At 7-5, how would you rate Tennessee's regular season?
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Comments » 59
oyamlauxes writes:
All things considered... its been a great year.
DennisVols writes:
Where we began: A 5-7 season left a bad feeling among most of the Vol Nation. A longtime figure along the sidelines was gone and a new, young and brash coach stood in his place.
There were more questions than answers at QB, along the offensive line, the offense in general(finish as one of the worst in UT history and in the nation in ’08), depth at key positions and a highly touted recruiting class that had no experience at this level.
Early predictions had UT finishing the ’09 season no better than 4th in the east division of the SEC and some had doubts that even a non-losing season was in question.
UT started out 1-2 with their only win against a team that no one in this conference should ever lose to. As disappointing as the UCLA loss was the one against UF in the Swamp gave fans some hope as UT battled the defending national champions throughout the game and where clearly competitive against a team predicted to win by 3-4 TD’s. An unimpressive win over Ohio was followed by a disappointing loss to Auburn and a 2-3 start and many predicting a no win Oct. with GA, Bama, and USC following.
UT was staring at the edge of a second losing season in as many years. Fans where screaming for a QB change, laying the blame for another poor offensive start on senior Crompton. Still Kiffin stood by his promise that he would not get into a quarterback carrousel and that he was sticking by Crompton.
UGA came to Knoxville and the plan Kiffin had promoted since day one back in Dec. ’08 finally came together. UT would go 5-2 in their final 7 games and lost to the #2 team in the nation by only a blocked FG in the final seconds.
Kiffin has had to work with a patch work defense riddled with injuries and little in the back to replace them with, a offensive line counting 2 walk-ons as starters and a QB that was being counted as the biggest bust in UT history. What we finished with was a QB ranked as one of the best in the toughest conference in the country, and offensive line that has allowed some of the fewest sacks and opened holes for one of the best rushing attacks, a defense that only one time this year got torched by an opponent’s offense and held 2 of the teams that lit them up last year to 23 and 12 points respectively. UT finished 2nd in the SEC east with its only loss in the division coming to UF, they will play in a New Year’s day bowl under 1st year coach Lane Kiffin but more importantly they have won the respect of their competition in the conference.
While there were some setbacks during the year UT finished strong and deserve to be recognized for their heart, competitiveness and the improvements many thought not possible.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
chazz25 writes:
had to vote A because of the improvement we made over the course of the season...cant help but thiink we would have won 9 or 10 games if we had a decent kicking game and werent so decimated on defense with injuries
Fryinpansvols writes:
7-5 is exactly what I predicted in the Preseason, no joke! Wish we could play UCLA again! PAC-10 where is your great team? I've heard enough phooey from their fans! We'll get Oregon next year though!
txvolsfan writes:
I feel like this team improved every week with the exception of the Ole Miss week. I attribute the Ole Miss week to injuries on defense and the lack of talent on this team. I loved Phil Fulmer and appreciate all he did for the University, that being said Phil became a CEO and rested on his past. He didn't recruit like he used to and he his offense became very stale. The excitement of this staff is contagious and I love the passion for recruiting and the passion for coaching. Crompton is the prime example, could you imagine if he played 4 years under this staff? He would be a first round pick.
Look forward to the future of the Program.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
Fryinpansvols writes:
Good post! That close win over Ohio not looking so bad now, since the Bobcats finished 9-3 and a chance to play for the MAC Title. It (our season) definitely is a positive for our Future as Vols fans. We will be realistically competing for the SEC East next season. GBO!
PAROLE_tide writes:
7-5 was where I thought. I wish we would have beaten UCLA. Looking back that should have been a win, but CLK knows this.
volzcrushm writes:
We could have easily been 10-2... ranked about 10th.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Fulmer failed as soon as Cut bolted.
lrhvol#1339804 writes:
Soooo....What else you do today?
