Pump the brakes!

[The Original Fade]

Stick to gobbling glizzies in your man cave and picking your nose

Maybe try to not take honest critiques of the team like I’m insulting members of your family. In other words, grow up a little

 

[Cartervol]

well good thing you are literally just guessing you don’t know the guy and I’m sure he is itching to play with his teammates. He has proven to be a dog and they don’t all just chase the bag

No I don't. He hasn't actually practiced with the team and until he does he won't be playing..

 

[LBKvol]

McCoy hasn’t practice with contact yet.
Gibson tore his pec
I don’t know if Hood has ever played safety and don’t think he’d be best fit to drop 30 yards off the ball on 3rd and 5

NFL players sometimes are full go with no contact. And if you would just sit hood on the bench and have turrentine and farooq out there then it’s whatever. I want ballhawks and game changers. The difference in safety and corner isn’t that crazy. Much harder to be a corner it’s just coverage and fitting the gaps as a safety. That’s why those two safeties aren’t corners. They would get roasted trying to cover and take bad angles a lot of the time

 

[MDsweetT]

The worst how many of the worst defenses have you ever seen Lead the nation in sacks and top 5 in TFLs and Turnovers and second in defensive TDs? It’s no where near the worst but far from the best as well we are middle of the pack… the offense really has to help them out more and take advantage of the TOs that they are getting so they can blow the game open and pin the DL ears back and get after the Qb..

Have to play better complimentary as someone noted, defense got 5 in a row. Offense sputtered today but still put up 34. We need to keep our foot on the neck. Our margin of error is smaller, so points are at a premium.

 

[LBKvol]

Maybe try to not take honest critiques of the team like I’m insulting members of your family. In other words, grow up a little

I’m just saying why critique a team that just won a sec game! First thing yall wanna do is point out the bad? A lot of vol fans are like that but save it for a loss. You obviously are a glass half empty guy with a brain plagued by moonshine and bad bbq

 

[Skooter]

Mccoys not gonna be put in a game without any contact prior while recovering from reconstruction surgery. Goodness

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Maybe try to not take honest critiques of the team like I’m insulting members of your family. In other words, grow up a little

It's funny that you think calling them soft is an "honest" critique. It would be more accurately described as a stupid take

 

[NighthawkVol]

First off nobody is containing green and we got two turnovers off him and a bunch of sacks. Yeah they gashed us but we have seen this line and others step up when needed. Yall are just always so negative and need to look on the bright side. Would be saying the same thing if we lost and that’s crazy to me. If you ever played football you know it’s just go 1-0 each week and we did that. Could be Oregon could be Michigan could be Florida st. We were a lot alike Florida st at the time of our rebuild and I think we should enjoy the fact I feel way better about where are program is heading than theirs. Cheer up

A) calling me “negative” is funny. I’m usually accused of being a “pumper.”
B) I wasn’t being negative or saying we’re bad, that things can’t be corrected, etc. I was simply addressing some inaccuracies in his post (while saying I appreciate the positive message).
C) When I mentioned lack of contain, I wasn’t just referring to Green. It’s been a problem all year. And that’s not just with regard to QBs. We haven’t contained opposing RBs all season…they’ve gotten the edge at will. That’s not being negative. That’s a fact and it’s been discussed as nauseam. It’s patently obvious.

I’m sorry you don’t like some of the facts about our defense. But that doesn’t make me “negative.” It’s just reality. I hope we can get some of these issues fixed. Maybe we can. But the return of McCoy won’t fix them and Gibson is done for the year.

 

[LBKvol]

Have to play better complimentary as someone noted, defense got 5 in a row. Offense sputtered today but still put up 34. We need to keep our foot on the neck. Our margin of error is smaller, so points are at a premium.

See I agree with that, when they scored to bring it within 10 you could just feel the 3 and out incoming and would be a dog fight. But luckily Aguilar is a dog and we get it when it matters. That drive would have been perfect for a deep shot to brazzell. I don’t know why we don’t lob it up to him more after the freak catches he has been making and then you also have the chance at a PI call. Alabama corners are always physical so I hope to see us try to exploit that and see what type of game the refs are calling

 

[LBKvol]

A) calling me “negative” is funny. I’m usually accused of being a “pumper.”
B) I wasn’t being negative or saying we’re bad, that things can’t be corrected, etc. I was simply addressing some inaccuracies in his post (while saying I appreciate the positive message).
C) When I mentioned lack of contain, I wasn’t just referring to Green. It’s been a problem all year. And that’s not just with regard to QBs. We haven’t contained opposing RBs all season…they’ve gotten the edge at will. That’s not being negative. That’s a fact and it’s been discussed as nauseam. It’s patently obvious.

