The SEC caught its basketball coaches off guard recently when it emailed them changes to the conference schedule that was supposedly set at June's spring meetings. Imagine if it did the same thing in football.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive would have to spend the rest of the day on the phone with football coaches, some of whom would have to be talked down from ledges.
The conference schedule matters in basketball. It matters so much more in football.
It's not just whom you play outside your division. It's when you play them.
Even open dates can be a source of anguish in football. Just a couple of years ago, Alabama officials spent the offseason whining about a conference schedule that gave so many of its opponents the week off before Alabama.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has spent this offseason throwing darts at both the last conference schedule and the one to come. His point: Georgia won the East through scheduling and could win it again the same way.
Tennessee has no such complaints. The scheduling advantage gained from last season to this one is significant.
The Vols didn't finish 5-7 last season solely through inept play. They played three of the top five teams in the country — all from the SEC West. And the open date, just three games into the season, provided no cushion.
Never mind how much UT might have improved from last season to this one through experience and recruiting. Its acquired advantage in scheduling could be just as much of a factor in what should be a much-improved record.
The only disadvantage might come against its one non-conference BCS opponent. Playing N.C. State in the season opener in the Georgia Dome is more challenging than playing
Cincinnati in the second game last season at Neyland Stadium. The rest of the non-conference fare is comparable to last season's threesome, which Tennessee outscored 107-26.
But look how much the Vols will benefit elsewhere.
Thanks to SEC expansion, the Vols won't have to play Arkansas, which won 49-7 last season in Fayetteville and still has plenty of talent. Replacing the Razorbacks with Missouri is another plus for UT.
The natural rotation of the conference schedule will offer another advantage. National championship contender LSU is off; middle-of-the road Mississippi State is on.
The open date also will work in UT's favor. Last season, the Vols had to play four consecutive games against nationally ranked opponents — Georgia, LSU, Alabama and South Carolina — without a break. The 2012 schedule includes well-timed breaks.
The Vols will play Georgia State before Florida, and Akron afterward. The Georgia game is sandwiched between Akron and an open date. Troy will break up games against South Carolina and Missouri.
That leaves the last three weeks of October as the toughest stretch of the season. But at least the Vols will have an open date the Saturday before they play Mississippi State, Alabama and South Carolina in succession.
One more advantage: Tennessee won't have to play Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium this season.
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 » 46
FeelVol writes:
Had to throw that last one in didn't you John.
TeamXer writes:
While I generally hate the never ending JA bashing...Dickish last line, to be sure.
Bigger_Al writes:
Adams is a Pencil-necked Geek. And this Pencil-necked Geek has bothered to notice that UT is playing on a more level playing field this year.
mdvol writes:
The schedule is favorable but so are 19 returning starters. So are the baddest WR's in the country. Huge O-line. Beefed up D-Line. And, Lathers is back.
And I hear the cheerleaders are smokin' hot too.
All sounds pretty favorable to me.
VOLS hang 100 in their first 2 games. Then drop 40 on the Gators. Start 4-0.
Timbo_Slice writes:
Although that last line was another cheap shot toward coach Dooley, he could have gave the statement a little credibility if he would have mentioned that the previous two trips to Lexington by the previous two coaching staffs were narrowly escaped victories in o.t. However, he chose to take the low road once again.
MetroplexMojo writes:
Adams stated "playing NC State would be more challenging than playing Cincy." Didn't Cincy destroy NCSU last year?
orangeman1 writes:
You are correct. Cinci beat NC st by 30 points last year and won 10 games. I do think the NC st game in Atlanta to open the season will be just as tough if not tougher, but UT will be better this year so I think UT shakes the Atlanta jinx and wins this one.
trubleoj#657755 writes:
Arky would have been 35-7 or 35-14 if coach had left Worley in. And a one score game if 21had caught 3 3rd down drops. I fully expected them to push for another score at the end to avenge the 2000 game. As for the scheduling UGA would have had a 5 loss regular season with our schedule. But no excuses, you play in the SEC to play the best and win. It just sucks that they get 2 short putts in a row.
Inconvenient_Truth writes:
Sorry but this sounds like nothing but excuses. Sooner or later we should just admit that Dooley's not an SEC coach. If Arkansas didn't prove it, Kentucky sure did.
Timbo_Slice writes:
Totally agree with everything you said! I was at that 2K Arkansas game. If I'm not mistaken, the Vols score 35 in the first quarter.
atnvol#283282 writes:
"One more advantage: Tennessee won't have to play Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium this season."
You really just can't help yourself....can you John?
keithgibson writes:
love JA! all of you Dooleyaid drinking people who rip on him just can not take the truth, facts are facts!
CrankE writes:
"Alabama officials spent the offseason whining..."
Truth!
Gasp! A jab at a UT rival from Debby?
