You knew Tennessee's schedule would be difficult way back in preseason. You didn't know it would be as hard as 1-2-3.
LSU is No. 1. Alabama is No. 2. Arkansas is No. 3.
Those rankings provide glaring evidence that all of UT's football shortcomings aren't related to coaching changes, player attrition or injuries to its two best offensive players.
Getting up when you're down is hard enough under normal circumstances. There's nothing normal about the SEC, especially this season.
An exceptional league is now more exceptional than ever. It's enough to make Missouri and Texas A&M have second thoughts.
It's also enough to make you realize second-year coach Derek Dooley is in the midst of the most difficult rebuilding job in UT history.
You can't gauge the progress simply by checking the record. You also have to check the rankings.
The Vols will head into Saturday's regular-season finale against Kentucky with a 5-6 record. Half of those losses have come against the three highest ranked teams in the top 25.
There's more to it than that. Two of the Vols' other three loses came against nationally ranked South Carolina and Georgia.
The schedule isn't a one-year fling. Last season, the Vols played five teams that finished in the top 25. Three of those teams finished in the top 10.
No wonder, the Vols still could finish the season with back-to-back losing records for the first time in 100 years.
Former Tennessee coach Johnny Majors can relate better than anyone to Dooley's plight. And that's not just because he also faced a major rebuilding job at UT when he returned to his alma mater in 1977.
Even before Majors revitalized UT football or turned Pittsburgh into a national power, he made Iowa State a competitive program in the old Big Eight.
In 1971, Majors' Iowa State team lost only three regular-season games. It lost them to the top three teams in the country — Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado.
UT's 2011 schedule has been even more arduous.
That doesn't excuse how badly the Vols played in a 49-7 loss at Arkansas nine days ago. It does add perspective.
Each letdown and slipup is magnified when your talent is down and your schedule is up. There's no margin for error or injury when that schedule is a virtual top-10 tour.
The best teams can win on a bad day. Teams like UT can get embarrassed on a bad day.
You can look beyond UT and see that. But you don't have to look far.
Just check out the Vols' longtime East rival. Florida enters Saturday's game with Florida State at 6-5. The Gators could finish with no better record than the Vols. And they didn't start the season with nearly as many disadvantages.
They had one coaching change, not two. They also are only two years removed from winning the SEC East and coming up one game short of back-to-back national championships.
Florida didn't suffer injury-induced attrition comparable to UT's loss of wide receiver Justin Hunter, who has played in only three games, or quarterback Tyler Bray, who has missed half the season. But it played a significant segment of the season either without quarterback John Brantley or without him at full strength because of a leg injury. It also was impacted by an injury to running back Jeff Demps.
A turn of the ankle here, a pulled hamstring there, and the next thing you know you're down four touchdowns against Alabama. That's life in the SEC.
It can be as hard as 1-2-3.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 93
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I don't have any problems losing to LSU, Alabama and Arky this year. The problem I have is HOW we lost. There's just no excuses for repeatedly missing tackles, bad snaps and horrendous special teams.
If we'd shown progress on that throughout the year, these losses would hurt as bad eventhough they still count as losses. It's losing while making the same mistakes over & over is the problem I've had.
CarlChilders writes:
The cup is always half empty, isn't it?
arkyvol writes:
life in the sec is tough. even tougher for a coach who takes half a season to figure out that his center can't center.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
So, what you're saying is, instead of losing by 31, 31, and 42, respectively, it would've been better to make progress in tackling, kicking, etc. and lose by 20, 20, and 32?
Not following.
FWBVol writes:
As someone posted on another story, we are playing a roster that is for all practical purpose, a junior college aged team. We have 14 seniors, but only four position players that have seen signficant playing time...Poole on offense, Austin Johnson, Malik Jackson and Ben Martin on defense.
It's hard to show progress when we seemed to have an injury almost every other week. I've said it many times before, but when you have a young team you are often limited in how much of the package you can throw at them.
I've been following UT since Dickey was the head coach and I don't remember a schedule as brutal as this one.
If Bray and Hunter had been healthy all year we might not have won any more games, but I believe we would have made a better showing in some of those losses if not for the injuries.
Upgrayedd writes:
Something about that October stretch through the Arkansas game reminds me of Red Phase of my basic infantry training at Sand Hill. You've gotta be broken down before you can be built back up. These guys went through the grinder, and they did it while it's early in their careers. They'll be better for it.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
if alabubba and lsu end up in the bcs championship game it will be a shame....not fair at all to other schools...bcs still is a popularity contest.... such as usa today coaches poll taking part in the voting and harris interactive
Cobb_Webb_Attack writes:
This season was going to be difficult with the schedule, injuries, youth, and inexperience... regardless of whether it was Fulmer, Kiffin, or the Orange Pumpkin at fault.