I’m sorry you don’t like some of the facts about our defense. But that doesn’t make me “negative.” It’s just reality. I hope we can get some of these issues fixed. Maybe we can. But the return of McCoy won’t fix them and Gibson is done for the year.

Well I’m sorry if that came off wrong honestly but I do agree that our contain has been pretty bad at times but you do know we have the #2 sack defense and turnovers used to be pretty rare in years past. I’m more curious to see if we can get over the road hump and win some games. Our schedule and the overall state of football this year could be special. Ohio st and Miami to me look the best and the rest is literally wide open. One week at a time. Trying to blaze one up this weekend

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

A) calling me “negative” is funny. I’m usually accused of being a “pumper.”
B) I wasn’t being negative or saying we’re bad, that things can’t be corrected, etc. I was simply addressing some inaccuracies in his post (while saying I appreciate the positive message).
C) When I mentioned lack of contain, I wasn’t just referring to Green. It’s been a problem all year. And that’s not just with regard to QBs. We haven’t contained opposing RBs all season…they’ve gotten the edge at will. That’s not being negative. That’s a fact and it’s been discussed as nauseam. It’s patently obvious.

I’m sorry you don’t like some of the facts about our defense. But that doesn’t make me “negative.” It’s just reality. I hope we can get some of these issues fixed. Maybe we can. But the return of McCoy won’t fix them and Gibson is done for the year

I 100% agree on the contain. We must set the edge better when coming on all out blitzes

 

[MDsweetT]

See I agree with that, when they scored to bring it within 10 you could just feel the 3 and out incoming and would be a dog fight. But luckily Aguilar is a dog and we get it when it matters. That drive would have been perfect for a deep shot to brazzell. I don’t know why we don’t lob it up to him more after the freak catches he has been making and then you also have the chance at a PI call. Alabama corners are always physical so I hope to see us try to exploit that and see what type of game the refs are calling

Yeah Brazzell was uncharacteristically quiet. Joey is a dog and a gamer. We’re going to have to play our best game to have a shot next week.

Offense has to be firing on all cylinders.

 

[TNVOLFN]

The worst how many of the worst defenses have you ever seen Lead the nation in sacks and top 5 in TFLs and Turnovers and second in defensive TDs? It’s no where near the worst but far from the best as well we are middle of the pack… the offense really has to help them out more and take advantage of the TOs that they are getting so they can blow the game open and pin the DL ears back and get after the Qb..

Thank you for supporting my first statement.

As to the rest of your statement, we are literally ranked last in defense in the SEC as of October 12th, 2025:

Stats - Football - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news

www.secsports.com

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

On the 3 hour drive back to middle TN from the game last night. I thought about this issue a lot. Why do some people feel "subdued" after a win (me) while others just want to focus on the win (my wife)? I don't think either is wrong, just a matter of perspective. Some folks are able to view a single game in a vacuum where only that game matters. Others, like myself, view every game within the context of the remaining games on the schedule. As we struggled to close out the hogs, I'm already thinking about @AL, OK, @FL, VU and trying to imagine how this level of play is going to survive without 2 or more losses. 5-1 is great, but the 3 SEC games indicate a team that is barely surviving. Maybe I'm jaded after being a life-long Vol fan and seeing it all - good, great, bad and awful.

 

[Other_Guy]

On the 3 hour drive back to middle TN from the game last night. I thought about this issue a lot. Why do some people feel "subdued" after a win (me) while others just want to focus on the win (my wife)? I don't think either is wrong, just a matter of perspective. Some folks are able to view a single game in a vacuum where only that game matters. Others, like myself, view every game within the context of the remaining games on the schedule. As we struggled to close out the hogs, I'm already thinking about @AL, OK, @FL, VU and trying to imagine how this level of play is going to survive without 2 or more losses. 5-1 is great, but the 3 SEC games indicate a team that is barely surviving. Maybe I'm jaded after being a life-long Vol fan and seeing it all - good, great, bad and awful.

The good news, Tenn survived last year to a playoff berth.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

The worst how many of the worst defenses have you ever seen Lead the nation in sacks and top 5 in TFLs and Turnovers and second in defensive TDs? It’s no where near the worst but far from the best as well we are middle of the pack… the offense really has to help them out more and take advantage of the TOs that they are getting so they can blow the game open and pin the DL ears back and get after the Qb..

Good points. You said what I was trying say in my post a little better. The D is what it is, not bad but not real good. Do just enough for the O to win it.

 

[Skooter]

The reason why you feel that way is due to how we make qbs look and you see it coming. I said at the time Gunnar wouldn’t have a better game this year than against us. Ga had 20 yards at halftime against auburn.

