Posted by txvolsfan on January 5, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Next year should be another interesting year.
I really like the way UT's schedule is set up.
UCLA should be a good road win, UAB, Northern Ill., Wyoming. not a very tough non conf. schedule. Adding Auburn will be tough, Fla. and Bama at home. Not a real scary schedule.
Hope Phil can capitalize on a tame schedule.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by dkerr on January 5, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny!

Posted by jsaintge08 on January 5, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looking good

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 5, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very funny John! A top 10 team next year? Right..................................

Posted by mdvol on January 5, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Georgia will be the Tennessee of 2005.

Posted by lempga on January 5, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John, please stay in LA.

Posted by mojojojo on January 5, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Zeke asks, "Who will be the #1 dry cleaner"?

Posted by Oenoboy on January 5, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm looking forward to next year to shut the Legion of Miserables right the duck up. (Did I just hit the wrong key?)

I predict a minimum of 11 wins with a more likely number of 12. Georgia will loose at least 2 games next year and Florida will loose 2 or less. It's going to be a three headed monster with winners of each game not necessarily at an advantage to play in Atlanta over the teams they beat.

Posted by Volfan1 on January 5, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It all depends on Crompton. Period.

Posted by jcherrie on January 5, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hawaii '07 was no Boise of '06. Georgia beat a high school team that the Wisconsin cheeseheads would have waxed. In '08 Georgia will have a good team and major heartache finishing at 9-3 and 3rd in the SEC east.

Posted by RocketVol on January 6, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, I wouldn't get too overconfident Mr. Can't Type, considering this year's team was super close to 6-6 and no trip to Atlanta or Outback. After 2 wicked drubbings from our biggest rivals, 3 near misses, barely beating Vandy, and a horribly coached 2nd-half bowl later, I'm not sure we've healed yet. Hope we do well and glad the team's back, but the real question will be: is the coaching-reason UT was 10-4 still in Knoxville?....or did they leave for North Carolina?

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we will be top 10 or unranked at the end of next season. It is all about Crompton (or whoever plays qb) being fully ready to go out and win games. If UF's D looks like it did at the end of the year, we may have a shot at the national title (sounds crazy but I think next year is like a 90's year given our schedule).

We really should beat UGA....same team we have killed twice in a row. whoever wins the west should be beatable, so it comes back to UF....which we will probably lose.

So top 10 and sugar bowl with luck or Cap One bowl like old times.

Posted by Hunter on January 6, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerod Mayo is good for at least two wins next year. We'll have a much better idea about our fortunes for next season when he decides. Similar things could be said about Anthony Parker - he'll be an anchor up front. Tennessee must return to powerful run blocking under a new OC while maintaining the pocket for Crompton as they did for Ainge this year.

Cautiously optimistic pending hires and draft declarations......

Posted by bullfrog07 on January 6, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee top 10 - I hope and wish but with the schedule we have, I don't see it. Aub, Ga, Ala, Fla & SC. With Phil we're destined to lose at least three of these if not all five. I can't see us any better than 9-3 and in most years that won't get you in the top ten.

Posted by bucklesvol on January 6, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its funny all the talk about GA being one of the best teams this year??? They beat a WAC team with NO, and I mean No schedule! So congrats to them dogs for backing into the Sugar Bowl and beating Hawaii?? Doesn't our Victory over Winsconsin sound better. Hawaii or Winsconsin? Who would I like to play.

Next year? Well, should be fun I think. Good home schedule. If, and if we win all home games our year becomes even more better. That means wins over FL, AL, SC. You all remember our last trip to UCLA, lost starting QB and Payton began his career with a loss. Important to win the 1st game starting off on the right foot!

Posted by VOLS85 on January 6, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So slim one...I know you like to think that your ideas are based on realism and facts...where in fact you're just enamored by the idea of not enjoying your University's head coach. Is the reason you don't think they'll be top 10 because they'll finish between 10-13th in the polls this year? But it's easy to forget that we've improved the past two years...why should we keep improving? probably because you don't want us to...Or is it because we're losing our quarterback that many feel wasn't good enough anyways? Or maybe it's because our terrible defense got blown out earlier this year but played out of their shoes for the last half of the season and returns a ton of starters, including one Demetrice Morley to team up with that young Eric Berry guy? We can talk about all of the hypothetical 6-6 finish to the year and how we could have folded up and gone home, but we didn't. Remember 1998...we almost didn't win that national championship (insert Arkansas) but the ball fell our way...but I guess we should win every game 130-0 or we have failed you. I know the positivity is really tough to accept...I guess mom and dad didn't pay enough attention to you when you were a child...that tends to yield hate and discontent

Posted by mparker on January 6, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think UGA is that good. Moreno is great, I mean GREAT, but I'm less impressed with Stafford.