Sorry, still not buying. Fire John Adams!
voloffaith writes:
Let's see Merl Haggard...uh...Merl Ot....doesn't matter how you mix the words ..ewe still get whiny,caustic,sky is falling drivel.....thanks Droobler Ot......no I must call by a real name....Neggy..ya know like negative constantly...Neggymerl Ot NOTgovols....sorry drivel me this , drivel me that.....go back to reading 'The Cat In The Hat'
Butterbeans writes:
We're stuck with Dooley for now. Easier schedule, more veteran team, possible leadership, competent staff, and great fans should equal eight or nine victories plus bowl win. Less success should result in head coaching change. Good luck Dooley and Vols in the Georgia Dome. Most of us believe if you don't make it there, you won't make anywhere.
81volguy writes:
The fans on this site who complain whenever Adams, or anyone else, mentions the Kentucky debacle are in utter denial. That game counts as perhaps the worst loss in Tennesse history. It should be mentioned over and over until this team redeems itself. And to deny it is to stick your head in the sand. Adams is doing his job, and he keeps pointing out how bad the Vols have been for the last few years. You guys apparently want him to gloss over the utter ineptitude and pathetic coaching and play that have characterized this team. It's baffling and it seems as if you're more upset at Adams than at the performance of UT football. Please find another team, because those who are upset at a writer who tells the truth about this team are not serious fans.
voloffaith writes:
81 it isn't that Sir JA tells the 'truth' of bad times...its the glee he does it with....do you not know his glorious history of sticking in the ribs over and over when things go south? when things are good we get the lil tinker bell ring so faint you can barely hear it....so the truth hurts yes, but the writer enjoyeth too mucheth I sayeth......
CCLC writes:
That sure is a sweetheart schedule.
aspenvol2 writes:
That's gold, Adams. Pure gold. Easier schedule means schedule will be easier. Solid stuff.
TheVolSnake writes:
Yes they lost to Cincinnati 44-14 the same team that the Vol’s beat 45-23 early that year
TheVolSnake writes:
But what is interesting is currently the easiest SEC schedule according to several sites (ESPN, Phil Steele and others) is Georgia's Schedule.
laraccoon writes:
didnt you play Badminton for the University of Sissy !
TheVolSnake writes:
Good News:
The Vol’s added another intern to their program and it's Former Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff. Mehlhaff has been running a company doing kicking camps around the country and has been working college camps including Tennessee's kicking camp last June. Welcome aboard
MetroplexMojo writes:
Kettle...meet pot
You all may go 11-1 and not beat a top 25 team
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
I agree
615VOL writes:
With the schedule we have and the talent we have, I see no reason 9 games would be an unreasonable expectation
brokebackvol writes:
Worst loss in Tennessee Football History? I beg to differ. The Vols have lost to some dogs over the years, just not often thank heavens. We all knew that Kentucky was going to break that streak eventually, and it would take a bad UT team to let it happen. Well, it happened. So now we move on, cheer for the team in a new season and hope for better things to come.
Even if Dooley stinks it up this season, the wonderful thing to keep in mind is that the Vols program will survive and fight on to better days. We got real spoiled, and it's hard to take the lean times. But better days are indeed ahead!
GBO!!
laraccoon writes:
Anyone who expects Dooley to win 9 games has little or no football IQ .it took Johnny Majors 7 years to win 9 games , and Dooley inherited a much worse program then Majors . And also Majors had less recruiting restrictions and no NCAA cloud hanging over his head . most sensible people besides you and your dweeb pal know rebuilding correctly takes a few years .
HopeisNotaCourseofAction writes:
It may not be the worst ever, but it makes anyone's very short list, and certainly the worst in recent years. This was not a result of a bad call or few bad plays like some of the other losses, it was a total collapse of the entire team - off, def and S/Ts against a team with a WR as QB.
CDD better get it done this year, 3 stinks and you're out!
TheVolSnake writes:
Georgia coach Mark Richt says offensive tackle Kolton Houston is still ineligible because he continues to test positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance he was given for a shoulder surgery more than two years ago.
Houston was Georgia's No. 1 right tackle at the end of spring practice. Richt says Georgia, which opens practice on Thursday, must prepare to be without the third-year sophomore.
arkyvol writes:
maybe the university of tennessee ought to consider seceding from the sec. tulane, sewanee, and ga. tech all did it and all are highly respected (aau members) universities now. it wouldn't bother me if u.t. started putting more emphasis on academics which is supposedly the reason for its existence. not that two readers give a tinkers damn, but forbes released its ratings of colleges and universities today and good ole u.t. is l02 spots (that's one hundred and two) below that wellspring of academia--the university of arkansas.
voloffaith writes:
So you are not UT former punter Phil Clabo and you don't live in West Hills...so who are you..who..who...who are you...sorry Who song and tv show theme....cos we ain't sure who ya be ..other than a disgruntled, anti-dooley spewer of unhappiness....