OwensboroVol writes:
What was impressive for me was the fight that this team had. They never embarrassed themselves, their school, or their fans by not playing as hard as they could. For that very reason I think this was a great season and a sign of what is to come. I don't know what Coach Kiffin is thinking and wouldn't attempt to put words in his mouth, but this has to be a team that he would love because of their effort. To be honest I thought we would be extremely lucky to win 4 games. Not in my wildest dreams did I think we would win 7 games. One last thing, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WAY THEY PLAY!!!!!!! We are in for good things in the near future. To the team, Thank You for giving me a team that was everything I could ask for and I know the FANS love you guys.
chrisw2967 writes:
At the start of the season nobody including the media or trolls were prediciting the Vols would finish 2nd in the east and give thiose Gators all they wanted and then take another #1 bama down to the wire with a chance to win,only if we had a kicker.
with all said and done I think us vol fans should be happy with 7-5.
The media and the trolls was wrong 100%,fla didnt get their 63 or 100 points they claimed and neither did the bama trolls get their blowout that they claimed they were going to get.
Now we need to go to a bowl game and end the season on a good note and recruit well and come next season we will be the team to beat in the east.
Waldorf writes:
I said 8-4 in the preseason and the only game I wish we had back was UCLA.
All in all, I have no complaints though.
Waldorf writes:
I see Foolmorons still exist.
Cldvols1 writes:
Solid first year for CLK and staff, wish we had UCLA and Auburn again though! Season's over and I'm happy we finished it on a good note. Let's go to Tampa and make it even better. Go Vols!!!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Not with the way he was[n't] coaching up Jonathan Crompton. We'd have been 5-7 again, maybe worse, especially with the "Clawfense" running us further into the ground. Clawson might be 7-5 at BGSU, but then again, look at the conference he's in. That's pretty sad.
On another note, I predicted a 7-5 year as well, but HOPED for an 8-4 season. If we had the UCLA and Auburn games back, we'd have been 9-3. Not too shabby under a first year coach. All the haters (Gaturds) can say what they want, but anyone with 1/8 of a brain can clearly see that we will soon be back up in 1st in the SEC East and winning more conference championships! GO VOLS!
west_tn_volfan writes:
So are you abusing weed or strong drink tonight?
mattnchatt writes:
Happy with the results for a first year coach. I still think the UCLA, Auburn, and Alabama games should have been wins, especially Bama, that loss still sickens me today. I am very looking forward to next season and expectations are about the same since we are losing so many key players. The future is bright IMO.
coltvol33 writes:
LOL. Please, give it up. The fact he did not the last several years is why he is no longer there.
p66ayers#1376155 writes:
Kicking cost us the Alabama game. We had them on the ropes, and everyone in the nation knows it. A few other bumps along the way slowed the Big Orange, but I can't wait till next year. I think for the most we had a very good year.Considering.
spacehistorian writes:
That comment isn't worth the effort to dignify as we saw what CPF failed to accomplish last year. CPF wants a cushy high-profile HC job which John Taylor commented upon @ http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports....
'Picky' Fulmer may sit out 2010 too
Posted by John Taylor on November 27, 2009 11:19 AM ET
Phillip Fulmer has done nothing to try to hide his desire to return to the sidelines since his departure from Knoxville. Seemingly every other week, the former Tennessee head coach is telling someone somewhere that he wants to coach again. It always comes with a caveat, though, and his latest talk with a member of the media is no different.
Speaking to Ralph Russo via the Associated Press, Fulmer reiterated his desire to return to the sidelines. But he also reiterated that he is not going to accept just any job.
"I'm not going to put myself and my family in a position where I'm going to a place that is a stepping-stone ... a place that doesn't have a history of doing well," Fulmer said. "I'm looking for a place that has some history. If I have to sit or not coach that's kind of the way it's going to be I guess."
While it may come off as snobbish and boorish, the fact is Fulmer's resume' -- 152-52 career record, 98-34 in SEC play, nine ten-win seasons in 17 years with the Vols, two conference titles, six division titles, only three seasons out of the Top 25 in the year-end rankings and one national championship -- allows him to stick his nose up at any job he deems below his stature. Even if he does come off as a snobbish, boorish a@@ in doing so.
VolinCT writes:
It's great to see a Tennessee team that is well coached, disciplined, and prepared for every game>
VolinCT writes:
Should have beat UCLA and Alabama, not UCLA and Auburn.
tloutn writes:
He was 9-3. Vicky can't get him off of the Xbox.
