is a coaching caroussel. We could certainly go out and gamble on an up-and-coming poster-boy, but even if he succeeded in winning a championship he may not be around for very long.

I'm not saying that a new coach isn't a viable answer...All I'm saying is that the negative (to the inth degree) atmosphere is worse than any other alternative. If you want another coach, let's discuss why! Let's discuss why for reasons other than KK and fritters. Let's talk about specific playcalling, specific coaching decisions, and let's take a realistic look at all the alternatives.

If more of you jerks would calm down, use reason, and avoid the 3rd-grade "humor", you actually might win some support for your ideas.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It will be a long summer. I just hope little auttat is ready for that. Once the fall gets here though, we won't get out of September undefeated (again), and thus be irrelevant. I be reminding people of this all througout the summer and fall because Tennessee football is still relevant to me even though Foolmore is still our coach. I just hope little auttat can handle it.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, I forgot to add that I flattered that I am so relevant on this message board since people talk about me constantly (good and bad), accuse me of ruining recruiting classes, and making Foolmore relevant. It's great to be noticed like that.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes Workin, just like it is great for a 5 year old kid to get noticed by everyone at Wal-mart when he throws a tantrum to get what he wants. If causing a train-wreck to get noticed is your only way, then so be it. I feel so very sorry about that.

Posted by iowavol on May 1, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's an idea since only the SEC and ACC were willing to move forward. After the conference championship games, let the SEC and ACC hold their own 4 team playoff - the top two from each conference. Heck you could even do an 8 team playoff with the top 4 from each conference. Games would be done before Christmas - a southern states champion would be crowned and the anticlimatic bowl season could continue.

Posted by auttat on May 1, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You are the most relevant person on this site, Workin. You should definitely be proud.

Maybe pdhuff can find you a shirt!!! Wear it proudly, big guy.

Summer is never too long, though. I have grown into a fair weather golfer, so I can actually get back out on the course now.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you don't want to notice me, than don't pay attention. It's really that simple. I don't make you read my posts, but obviously people do because I am relevant just like the 5 year old child in Walmart. Right auttat?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I declared April over back on April 10th. I am going to hold off on declaring May over until probably the beginning of next week. June is going to be unbearable at this point.

Posted by auttat on May 1, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, if a 5 yr old throwing a tantrum in WalMart can be relevant, you definitely can, workin.

Enjoy your vacation

Posted by VOLstuckINky on May 1, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

boycott the rose bowl .. for it is the only reason there is no plus one.

Posted by mparker on May 1, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol_in_lsu, bigblue...

some great posts, and a thought for you.

Since this board does not have an 'ignore' feature, you have to create one yourself. There are certain posters on here who just like to yank chains and see the reactions. Pretty much mean-spirited, nasty, snotty.

---------------------------------
Per vol_in_lsu post about Tenn talent. I agree, and have ssid it for years. It is NOT a state rich with HS football stars. Nowadays, with almost every team in conference on the rise, plus Louisville, the ACC, and several of the big Tin schools after what talent there is, it is harder than ever.

To the spirit of this article, I am a college football fan, SEC fan, and UT fan. The lack of a playoff is just a travesty. So, now, we say '2014'. After that, 2019, after that....

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on May 1, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys can go ahead and hate the coaches and the inferior recruiting classes all you want. Come game day, I'll still be the one in the street starting the chants on the way to the stadium. I'll still be one of the ones who believes that we can compete with any team in the country. I'll still be one of the ones who can't talk until Tuesday b/c I yelled as loud as I could on every play on defense. I'll be there singing Rocky Top in the middle of the UCLA bars just like I was at the Cal bars, and I'm gonna love every minute of it because I'm a Tennessee Vol to the core. You have to understand that we're going to lose some games. If you can't understand that and still enjoy it, then maybe you shouldn't follow any sports teams.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, I agree with you. If every other level of football can do it, I know that Division I can. However, until the big boosters, presidents and bowls realize that they are in danger of alienating the people we won't have that playoff. It's a shame too, because the sport would be better for it.

Posted by cjraney on May 1, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IBO, I'm with you. They say "To each his own" but I just don't understand the constant misery. It just doesn't sound fun to me.

Posted by marc_ash on May 1, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yea, you notice who the main conferences were that didn't wan't a championship game? Don't tell me the conferences that don't play in one aren't voting to keep themselves at an advantage.

What is interesting to me is that the argument of money is now COMPLETELY thrown out the door. What the committee discussed was in essence a system that would create MORE revenue. This isn't about money (directly), it's about advantages for certain schools/conferences.