As for UT, if they are playing UAB, North. Ill, and wyoming, those are not 'easy' games, IMHO. Neither will be UCLA at UCLA.

Auburn is the big dog waiting around the corner, if you ask me. They beat a tough, talented Clemson team with only a week or so to learn a new offense.

Bama ought to be better next year, if the stupid tide fans let Saban do his thing. How dumb can those guys be??? Saban has won everywhere he's been, yet I hear some of them are grumping already.

Posted by nnease15 on January 6, 2008 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BUCKLESVOL: Our last trip to UCLA was in 1997 w/ SENIOR Peyton Manning winning versus the Bruins. You're thinking of 1994 when Peyton was a freshman.

Posted by asleep on January 6, 2008 at 2:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hunter,

If Crompton is the QB, two things will be different. First, he will get sacked more because he will hold the ball and try to make plays downfield, something Ainge wouldn't do. I will gladly trade a few more sacks for some semblance of a vertical passing game. Second, the O-line won't need to hold the pocket as well because Crompton can and will run. Just that added dimension to our QB position puts us in more of a spread option situation that opposing defenses will have to scheme for. His ability and willingness to run and the vertical passing game should then open up some running lanes for Hardesty and Creer (I'm praying Foster goes to the NFL unless they can talk him into playing a Chris Brown FB position). All in all, a reasonably mobile QB will make a world of difference in the offense and we don't even have to call it a spread. Case in point: Manning vs. Martin. No doubt Lord Peyton was (and is) the better pure QB, but in the college game, then as now, Tee's mobility was the difference and we haven't had that since he left. Compare the records since then and see what you think. I'm looking VERY forward to next year and with good reason. Go Vols!!!

Posted by ballewville6 on January 6, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ut will win east again and georgia will not win 10 games because crompton will be as good as strafford ,strafford is a joke wether its in k town or athens tennessee is better than georgia,plus we dont have to play at bama and flordia we will lose no more than 2 games if that many we may not lose any or just 1

Posted by RocketVol on January 6, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols85, it's not negative, it's historically based cautious optimism. I bet there were 6, maybe 7 games you watched this year that made your head throb after it was over, and generally not have too good of a feeling walking away. That's because they were not too good - and some against much maligned talent and some completely uncompetitive. If that doesn't leave room for concern, you aren't paying attention.

The point is not negativity, it's calling a spade a spade. Tennessee was very fortunate this year. If not for an offense that was super disciplined, we are easily 6-6. So what happens if the discipline goes away? Will it leave with Cutcliffe? It certainly showed up when he came back, and was with the '98 team before he left. We won that season and championship on discipline and defense. Blind optimism is for Disney employees - I am 100% problem solver and analyst - it's my job.

I am very excited for Tennessee's talent returning - I was excited for their talent starting this season. But what did that buy me? I was excited about our talent when we played Nebraska both times - and Penn State last year - and Alabama this year - and Vandy this year. Shall I go on? Point is, our defense is wicked improving, but the offensive discipline was too. I'm not a Coach Cut play-calling fan, but he did bring it in practice. You put 1 turnover more per game than we had this year into next season and $1.87 plus all that talent will get you a Venti cup at Starbucks.

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This article has sound logic in general, BUT Georgia has proven through the years that they can and do get overinflated egos and drop games that they should not, so NUMBER 1???? NO WAY. Top 25? Sure.

Posted by ryangrif16 on January 6, 2008 at 5:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee is no where near a top ten team. What are you smoking?

Posted by nextyear on January 6, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OPEN DATES will be a problem for us next year. A previous article pointed out that our key rivals all have open dates before UT game. It sure seemed to make a difference for us against GA this year. I am hopeful for next year and Crompton, but predict a "PEACH BOWL" season.

