Ok, so here are my numerated thoughts for the morning.
1. Enjoy or don't: There are an exceptionally small % of us on here who make their living covering Tennessee football. As such, we only watch for one reason, to increase the quality of our lives through the enjoyment of the games. Take a look in the mirror... if you are not able to enjoy this, maybe you should take some time off and pursue some other hobbies, or watch some other games this fall. I get it. I'm a fan too. Watching the game on Sunday (video) I was stressed before it began, I shouted at my son when he accidentally deleted the file before the game began. When I found another version, the video began with Chryst at QB when JG had lost his helmet, and I went into a panic thinking JG had been injured. Like everyone else, I shouted at the TV and got way too emotional over the whole deal. It was meant to be a close game, and they threw it all away. Emotions happen in this case. I will not be nearly as emotionally invested in the coming games.
2. Adjust expectations: If you choose to continue watching this season, I recommend adjusting your expectations going into it. Be loose. Relax. We are going to lose the next 3 games.. at least, and it will suck, so why expend the energy on it? Look for development. See what players are starting to shine. How is the playcalling going? Try to find hope for the future. If these next 3 games will give you nothing but misery, check out. I won't judge your "true fandom". Remember, it's for your entertainment. I can guarantee you are not going to fully "enjoy" the games, but try to find something to enjoy in the games. I don't watch musicals for the same reason some of you may want to skip the next few games. After that, maybe we'll have some hope in November, but let's see how this plays out first.
3. No, this is not settling: After the WV game, I used the illustration of my kids continually peeing all over the bathroom. It still applies. This team is not ready to compete, but they are where they are in this stage of their development. We've got to live with that in the short term, but that doesn't mean we are settling for that in the long term. After years of working with them, my kids still can't seem to get the tinkle in the toilet... but sometimes they flush. I've got to settle for the occasional flush now, and keep working on the manfruit spray all over the place. This team is capable of 3-5 wins... and I'm leaning pretty heavily towards 3. The coaches have the long-term task of improving from there.
I guess that's it.