Pathetic that the powers that be can't seem to get things straight for the better progression of the game. One more reason for me to hate the Big ten and ND.

Posted by bigorangedude on May 1, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard someone say Congress was looking at the BCS, saying it was unconsitutional? Has anyone heard that? Either way thanks to the BCS we have a national championship, but I would prefer an 8 team playoff

Posted by gobigo00 on May 1, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been a Vols fan for a long time and I think all you people who post on every article about the UT Football team, turning it into a Fulmer bashing contest are really sad. You take UT football way to serious. Last time I checked I never got anything from UT last time they won a National Championship or SEC Championship, and UT didn't send anyone to beat the crap out of me when they went 5-6. If you don't get chills when that team runs thru the T undefeated or with 6 losses maybe you're just foolin yourselves and you need to take up tennis or bird watching. It's just a game and I'd rather see a competitive football league where anyone can win and the games are going to be exciting regardless, then watch a team that dominates every game and never looses. We'll see how much of an asset PF is when he decides he's had enough and we end up like Notre Dame or Alabama or LSU (pre Saban). What a bunch of punk cowards. I'd like to see some of your pictures instead of hiding behind a made up screen name. But I'm sure all the Fulmer bashers are physical specimens and coaching geniuses.

Posted by marc_ash on May 1, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker,
I wish I had the "cajones" to boycott. I love the Vols and college football way too much to do that. I'd be a terrible picket line supporter.

I even renewed my seasons tickets yesterday....sigh (I'm weak).

Posted by marc_ash on May 1, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gobigo00,

I agree with a majority of your post. I suppose for some folks, bashing something such as the Vols somehow gives them a sense of feeling better.

I agree, true fan's love the Vols and appreciate what they mean to the people of Tennessee. I am 34 years old and still get teary eyed and chills on my back each time the Vols run through the "T". Thats true appreciation and pride.

I made a comment to a moronic memphis tiger fan last week in reference to why they get so angry when they lose. The Memphis basketball team is that cities "goliath". That is their champion and gives them 'worth'. When that team loses, the city loses and the people feel "weak" when their team shows weakness. I think that is the case with UT for some fans. Love them when they are dominant, become enraged when they lose.

I love my Vols and will bleed orange to a national championship or through another 5-6 season. The best way you can show the Vols appreciation is to be thankful for what you have and be thankful for the current success.

Posted by marc_ash on May 1, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just received word that Ramar Smith has been dismissed from the BBall team. Looks like Pearl has also offered a Juco pg that used to play for Oklahoma a scholarship(Maze is his name).

We'll see how this pans out.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on May 1, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workinwhatever - F U buddy!! That's all I have to say to you.

We all knew the Little 10 and ButtPac 10 were p_s_y's!! It's a shame we all suffer for their own selfish cause!

John Adams is Trash!!!

Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker...

I do agree with you. Ignoring IS the best way. Unfortunately, internet culture is pretty universal and I've participated in enough boards on various subjects to know this: When you get a large enough group of people from various backgrounds and locations posting on a topic, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get everyone to use the "ignore" function in their brains. Therefore, enough people will always keep "feeding the trolls" to make it a lost cause.

So, in that vein I have a "if you can't beat'em, join'em" approach. And just as this past season proved more positive than negative, the negative posters on this site will always get the short end of the stick come football season.

Ever noticed how quiet this place is when the Vols win in football? It takes a close one or a loss for them to show up. Thankfully that isn't the rule but rather the exception.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on May 1, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash-

Where did you hear that about Ramar being off the team? That sucks! I mean, there could have been a perfectly good reason for it, but it still sucks.

Posted by bowerst on May 1, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowl games are good, because lots of kids at smaller schools get a nice reward, hopefully in a sunny locale in late December.

Under the current system the SEC beats itself up so that we sometimes don't get a team in the title game. If there were four teams, the SEC champ would be there every year. The Big 10 and Big 12 know they can't beat the SEC, and even though they only play 2 or 3 decent teams a year, they have a great shot at getting in the title game, so why change it?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John_Adams_is_Trash is scared. Saying those things behind his keyboard. LOL!!!!!!!

Posted by cjraney on May 1, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc-
Are you serious about Ramar?

Posted by Laydbakvol on May 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anyone ever thought about making this post into a reality show? They could hire actors to read the comments and we could vote them off each week. Survivor UT

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just an FYI, Stewart Mandel has ranked us 12 in his post spring poll.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...

There are four SEC teams ahead of us which goes to show how difficult our conference is.