TommyJack writes:
forgot Georgia too. stay in the kitchen.
GerryOP writes:
What we saw this year was a team that was focused, dedicated, enthusiastic, spirited, and never gave up under any circumstance. What a refreshing change. We saw a revival of Tennessee football. The future looks bright. The only regret I have is that Jon Crompton does not have another year of eligibility!
279 -- Fear The Kiffin...
Carlitovol writes:
I'm fired up about the future!! We have a lot to be excited about... Just ask fans of once-proud programs that are still floundering in misery - like Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida State, Washington, Colorado, etc.. I think they would trade places with us in a heartbeat...!
100-proof orange koolaid or not, I have loved rooting our boys on this year - primarily the heart, toughness, fire, competitiveness, emotion and grit that has been shown on the field game-in and game-out. This shows you that it really is "how you play the game" that inspires the fans and gives us hope for months/years to come.
Honestly, there were Vol teams in this decade that had better records but didn't impress me or fire me up as much. And what an inspiring cast of characters from this squad - Berry, Hardesty, Crompton, W-Brown, Reveiz, McCoy, Big Dan, D-Rogan, Sullins Bros, A-Douglas, Stocker, and the list goes on..
Realistic fans understand that the rebuilding process will take time. I know our record leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm behind this coaching staff 100% and I think they've shown they have what it takes to get us back to the promised land.
GO BIG ORANGE!!
wayoutwill writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Carlitovol writes:
that's really clever. congratulations, you sure are witty. did you think that up all by yourself?
so if the Vols don't win at least 11 games and the SECCG by '12, then you can come back and say "i told you so".
until then, keep your drivel to yourself and take your negative posts + stick 'em where the sun don't shine. peace.
volfaninutah writes:
yeah, I agree, I would still like to know what Lincoln did to his leg. Geez, an acl repair heals faster than how long he sat on the bench. Oh well, water under the bridge at this point. Good season though. I like what I saw this year and am really looking forward with great anticipation. Go Vols!
kb7398#233189 writes:
Not impressed with the new staff other than Monte. I'm still bothered by how the fans gave up when Fulmer had a rough go last season with a new offensive coordinator who was trying to impliment the spread that so many folks acted like they wanted...if we were more than five years removed from an Eastern Division championship I might have been a bit more inclined to have gone along with a move, but not a year removed...and please tell me that none of you would rather have Brian Kelly of Cincinnati so I can call you all liars. I didn't want him myself because I didn't feel like Fulmer should've been let go, but given the circumstances and a choice between Kiffin and Kelly there's no question Kelly would be my guy...track record is everything. Don't expect Kiffin to stick around more than another year or two.
halloffamebowler writes:
Thank you Dennis.That is a good description of these Vols.For once we actually got more with less.Kiffin has opened his mouth a lot,but for the most part I believe he is going to be one tough cookie to deal with after his program is in place.I don't know of many coaches that could have accomplished so much with so little.As for the robery incident,that is not on the coach as some want to imply.All teams have things like that and should not be attribuited to any head coach.The way problems like this is handled is attributed to the coach and Kiffin handled this very professionaly by getting all the facts before handing out punishment.Too many of us seem to know everything,but actually know very little at times.All coaches have their problem recruits and always will.It's the way coaches deal with these problems that count.Next year,Florida will be very tough again,as will Alabama.I think we will be in the big picture in a couple more years.7-5 is not a good year to many, but to a school that had so little to start with,this was an excellent start toward bigger and better things.We all need to stop name calling of coaches and posters and actually talk football.I am hopeing that the Florida vs Alabama winner will bring home the N.C.and all the other SEC teams win their bowl game.This should be a fun Bowl season.GBO and go SEC.
Ringside writes:
BEtter than last year. I hope the same can be said after next season. GBO!
