Some Perspective

#27
#27
You lost me at number 2.

I don’t see how anyone can complain about that stroke of fortune.. We’re so much better off because of the QB trade.

Dumb, blind luck is all that was. We’re not likely to trade up in the spring ever again, yet you expect anyone to believe we should be expecting better any other year? Get real.
 
#28
#28
Good luck. Folks forget too readily, Josh dragged up out of the dark ages into the light. And now they want to execute him because things didn't go their way this season.
 
#29
#29
hog88 said:
The Hype is in his 5th season. Why are we consistently the youngest team?
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Well when you start out with 32 scholarship players and are hampered by scholarship reductions in the dozens that tends to happen since it takes longer to build a roster. An entire seasoned roster can’t be built exclusively thru the portal.
 
#30
#30
BigBadVol said:
Well when you start out with 32 scholarship players and are hampered by scholarship reductions in the dozens that tends to happen since it takes longer to build a roster. An entire seasoned roster can’t be built exclusively thru the portal.
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I get that but we're missing I think 2 over the last couple of years so the youth excuse has played itself out.
 
#31
#31
utVolFanInVA said:
There are some nuances you are missing by looking at the just the totals in the last 5 years.

CSS made CFP 2 out of 4 years and has a record of 2-2 in CFP with a high of CFP Semi-Finals '24, CFP in '23 & '24
CJH made CFP 1 out of 4 years and has a record of 0-1 in CFP, CFP in '24

CSS has a record of 14-13 (0.519) vs Top 25 teams, since 2023 CSS has a record of 12-6 (0.667) vs Top 25 teams
CJH has a record of 10-13 (0.435) vs Top 25 teams, since 2023 CJH has a record of 4-8 (0.333) vs Top 25 teams

Although totals are similar there is a definite disparity of progress since '23. Hence why TX is much more optimistic than TN at this point.
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How about those scholarships restrictions and how does that play into you supposed nuance
 
#34
#34
BigBadVol said:
Steve Sarkisian:
5 years at Texas
Took over a 7–3 team with deep NIL pockets
45–19 overall record
→ “Top-5 coach”

Josh Heupel:
5 years at Tennessee
Took over a 3–7 team with scholarship limitations
43–18 overall record
→ “Not good enough”

Our fan base has some fans that need a reality check.
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Sarkisian isn’t a top 5 coach.
 
#39
#39
Orangeslice13 said:
I checked in on a Ga message board today. There’s a moron who wants Smart fired because he can’t beat Alabama.

That’s as stupid as the people we have here
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Smart is the last guy to build anything resembling a dynasty and that was just recently. This is probably the weakest team he’s fielded since his first year and he still has a good shot to win the conference and go to the playoffs. There aren’t five programs that wouldn’t trade their current guy for him.
 
#40
#40
West Vol said:
Smart is the last guy to build anything resembling a dynasty and that was just recently. This is probably the weakest team he’s fielded since his first year and he still has a good shot to win the conference and go to the playoffs. There aren’t five programs that wouldn’t trade their current guy for him.
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Exactly how many dynasties do you think there have been in the history of college football?

Anyone thinking they should fire Smart is most likely not capable of wiping their own ass.
 
#42
#42
We had the youngest team in the SEC because we had the worst portal haul in the SEC. We got like 6 guys total, and one of those was a guy who couldn’t even crack the 1st team All Great Lakes Valley Conference at his podunk Michigan school.

Our quarterback was upgraded. Not because Heupel wanted to upgrade, but because he had no option. We are fortunate Nico wanted to move on. It is not a point in Heupel’s favor because he let Nico negotiate more money once that offseason despite the fact he sucks.

We lost a ton of guys from the DL and DBs from last year and added exactly 2 transfers to replace them. Hood has been great, but the D2 guy never plays. Injuries happen. That is not Heupel’s fault. What is Heupel’s fault is simply not bothering to replace experienced depth. He should have relied more on the portal. Again, it was the worst portal haul in the SEC by the rankings. And what compounds the issue is when he does go to the portal, he usually gets a decent player.

The “disruptive” defense has been lucky to cause that disruption. It certainly hasn’t been because the scheme just had them in the right spot.

All this “we could be 8-1 with 2 plays” talk is the most Butch Jones loser BS I’ve ever heard. We are two fortunate fumbles away from 4-5.
 
#50
#50
barney said:
1. Tennessee had the youngest team in the SEC this year.

2. Tennessee lost its starting quarterback the day before the spring game and got our new starter on campus at the beginning of June

3. Tennessee lost massive production at the runningback spot

4. Despite those losses, Tennessee put up insane numbers on the offensive side of the ball and turned Joey into a superstar and a clear upgrade over Nico.

5. Tennessee's defense was devastated by injuries this year, opening SEC play without its starting rotation in at defensive tackle and cornerback.

6. Tennessee's best linebacker was battling turf toe for most of the season

7. Despite those losses, we have one of the most disruptive defenses in the SEC, at or near the top of the league in turnovers and defensive touchdowns.

8. Despite all of that, we are as we speak 2 missed fields goals away from being a 1 loss football team.

Now I know this was a disappointing season and this team, especially the defense, has frustrated fans to no end. But just thinking it over a little bit, I don't think its time to cut bait on this staff or put Heup on the hot seat just yet. Its clear that change is needed. Specifically, we need:

1. More Depth, especially on defense: The drop off in experience from starters to backups undeniably hurt us this year. Our program doesn't have the depth it needs to weather the storm of a long season. Coaches need to be more aggressive about adding experienced depth pieces in the portal and much more aggressive about knowing when to retain talented players and when to let guys walk. I think we would all trade the 2025 version of Boo Carter for Jakobe Thomas.

2. We have to fix special teams: We need to do something at the kicker spot. Whether thats putting Gilbert through intensive sports therapy or making a change at that position, it cost us in too many situations this year. Getting a reliable kicker is absolutely worth the investment. Its the difference between a playoff run and playing in the Citrus bowl this year. Surely Danny can do the math on that one. Our kick return game was also a massive disappointment and punting is subpar. In an era of broad parity in the sport, the hidden yardage of special teams is more critical than ever.

3. Stay the course on Offense. The staff saw the problems last year and fixed them, leading to one of the best attacks in the SEC. With an offense this good, we'll always have a chance.

In short, I think if we can keep this team together and keep the fans together, this season, while disappointing, will leave us in a strong position to make a run in the next few years as our players get more experince. Edwin Spillman and Edrees Farooq took their lumps this year, but I believe they are both going to be great players for us! Go big orange!
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1. In the portal era, it’s no one’s fault except the HC if you have 50% freshmen on your roster in year 5.
2. Heupel recruited Nico. They gave him more $$ when he flirted with other teams during an off week DURING THE SEASON . Should have cut him loose then.
3. He signed a marginal player out of the portal and banked on a walk on. Stupid.
4. Heupel will put of video game numbers wherever he coaches. He’ll also have a massive disparity in TOP, and be near the worse in penalties. Oh, and clock management??
5. Injuries? Strength & Conditioning an issue. McCoy was injured way back and they signed one DB out of the portal.
7. One of the worst rated defenses in total defense.
8. We are a few plays for being 4-5
 
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