No game, no report card.
And yet, from a perception standpoint, you could make a case that Tennessee football seemed to lose a little ground over its open date.
As the Vols head into an historic Alabama week, their body of work thus far appears a tad diminished after judging their rivals' performance on Saturday.
Historic?
Yes. Alabama is the new No. 1 team in the land according to the Associated Press poll. The Tide supplanted Florida, who, as No. 1, downed the Vols 23-13 on Sept. 19.
Never before has UT played two No. 1-ranked teams in the same season.
Tennessee (3-3, 1-2 SEC) takes a 2-7 record against No. 1 teams into the 3:30 p.m. (TV: WVLT) match with Alabama (7-0, 4-0) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Diminished?
Yes, if we play the comparison game. And with no real game, that's the only game available.
Consider Florida.
The Vols earned kudos for hanging tough in The Swamp last month. There was never a point where they felt as if they might somehow upset the Gators, but still the Vols made a game of it when few expected them to do so. They lost the game but won the press conference.
Arkansas more than made a game of it Saturday in Gainesville. The Razorbacks, 24-point underdogs, pressed the Gators until the buzzer. Florida escaped 23-20 on a field goal with nine seconds left.
Where UT managed 210 yards of offense, Arkansas had 357.
Conclusion: Perhaps Tennessee's effort in The Swamp wasn't quite as remarkable as we thought.
Consider Auburn.
After the Tigers' 26-22 win in Neyland Stadium on Oct. 3, Auburn was 5-0 and looked miles ahead of Tennessee in the rebuilding race.
New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn seemed on his way to the College Football Hall of Fame. Auburn shredded UT for 459 yards and held the ball nearly 10 minutes longer than the Vols.
Since then, the Tigers have been throttled by Arkansas and Kentucky. Yes, that Kentucky. In Jordan-Hare Stadium no less.
Quarterback Chris Todd hasn't thrown for as much yardage the past two weeks combined as he had against the Vols.
Conclusion: How did Auburn manage to look so superior on the Vols' home turf two weeks ago?
While we're at it, consider UCLA.
After the Bruins got out of Knoxville with a 19-15 win on Sept. 12, I thought Rick Neuheisel's crew might be a surprise in the Pac-10 and that Tennessee's loss wouldn't look so bad by November.
Wrong. UCLA is on a three-game losing jag after getting walloped by Cal 45-26 on Saturday.
Conclusion: The UCLA loss is looking worse by the week.
To be fair, the Vols' wins over Georgia and Ohio are holding up.
Georgia handled Vanderbilt with authority in Nashville. Ohio (5-2) is on a three-game winning streak.
When last seen, Tennessee was playing its best 60 minutes of the season in a 45-19 rout of Georgia.
When next seen, the Vols will need all that momentum at their backs and more. Regardless of what happens at Alabama, Tennessee must keep plugging - and improving.
South Carolina is ranked No. 19 in total defense and played respectably at Alabama.
Speculation about an Ole Miss demise was unfounded. The Rebels, ranked No. 23 in total defense, got back on track with a dominating win over UAB.
Vanderbilt can't score but is No. 24 in total defense.
Memphis? The best spin you can put on another loss is that Bearden product Matt Reagan kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal.
Finally, there is Kentucky. Despite the absence of its best cornerback, the Wildcats held Auburn to one offensive touchdown. And won on the road with a pair of green quarterbacks.
So maybe it wasn't just Tennessee's past that bears reconsideration after the weekend. It's the future, too.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 48
TommyJack writes:
Not sure I get this one.
CB4VOLZ writes:
Strange..... You have WAY too much free time on your hands....
murrayvol writes:
And just when I was ready to order more popcorn.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Strange made some good points. I have had some of the same thoughts over the last week or so. I do think the Vols have progressed. I think they are much better now than they were against UCLA and Auburn in particular. I think they will give Bama all they can handle. I don't EXPECT them to win, but I DO expect the game to be close.
KSargent writes:
This was stupid ..... let's go Vols
GahLee writes:
Strange is taking a page out of Adams' book.
This isn't the same team that played UCLA, we play that one again, we win.
I think that the same can be said for Auburn.
Doesn't matter now though, the only thing that UT can do is go out and continue you to improve.
I think that we will win 8 games this year, that would be a great turn-around.
Couchdummy writes:
Interesting article. I don't think it is possible to connect the dots of the various games, and stats of those games, and place a relative index on a given team. There are too many variables to consider. I have seen too many examples of teams that ride emotion and get up to challenges on some ocassions. Within the SEC, any of the 12 teams could beat the other on a given day with the right breaks, emotion, different game plan, etc. So I don't put too much stock in the comparisons of teams vs teams evaluations retrospectively.
volcycle writes:
Look at the difference in Tennessee's passing game from the 3 losses and the last 5 quarters. Hopefully, there will be no lapses and Tennessee is a better team than what they were at the beginning of the season.
sidwalkvol writes:
these kinds of comparisons are always a little silly. But, hey, writers gotta write something to meet the deadline.
