If you look at the short-term prospects for Tennessee football, you should be concerned. If you look at the long-term prospects, you should be more concerned.
Nine days ago, the Vols lost to Florida 30-6. That makes UT 0-4 against Florida coach Urban Meyer.
Another losing streak was extended Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn's 14-12 victory was coach Tommy Tuberville's fourth in a row against UT.
Looming in October is Alabama, the hottest item in college football after Saturday's rout of Georgia. Alabama coach Nick Saban has won three of his last four games against UT, dating back to his days at LSU.
You can't ignore those track records in looking to the future. You also shouldn't ignore the personnel. The SEC teams that just beat the Vols back-to-back rely more on underclassmen than UT does.
The Florida defense that held UT to six points doesn't have a senior on it. The Auburn defense that looked even more dominant against the Vols started only two seniors and played without star middle linebacker Tray Blackmon.
With Blackmon sidelined by an injury, Auburn replaced him with sophomore Josh Bynes, who entered the game with 29 career tackles. All he did was register a game-high 11 tackles.
Auburn likely will lose defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks early to the NFL, just as you would expect Florida to lose middle linebacker Brandon Spikes after his junior season. But the Gators and Tigers will return more starters on both sides of the ball than UT.
Alabama's resurgence is even more attributable to the performances of new players. And Saban seems as adept as any coach in the country at getting young players ready to play at a high level.
Alabama's leading receiver is true freshman Julio Jones. Its second-leading rusher and scorer is another true freshman, Mark Ingram.
Alabama's depth chart includes 10 freshmen on its first or second team. UT's includes three.
UT has had more success against SEC East rival Georgia lately. But when you look at the depth charts and the disparity in playmakers on offense, you wonder how long that will last.
Georgia's two-deep depth chart includes 23 freshmen or sophomores. UT's includes 17.
Bottom line: UT's top three annual opponents - Florida, Alabama and Georgia - are all in better shape. So is Auburn, which the Vols play again next season, and LSU, which they pick up in 2010.
No wonder UT fans are frustrated. No wonder they boo.
They see better young players on rival teams. They see opposing coaches manage close games better.
What they don't see is as significant as what they do see.
They don't see the next good quarterback on the horizon. And they don't see former offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe coming to the rescue.
UT's 5-6 record in 2005 was an aberration. But this 1-3 start doesn't look like an aberration.
It looks like a sign of things to come.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 78
BigVolinCarolina writes:
As much as it pains me to say this about my alma mater, we are not a good TEAM at all.
Yes, we have certain players that are good; however, we are not a good TEAM--and that's all that matters.
vol_chaz writes:
Its looming...get ready.....
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
Excellent observations.
eduardo writes:
The bottom is the only thing looming on the horizon. We are an absolute mockery in the eyes of national pundants. We are paying this guy over 2 mil for this? I mean come on UT admin. and boosters this guy has got to go!!!!!!!!!!! Get real and send him packing. With all the great talent and coaches in this league it aint gonna get no better. I am personally tired of watching this bunch fail and by no means is this game Sat. a cake walk. Pull the plug Hammy!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
Ye of little faith...
TNisPeerless writes:
In his 13 seasons at Ohio State Cooper compiled a 111-43-4 won-loss record, second in Ohio State history behind only Woody Hayes. HE WAS FIRED!
If Ohio State doesn't tolerate this, why the hell should we?
mikejohn11 writes:
Looming my A&# it's already here. Vols will only win 4 games this year. If they can find one SEC team to beat. Miss State or Kentucky maybe. Other wise it's 3 wins. Good job Fulmer. Way to take your program to the next level.
SmokeDog72 writes:
It will only get worse. It is time to unload the bad stock from the portfolio.
Oenoboy writes:
Mr. Adams isn't looking so anti-Vols or stupid now does he?
cdonsbach writes:
Faith requires hope and this team has shown nothing to give the fan base hope.
I have faith that UT will be better in the future but this season is going to be a disaster. We'll be lucky to finish 5-7.
imnotwithphil writes:
I've said it for years John, you are the only true journalist on KNS' staff. The rest of the KNS staff are just whores to the University and Fulmer... especially little Davie Hooker...
PS – 2005 was no aberration – it was a start of a trend that received a temporary reprieve when Cutcliff came back. Now the trend (that is, the death spiral) has resumed... and as you observe... has no end in sight.
imnotwithphil writes:
Ye of little brain...
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
They see (younger less experienced) opposing coaches manage close games better.