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
I have a pretty good football IQ, actually. Johnny Majors was in another era when he took over in 1977, 35 years ago. The pressure to perform/win is far greater now because of the multi-million dollar revenues expected from the muti-million dollar investments. Dooley enters his third year with 19 starters, 2 AA receivers,arguably the best or second best QB in the SEC, a very experienced OL, Sunseri (everyone calling him a savior)and a defense which I think will be much better than predicted. Then laraccoon, do look at the schedule: 3 laydowns, UK, Vanderbilt should equal 5 wins. MSU and Mizzou should be wins= 7. Beat either NC State (UT 6.5 pick Vegas) or Florida= 8. Beat both= 9...or split and win mid level bowl game= 9. Simple math. How's your IQ?
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
I don't see this as an anti-Dooley "spewing"; he makes a logical argument and voices his opinion. Nothing wrong with that. It is, after all, a forum I suppose. I'd forgotten the Clabo brothers until you mentioned Phil. Wonder what this poster means by Clabos fake?
laraccoon writes:
you flap your pie hole without stopping to think about what you spew . If Majors was all you say why did it take him 7 years to win 9 games . you thinking a coach should be viewed different because he is from here is moronic to say the least .Neyland , Cutcliffe , Pearl , Pat Summitt ,what do all these coaches have in common , none went to U T. Tennessee does not have an instate recruiting base , therefore it has to win games to have success recruiting ,they arent lined up at the door with homestate talent waiting for an offer like USC , Auburn , Texas , Florida , Alabama Georgia . and after the mess Kiffin left and Fulmers latter recruiting Classes not panning out you think Dooley should easily win 9 in his third year is flat out nonsense .Could he win that many ? anything is possible , but to say that is the gauge for him to keep his job is "low football IQ
voloffaith writes:
Take the body of work and it is anti.....yes can form an opinion...again body of work usually neggy all the time. THe 'fake' to me is the greater question.....although Jeffy has used many hybrid names from tv shows that were cutesy(not) to play the blogger sweepstakes game again til site police banned that name requiring another silly attempt at a new one...oh well what will we do when the games begin....
laraccoon writes:
To tell everyone how hi of an IQ one has is the fastest way to show everyone how little sense one really has , you wouldnt know any people on here like that would you Navy ? Second of all I never said Dooley couldnt win 9 games this year , I just said i thought it was foolish for that to be his win total or else he should go mark. And thinking Missouri is a given win , with their success over the last several years compared to ours in the same time span is a dumb statement in my opinion . JMO
615VOL writes:
The day UT uses a 5-win season as a benchmark for upcoming season will be a cold day in "Kentucky". Our schedule alone should be +2 wins and we return the vast majority of our talent. Barring our (arguably) two best offensive players getting season-ending injuries (TB wasn't near 100% the last couple games) anything less than 8 wins is inexcusable.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
Um, it's "high" not "hi". Hi back at cha' :)
laraccoon writes:
thats why i dont brag about my iq . figure if i get my grammar deficiency out there early on in the thread i dont have to worry about it anymore . watch out for them Tigers .
TheVolSnake writes:
ESPN’s SEC predictions:
Southeastern Conference
SEC East
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. Florida
5. Missouri
6. Kentucky
7. Vanderbilt
SEC West
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Auburn
5. Texas A&M
6. Mississippi State
7. Ole Miss
UT4prez writes:
I think it is clear you don't expect 9 wins and I agree but how many do you predict in the regular season? I started with 7 but I'm starting to lean towards 8. I'm not asking so I can tear your prediction apart. I'm just curious because of your comments. None of us have a freaking clue of course. Also, what's your deal with Mizzou? I agree they are not a team to take lightly but neither is NC St or Vandy and others. Why Mizzou? Are you in Big 12 country?
laraccoon writes:
to expect the same team who lost their last game to Ky. for the first time in 26 years to win 9 games seems a little far fetched to me. i sure hope im wrong . i never try to predict but my biggest hope for this season would be for the vols to average 250 yds per game rushing . i think if that were to happen all the high expectations talked about on this board would be possible .
UT4prez writes:
It's fun to predict but some people take it way too seriously. You are right. If they average 250 yards rushing then they will have a great year. I don't believe we will even call enough running plays for that to be possible. I'll take 150 yards per game because we should average well over 250 per game through the air.
615VOL writes:
Where are you seeing this?
kevininaugustageorgia writes:
1977, the first UT game I ever attended. UT lost to Rutgers on homecoming, 10 - 7. That's my worst ever.
The Journal had a sports headline that day that said something like "What's a Rutger?" The article went on to poke a little fun at little Rutgers.
Darn! I had a choice of that game or Notre Dame in Neyland next week. I took Rutgers because I wanted to see the Vols win. Of course, they beat the phooey out of the Irish that next week.
Ya never know...
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