That said, you don't have to agree with the Dooley-haters to think that his offensive coaching staff needs to show marked improvement quickly: James Stone didn't need to try to learn to snap with his other hand, Bullard should have played earlier, the Worley/Simms carousel reeked of desperation, and entire offense has come out flat out after halftime.
Like the Dude says: Abdul-Whatever isn't necessarily wrong, just an a**hole.
FWBVol writes:
Let's get all the facts in here since you are always so bent on bashing Derek Dooley and having snide remarks, such as Doolaide Drinkers, for those who believe he will turn things around.
You make some valid points, but you leave out the fact that college football was much more run oriented in 1965 than it is today and it was easier to work around the injury to a quarterback. The numbers that Bray put up before his injury are better than most UT quarterbacks put up in a season prior to Tony Robinson's arrival in the early 1980s.
You also fail to mention that back then the SEC was an all white league and Tennessee high schools did produce an adequate number of players, but even then there were guys like Steve DeLong from Virginia on the squad, who, by the way, Dickey inherited.
Dickey wasn't hampered by the recruiting limits of today's game and could go out an bring in 40 or 50 players in each class and have the survival of the fittest, which all programs did.
You mentioned one injury, but this year's team has been hit by several injuries.
Also freshmen weren't eligible to play in 1965 so Dickey field an older team than the one CDD basically inherited.
So the guys that Dickey was coaching and putting on the field his second year were primarily juniors and seniors.
Yes, UT had to deal with the deaths of Bill Majors, Bob Jones and Charlie Rash and there's no doubt Doug Dickey handled that situation masterfully.
Doug Dickey wasn't under the microscope that Derek Dooley is under today...no coach in the 1960s faced the scrutiny that coaches have today.
People like yourself keep saying Derek Dooley can't do this or he can't do that and that he doesn't know what he's doing, well if you are such a brilliant football mind why don't you get the multi-million dollar job and show everyone how it's done?
No, that would be too difficult. You'd rather try to make people think you are smart by telling everyone that doesn't see things your way that they are stupid. In my book that makes you the pathetic one.
Mtnbiker writes:
When we Win the SEC East next year I wonder what their complaints will be?
Orange_Pants_Buy_One_Get_One_Free writes:
The article was about football. Not girl's basketball. Wake up.
knoxchatter writes:
Wake up little Mtnbiker, or you will be late for school...you were in the middle of a lonnnnng dream!
VOLliven2it writes:
John Adams does it again, he begins by pointing out the obvious about how tough it has been for the Vols then slams them at the end. That's a Big Surprise(NOT). All the crybabying and complaining on here or in the world will not change the fact that Derek Dooley is our head Coach this year and next year and likely the next year. So either accept that and go on with your life or find another team to be negative about.
eprahm writes:
Good article.
bigdisbig writes:
Hey John, you forgot the powerhouse Vanderbilt when you named 1, 2 and 3. We had to go to overtime to beat them but we "saved" our season.
Its a very sad state of UT football when Vandy comes in favored NOT because that are that good but because Tennessee is THAT BAD!
Jakevol writes:
Should-a, could-a, would-a.
VolinBama writes:
Based on the above arguments, I think we all agree that there needs to be real improvement next year. First and foremost in number of wins, but actually beating an SEC foe of quality. I love the Vols, like Dooley, and want both to succeed. However, age and depth (injuries crippling a team) arguments will obviously become mute as Dooley moves into future years.
SandySpringsVol writes:
AWTRO now has to refer back to the Doug Dickey era to make his half-baked arguments. Why?
1. Because there isn't a wealth of independent information available for those teams to refute his ill-informed opinions -- e.g., no Rivals.com evaluations of the 1966 recruiting classes for comparison.
2. Because most people who post on here have no memory from that era. (AWTRO probably doesn't either, but talking about things that it knows nothing about is AWTRO's hallmark.)
dvols writes:
beat KY, go to the Liberty Bowl, pillage Beale St.
and see what kind of recruiting class Dooley and staff reels in !!!
dgcarter43 writes:
Good post! I also like Dooley and want the Vols to return to a competetive stature with the "big boys" of the sec. I do agree however, that the Vols have not performed late in the season as they should have. As I've said before, if there isn't marked improvement next year, then it's time to re-evaluate the coaching staff. I want Dooley to be successful and he deserves another year.