I fixed that part of your article there Adams.
jmsbolt writes:
I have to say, I normally try not to read anything that Mr. Adams writes! I think he hit this right on the head. I love Tennessee, we have to make this right! Phil Fulmer you have been a great coach! It's time to be a fan. Nothing personal it's a business. You have to go!
murrayvol writes:
Is it just me or has the Adams bashing dried up as the train wreck continues?
TheVolMan writes:
murrayvol, you are correct. I think the more-intelligent JA-bashers have reconsidered their desire to shoot the messenger. The other morons are insisting that Fulmer will get this thing turned around next year. Of course those are the same people who said Urban Meyer would certainly do poorly in the SEC and that Bama's hiring of Saban would be a failure.
Volalumnus writes:
Adams was right all along.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Time to start putting pressure on Hamilton. Wake up.People out here (Oregon) are looking forward to playing the Vols in two years, for all the wrong reasons.I just tell them " we play a man short every game". Crompton, nice try, but he will not get better. Let Gerald pass the ball and be done with it. Somebody needs to contact Pat Hill from Fresno State on the sly.bonzaivol
OMike writes:
Adams has always been right!!! I have never posted because there were to many idiots on here bashing the one journalist who says it like it is. The booing would be music to UTs ears compared to the apathy that is soon to follow. Silence is deadly. Johnson, Vandys HC may be a good choice.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
we get your point, we hear you, but no one's going to get fired in the middle a season, especially one aa successful as Phil and our national championship. He almost put us in a few more title games too. Give the man a break. Mind your own business and pray for your team.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
We are not scared of you John Adams , nor can you scare us with your worries, you are nothing more than a spider who's trying to catch us in your web. I'll be glad when you crawl out of town. Maybe your food will dry up when we all quit taking you seriously and start laughing at you or just walking around you.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Yeah that would be a great PR move and a sign of the times. We go get Vandy's coach. There's better out there than Bobby Johnson.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
With a little luck, UT fans, you could be 3-1. Your athletes are playing up to the level of a high talent level in the SEC never before seen. This is because of the introduction of high performance coaches hired to beat your team and Florida's. Well don't be alarmed for Florida lost to Ole Miss. With your long standing tradition of football and over 700 team victories you fans can expect great football talent to keep on coming to your university. Just because you lose a few games, no need to get discouraged. The rest of the league still fears and respects you. Your truly John Adams.
utclassof1992 writes:
You are willing to accept this phooey. Therefore, you are part of the problem. STFU.
utclassof1992 writes:
Doed KNS have a filter that substitutes phooey for c@#$, phooey.
utclassof1992 writes:
That answers my question. The KNS has an auto filter for the word c##$. I will type it here: phooey. See if it does not say phooey when posted.
VOLKING writes:
And I'll bet your parents were actually proud the day you learned to talk. Is your poop rainbow colored too?
nbt44 writes:
Tell Mike Hamilton what you think about Fulmer...
mhamilton@tennessee.edu
pdhuff#552644 writes:
If you win the Hall's Salvage free tickets, do you have to go?
TommyJack writes:
PD: Donate the tix to the homeless. Will be plenty of room for'em to stretch out and sleep it off.
madcow26#524674 writes:
excellent article...
db11_cn writes:
If you want a little more salt for the wound, consider that Alabama's starting defensive line includes big #98, Brandon Fanney, who played for Morristown West and was not recruited by Tennessee.
piledriver writes:
I've thought a lot about UT's dilemma. I can't understand why somebody would want to stay where he's no longer wanted, appreciated, respected? I've come up with several reasons/excuses: money, W/L record, pride, fear of being a failure while failing, denial, honestly believing it can be "turned around" again...and again. All of the above and some left out? I hope when the time comes for me to walk offstage and let somebody else take over what I'm doing, I'll be able to do it with dignity and grace. I keep singing with K Rogers' "You gotta know when to fold up. Know when to walk away." That's never easy or simple. All anyone can do is look inside: Am I enjoying this? And look outside? Is this good for the institution? What is the preponderance of what I'm hearing? Is this going anywhere? Then look up and leave the rest to God. No reason to look down, when you've given your best, and I believe Fulmer has done that. Maybe it's time tho to let somebody else try.
Sheepscape writes:
Excellent Peter Venkman reference.
fedupvol writes:
Amen to that JA....the list of things wrong with ut fball just goes on and on and on...like the battery bunny...doesn't it? It will take YEARS to turn this mess around....only after coaching staff has long departed with all the $$....but it might as well start TODAY....not in another year or two!
BigVolOnBoard writes:
Get out your mini skirt and pom poms Dave Hooker.
