Tennessee is NOT a good football team - Fact or Fiction

[VolForLife83]

 

[Alto1]

We are on the right path to success. Stay the course! GBO!

 

[DonDiego]

Good post. Thanks, bro. GBO!

 

[FlVols]

We are heading the right direction. This last year the ship has been righted and we’re now heading the correct direction to SEC greatness! Go Vols. Thanks for sharing this video

 

[The Original Fade]

Ask Kentucky, SC, Vandy, Missouri, USA, and BG if we are

 

[ProudVOLfan]

They made some solid points and some that I hadn't even thought of. We are indeed a good football team IMO bad finally heading in the right direction with the right coach. GBO

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Fact is, much as I love my Vols, I'm in the camp of: We're not that good. But it's only because we have such a leaky defense. The team is a composite of offense and defense. We're porous on the defense side. So overall, we really aren't that good. But by golly, we have mongoose and honey badger DNA in those boys. Any team taking us lightly will surely pay the price.

 

[Boca Vol]

UT seems to be headed in the right direction as many have already stated.

Teams simply couldn't show up to the stadium this season and sleep-walk to an easy win over UT. Those days, I hope, are over for this program. A few more pieces on D and development of the next QB are crucial to make the next step in improvement, which is challenging for the East.

 

[Remy]

When you talking about?

 

[PG1]

As long as we are playing the bottom of the SEC East and 3-4 FCS teams we are a good team.

 

[OffTackleVol]

As long as we are playing the bottom of the SEC East and 3-4 FCS teams we are a good team.

LOL, good post..........

 

[SalVolinus]

Better than we've been, not as good as we're going to be.

I think there are probably 20 teams playing better football than us, but that's a lot better than 40-50 like it was last year.

 

[LordBolton]

Ask Kentucky, SC, Vandy, Missouri, USA, and BG if we are

You could also ask Pitt, Ole Miss and Florida. Pitt and OM were very fortunate to win, so if we are bad then so are they. Few would argue that. Florida would love to switch places with us right now...

 

[rocketskates]

Good, not great. But I believe that we will get there under Heupel. Just need some more depth at certain positions. He’s really gotten the most out of the talent he has on the team, which we are seeing is a good amount.

 

[arkyvol]

Tennessee is an average team that is well coached. Whether it takes it to the next level depends on recruiting which ain't looking good.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Depends on the definition of good. Championship level good - not close. If Mid-level SEC is good - yes. Mid-level SEC good can beat a lot of teams.

 

[vols 30]

If UT wins 7 or 8 games each year the next few years, will Vol fans accept that, or start crying that we need Another coach?

 

[savannahfan]

If UT wins 7 or 8 games each year the next few years, will Vol fans accept that, or start crying that we need Another coach?

To answer this "look to some of the teams looking for a coach right now".

 

[hog88]

Tennessee is an average team that is well coached. Whether it takes it to the next level depends on recruiting which ain't looking good.

^^^This. Need to upgrade the Jimmy and Joes along with playing better defense to be a "good" football team.

 

[1982Alum]

Do we consider our defense? The offense did well this year but every loss was because our defense got rolled over. Couldn't get Vanderbilt off the field in the last game. A 20 play drive?!?

We are a partially good team but need MUCH defensive improvement to be a good team overall.

 

[calban]

If UT wins 7 or 8 games each year the next few years, will Vol fans accept that, or start crying that we need Another coach?

Fulmer says hello.
Averaged 8.8 wins per season
Throw out his interim and 2 losing seasons he averaged 9.9 per season.
Wasn't enough.

 

[TNbuc2]

As long as we are playing the bottom of the SEC East and 3-4 FCS teams we are a good team.

I bet Ole Miss ( top 10) and Pitt (top 15) think we were pretty good too. A little depth against Ala and Ga would have gone a long way. Good things to those who are patient. I am referring to the current staff.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Once TX and OK join SEC will expectations have to change?

 

[tnutater]

UT seems to be headed in the right direction as many have already stated.

Teams simply couldn't show up to the stadium this season and sleep-walk to an easy win over UT. Those days, I hope, are over for this program. A few more pieces on D and development of the next QB are crucial to make the next step in improvement, which is challenging for the East.

Team improvement is not linear.
The baseline has been set at a 4-4 SEC record.
The next step is continuing to beat the weak sisters of the SEC East for a few years to prove 2021 was not just a product of how bad the East was this year. Then comes beating Florida and the rotating West team every couple of years. Challenging for the East will take several years of steady improvement, then you throw in the OK and Texas additions and how that will affect the conference make-up.....
No one can deny 2021 was better than expected but it is a long way to the top.
Will our fanatics be patient enough for the long climb? There will be seasons where expectations are not met.

 

[Boca Vol]

Team improvement is not linear.
The baseline has been set at a 4-4 SEC record.
The next step is continuing to beat the weak sisters of the SEC East for a few years to prove 2021 was not just a product of how bad the East was this year. Then comes beating Florida and the rotating West team every couple of years. Challenging for the East will take several years of steady improvement, then you throw in the OK and Texas additions and how that will affect the conference make-up.....
No one can deny 2021 was better than expected but it is a long way to the top.
Will our fanatics be patient enough for the long climb? There will be seasons where expectations are not met.

Why does it take UT several years when other programs seem to do that much quicker? McElwain won the SEC E his 1st 2 seasons at UF and they couldn't wait to get rid of him. Kirby was in the NC his 2nd year. Coach O won the NC in his 3rd full season at LSU. Chizik won a NC his 2nd year at Auburn. Malzahn won the SEC and was in the title game his 1st season at Auburn.

I'm not saying UT needs to be at that level or fire the coach. Firing coaches every 2-3 years is not the path to success. But it doesn't HAVE to take several years to compete at that level, IMO.