Velus and Cade

[CrybabyVol]

I would say from the context of where they were to where they are is a pretty good measuring stick and a pretty good indicator of how they are trending.

The coach before Mullen won two SECe titles. Mullen has accomplished less, and he has recruiting issues. Also, not only did the coach before Mullen win two SECe, the coach before Mullen had to contend with polished FSU. UF\Mullen get a lot of praise for not doing much of anything. Did you watch any of their games last season outside of ours? If you did, tell me if you think they performed well. My whole point regarding UF can be broken down to this. They aren't going to have pedestrian UT/FSUs beginning next year to the year after. He's had a benefit that his predecessors have not, and he has done nothing with said benefit.

 

[The Original Fade]

Would you take Mullen over CJP? I wouldn't. And that's not even saying I have complete conviction for CJP, but I'd take CJP's upside/recruiting over Mullen right now. There's reasons that Mullen is getting compared to Richt.

I would take Mullen over Pruitt in a New York minute. You think Mullen gets beat by Ga St and BYU at home to start the year? I hope JP works out and we are on a positive trajectory but to say you would take him over Mullen is just absurd. Mullen could have any job he wanted right now

 

[Purple Tiger]

Good Lord, comparing Mullen and UF situation is completely different than what Pruitt inherited. How many times did UF win the East with McElwain? When is the last time UT won the SEC east? UF was stocked on the lines, UT was not. Not to mention QB and skill players. UF roster was just better, but that gap is closing.

So my reply was to someone who said Mullen had done squat. Do you agree with him?

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I'd keep the cocktails thing to yourself..

No, you wouldn't, cause I'd take them back from you. Besides my turning your phrase, VN'ers periodically refer to their Ole Number 7 consumption and other such beverages. Plus their guzzling overpriced stadium beer. Not to mention my comments are obviously all in jest. So nobody's going to listen to your advice in this area. Besides, I'm switching to a black hole cocktail now on account of the bomber not currently taking off at this time. And just in case someone has a hankering for this liquid singularity:

2oz Bourbon (I use Lot 40 Rye)
.5oz Cold-Brew Coffee
.5 oz Simple Syrup
2 dashes Orange Bitters (Angostura)
1 dash Angostura Aromatic
1 dash Chocolate Bitters

However, come 2020 football time in Tennessee, I will likely be too happy to rely on liquid comfort even if it's iced alfalfa or sage tea.

 

[AustinMem]

Mullen had been a Head Coach at a SEC school, and a pretty good one.
Pruitt had never been a head coach. He has been learning on the job for the past 2 years, when it comes to being a head coach. That has come with a number of learning experiences, that Mullen worked his way past on a smaller stage. Time will tell if Pruitt develops to be a good/great head coach. I have seen both good as well as some bad.
I am curious why we are pinning high hopes next year on a WR that only had 350 yards receiving over 3 years at USC, and a O-lineman that there are no guarantees will be approved to play next year.

 

[CrybabyVol]

I would take Mullen over Pruitt in a New York minute. You think Mullen gets beat by Ga St and BYU at home to start the year? I hope JP works out and we are on a positive trajectory but to say you would take him over Mullen is just absurd. Mullen could have any job he wanted right now

Mullen beat a sorry, sorry Miami team by the absolute skin of his teeth. He beat a mediocre UK team the same way. He did not beat a UGA team that was greatly flawed. I'm very tough on our program and our fans. I don't think CJP has proven anything besides an outstanding recruiting/transfer portal record this year. But I don't view Mullen and UF as much different except they lose almost their entire offense outside of Trask next year. You or somebody else posted that Mullen had a 21-5 record the last two years. What did that get him? He's one spot ahead of us in recruiting rankings.