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Also, Hyams just said on Sports Talk that the Ramar rumor and Maze scholarship offer rumor are false. Said he spoke to an assistant who denied them.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

re:bigblue vol

What it really means is that Georgia has impressed enough people that a preseason #1 is likely (which means squat). It also means that the rest of the SEC powerhouses (FL, AU, LSU, TN) are pretty much a toss-up with talent levels. My gut is that national sportswriters are taking a conservative wait-and-see approach because of the new OC and staff. My gut tells me that Clawson will have them ready. My gut tells me AU is overrated and that FL, GA, and TN may wind up in a three-way tie again and that I can only hope that Tennessee draws the longest straw for a rematch with LSWho.

Posted by robvols on May 1, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BIGBLUEVOL,

ABC Sports does not exist anymore, THEY ARE DEAD SINCE 2006. Please say ESPN.

Thank You.

It will be sad when the NC goes on national cable in 2010 to the biased sports CABLE network; the Rose Bowl needs to move back to national television (NBC,CBS, Fox)

Posted by bigbluevol on May 1, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rob,

Since the game is on the ABC channel, and since ESPN is owned by ABC, and since it's called ESPN on ABC, I still refer to it as ABC. Sorry for the confusion.

We opened the season on ESPN on ABC last year and are doing so again this year.

Not to be cantakorous, but I am pretty sure it's the NBA on ABC.

Posted by tigervol9802 on May 1, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigblue -

Try yet again, the game is on ESPN, not ESPN on ABC.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It dawned on me today, a question that just went through my mind.

I wonder, do we as Vol fans want a PROGRAM that draws the best athletes, or do we want a COACH that draws the best? Obviously, a combination of both would be the best answer, but entertain some thoughts...

U of Florida, though it has been tough since Spurrier took them to new heights, is steadily building itself as a program. One can easily argue that it has placed itself in a prominent position on the national stage, long-term program history aside. Having 2 NCs under 2 coaches in a short period has helped a great deal. The same goes for LSU. LSU had fallen completely off the charts by the 90's and was never a truly consistant program. Having 2 NCs under 2 coaches in a short period has cemented their reputation nationally for the near term. But even with Florida, the Zook years proved that Florida's success wasn't built around the program as much as the coach and his national reputation.

Alabama is the SHINING example of what it means to lose respect as a program. Of course, the glory years of Bama football were built on the reputation of Bear Bryant, but even after his retirement Bama had success under Bill Curry and Gene Stallings. Does anyone believe that either of those coaches even remotely approaches Bear Bryant's stature? At that point, Bama was recruiting talent almost exclusively by name brand appeal...(my opinion)...Notre Dame is another program that has had long term success just by being "Notre Dame". Part of that is due to legendary coaching, but it mostly endures because of tradition.

However, Bama allowed the program to become corrupted by NCAA violations. It didn't take long for it to tank. At this stage in the game, the only thing keeping the program afloat is the fresh potential of a name-brand coach. Nevertheless, does anyone here think that Saban cares about Bama football or that Bama fans really care about Saban? It's a convenience arrangement. Saban is like store-bought boobs on a woman. Great to think about, but you'll always know they ain't real. It isn't Bama football that will win games for Bama, it's Saban making a name for himself before he decides to retire with a fat check.

I've seen the negative ninnies say they refuse to support the "University of Fulmer". I have news for you, Tennessee's success, no matter who the coach, is built on 60% reputation, tradition, and facilities, and maybe 40% coaching and recruiting skills. I'd rather have a program that speaks for itself rather than having to hire a "ho" to come in and "fix it".

This is why I love Tennessee football, and I'm happy to have Fulmer maintain that program consistancy and tradition.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on May 1, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Saban = Fake Tits

That's genius!

Seriously though, you make a good point. I'd rather have a program that sustains b/c of its tradition than one that is successful b/c of a great flash-in-the-pan coach. Coaches will come and go, but tradition will live on even if you end up with a bad coach for a while.

Posted by jcherrie on May 1, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If it ain't broke? It's been broke for over 100 years.

Georgia is a bad counter example. No one outside of Athens will ever look back at the 2007 season and claim that Georgia was screwed out of a National championship.

Auburn was screwed. Penn State was screwed. And in '98 if UCLA and KSU win their final games - we could have been screwed too.

No one is claiming to have a perfect system - but Slive's recommendations would have gone a long way to fixing things.

Posted by robvols on May 1, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No bigbluevol,

the NBA is on ESPN; the sport is now referred as a "cable sport". That is sad and it makes the NHL look good.