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
We won't be back until and unless we get an OL. The defense looks as if it will just get better but if the offense can't score, what's the point? We a serious OL before we're back. We need the big bulldozer lines Tennessee used to have that made our running backs so dangerous.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
If you'd open your eyes you'd see the Vols football program was and had been in a gradual decline for several years. Wth PF's departure comments by HIS players and the evidence of a bare cupboard revealed what many had known for a long time, he wasn't coaching or recruiting, just getting fatter.
vol88 writes:
As Tennessee fans, we should never consider 7-5 great. But IMO we're going in the right direction. GBO! Win the bowl game!
volsmith writes:
Exactly what I was thinking.
iowavol writes:
I predicted 9-3 and we should have been at least that, if not 10-2. The Ole Miss is an aberration influenced mostly by the off field incidents IMO. A bad leg and no option at kicking other than Lincoln cost us another win, if not both the UCLA and Auburn losses. It is conceivable that this team could have been 11-1. Having said that, this was a good year considering the injuries and lack of depth. This team is heading in the right direction. Next year may be tougher - the hardest positions to replace are the offensive line and to replace 80% in one year - it will be tough.
PennVol writes:
The attitude and culture were the major improvements this year, plus getting the most out of Crompton (finally) and Hardesty. I didn't think the coaching staff made great changes during the games, other than Monte stopping Ky in the second half. We have some great high profile opportunities next year with Oregon, Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss coming to Knoxville. Looking forward to it with some more great recruits!
UrbanCryer writes:
foolmore was 5-7 with this team and schedule with a loss(at home) to wyoming. bye
shacks writes:
to go 7-5 and make it to a New Years bowl game with a NEW coaching staff and freshmen all over the field?? FELLAS, it has be a HECK of a year!!!! GREAT JOB BY KIFFIN and the COACHING staff.
Also, I wouldn't expect much better next year though...losing Crompton, Hardesty and Berry will be VERY hard to replace..maybe the same result next year or until Kiffin can get a few years under his belt and keep the talent coming in.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Player development under this staff made a lot of difference..Most players improved their skills; They got pretty good play out of a group of offensive lineman that were far from 5 star recruits and also got production from WR Jones and Moore; 2 players who will probably not play in the NFL but made enough plays to win games..Still have my doubts about the offense Kiffin and Chaney installed but we will all have to wait and see what happens after they get the recruits they need to fit that plan.
eprahm writes:
Probably should have won a couple we lost and lost a couple we won, but we had the highest quality of young men that I can remember in years. They were a credit to UT and my appreciation to each of them for their heart and effort.
LVVOLJJ writes:
The coaching staff and the players worked hard, stayed positive and played smarter, cleaner and with more heart than I have witnessed in recent years. I look forward to the future and am convinced that the discipline on and off field will be the foundation of an excellent program. While we had our armed robbery incident, it could be a necessary step in development. As Kiffen improves as a college coach and recruiting continues to improve we are very few years away from some outstanding teams. I hope the staff stays intact for a few years!
VolGrad writes:
Don't confuse him with the facts; his mind is made up.
Go Vols!!!
smokeyadams writes:
I find it pitiful there are still “fans” that don orange & only find time to talk about what Fulmer could or would have done. I'm far from a CPF basher, & I appreciate everything he’s given as a player & coach. One thing is a given: UT isn’t the program it once was & it fell from grace under his control. Maybe expectations placed on CPF weren’t realistic, but it doesn’t follow any performance falling short of those expectations is excusable. UT hasn’t hoisted a significant trophy since 98 far too long for any program claiming to be “elite” and, we shouldn’t sell ourselves short & accept less than elite. That’s what we do in finding solace by merely playing in the 07 SEC championship. We essentially back-doored our way in and lost to FL & Bama by 29 & 24 respectively & beat Vandy by 1 that season. Overall CPF was an impressive 152-52 and 98-34 in the SEC. Nearly half of his overall losses came during his last 4 yrs (21), & 14 SEC losses came in that span. More food for thought about the direction the program was heading: Going into the 05 season we were preseason 3(13 