If Mullen was the second coming of a Spurrier or a Meyer, he should have creamed that sorry Miami last year. He should have creamed that gutted UK team last year. Did he cream us at home? Yeah. Not easy to talk smack to Gators right now, but I'll tell you one thing. In the first half of the game against us, the Gators tried to hand us back the game on several occasions. Wish we would have accepted their invitations. I firmly believe that we will know the long-term outlook of the SECe and the SEC this time next year. If Mullen can't get it done next year, he NEVER will. I'm closed to feeling the same way about CJP, but I'll walk off the ledge a bit considering how good our defense will be in '21 compared to '20. I'm also willing to give CJP one more year to find himself IF he does something different at QB. I'll be greatly pissed if JG starts next year, and we win eight games.

Back to Mullen. He never made it to a championship game at Mississippi State. He hasn't made it a championship game at UF. He started Franks for over two years over Trask who looks/markedly better. For a QB guru, what a unfathomable mistake. He has been a transfer portal genius, but he hasn't gotten anything in terms of results from it, and now other teams/coaches (CJP) are catching up with him.

I'll end with this, and then I'm done because I'm sick of talking about the Gators. Oklahoma is more fun to bash. If there is a way to do it over the internet, I'll bet anybody (first come first serve) that UF does not win the East next year

 

[reaperkyle]

I'm astounded by what CJP has done with the portal and his recruiting compared with his results. There is no team in the nation that does not now utilize the transfer portal. CJP has utilized it more effectively than most coaches. The portal does not even speak to Smith coming back. I've seen Smith go in the top ten in mock drafts. I've never seen the progression at UT like I'm seeing now since the late 90s. And while most of you don't like it, I'm blunt. CJP should win ten games next year. There is no reason with this stuff he should not.

Putting my orange-colored glasses aside for one second. I think next year is the most interesting year in SEC history. Name me one team you'd bet your mortgage on. Jimbo is entering the third year of a $75 million contract. What if he doesn't win the west next year? Could you imagine if we paid CJP that, and he didn't win the east? Mullen has accomplished squat at Florida. HE's also accomplished squat when we were at our lowest and FSU was at theirs. That's ending. And Kirby. What has Kirby done? He has beat our butts, sure. Not going to talk smack to UGA fans. But he has to play to AL and AU next year.

It's all coming together.

Well, I'm with you except Mullen has been at UF for two years and has considerably surpassed CJP in every way, including routing him head to head. As far as the portal goes:

This year so far Mullen has pulled:
***** RB Lorenzo Lingard
***** LB Brentin Cox
and they are the favorite to land ***** WR Justin Shorter.

So, Florida is adding at least two, maybe three 5 star guys through the portal this season.

I love the optimism, but the facts make your view on things seem a bit skewed.

I hate Florida!

 

[wmcovol]

Vol fans should hold up belittling Mullen until you beat him.

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

Does he have one ring? Dan Mullen came at a time when two of his three biggest rivals were at their lowest points. He has not been able to capitalize on any of it. Now you can cast me in whatever direction you want, but I'm not a homer. The road is tougher sledding for Mullen going forward. As I have said to our resident Gates, I watched three games last year that Mullen coached. In each game, they had questionable play calling, bad penalties, and silly turnovers.

Would you really care if you had a coach who won 42 games in four years and didn't have an SECe appearance? That's where Mullen is heading.

Florida should be the favorite to win the East this year IMO.

 

[CrybabyVol]

Well, I'm with you except Mullen has been at UF for two years and has considerably surpassed CJP in every way, including routing him head to head. As far as the portal goes:

This year so far Mullen has pulled:
***** RB Lorenzo Lingard
***** LB Brentin Cox
and they are the favorite to land ***** WR Justin Shorter.

So, Florida is adding at least two, maybe three 5 star guys through the portal this season.

I love the optimism, but the facts make your view on things seem a bit skewed.

I hate Florida!