Posted by wewhite on January 6, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, John! Look at last August's pre-season picks across the nation; now look at the final BCS standings. How is it that all the sports writers together couldn't predict the chaos of this past season a week before it started, but you, in your infinite wisdom (cue angelic choir), can predict next season's outcome a year early?

Here's a prediction you can rely on: John Adams will continue to be the least popular sports writer on the N-S staff.

Posted by threehundredbowler on January 6, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This season is not played out yet and we are already picking top 25 and conference championships for 2008.Right now, no one knows what will happen next year and will not know even as the season is being played next year.We do not know who will sign scholarship papers,who will go pro,who will get hurt or in trouble between now and next season,and in Tennessee's case,who will be their coaches for next year.Let's get back to this year and name calling and coach bashing.That is what we seem to do best and is the only prediction that can be made concerning Tennessee that can be guaranteed.

Posted by ellisonfamily on January 6, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not only witll the SEC be the best conference in America again, the SEC East may be the best "conference" in America next year. It is going to be a monster to play through and survive. That having been said, I feel pretty good about next year. We lose Ainge and Cottam on offense. We may lose Mayo on defense, but as the Outback Bowl shows, we have guys that can step in there. We may have the best defensive backfield in the SEC next year. So...all in all...I am optimistic about next year. It is very likely that we are a top 10 team. But, then again, we were in 2005 also. That is why we play the games. Go Vols.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 6, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

it doesn't really matter how good we are in the nation... his rankins says we're the 3rd best team in the east and that gets you the citrus or outback in this conf....thought the clown was gong to take us to the next level??? ucla will be much better with coach N there and with auburn we'll have 3 losses again.....

if they are blowouts then we need to clean house period...

wait til 2009 and then 2010 man i can see us having great teams...

we need some recruits people........ HELP!!!!!!!

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rocket-
"I am very excited for Tennessee's talent returning - I was excited for their talent starting this season. But what did that buy me?"
It bought you 10 wins and a darn good shot at the Sugar bowl. Nobody and I mean NOBODY is going undefeated every year. What else do some of you people want? Take your 1.87 and enjoy your Starbucks while the rest of us cheer for the Vols and please forgive the rest of us if we don't sneeze at 10 wins.

Posted by pdhuff on January 6, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams, what degree of improved defense do you refer (hopefully) to? Up from 11th to 7th or to 3rd in the SEC.

The difference between those two rankings could be the difference between another 14th or 6th nationally. Could (just could) make me go buy a small package of orange Kool-Aid with a 6th. No top ten next year and I'm afraid more distilled hemlock is in order. Good 2008 all.

Posted by grvol on January 6, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols couldn't compete with 6-6 Cal and all those naked people in trees. Why would anyone think they have a chance against big bad "talented" UCLA? Fulmer will again be outcoached early in the year.

Posted by eefor10c on January 6, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams, How dare you write anything positive about the Vols. You have really disappointed your admirers on this board who look to you to criticize the Vols and Fulmer.

Posted by japadilla30 on January 6, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does UT base its whole season on whether it beats UGA? I am a Dawg fan and I hope to beat UT every year but I would rather have a BCS bowl and top 10 ranking at the end of the season. Yes UGA beat a WAC team in the Sugar Bowl but didn't UT get destroyed by a PAC 10 California this year?

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eefor10c: You think EVERY article is negative, Elmer. Adams is an ok writer.

Posted by VOLstuckINky on January 6, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Clearly Adams got into the Koolaid being shared so much these last couple of weeks. But then again, the UT offseason has been the biggest highlight lately, where championships seem like reality.

Posted by gtown_vol on January 6, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How far is Adams from retirement?

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Japadilla- Yes. UT got "destroyed" by a Pac 10 team, but didn't UGA get their panties pulled down and get sodomized by UT on national tv? AGAIN? I don't care who the puppies beat or who beats UT if you are gonna talk smack... you need to make sure your team beats mine. 51 ponts in Athens and then the drubbing this year? I am not impressed in the least with your pathetic little team.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 6, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Japadilla- Yes. UT got "destroyed" by a Pac 10 team, but didn't UGA get their panties pulled down and get sodomized by UT on national tv? AGAIN? I don't care who the puppies beat or who beats UT if you are gonna talk smack... you need to make sure your team beats mine. 51 ponts in Athens and then the drubbing this year? I am not impressed in the least with your pathetic little team.

_________________________________________________

I agree. Therefore no Tennessee fan can talk crap to any Alabama fan because that game was not even close either. Period.