Do you sports writers realize how small the sports department will become at the KNS when UT's football program is no longer in the top 50? Maybe they're hiring in Gainsville.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
After watching the Auburn game, I was impressed by the fire in the players especially the defense. If we could take out the emotions in our thoughts, we really should be 3-1 right now. The only glaring weakness Saturday, (a big one) is Crompton. The team did play better.
volfan4life25#231291 writes:
TIME FOR JIM LEAVITT. GO VOLS!!
TurboFan writes:
Can someone please point out to me where the all knowing all seeing John Adams predicted this record going into October?
John did not read tea leaves to write this article.
His article urging the firing of Fulmer was about loss of institutional control.
mparker writes:
I'm not an Adam's basher, but I felt, and stated so, that his column last year was UNACCEPTABLE. I still feel that way. The off-field issues of UT were no different than dozens of other schools, and stemmed/stems from more media scrutiny and basically the hard-azz neo-nazi tone of our current society. The kids are still kids and the coaches still coaches.
You are free to criticise Fulmer for the following:
-he is 'too close' to the program, hunkers down, and doesn't see the obvious
-his game planning can be poor
-he is too cautious for today's game
-his recruiting skills have dropped
That is all fair game. The Adam's column last season was a chop job, pure BS.
Lofton4Three writes:
That's the exact problem with our program...if we have any chance of winning now, it has to be luck.
-We were LUCKY to win the east last year.
- We were LUCKY to keep the Auburn game close because they have 2 qb's that are just about as bad as ours. (However, I will give Tuberville credit, he changed QB's to try to get the offense jumpstarted...what a concept...)
- We will be super LUCKY to have a winning record the rest of the way.
- LUCKILY, fans like you will keep sipping the LUCKY Kool-Aid...
seaplane#216536 writes:
When you recruit sixth best in the SEC, what you see is what you get.
99gator writes:
i think you would be amazed at how good you could be if you had sound qb play and took care of the football.
while i don't think tenn has the same amount of talent as other places......they would be no fun to play.
DancingOutlaw writes:
I wish everyone would just quit bashing. #1, Fulmer took the UF loss on his shoulders. So there, case closed on that matter. #2, he informed us that this isn't our team. I am fine with that statement and look forward to seeing who our team really is in the remaining 2/3rds of the season. #3, Fulmer & Co. did not just get stupid. So obviously they can't be as stupid as you say they are, because fulmer said that isn't true. Did ole miss beat florida? Yes. Did byu beat ucla? Yes. Does that mean ole miss and byu would beat us? probably. but there would be a good explanation from fulmer about what happened, so what are you complaining about? So what if the team goes 4-8? fulmer has explained every time what happened during the losses, so i'm sure everything will be fine.
TurboFan writes:
99gator, agree, just completing a handful of wide open passes turns the UCLA and Auburn games our way and probably makes the UF game closer.
Look at the number of SEC teams over the last two decades that have won NCs or SEC crowns with only average to good QBs.
jasonn1970 writes:
IT'S BUYOUT TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!!!
invisiblekid writes:
Can't argue the points made in the article. UT is about the only school in the SEC where we still see any hesitation in playing freshmen. Look no further than Berry's bio for evidence:
"Became first defensive player--and just third player overall--in Phillip Fulmer era to start season-opener as true freshman"
As Saban, Meyer, and the other coaches keep giving guys early playing time, it's going to affect recruiting. Don't think for a second Harbaugh didn't mention that as a factor to Nunes.
The Vols had one of the most experienced offenses returning and that played into my reasoning of expecting no significant drop off in the offense this year. Figured they would be able to ease Crompton into the scheme of things and rely on the running game and him making a few big plays down the field with his arm. Also would have expected a 4th year player to be able to manage the fundamentals. It would stand to reason that the Vols would have been the team to beat as they returned as much or more experience than anyone in the league on both sides of the ball. Well, it obviously hasn't worked out that way.
As far as anything "looming", it isn't looming, the future is already here. And it isn't pretty.
invisiblekid writes:
"The rest of the league still fears and respects you."
No they don't, you must have missed the past several years.
RocketVol writes:
Perfectly written - and you don't need to be an expert to see it - only the most casual of fan knows it's bad. The staff is not doing the right things to develop the winning edge. It is what it is.
Sheepscape writes:
Fulmer may have said he took the Florida loss on his shoulders, but that was a hollow statement. Did you not see where he lashed out at people last Tuesday? So, no, its not case closed. Besides, its awfully easy to give lip service as contrition when you are raking in that kind of cash from an easily duped athletic department.
Your #3 point makes absolutely zero sense, either as a sentence or debate point. Obviously they can't be stupid because Fulmer says they aren't?
Good heavens, wake up.
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