 

[MDsweetT]

On the 3 hour drive back to middle TN from the game last night. I thought about this issue a lot. Why do some people feel "subdued" after a win (me) while others just want to focus on the win (my wife)? I don't think either is wrong, just a matter of perspective. Some folks are able to view a single game in a vacuum where only that game matters. Others, like myself, view every game within the context of the remaining games on the schedule. As we struggled to close out the hogs, I'm already thinking about @AL, OK, @FL, VU and trying to imagine how this level of play is going to survive without 2 or more losses. 5-1 is great, but the 3 SEC games indicate a team that is barely surviving. Maybe I'm jaded after being a life-long Vol fan and seeing it all - good, great, bad and awful.

I hear you last night my nerves were shot. I know we got it done, but that game was too close for my blood pressure

Honestly, in this new college landscape, forget style points just win.

Florida State has lost 3 in a row and 2 at Oregon got dominated at by Indiana. That Auburn/Georgia game should’ve been 17-0, Auburn….and we saw what happened.

Margins are so thin. Parity is at an all-time high. It’s really one week at a time. 18-24ish year old kids will inevitably have ups and downs. It’s about staying together as a team.

Next weekend will tell us a lot. We need to play 60 minutes full throttle. Bama isn’t invincible. They’re talented, but not without flaws.

 

[The Original Fade]

It's funny that you think calling them soft is an "honest" critique. It would be more accurately described as a stupid take

They let a guy on a mediocre team average 6.4 yards per carry on 13 attempts on their home field coming off a bye after the dude trashed them to the media days before.

SOFT

 

[volpadre]

I agree with what you're saying and im glad we're 5-1 (probably should be 6-0). Only issue I had was actually "pumping the brakes" itself when up 17 with our foot on their throats. I dont understand why we do that and we've done it to the point it's cost us at times.

Not to mention, when it comes to playoff selection time, a 17 pt win looks a lot better to selection members who only saw the box score vs 3 pts. So I agree, just wish we'd stay aggressive at times. That lesson isn't being learned.

Agreed. Go up 17 and CJH channels his inner CJM and plays not to lose

 

[74charger]

The glaring thing to me is giving up 600+ yards rushing in the last three SEC games. No way you’re winning any kind of championship with that kind of run defense.

 

[NCFisher]

Thank you for supporting my first statement.

As to the rest of your statement, we are literally ranked last in defense in the SEC as of October 12th, 2025:

Stats - Football - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news

www.secsports.com

Yes, we’re an offensive leader but defensive cellar dweller in the conference. We look a lot like Ark in both respects. 2025 College Football Defense Total Team Stat Leaders - ESPN

 

[CPVOL]

Oh great, another pumper urging to ignore the obvious

Wait till McCoy is back tho. He’s gonna save the entire program. Or Gibson. Just wait.

And by the way-don’t forget that was a good Arkansas team we just beat. Equally as good as Miss St. Both teams should make the playoffs yeah?

 

[NighthawkVol]

On the 3 hour drive back to middle TN from the game last night. I thought about this issue a lot. Why do some people feel "subdued" after a win (me) while others just want to focus on the win (my wife)? I don't think either is wrong, just a matter of perspective. Some folks are able to view a single game in a vacuum where only that game matters. Others, like myself, view every game within the context of the remaining games on the schedule. As we struggled to close out the hogs, I'm already thinking about @AL, OK, @FL, VU and trying to imagine how this level of play is going to survive without 2 or more losses. 5-1 is great, but the 3 SEC games indicate a team that is barely surviving. Maybe I'm jaded after being a life-long Vol fan and seeing it all - good, great, bad and awful.

I was having those same thoughts as you. On one hand, if we don't get better on defense, this could be a 3 or 4 loss season. Certainly don't see us winning in Tuscaloosa or Gainesville playing at this level.

On the other, each game is its own "entity." For example, we didn't play the same against Arkansas in 2024 as we did against Alabama in 2024. So we can't assume we will play the same against Alabama next Saturday as we did against Arkansas yesterday. I will say this...other than the Notre Dame game in which they quit on Pittman, Arkansas has made every defense they've played look bad. Including Ole Miss in Oxford.

BUT, the pattern of terrible run defense is concerning. The missed tackles game after game are concerning. This defense has to get better if we're going to be the team we want to be with a record we're happy with. And it's not about getting McCoy back. It's about getting better.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I agree with what you're saying and im glad we're 5-1 (probably should be 6-0). Only issue I had was actually "pumping the brakes" itself when up 17 with our foot on their throats. I dont understand why we do that and we've done it to the point it's cost us at times.

Not to mention, when it comes to playoff selection time, a 17 pt win looks a lot better to selection members who only saw the box score vs 3 pts. So I agree, just wish we'd stay aggressive at times. That lesson isn't being learned.

I thought we were about to beat them down tremendously when the lead was at 17. You have to credit arky some but UT let them hang around late making it a ball game.