I do think Neyland fan noise ratchets up and down depending upon UT’s rank, the opponent’s rank, and how well the team is playing. OU 2015 was opening game, UT was ranked in the Top 10, Top 5, and #1 for a week in 2022 and played highly ranked teams. It was LOUD. Bama ‘24 was also a highly ranked team and UT was positioning for a college football playoff. The Vols almost took down Georgia and that game was loud. All-in-all, this year’s schedule has not been the best and UT defensive struggles has taken some of the gas out of the crowd. Imagine what could have happened if one of those two insides kicks had been successful. Loud for third down when it is 3rd and 15 and then OU runs for 16 yards.
I’ve been going to UT games since 1968. The Penn State games, Clemson 1974, Notre Dame 1979, Alabama 1982,Auburn 1985, much of the 1990’s, Florida and Arkansas 98, Florida 2004, California 2006, SC and Georgia 2009, OU 2015, Florida 2016, and many games since CJH has been here were Neyland loud beginning with Ole Miss in 2021.
Sometimes I think Vol fans just look for something to complain about. 2025 is not 2024 or 2022. But 2025 is sold out crowds whereas most of the time between 2007 and Ole Miss 2021 was not. I remember sitting at a game with fewer than 90,000 fans in the stadium during that last Jones year and a couple during the Pruitt years, 2020 notwithstanding, just shaking my head. I’m now confident we have a successful program.
I look forward to a very loud Vandy game when for the first time in a long time Vandy will bring in a good team.