For my part, I am encouraged both by the team's performances on the field--a bit of improvement each week--and by the coaches' nonstop efforts at recruiting. If anything both add a bit of luster to the year. Besides, unlike last year, we are not 0-3 in the conference and have a chance to play tough with Bama.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
no surprise in this article. 4 weeks ago the fans were expecting to win 4 games at best. After the Auburn and Ga. games, all of a sudden the same fans are expecting 8 win season. I think we better hope for 6 wins and a bowl to be realistic. Not much of a chance against Bama, just hope for a miracle somehow.
CRFVols writes:
What a retarded article. Who cares? What's done is done.
At least we're not in the same boat as the Titans....lol
KSargent writes:
did the Titans actually go 2 for 12 in passing for a minus 7 yrds?
the10sevol writes:
off topic, but to funny not to pass along.
Expect every TV channel in the Nation to report late next week that Lane Kiffin is stuck in a runaway experimental weather balloon, only to find out all along he was in hiding in the attic of your school’s top recruit.
http://friendsoftheprogram.net/2009/1...
GBO
the10sevol writes:
too funny, too...
GBO
CRFVols writes:
Collins did..plus 1 interception....Vince was 0 for 2 with 1 interception....CJ had 128 of the 186 total yard for the offense....pathetic
That's why I don't get into the NFL that much....13-3 last season to 0-6 complete phooey this season.
DennisVols writes:
UT is not just in a rebuilding year. They are in a transition year. Not only are they trying to rebuild a team that suffered through a 5-7 season, including a loss to Wyoming. They are in transition from a head coach of 15 ½ years. A total 180 degree turn from what had been to what is today. A philosophy change in how things are done on the hill (more discipline, energy, competition and conditioning).
It is more than just a change in offensive and defensive schemes it is a change in the way things are done and the level of expectations this staff has for this team. We have seen players dismissed from this team that previously would have been given 2nd, 3rd, 4th,….chances to the point it did damage not only to the way people perceived UT football to be but also in how they played.
There were going to be games this year UT should have won because of the rebuilding/transition year. This new coaching staff has a plan. The trouble is getting the players to make it work didn’t come with the deal. Adjustments have been made since the 1st practice last spring. Injuries, players quitting, and others being dismissed, lack of depth have all caused even more adjustments as practice became game day and the season progressed.
Now half way into this most unusual of seasons UT is coming off its best performance in more than 3 years. They have had a week to heal and continue to make progress. The comparisons made in this article could go a little deeper. How about GA beat SC in a close game and SC played Bama close. UT pounded GA last week so who’s to say UT can’t beat Bama if you want to make those kinds of comparisons. The truth is this is the SEC and injuries affect every team’s performance. UF played to soft opponents to start the year and the media swore by them. Then conference play began against UT and UF has looked anything but unbeatable. UT got Auburn before things fully clicked, GA didn’t. UT has the ability to win out this season but during a rebuilding/transition year we can expect the unexpected. So expect the roller coaster ride to continue this year. If the injuries don’t mount and the progress continues anything is possible for this team. It is not about the past it is about the future.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
longertimevolfan writes:
I don't agree about not much of a chance against bama. Tennessee has played hard in every game until the final gun. Hard play can win games, Along with a positive attitude and together TENNESSEE can beat bama.
Off subject; the BCS has Boise State ranked 4th and by the end of the season (if they don't loose and with their schedule I doubt they will) BS could be ranked 2nd because Al or Fl will have one loss at least and Tx can be beaten.
The point (question) how much does strength of schedule count.
BS has or will play teams that have won 37 and lost 45 games this year. Just to compair use South Carolina has or will play teams that have won 41 and lost 29.
How can BS be rated so highly by the BCS.
I know (hope) this will change but get real BS number 4 in the nation?
cumberlandVOL writes:
If we are going to be thinking in the past, let's go back to last year's georgia game. Think...remember... now compare that to last week's georgia game. a different looking team, wouldn't you say?
Also, i've said this before, but you can't compare teams in the SEC on a "who-beat-who" basis. In this conference, any team could win on any given day. For example, Mississippi St. was one yard away from beating LSU. LSU then gives Florida all it can handle. My point is (there is one) that the only way to determine who is the better team on that day is to line up and play.
Our defense will be tough, like always. If JC can keep his wits about him our offense could put up enough points to pull an upset.
Oh yeah, and we could give ourselves a chance to win if we decide to just bite the bullet and kick the ball out of bounds each kickoff!