Listen, I'm not going to attempt to talk smack regarding his use of the portal. I actually think Mullen has been ahead of his time with the portal. But still. It hasn't netted him anything. I'll also say this, and it pains me a bit. I don't think Botch left our roster so, so barren that UF should have blown us out two years in a row. Botch is an easy, easy target and scapegoat, but so is the Sharkhumper. I don't know how Mullen has crushed us so easily. The 2018 game seems surreal still. BUT, that time is over.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

The coach before Mullen won two SECe titles. Mullen has accomplished less, and he has recruiting issues. Also, not only did the coach before Mullen win two SECe, the coach before Mullen had to contend with polished FSU. UF\Mullen get a lot of praise for not doing much of anything. Did you watch any of their games last season outside of ours? If you did, tell me if you think they performed well. My whole point regarding UF can be broken down to this. They aren't going to have pedestrian UT/FSUs beginning next year to the year after. He's had a benefit that his predecessors have not, and he has done nothing with said benefit.

He might have accomplished less so far, but I think they’re better. That doesn’t mean I don’t think that their competition isn’t getting tougher, because I think we are, I think FSU is, LSU obviously just won an SEC and National Title, and UGA is still the East champs until they aren’t.

I watched quite a few Florida games this season and I was underwhelmed at times (Miami & against Us believe it or not) and also Very surprised at times, especially versus Auburn and LSU. I’m not saying Florida is world beaters, but I think is a good coach and I think it will continue to be a problem.

 

[CrybabyVol]

He might have accomplished less so far, but I think they’re better. That doesn’t mean I don’t think that their competition isn’t getting tougher, because I think we are, I think FSU is, LSU obviously just won an SEC and National Title, and UGA is still the East champs until they aren’t.

I watched quite a few Florida games this season and I was underwhelmed at times (Miami & against Us believe it or not) and also Very surprised at times, especially versus Auburn and LSU. I’m not saying Florida is world beaters, but I think is a good coach and I think it will continue to be a problem.

He will never win the SEC at UF. Maybe he will back into an East championship. Maybe. But MARK my words. He will never, ever, ever, ever win the SEC. I'll hang up my posting if anybody saves and throws this in my face.

 

[tennesseeduke]

As good as the 2020 season will be, the 2021 will be spectacular. Beware the team dressed in Big Orange.

GO VOLS!!!

This. To me I want 10 wins and a New Years six bowl. This will shows the progression Leo from year 1 to 3 under CJP. Got to crawl before we walk and then run!

 

[tennesseeduke]

CJP has shown that he is a true football coach.
-guy screwing up he pulls them
-guy continued to screw up, he yanks the face mask
-can’t cut the mustard he puts them on the road
-talent development is obvious
-recruiting outstanding
- talent evaluation excellent
-coach sucks he replaced them
Go Vols

 

[901 Orange]

If Pruitt had the same wins as Mullen after year 2 would you say he has accomplished squat? I wouldn’t . I would be touting us as a CFP team next year, which unfortunately I think the Gators really could be.

Well if u look at the difference between us an Fla over the last 2 decades then by their standards they accomplished squat. They fired a coach after he got to 2 straight 9 + win seasons. He started 3-4 in his 3rd year and they didn't let him finish the season. This was after he replaced a guy that went 7-5 prior ro his arrival. We haven't had near the same success as fla so of course we would take what Mullen has done in his 1st 2 yrs

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

Listen, I'm not going to attempt to talk smack regarding his use of the portal. I actually think Mullen has been ahead of his time with the portal. But still. It hasn't netted him anything. I'll also say this, and it pains me a bit. I don't think Botch left our roster so, so barren that UF should have blown us out two years in a row. Botch is an easy, easy target and scapegoat, but so is the Sharkhumper. I don't know how Mullen has crushed us so easily. The 2018 game seems surreal still. BUT, that time is over.

JG was primarily responsible for the last two Florida losses. Ineptness at the highest level.

 

[RollerVol]

we have a chance to be better than last season...not reading any tea leaves and I'll leave it at that...

GO BIG ORANGE!