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Talking smack is part of da game. Selah.

Posted by jcvet on January 6, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Next yr. like every yr. they will start the season with people out of position, the wrong "pets?' on special teams and the secondary, and the offense will suk because they will have a new QB and the play calling will be dreadfully conservative. Lose to UCLA and FL before get it together. Same ole same ole.

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jcvet: There does seem to be a trend, huh? Should be better by Nov. though...when we usually pad our numbers. Oh well, stay the course.

Posted by hueypilot on January 6, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

National media, computers, nothing adequately factors in the toughness of the SEC East schedule, plus Alabama and Auburn or LSU. So you can have a very good team and not win the division. That's the hand we have to play and we will play it. That's why the SEC championship is the trophy I hold in highest regard. After that it's a coin toss as to who goes to what bowl, altho LSU's bona fides even with two losses were pretty much recognized by all and they get the title game.

Posted by pdhuff on January 6, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Was easing ol' SC Gamecocks in at #25 a wink to the old ball coach or does he really believe they'll be worth a toot? Their season is always opposite of the Vols, their's is rear loaded (sometimes Clemson-Fla-Tenn in a row), we always wade into Fla, etc early and used to cruise thru Nov. Now it seems we're at battle stations all the time and bailing constantly. Happy 2008 to all.

Posted by mparker on January 6, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grvol,

that was a cheap shot and you know it. Cal was tough until Longshore was injured.

I can gaurandamntee you UCLA will be better under Neuheisel. For his problems, he is a creative and talented coach.

The SEC is the best conference this year, but all over the country teams are playing good ball. I think the years of an SEC team having an easy go are, well, gone.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 6, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hueypilot-
Does South Florida, West Virginia, Wake Forrest, La.Monroe, CAL, Clemson, Florida St., or Missouri think that the SEC is "Hands Down" the best conference? It probably is the best from top to bottom but they sure didn't fare to well in out of conference regular season games this year. Just the facts.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pleasegetrid- Nobody said anything about the inbreds. I was responding to a comment about the bullpups. I wouldn't lower myself to discuss alabuma.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love UGA fans....how many titles have the won in the last 25 years......zero. Oh but next year will be the year though....UF only has the most ridiculous returning offense in the country (they beat UF even less often than we do), Auburn has potential (and UGA struggles with them every year anyway), UT has crushed the same team two years in a row (and we will be better next year). Getting through the SEC with less than two losses is not going to happen for UGA. UT has the easiest (relative) schedule and UF has the talent level...those are the only two teams that have a chance at a 1 loss season.

UGA almost lost to Vandy (again) and beat a high school team in the Sugar Bowl.....congrats. Wisconsin would have ripped UGA a new one.

Posted by movol77 on January 6, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stay the course. Cuss the coach. Mock the fans. Cheese the writers. Stay the course.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Preach it jamcdaniel! I'll back you long as you wanna fight brother!

Posted by dtaylor0730 on January 6, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always believed that there should be no preseason polls. More often than not they prove to be very inaccurate, and usually give a less than great team a head start while placing a suprise team so far back that they have little chance of working up far enough in the polls to play for BCS bowls. There shouldn't be a poll until the third or fourth week in.

Just my opinion.

Posted by Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 on January 6, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is my first of many post. I have been reading about my Vols on this site for a a couple years now. Being outside Nashville I don't get as much coverage as I would like. I love reading all the post here. But I am sick and tired of all these wanna be Vol fans hating on everything that Coach Fulmer does, or does not do. The man has done nothing but win football games since the day he became coach. No hes not the flashiest coach out there, nor the funniest. But he is good at winning. He is most likely the best recruiter in all of college football. Yes this year was tough at the beginning. We got ran out of 2 games and I for one was very upset after the UF game. I was thinking maybe UT needed a new coach. But then i started thinking well the qb does have a broken finger, the secondary is very green. We had played 2 of the best offs in the country. Gave up 2 touchdowns by our qb, 2 by our punt coverage units. It was hard to take. I wanted to throw my hands up and say bring on basketball. But I didn't, I stayed with my team. Then C.F. showed me that he still can coach. He ran off 10 out of 12 victories, won the SEC east, had the best team in the country on the ropes for almost 50 mins. Beat a one of the best teams in the Big Ten(11). And for all those people that say well we could have been 6-6, go look at every team in the country. From the best team to the worst team. Each can say well if this would have happened or that wouldnt have happened we would have a better record. Or in your cases we could have been worse. The thing about sports is you play the game till it end and if you win you win and if you lose you lose. There are no such things as ifs after the final bell. Good coaches find a way to win the games they should most likely lose. Thats why Fulmer has one of the HIGHEST WINNING PERCENTAGES in all of college football. after a person does something so many times it not luck its skill. So after a fan dogs his team for so long is he really a fan or is he a anti fan?