Any sport that shows up on ABC should be referred to as "you are watching a free preview of ESPN", or can be seen on your local ABC affiliate. ABC affiliates are somewhat known as ESPN affiliates. So if you have the regular package with a cable company (without the extended package) and the price is much higher than it was just a few years ago, then you will know why.

Remember, stealing cable is wrong.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You like that eh Ibleed? LOL!!!

Look, I'd like to address something else that gets discussed on this site: The influence that media such as J. Adams and negative fans/posters such as on GoVolsXtra have on Vol football, recruiting, and game-day results.

I've seen some posters here scoff at the idea that their negativity could influence the recruitment of a potential athlete.

Do any of you people use "Google"?...Google is THE main search engine on the internet. Have any of you fellers placed the keyword "Vols" into that little field on Google? I do occasionally, and guess what the lead hit is? Here ya go:

GoVolsXtra.com: University of Tennessee sports from The News SentinelGoVolsXtra.com, updated daily by The Knoxville News-Sentinel. In-depth coverage of the University of Tennessee athletics department.
www.govolsxtra.com/ - 68k - Cached - Similar pages

WOW!!! Our beloved site! Who'da thunk?

Now, I know this is a big stretch, but it seems reasonable to me that even big, hungry D-linemen in HS have access to SOME kind of internet connection (be it at school, church, library, or even home) And I would hope that "Vols" would be an easy enough word to type on a keyboard. I may be stretching things, but I would venture that the family and friends of such an athlete would encourage him to do research on the program before making a commitment. Call me crazy, but I can picture a big D-lineman's momma sitting at home with her laptop learning a little more about the school that this guy "Fulmer" who keeps calling coaches at.

This is the communications age people. You don't have to go to the library and view microfiche to read newspaper articles anymore.

Same goes for national sportsmedia outlets. You think guys like Adams don't influence the national media? Google "Vols" under "news" on Google....Sometimes there are 3,4 articles from GVX that make the list. You don't think the big media like SportingNews, SI, and ESPN don't have paid researchers scouring the headlines for a breaking story? You don't think that the current players, potential recruits, etc. read this crap now and then?

Guess what people, it is fans on this site and a few others, as well as call-ins on radio shows and letters in editorials, that sound the alarm that fans are unhappy. Hey, that's OK, especially if you really are unhappy. But if this site is a big joke for you, a personal playground to incite people, and if you REALLY LOVE VOLUNTEER FOOTBALL, then you ought to reconsider your tactics. Making fun of current players, former players, coaches, and recruits IS NOT a reasonable way to affect positive results for Tennessee football. In fact, it's probably the tactic of a fan from another school...which is often what I think these guys really are anyway.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 1, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yawn...make it a baker's dozen....glazed.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 1, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In other words WLheck: If you want Fulmer gone, that's great! Its your right to want a new coaching era. Truth is, I look forward to a change eventually myself. Problem: You AREN'T going to get Fulmer fired any time soon. The only person who can get Fulmer canned is Fulmer. If he loses **more than** 4 games next season, then Hamilton will feel the heat and we might see a forced retirement. Otherwise, he's here till he breaks Neyland's record (book it)

So he's here to stay. Now what do you want for Tennessee? Do you want a solid foundation laid in Fulmer's last years for the next coach? Or do you want a burnt and charred wasteland that will take a decade to rebuild? It behooves all of us as fans to be as supportive of Fulmer as we can be. Him breaking Neyland's record will be big news (in the SEC anyway). It will be good for the media guides. It will be good for the next regime of coaching (as probable diciples of Fulmer ie Clawson)...It will be good for Vol football, period.

Kicking the coach to the curb under the same flurry of enuendo as J. Majors will NOT be good for TN Football...at least not with a commited, viable coach ready to take the reigns.

Think about it.

Posted by sjt18 on May 2, 2008 at 2:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Oh, I forgot to add that I flattered that I am so relevant on this message board since people talk about me constantly"

Guys. In case you hadn't figured it out... this confession pretty much sums it up. Ol' CR NEEDS to feel he's successfully yanking someone's chain and getting their "attention" to feel important. It makes him feel powerful to get people in a tizzy.

Pathetic... but that seems to be his pattern. Have you noticed how he's incited an argument on every thread recently? He can't discuss things... and that really doesn't seem to be his intent. Just wants attention... again, pathetic.

Posted by GerryOP on May 2, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Uhh, vol_in_lsu_land, with your comments at 9:19 PM in mind, how would a potential recruits' momma take your little commentary on ol' Workin a couple of nights ago?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 2, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry, I guess they'd figure that Tennessee has the friendliest fans in the country. I sure kno