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Well if u look at the difference between us an Fla over the last 2 decades then by their standards they accomplished squat. They fired a coach after he got to 2 straight 9 + win seasons. He started 3-4 in his 3rd year and they didn't let him finish the season. This was after he replaced a guy that went 7-5 prior ro his arrival. We haven't had near the same success as fla so of course we would take what Mullen has done in his 1st 2 yrs

It seems like people want to talk rings and hardware, but it rarely happens without doing some serious building . I think 2 NY6 wins is pretty strong, that’s why I think they are in a good spot.
They are at a different level than we are, but
they are definitely flawed. Next year is a big year for Mullen and for us. They get Ole Miss out of the West and IMO their toughest road game is versus Us. Right now everyone will point to UGA and LSU as their make or break games. We have to have closed the gap significantly by the time we play them in late September if we want to accomplish some new things next season.

 

[FLVOL_79]

No, you wouldn't, cause I'd take them back from you. Besides my turning your phrase, VN'ers periodically refer to their Ole Number 7 consumption and other such beverages. Plus their guzzling overpriced stadium beer. Not to mention my comments are obviously all in jest. So nobody's going to listen to your advice in this area. Besides, I'm switching to a black hole cocktail now on account of the bomber not currently taking off at this time. And just in case someone has a hankering for this liquid singularity:

2oz Bourbon (I use Lot 40 Rye)
.5oz Cold-Brew Coffee
.5 oz Simple Syrup
2 dashes Orange Bitters (Angostura)
1 dash Angostura Aromatic
1 dash Chocolate Bitters

However, come 2020 football time in Tennessee, I will likely be too happy to rely on liquid comfort even if it's iced alfalfa or sage tea.

Just busting your chops! Sounds like a good drank..might try it when no ones looking.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Just busting your chops! Sounds like a good drank..might try it when no ones looking.

You gotta stop listening to me, I hardly listen to myself. In truth, I'm not a big drinker, rare and I do mean is it when I do drink something without a meal. And you will never see in some establishment where the main activity is drinking, especially now with this conceal carry and open carry environment. I'm staunchly of the opinion that people no longer know how to behave if they ever did. Then you add alcohol, politics, targeted animosity, goodness knows what else these days and guns. However, I lived in Las Vegas for some 15 years. Residents get perks like coupons for meals, drinks, free play at slots, and that kind of thing. So I did get to know a few drink names but am primarily a beer guy. Fortunately had sense to down one with a meal and be done with it. I got to know where the better buffets were. Usually hung out at Sam Town, Texas Station, and rare visits to Rio, and Luxor with my bowling buds. Their buffets are really good. By 11 PM on those occasional days out, you'd find me at home before all the usual insanity happened. I'm still a one and done guy if and when I imbibe.

 

[Purple Tiger]

Not entirely sure what "riding them to the top" means but Kirby has had success with transfers in the past and this year we add Newman and McKitty. They have the potential to make the most impact of any transfers in the SEC.

Kirby has done well. Even Mason at VU signed a transfer who rushed for 1000 yards in each of his two seasons. Honestly, none of Pruitt's transfers have produced on the same level as Keshawn Vaughn.

 

[Purple Tiger]

He will never win the SEC at UF. Maybe he will back into an East championship. Maybe. But MARK my words. He will never, ever, ever, ever win the SEC. I'll hang up my posting if anybody saves and throws this in my face.

No one in the East will win an SEC championship for the foreseeable future.

 

[tennesseeduke]

No one in the East will win an SEC championship for the foreseeable future.

Yes we will!

 

[The Original Fade]

Mullen beat a sorry, sorry Miami team by the absolute skin of his teeth. He beat a mediocre UK team the same way. He did not beat a UGA team that was greatly flawed. I'm very tough on our program and our fans. I don't think CJP has proven anything besides an outstanding recruiting/transfer portal record this year. But I don't view Mullen and UF as much different except they lose almost their entire offense outside of Trask next year. You or somebody else posted that Mullen had a 21-5 record the last two years. What did that get him? He's one spot ahead of us in recruiting rankings.