Go Vols
12-0 in 08.

Posted by movol77 on January 6, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol_Fan_4_Life_615, welcome!

Posted by heathut15 on January 6, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the whole reason we did not make the sugar bowl was because of ainge he was to inconsistant the whole season and that will get you nowhere so give the defense the credit because if it wasnt for them our season could have been a whole lot uglier crompton will bring us what we need at qb and the defense will keep us on track for a good year

Posted by nmvol on January 6, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish but with coaching problems and a new quarterback and no running game more likely 7 wins. Be realistic.

Posted by pdhuff on January 6, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol fan 4 life. good to have you, but must warn you some of us think Phil can be humorous at times. His leaps after a TD bring smiles to many. Notice the camera is always there.

Some of us would like to see us back to being competive nearly everytime out. Not getting drilled 2-4 times a year. Can take a loss, but not a drubbing from a team with similiar talent. That is coaching. This new OC will be critical to Phil's future. We're all Vol fans. Tennessee football is bigger than Phil Fulmer or any of us.

When you make $2,000,000.00 a year with high exposure, you're going to have critics. Welcome again.

Posted by KingsportVol on January 6, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well put pdhuff

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol_Fan_4_: Welcome. Are you Vicky Fulmer?

Posted by dallasdog1 on January 6, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is one of the finest jobs of projecting this year into next year that I have ever seen. This guy should be a wall street analyst......"last quarter was good so this quarter will be better". Seriously, worthless.......Glad to see that Missouri is now going to be a national powerhouse. This time last year this guy loved Rutgers to go all the way.....this season dont have nothing to do with next season!!!!!!!

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

one more time, UGA is not going to loss less than three games next year. If they are ranked in the top 5 pre-season, we should make all writers take drug tests.

Posted by imnotwithphil on January 6, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry John... but where's Michigan and Notre Dame? Just like you can't have the perfect country song without mentioning mamma, jail, trains, pickups and the rain... you can't have a pre-season poll without Michigan and Notre Dame...you also probably need an East Coast team like BC somewhere in the mix...

Nice effort, though... :)

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

imnotwithphil,

Did you see ND play this year? Weiss makes Fulmer look like a coaching god. I knew they would be hurting with the latest episode of 'Bust' playing QB for them. Three more years of down times at least for them.

You are right on UM though. Not sure about BC....losing a lot of what they had .

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 6, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee #9 and Kansas #23? Are you serious? Kansas only losses 3 offensive starters and 2 defensive from a team that would have beat Tennessee this year by 3 touchdowns! Great call John.

Posted by philfan on January 6, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Florida, Georgia, and/or LSU are about due a down season for next year. It will be impossible for these three teams to be at the top all the time. I wish Tebow all the luck in the world, as he appears to be a fine young man. But constantly running him in the spread offense, with little protection, is going to hurt him badly. He already has a broken non-throwing hand and still possibly a bruised shoulder. With a new OC who likes to score as many points as possible, a BCS appearance and a top ten finish next year for Tennessee are well within reach. I predict we will finish 12 in the final AP poll this year. Things look pretty promising to me.

Posted by imnotwithphil on January 6, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jamcdaniel79 - That was just my attempt at humor... seems like the national sports press will put ND, UM and BC in their top 25 regardless of the previous season's results.

I don't see ND or BC in the preseason top 25... Michigan will probably make the cut...

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kansas lost to Missou and beat a very average VTech team (that actually beat itself by throwing picks with sub-par qbs).

I would love to know how good they are....but we don't.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 6, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jamcdaniel79- And UT lost 4 games with three of those being blowouts. Kansas can play. There is a big difference between 1 loss and 4.