SeminaryVol writes:
Agreed. Neither has a good offense and Arkansas is playing the best ball in the country right now.
volinlm writes:
Wail all you want to...Derek Dooley is here next year and probably the year after. And, by the way, I was around when Dickey started and he deserves tremendous credit for turning around the football program (especially those checkerboard end zones!). But, no way is college football today the same as then. Sure the basic game skills are the same, but everything else has changed. I recall that several 'big name' coaches turned UT down before Dooley was hired and that included the much-loved David Cutcliffe. Hamilton took a chance. It may not work out, but hating Dooley won't change anything.
jobrando#216494 writes:
if we had just lost those 3 in a competitive game then would we not been 9-3. It's hard to judge with no qb. Got to give CDD more time. Hoping he fires chaney though.
CCLC writes:
"Tennessee (5-6, 1-6). Derek Dooley described the win over Vandy as a “big step for our program.” Now that’s a sad comment."
just sayin'
AlpharettaVol writes:
While from time to time you make very valid points, they are usually lost among your constant attempts to clothe them in your own ugly version of sarcasm. You would also be taken more seriously if you referred to all the coaches by their real names instead of spending countless hours trying to make up demeaning names that are typical of what third graders do on the playground. Let's raise the level of discussion here. It's starting to get pretty boring.
volinlm writes:
Agreed. Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor.
WV_Vol writes:
Can you name 2 teams who can beat LSU or Alabama head to head? They are the two best teams in the country. Love it or hate it, the BCS is getting it right this year. I'm all in on an all SEC NC Game.
volinky writes:
When I first read this, my thought was that our "easiest" team (of the 6 we lost) was Florida at the Swamp! Would have preferred to see more improvement, especially in the secondary, but, a brutal schedule regardless. Losing to USC at home without their 2 best players is most frustrating - but, with a true freshmen QB making his first start, it is not shocking. I still wonder if we would have won that game with Simms - simply because of fewer mistakes. Beat the Cats!
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
It's also sad that a so-called GA fan spends so much time on GVX just sayin
UTKin1992 writes:
I never thought I'd see the day that the head coach at Tennessee would claim a win over Vandy to be a watershed moment for our football program.
Given that we've faced some extremely good teams this season, lost key play-makers through attrition, and are comprised of younger players, no one can convince me that Dooley is anything more than a seat-filler until we get a real football coach. Everyone else in the conference knows it - only his gullible adherents seem to hold hope for the seasons ahead. Friends and associates of mine - graduates of LSU, Alabama, Florida, and Auburn - remind me of this every time the subject comes up. Sometimes it's easier to see the situation from the outside I suppose. Betcha AD Hart sees it too.
mr_dave_n_sc#366677 writes:
I totally agree. When I see him (or one of his alter ego's)comment, I just blow by it.
rockytopinga writes:
Hey guys, who inherited what really does not matter, It's what you do with what you inherit.
I don't like Kiffin, buy he inherited a mess at Southern Cal and look what he has done with his mess. They can't go to a bowl and we should not go to a bowl even with a win over Kentucky.
oldbasshead writes:
I'd rather finish last in SEC each year than endure a coach like Kiffin.
atributetoLombardiwasbanned writes:
Jeff doesn't know any better.
CincyOhVol writes:
You my friend are comparing apples to oranges.
jobrando#216494 writes:
He means it was a critical win to make the required step to get to six wins. Beat the cats and it's a bowl. This is all that was expected of this team this year. A loss to Vandy could have hurt this years recruiting class. Next year more will be expected.
A1A writes:
Call it what you want...but since Vandy is playing their best ball since Cutler...and since the Vols have been hamstrung at more key positions as any team in the country...I would say the Vandy win was pretty significant.
What I saw was a QB come back after 5 games out...with a steel plate in his throwing hand...and while getting the "rust" out...win a very important game to motivate and get the confidence back for a bunch of Freshmen and Sophomores.
You forget that there have been some very close wins for the Vols against the dores including 12-7, 14-7, and 17-10 in PM's last 3 years.
TommyJack writes:
No need for the Tolstoy like posts. Keep it pithy.
thl#355403 writes:
"When I hear these Doolaid drinkers come on here and say Nick Saban couldn't have won but 1 SEC game in his 2nd year if he'd had this team, it makes me want to puke. If Tennessee hadn't hired someone in over his head, we'd be sitting at 7-4 now and maybe 8-3."