If Mullen was the second coming of a Spurrier or a Meyer, he should have creamed that sorry Miami last year. He should have creamed that gutted UK team last year. Did he cream us at home? Yeah. Not easy to talk smack to Gators right now, but I'll tell you one thing. In the first half of the game against us, the Gators tried to hand us back the game on several occasions. Wish we would have accepted their invitations. I firmly believe that we will know the long-term outlook of the SECe and the SEC this time next year. If Mullen can't get it done next year, he NEVER will. I'm closed to feeling the same way about CJP, but I'll walk off the ledge a bit considering how good our defense will be in '21 compared to '20. I'm also willing to give CJP one more year to find himself IF he does something different at QB. I'll be greatly pissed if JG starts next year, and we win eight games.

Back to Mullen. He never made it to a championship game at Mississippi State. He hasn't made it a championship game at UF. He started Franks for over two years over Trask who looks/markedly better. For a QB guru, what a unfathomable mistake. He has been a transfer portal genius, but he hasn't gotten anything in terms of results from it, and now other teams/coaches (CJP) are catching up with him.

I'll end with this, and then I'm done because I'm sick of talking about the Gators. Oklahoma is more fun to bash. If there is a way to do it over the internet, I'll bet anybody (first come first serve) that UF does not win the East next year

I love the whole “what did he ever do at Miss St?” argument against Mullen. It’s comical to be honest. Starkville is a crap hole and the hardest place to recruit in the entire league, and is in the toughest division in college football, so what he accomplished there is next to a miracle given what he had to work with. The best way to view Mullen is to compare other coaches at the same schools. Mullen did a lot better in Starkville than any other coach in that program’s history. And I bet Meyer and Spurrier didn’t get off to 21-5 starts at Florida either but I will have to look that up to be sure. That dude can coach, whether you hate him and/or the Gators or not

Edit: Spurrier was 19-4 in his first 2 years and Meyer was 22-4 in his first 2 at UF. So basically, Mullen is on pace with the 2 greatest coaches in UF history. Yeah dude, he sucks

 

[UGADawg4Life]

I would take Mullen over Pruitt in a New York minute. You think Mullen gets beat by Ga St and BYU at home to start the year? I hope JP works out and we are on a positive trajectory but to say you would take him over Mullen is just absurd. Mullen could have any job he wanted right now

I know some fans have a short memory and want to hope for the best, but I'm not quite getting the Pruitt coronation just yet. We're 145 days from his team losing to Ga. State, then BYU at home and, at that time, most Tennessee fans wanted him not only fired, but tarred and feathered as well. He then lost to UF, UGA and Bama, then went on a 6 game winning streak of mostly narrow margins over some pretty awful teams, and now CJP is the second coming. He may turn out to be a good HC and he may turn out to be a total flop. The jury is still out.

According to the experts (not me) UF and UGA should be neck-and-neck to vie for the 2020 East and are both ranked in the top 10 (7th and 8th). Without knowing what kind of offense UGA will have, you have to give the early nod to UF on offense. UGA, on paper, has the best defense we've ever had, and we've had some good ones. We held opponents to around 12 ppg last season and only gave up 3 rushing TDs. I don't see this season as much different and it could be even better. UT, according to the experts is 27th or so. I expect UK to have some say as to who is East champs and who is not.

Pruitt has done a decent job of turning around what started out as a horrific season. It would have been easy to lose to UK, Mizzou and Indiana as the total margin of victory was 8 for all three games. He should be given credit for going 8-5. Smart should be given good credit for 11-2 with a Sugar Bowl win over #7 Baylor, and UF with 11-2 and Orange Bowl win over Virginia.

The East should be the tightest it's been in awhile with the wild card being UGA's offense. The other teams, with the exception of Mizzou, are already proven or disproven.