FWBVol writes:
Come on Mike, yes, Arkansas put up some nice offensive numbers, but the Hogs only scored seven more points than we did and that was without Spikes playing most of the game. I think we might have scored another TD without Spikes patrolling the middle of the Gator defense.
We scored points against the Gators in Gainesville than LSU did against them in Baton Rouge, so what does that mean?
Teams change during the course of a season due to injuries or players being lost because of academics failures etc. Other players get better as the season goes on and teams, like the Vols are doing now, begin to mesh.
In the end a win is a win and a loss is a loss. The final record is all that matters not how we did against a certain and how that team performed after we played them.
DragonSlayer123 writes:
Miami beat FSU, FSU beat BYU, BYU beat Oklahoma, so Miami beat Oklahoma. Makes sense? Sure. But Georgia tech beat Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech beat Miami, so Georgia Tech beats Miami, right? Nope. Miami beat Georgia Tech. Go figure.
If the book is on the table, and the table is on the floor, it doesnt mean the book is on the floor.
chad_t31 writes:
the only thing I gather from this subpar article is that you better come to play every Saturday in the SEC. But we already knew that. Upsets happen, sometimes teams don't bring their "A" game...that's why we love college football. Oh, and if we beat bammer Saturday, we should move to #1 in the AP poll (yes that's sarcasm). Go Vols!!
junder13 writes:
I agree w/ this article. I hope the UGA game was no fluke like the demolitioning of Western Ky appeared to be. Kiffin is rebuilding, however, so I remain optomistic. Nevertheless, Strange is correct in saying this weekend put a new perspective on the loss to the Gators and Auburn.
volsfannsc writes:
Strange- the glass is half full, not half empty. You really go out of your way to put a bad spin on your Vols dont you? Every other poll has FLA at number one, yet you pull the only poll that has ALA first. Did you figure in key injuries when you were doing your advanced psycho-kenetic math. I am so sick of KNS trying to write provocative stories just to get a rise from it's fan base. If you really don't have anything to report- just copy and paste a story from Nashville and Chatanooga like you usually do, it's more interesting and normally is based on fact rather than science-fiction. I am stymied as to why this article was ever written. I know a nice rehab for your crack addiction.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yup, healthy dose of old cold reality.
The giving away of the Aubie and UCLA games is telling.
We can all hope that Saturday Hancock will be looking when the ICBCM (Crompton missle) hums at his head.
Lots of Grey Goose for this one. Will have to stay out of Big Fletch's line of fire. Known to throw objects at screen.
Spilling BBG Dorido's and PBR in the process.
Corch 'em up.
rocky_topper writes:
That article makes about as much since now that I've read it than it did before I began reading it. Horrible article.
AFVol423 writes:
Could you find a more conveluted way to state the obvious? All things explained quickly....The Vols Offense did not play well against Auburn, Florida or UCLA. Auburn looked world class because the Offense could not keep the ball resulting in the Defense spending too much time on the field.
Loud_Proud writes:
totally agree. turns out that we obviously have some tennessee trolls also.
BustaRhymes writes:
What a negative article. Perhaps it's time for Strange to move on... Louisville perhaps???
The Vols struggled against UCLA, Florida and Auburn because we didn't have a passing attack (or even a threat of a passing attack). Hopefully this changed with GA. We'll find out this weekend.
dma38256#264746 writes:
That's the best yet...
And, given solid play at QB, we're not that far away from a different tally at this point...
arkyvol writes:
good article. strange doesn't have the big orange bucket over his head.
richvol writes:
Excellent thoughts and much more coherent than the article.
Games are won or lost in one on one matchups. There is hardly any way to compare wins and loses to differing teams as the matchups change from game to game. This type of speculation is pointless when trying to compare who beat who. If one must try to predict then look at each teams matchups and that still leaves you with emotion,style of play,site of the game and myriad other factors.
tennesseebee writes:
Strange, you've covered football long enough to know that you have to throw out yesterday, focus on today and wait for tommorrow. I think the energy we carry into Tuscaloosa won't have any bearing on the Auburn or the Florida game. Our coaching staff and team are coming together and 'finding their groove'. Power of the T, baby!!
transplantiam writes:
After watching Ark.-Fl and Bama-Sc. I came to the conclusion that any team cannot win if they have to play a formidable opponent AND the officiating crew. Ark. got a lot of unearned penalties and the same with SC. Now SC was kinda sloppy in their own right but you can't beat a team like Fl. or Bama with the refs being so biased. Maybe just the way I saw it, but those games mirrored each other in oficiating. It really seemed as though the SEC told them before the game: now make sure it's Fl. and Bama in the title game! JMO
GO VOLS!!!