In Dickey's time they didn't have caps on athletic scholarships either like they do now. Any given Saturday either team has a chance of winning because on every snap there are 11 big talented guys on both sides of the ball. No matter how good a coach is, he can't go on the field and do it himself. Any parent can tell you no matter how good a parent you are, your kid is going to do what he is going to do - you parent the best you can and pray a lot. These aren't pros, they are kids, and even pros don't always play perfectly every snap. Pull your head out of your butt and realize you suffer through bad seasons to enjoy the good ones. A real fan of a program is a fan win or lose. Go Vols!
gnm53108 writes:
JA is stating the obvious.
Why is he sucking up to Dooley?
atributetoLombardiwasbanned writes:
Jeff is nothing if not..........expansive.
HoustonVol writes:
Brady Hoke took over a team after RichRod had three good recruiting classes. He is coaching an experienced team.
Snyder is in his third year of being back. Last year's record 7-6. The year before 6-6. Those records were posted in the weak B12 North division. Look familiar?? Basically the same records as Dooley with the SEC East being down.
Kiffin's team is full of junior's and senior's and is talented. The impact of sanctions will start showing up in one to two years.
I reserve judgement on Dooley and have not given up on him or the program. The UT program has been snake-bit the last few years. Dooley is laying a foundation for success. I personally hope that he is given enough time to see his plan through. I fully expect UT to contend for the SEC East next year. Anything less and I will support evaluating a change. However as of right now, I think that Dooley has done a good job with the hand that he was dealt.
TheCopper writes:
AbdulWhatchamacallitButtholeofOrange, I knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut for long you pathetic piece of garbage. Go back to your momma's basement and keep licking your Fulmer picture. You are a bum, Jeff, just like Fulmer was, and an immature one at that. I hope your momma is proud of you for coming up with words like "dooleave" and "doolaid." I guess you ought to know about making excuses since you have to make them everyday for your own pathetic life.
MemphisVOLALum writes:
Trying to compare the 2011 Vols to the 1965 Vols is a waste of time. All TRUE VOLS fans want us to do well. However, football has changed quite a bit in the years since 1965. I dare say the best team in the world in 1965 - the Green Bay Packers would not come close to challeging their 2010 Super Bowl Champion conterparts. Why? It is a different game played differently with much different players. This is not news. The sheer size of the linemen today make what used to be a good running game a joke if those teams played now. Coach Dooley is here until at least next year. I want to see more crisp offense and risk on defense next year. At that point we can better evaluate. And at that point if Coach Dooley doesn't cut the mustard we will all be talking about next steps. But before you trolls gloat...none of you "knew" he could or could not do anything. Your predictions of a loss to Vandy proved that.
Volunatic writes:
You don't have any friends, even among Georgia fans.
Just sayin'.
Navaloranges writes:
You are NOTHING but a Dooley bashing TROLL, PERIOD. UT's strength of schedule, player attrition, and lack of two whole classes of upperclassmen has NOTHING, I REPEAT, NOTHING to do with Dooley. Your obsession with gvx and badmouthing Dooley is juvenile at best, and out right mental at worst. YOU are NOTHING but a little boy (minded at least) craving attention. YOU come with no FACTS, just childish little comments and RIDICULOUS, unrelated comparisons, just like the rest of you degenerative TROLLS. A PATHETIC life is what you have, and that's about it, SON.
CCLC writes:
Like watching a car wreck ...you know you shouldn't look but you watch anyway.
just sayin'
Volunatic writes:
SoCal had reeled in top 5 recruiting classes for years prior to kiffin being hired there.
They even had a 4* defensive end who transferred to Tennessee due to lack of playing time. Thank goodness. (Glad you're a Vol, Malik!)
Not even remotely similar to the mess Dooley inherited.
Volunatic writes:
I was thinking "verbose".
Navaloranges writes:
Staring the FACTS right in the face and then denouncing them is a sign that you need some kind of professional help. Your "friends and associates" laugh at your ridiculous "logic", and probably not just behind your back. Your AGENDA has not, is not, and WILL NOT work out for you. NO MATTER how many different screen names and approaches you try to deploy. YOU are still just a DOOLEY BASHER, that comes with RIDICULOUS and OUTRAGEOUS comments that have no merit and no basis or proof to back them up. YOU are an internet TROLL hiding behind a keyboard running your mouth, AND NOTHING MORE.
Dooley WILL succeed when he gets enough talent here, DESPITE the almost ruination caused by FUILMER and KIFFIN. You can book that, TROLL.
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