Posted by UGA_GO_TO_HELL on January 6, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UGA #1? only in the minds of simpletons. Moreno is a joke, he is small (fast yes) and will take a beating next year because, that's all they have. Stafford will be so fat and slow by next year he will not be a factor.

UGA has to be the biggest "wait until next year" team on the planet.......I've lived in the state for 20 years and watched them come up short all twenty. UF and UT own them in that time frame, and that doesn't appear to be changing.

Posted by Volunteer2notwinSEC on January 6, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When is the last time UT won the SEC championship? It seems to me UGA has won a couple, but I can't recall. Do you really think UT would beat UGA right now? If so please let me know who your supplier of meth is!

Posted by Volunteer2notwinSEC on January 6, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT will always have womens basketball!!!

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course UT would beat uga! They've done it the last two years in quite impressive fashion. You can play the what if all you want about uga. I'll just stick with the FACTS! 51-33 in Athens last year. 35-14 in Knoxville this year. What more proof do you want? It was 28-0 before the trembling puppies even got their second FIRST DOWN!! You are obviously the one smoking crack!

Posted by Volunteer2notwinSEC on January 6, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FACTS:
UGA top 10 ranking
UGA BCS Bowl
UGA has offensive coordinator
UGA 2 losses

UT 4 losses (losing to CAL should count as 2)
UT No BCS bowls in how long?
UT No SEC champs in how long?
UT No OC
UT basis entire season on beating UGA but gets crushed by Alabama/Florida
UT record vs UGA last 8 yrs 3-5

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pleasegetalife or whatever your name is,

There is a big difference in playing in the SEC (and making your conference title game) and playing in the big 12 (and not making the title game).

I would have rather played Kansas than Wisconsin.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Facts:
Tennessee BEAT Georgia HEAD-TO-HEAD this year. UGA had a chance to beat a team that ended up with 4 loses, including being crushed by Bama and Florida, but the puppies couldn't beat a team like that? Hell boy, you're making my case for me. If UGA couldn't beat a team like that, then UGA must really suck... and they do! And UGA also lost to a South Carolina team that didn't even end up in a bowl at all...at home no less. You and your team are jokes dude.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol2notwin,

Nice sample period. Take a look at all time head to head and since 1980 (trying to keep it close by giving you HW).

Nice win against the 'warriors'.

Maybe you guys should just keep not winning the East...its seems to work better.

Go hold hands with David Greene.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 6, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I forgot about the SC loss by UGA....give me a break.

Have to give UGA credit on some nice SEC wins this year though.....too bad they got crushed in Ktown.

UGA had four great years to actually do something on the national stage when they had Greene and Pollack and UT and UF were down. Could not get it done.

BTW - Greene and Pollack really made it big at the next level....

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jamcdaniel- I live in the Atlanta area and David Greene delivered a pizza to my house just last week!

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volunteer2notwinSEC,

The question, " Do you really think UT could beat UGA now?", is irrelevant.

You play the game the day it is scheduled. You either get it done on that day or shut up until next year. No second chances in football.

We may not think Bama could beat us again, but, we don't say that. They did it the day the game was scheduled. We gripe at our team for letting it happen.

We beat UGA head to head. That's that.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great point skyhawk!

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great point skyhawk
----

Thanks. You would think he would agree that head to head results pretty much decide the issue between any 2 teams.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One would think. It does seem like a logical argument to me, but then again I might be a little crazy. Have a good one. I'm out. Go Vols!

Posted by pdhuff on January 6, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor old me. I,m still waiting to hear what we're going to do to change the worst defensive line play in the conference this year. That's what got us the 4 losses ( and nearly a few more), folks. They're like your car's transmission, not glamorous, but try to go somewhere without it!

Phil knows we'll be the same or worse without better d-line talent.

Posted by Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 on January 6, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes Fulmer can be funny at times. I never said he wasnt passionate about his team. Thats why he jumps or at least tries. I am an always will be a Vol. Win or lose im for them. I pray for wins, but im not gonna cry about the losses. Thats part of sports. Better days are ahead, and the dark days are leaving. Now is the time for UT to make that next step and get back to playing like the 90's. We are close in so many areas, just have to shore up a couple weak spots and the rest will take care of its self.

Go Vols beat the gators

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 6, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great point skyhawk
----

Thanks. You would think he would agree that head to head results pretty much decide the issue between any 2 teams.