1st place votes) & signed Rival’s number 4 recruiting class. That year we beat UAB by 7, Mem by 4, & lost to Vandy. In 06 we signed a recruiting class ranked below FL, GA, LSU, Aub, Ole Miss, & just 1 ahead of SC. We finished the year at 9-4, ranked 25th in the AP, but lost in our bowl game. After the 07 SEC Championship loss, CPF signed a recruiting class that didn’t even rank in Rival’s top 25 unlike AL, FL, GA, LSU, Aub, & Ole Miss. CPF is 1-2 against Miles, 3-4 against Richt losing by an avg of 14+ pts, 0-4 against Meyer losing by an avg of 18+ pts., & was 0-2 against Saban losing by an avg of 22 pts. In 2000 UT was preseason 12 & finished unranked in AP Poll. In 02 ranked preseason 5 (3 first place votes) & finished unranked. Ultimately, average was becoming not only typical but gradually acceptable. UT secured itself in the middle of the SEC, & CPF was somewhere behind Meyer, Saban, Richt, & Miles. He started to even compromise that by being out-recruited & beaten by other coach’s. Like him or not, CLK has brought a swagger back to UT, & they play with the confidence & energy that’s been missing for too long. Going into the season CLK deserved a legit shot to prove himself & his staff. He’s managed to coach this team up & maximize their potential. Is he a miracle worker? Probably not. But is he still worthy of his shot? Definitely. UT was never Phillip Fulmer, & it’ll never be Lane Kiffin. UT football is UT football. Its Smokey, Vol Walks, Pride of the Southland, Neyland Stadium, All Americans, & Championships. It’s expecting, not hoping, to win each time you take the field. So who cares what CPF may have done, if he should be here still, or if someone besides CLK should be our coach. UT football is full of pride & tradition, and sometimes it’s steered by a different person. CPF is gone & we’ve got CLK, and I, at least, like the direction we’re headed.
VolGrad writes:
I hope the Kiffin, Kiffin and Company venture works out. But if not, we will need to make a strong push for the return of Coach Cutcliffe as the HC. Without him, Fulmer was mediocre, at best. Coach Cutcliffe is well respected on both sides of the Tennessee family feud, but most importantly, he is a proven winner. He turned around Ole Miss and brought Duke to respectability.
But for now, KK&C have this program headed in the right direction.
Go Vols!!!
Hacksaw57 writes:
A season's observations:
1. The Vols Defense was spectacular and saved several games. Only until it became riddled with injuries did it begin to wane.
2. The Offensive play calling was adequate, at best, and became predictable towards the end. Wasn't impressed with it throughout the entire season .
3. If Crompton had not have came out of his shell, it would have been a long season. Thank goodness he broke out of it when he did, otherwise it would have been a repeat of '08. He deserves a LOT of credit for a good season from what he has had endure and go through in his career.
4. Onterio Hardesty was a true bright spot for the entire team and carried the Offensive load the entire season.
5. Needless to say, Special Teams and the Kicking Game was very poor and cost us probably 2 games at least. Thank goodness we have a great freshman kicker signee coming in next year to fill a void in this area. Vols need to work diligently to alleviate some problems in this area as we never have had great special teams. It can't remember when the last time we blocked a punt.
6. Was impressed with the overall attitude of the team. there were several times we could have rolled over and went belly up but the team's attitude was held in check and we didn't give up.
7. Up until the last month, I was extremely proud of the way our Vols have conducted themselves on and OFF the field. We made significant strides in conduct until recently and we now must perform some damage control in this area to save a little face publicly and with recruiting.
8. Recruiting will be the utmost important thing our coaching staff has ahead of them at this point and time. We have several excellent commitments but in order for us to compete Nationally it is imperative we not let up and continue to excel in getting the best players we can for our program.
I believe we have the right staff in place, the attitude and desire to accomplish great things and the willingness to put forth the effort from our players, staff and University to get it accomplished.
Overall, I am pleased but not satisfied. We can and WILL do better because:
WE ARE THE BIG ORANGE! GO VOLS!
jgarret9#489230 writes:
I would love to see the UT Nation get over Fulmer.
He let the program slide since 2001 and tried to
live of his accomplishments of 1998. He came to UT while Majors was sick, this is much worse
than his firing. After letting a good SEC team
fall the way he did. The Fulmer faithful should
remember the past and embrace a good change.
ellerbee123 writes:
After they look at the film of course!!!!!!!!!!!
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