Andy Staples Show:
David Ubben:
Tennessee has to feel... first off, obviously this was a crushing loss. Tennessee was two 5-foot putts away from making the playoff. Greater than 50% odds. It was really close.
But you have to kind of zoom out. And to get to where Tennessee was, where you're so deep in it. And you're so close. You've got the QB in the Heisman hunt. You're in the playoff hunt. You're right there. I get that this can feel like the walls are closing in and everything is crashing down.
Two things for the Tennessee folks: 1) This was a team that was bucking every trend that we've seen in CFB (in the modern recruiting era). They're 19th in 247 composite. They're not in the blue chip ratio. The listed teams that have made the playoffs without hitting that Bud Elliott Blue Chip Ratio is very small. I think that Washington is one, Cincinnati did it last year. Nobody has ever won the championship without it. I get the fans were dreaming of that. But man that would have been bucking so much data about this sport. So you know, I'm not going to call them fools gold, but Tennessee was overachieving. That's true. Vegas predicted them to win 7.5 games, we'll they did that. I get that this loss is so raw, and you were right there, and you were two relatively winnable games away.
Ultimately, this season is a success. No matter what happens. Even if you lose to Vanderbilt, which I don't think they'll do. I know it's gonna be hard to swallow. You've got a NY6 bowl on the line, very similar to 2016. But man, you've beaten Alabama for the first time in 2000 years, you've beaten Florida, you've done some really special things, whipped LSU on the road. I get it's going to feel bad but the hay is in the barn for this season. I get there were bigger things out there, but when the rawness of this season fades, I think they will appreciate what this team has done, where the state of the program is. Let's not forget that Nico exists. You've got him coming to town. Tennessee is probably going to be knocking on this door again in time. You've got an expanded playoff, and if you've got a special QB in the expanded playoff era you can make some noise.
So I get that it's raw. I get that Tennessee has to be frustrated right now. I would say that this is akin to hitting a 3-wood from 230 and putting it to 6 feet and then missing it, having it lip out. Then tapping it in birdie. I know you wanted it. The great unlikely thing was there. But man you still had a great year. There's still some big things out there.
So Tennessee fans, don't fret. I know that it's not great because of how much Tennessee fans hate Shane Beamer. He's the one dancing on your grave. Listen, you'll beat Vandy, go to a NY6 bowl. I don't think it matters what happens in the bowl, in regards to what it will mean for the legacy of this season. I don't think you'll see a lot of Vols sit out. Plus that game means a lot. But getting there is huge.
Brody:
Do you know the last time Tennessee won 10 games in a regular season, not counting a bowl? It was 2001. It has been TWENTY ONE YEARS. Tennessee fans for the last ten years, I mean all they really wanted, aside from getting back to Fulmer era, they just wanted to get back to the 9-3 zone. If they go 9-3 every year, not long term, but they would be thrilled. You're back in the top 15, you're relevant. You're about to finish the year a top 10 team. 10-2, 11-2 with a bowl win, that is a paradigm shifting season. This season is no longer about this year, it is about what this season will mean for the next 10 years. You are the cool offense in college football. If you are a portal WR you're looking at Tennessee. If you're on defense in the portal, you're looking at Tennessee like I can play. Tennessee is back to where they can be a top-20 team again for the next 10 years.
David:
Nico has got to be the guy. It gives them a shot. Even on Saturday, the whole game I was like "they're still in this." Hooker got there less than two years ago. He's going to go down as a legend of that program. Maybe only Cam had a better turnaround in a shorter period of time. Hendon Hooker turned this around. These guys on this team changed things. They brought as much happiness and pride to this program as anyone has in two decades.
[talk about defensive challenges, coaching challenges, scheme]
[hopeful for Milton]
[NY6 hopes, think Tennessee can finish the season with a statement]
, and Milton has never accomplished anything important.