___________________________________________________
Totally agree and that is why Alabama is better than Tennessee this year. End of discussion.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Exactly what I said in my 6:58 post. They beat us, no need in talking about what might happen if a second game were played. No second chances in football.

I'm not one that has constantly brought up the Bama game.

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Skyhawk- I actually read your post about playing head to head. Made perfect sense to me, but then again I don't need help spelling www to get logged on like the bama fan did.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by ctownvol on January 6, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Skyhawk- I actually read your post about playing head to head. Made perfect sense to me, but then again I don't need help spelling www to get logged on like the bama fan did.

----
Thanks.
Funny stuff.

Posted by Colliervol on January 7, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would agree that head-to-head settles the question most of the time. But, to be fair, you have to consider that some teams get better as the year goes along and some teams get worse. Then, I think you can at least speculate that the results might be a little different depending on when you play somebody. It is obvious that UT was a better team at the end of the year than it was in the early part of the season. (But let's not let that little tidbit get in the way of giving UT some credit.) It is also obvious that Bama went in the tank late in the year and you can't dispute that.

One thing for certain. Bama didn't look nearly as good in any other game they played. They just picked that day for Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson to look like Joe Namath. (And our inept defense at that time helped him a bunch.) Kudos to them but let's not act like Bama was a substantially better team overall than UT over the course of the whole season. Remember, even a blind Bear finds a salmon every now and then and they did that day.

And you can add California to that list as a good example of looking pretty good early and then going downhill fast. They were a different team at the end of the year than they were early.

Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agreed, Colliervol 2:38. Some teams appear to be getting better as their competition levels off.
Playing the likes of Davidson, Citadel etc. has raised many a middle-of-the-road team's spirit. You must avoid the Appy St and Troys.

Bama tanked because Saban could no longer disguise thise weaknesses on offense. Like him or not, he is a recruiting monster. If he stays at Bama, they "should" come back to respectability. They don't need any more help from us. I've never seen a flatter Vol team than that 3rd Saturday. Bewildering.

Posted by Colliervol on January 7, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree pd. And our schedule leveled off some too. But, at the end, we did beat a decent Wisconsin team and took LSU to the wire before losing to them. Early in the season, I doubt we could have done either of those.

No question Saban is a great recruiter. Heck, LSU is still making a living off of him. But, to come out of their own division, they are going to have to surpass LSU and Auburn. When they do that, then we can talk about their "national" prospects.

Posted by spikevol on January 7, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i think it's hilarious that the same UGA fans who were afraid to risk playing in the SEC championship game, are now bragging about getting to play in a BCS game as if they accomplished something by not having to face LSU.

Posted by sgtvols on January 7, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

geeze, if bama was so awful on offense how does that make us look?

Posted by rckymtngator on January 7, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Georgia got a scheduling break in 2007 that they used to their advantage to beat Florida. In 2008, they will need more than a open schedule to beat Florida. Florida will go 13 & 1 and pick up their 3rd National Title since 1996.

Posted by Colliervol on January 7, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point spike. As it was, GA got to go beat up on Afa, Sika and the Fighting Samoans. Hawaii would have had a better chance if it had been a WWE match but not a football game. That was sad and, if I were GA, I wouldn't get overly excited. They get to come back to the real world this fall.

Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sgtvols 6:20 "how does it make us look"? That day, exactly as we were. I'm still embarrassed, that scarred the soul. Never again.

Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on January 8, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WTGGGGGGGGGG Tigers!
Oh.
MVP-Erik Ainge!
sorry... couldn't resist!
Off till fall!

Posted by inswhiz on January 8, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We have plenty talent for 2008 but all that talent will go to waste if we dont get a high quality off coord and soon. Ga has all the chips in place and believe they could very well be next Jan where LSU was last night. There is so much talent at Ga and their coaches are ready to conquer, wish I could say the same for Tenn

Posted by NatiVol on January 9, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did anyone notice on ESPNs 2008 early top 25, Tennessee is not on it? Do others really believe that the loss of Eric will hurt that much? I think 9 is too high, maybe 12-15, just like this year.

Posted by murrayvol on January 9, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, NatiVol, you beat me to it. 5 SEC teams in Schlabach's Top 25 and the Vols are not amongst them. He may be right but I'd like to think we're better than South Carolina at #23.

I think the loss of Ainge has less to do with it than the Vols just not being on the national radar. We'll see in about 8 months.