VolO writes:
The only way UT wins Saturday is if the D or special teams score some points. Also our "special" teams MUST improve. GO VOLS
ChattMac writes:
There is a direct correlation between past opponents and present performance. We broke Prince's Jaw. Kentucky knocked out Superman and Florida also played LSU last week as Georgia did the week before they played us. Not only is that tough physically, but it is hard to get "up" for everybody. Arkansas is one of those teams everybody should have a hard time getting up for as they've not been very good of late. Arkansas was like Ole Miss for Florida this year. Florida did enough to win and would have won no matter what Arkansas did. The refs and conference would not have allowed a Florida loss anyway. Sad outlook for us this Saturday as we will see the hankies fly on every positive play we make. They (the SEC)want their match up and they will do whatever it takes to get it. Notice the pass interference calls for Florida in the last drive. We will have to sneak up on the refs to beat them. The next to the last drive is the one the hankies would fly on. It looks too obvious once it gets down to the last few ticks.
nmbr1vol writes:
blah, blah, blah. did adams ghost write this drivle?
volbrigade writes:
It's simple -- teams are studying film of Monte's defense. That explains opponents' success against UF and AU after they played us. And against UCLA - AU, we had ZERO passing game until the 4th quarter against the Tigers. Otherwise, we're standing at 5-1 right now, the talk of college football.
CoverOrange writes:
Synopsis:
Every team gets better or worse, week to week, as the season goes along. Including UT.
Other than Memphis, there are no cupcakes left on the schedule. But, see above.
Temper expectations.
Dalton writes:
OK...."When you're Strange....nobody know where you came"...don't know the lyrics so paraphrase....our team stinks because of the age "old this team beat a team that beat you and you didn't beat that other team by so much so die" philosophy that in some season would have Ball State better than USC....I go by what I see on the field and I like it. There have been rough stretches but I'm not going to fall into a hole on KENTUCKY WEEK because Strange's math has them killing us....let our team show up maybe we have a chance.
TommyJack writes:
good grief
utclassof1992 writes:
This year is kinda like 1976, after Battle left the cupboard bare for Majors. That we are actually competitive is a statement for the change in culture that the staff has wrought. The players are starting to buy in, and they are starting to understand the Xs and Os of the coaches, and that is a lot more than I can say about the last 4 years of Fulmer ball. This team has more fight when the chips are down than any team since 1998.
mmynatt writes:
He is trying to say that those fans who got excited about certain games the Vols did better at than forecast were not so great after all. The teams that beat UT in Knoxville (no less) have since lost big or not looked so great. In other words don't get the idea that the Vols are going to show Aladamnbama a thing or two:)
Chazz writes:
I agree. This is a silly article. The logic reads like some of the rednecks sound on call in radio. I do miss the days of quality reporting. I have heard many of these pundits talking about how complicated the offense was last year. It is the obvious dig that Tennessee is not bright enough to run that offense. Okay, we get it. However, the defensive coaches from around the league loved our offense because it was slow developing. UT players are now running a Pro Style offense and look much more disciplined. I see much improvement. I just don't see much talent. I think Coach Kiffin will take care of that problem.
Raynoch writes:
Let's not forget who J. Crompton was prior to the UGA game. That is why we lost to UCLA. If we have a semblance of a passing attack, we definitely win. I can't put the AU loss on Crompton, but I can put it on the receivers. All of the above looked miles better vs. UGA, a better opponent than UCLA and AU. So what does all this mean? I have no idea. Let's give Bama all they can handle.
gohawks1 writes:
Strange, that was just strange.
murrayvol writes:
You might tell Fletch that a pillow (or other soft object) to toss at the screen is a better option than.....say a remote or an empty beer bottle.
AllVol1 writes:
David and Goliath...
Bama is a powerful team, but their sensitive temple is their inability to consistently move with their passing game. Our sling-stone is being able to stop their run. If we can contral Bama's running game, we have a chance. Of course, we also have to be able to run and throw when we have the ball. We will NOT outgun Bama. We must stop their run. ORANGE SWARM!!
GBO writes:
Two words:
Quarterback ... play.
Jono looked like a completely different person against Georgia and finally seemed to have some confidence in what he was doing, which is exactly what he needs to play against the best D in the land. What Strange left out is the injury factor in our losses to UCLA, Florida, and AU. We haven't been healthy at wide out or O-line all year which takes more than a toll on personnel - it's a killer for cohesiveness and in return play making ability. We've had two full weeks to rest, practice, and get mentally prepared.
In my opinion, Tennessee plays its best as an underdog with something to prove (See FL 1998, Miami 2003, and Georgia 2007). I'm not saying Tennessee can win, bug I can GUARANTEE this game will be a lot more interesting than people think - just like Florida.
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