A show of hands

#51
#51
GA, let's be serious. We played LSU. They turned the ball over 4 times, allowed two 30+ yard touchdown passes, and still won the game in our stadium. They would beat us by three touchdowns on a neutral field. Also, the three teams you mentioned have won the last three SEC titles. I believe it's been considerably longer between drinks from the championship chalice for UT.

We're not disagreeing here. Obviously the LSU game was a potential blowout interrupted by 4 turnovers and Les Miles.

I'm also not debating that some fans got irrationally starry eyed in mid- October, but be honest, if this team wins the last 2, are they really going to finish that much differently than you predicted in August?
 
#52
#52
We're not disagreeing here. Obviously the LSU game was a potential blowout interrupted by 4 turnovers and Les Miles.

I'm also not debating that some fans got irrationally starry eyed in mid- October, but be honest, if this team wins the last 2, are they really going to finish that much differently than you predicted in August?
They'll be a little better record wise than I predicted. UGA and South Carolina were both weaker than I expected. That said, they're still nowhere near being a championship caliber football team.
 
#53
#53
They'll be a little better record wise than I predicted. UGA and South Carolina were both weaker than I expected. That said, they're still nowhere near being a championship caliber football team.
I don't want to stand on the injury crutch, but do you think we lose both the LSU and the Ark game with Ainge on the field?
 
#54
#54
...and I'm not arguing that we are not a championship caliber team , we are not, just wondering.
 
#55
#55
I think the LSU game gets very interesting, but it's hard to say he would have made a difference. I don't think anything was going to save us against Arkansas.
 
#56
#56
I don't want to stand on the injury crutch, but do you think we lose both the LSU and the Ark game with Ainge on the field?
Yes. Crompton made two perfect throws on the deep balls. I don't think Ainge playing would have made a difference. Our QB play didn't beat us.
 
#57
#57
Well I disagree, Crompton did make two good throws but a healthy Ainge makes more than that and we score more IMO. and if we won that one and go into Fayeteville with a healthy Ainge and an LSU win I think we play much better and at least keep it close. They "looked" beat before the end of the 1st half, but #5 would still have took us to the house and our lack of a running attack bites us in the butt as well.
 
#58
#58
Well I disagree, Crompton did make two good throws but a healthy Ainge makes more than that and we score more IMO. and if we won that one and go into Fayeteville with a healthy Ainge and an LSU win I think we play much better and at least keep it close. They "looked" beat before the end of the 1st half, but #5 would still have took us to the house and our lack of a running attack bites us in the butt as well.

I would love to agree with you, but our defense for the last 3 games has been just attrocious.
 
#59
#59
Well I disagree, Crompton did make two good throws but a healthy Ainge makes more than that and we score more IMO. and if we won that one and go into Fayeteville with a healthy Ainge and an LSU win I think we play much better and at least keep it close. They "looked" beat before the end of the 1st half, but #5 would still have took us to the house and our lack of a running attack bites us in the butt as well.
The two throws Crompton made were perfect, not merely good. Ainge hasn't thrown a single deep ball all year as good as either of those. Also, LSU's pressure would have affected him more than Crompton. We scored 20 points against Florida, 7 of which were on a gimmick play. LSU's defense is at least as good as UF's. I see no reason to think Ainge would have made a difference.
 
#60
#60
The only difference I can possibly see is that hopefully Ainge would have managed the offense a little better and kept them on the field a little more. I would have much rather had out there when we got the ball with 6 minutes to go in the 4th quarter when we went 3 and out.
 
#61
#61
The two throws Crompton made were perfect, not merely good. Ainge hasn't thrown a single deep ball all year as good as either of those. Also, LSU's pressure would have affected him more than Crompton. We scored 20 points against Florida, 7 of which were on a gimmick play. LSU's defense is at least as good as UF's. I see no reason to think Ainge would have made a difference.
You don't think the offense ran better with Ainge under center?
 
#62
#62
You don't think the offense ran better with Ainge under center?
That's kind of hard to gauge. Crompton faced two of the three best defenses we've seen. I would guess he could have carved up Marshall, Air Force, Memphis, et al.
 
#63
#63
That's kind of hard to gauge. Crompton faced two of the three best defenses we've seen. I would guess he could have carved up Marshall, Air Force, Memphis, et al.
I'm not saying we blow either team out, just that with Ainge I think we pull out the LSU game and make a better showing at ARK, but like they say if ifs and buts were candy and nuts....
 
#64
#64
I'm not saying we blow either team out, just that with Ainge I think we pull out the LSU game and make a better showing at ARK, but like they say if ifs and buts were candy and nuts....
How many points did Ainge put up against a mediocre Alabama defense?
 
#65
#65
How many points did Ainge put up against a mediocre Alabama defense?
How many of our past QB's put up the points they should have against Bama, they always seem to bring out the worst in us even when we win.
 
#66
#66
How many of our past QB's put up the points they should have against Bama, they always seem to bring out the worst in us even when we win.
Petyon Manning, Alan Cockrell and Tee Martin did OK. Andy Kelly hung a 30 spot on them in '89.
 
#68
#68
These message boards are beginning to sound alot like the boards over here in Arkansas. There are some people who love Houston Nutt and some who hate him and think it was time for him to go.

I just want to point out that I've heard alot on here about it not being the coach's fault and that he had no control over injuries. During the game McFadden was not at 100% by any means, our best LB (Olajabutu) Has been moving very slowly during the games and is only at about 60%. We lost our starting free safety for the season during the South Carolina game, so the backup with little playing time was the starter and his backup was straight from the scout team. Our LB crew and DBs are so depleted and thin they practiced Robert Johnson, this years starting QB at safety. And one of our best LB right row started the season as a DE but was forced to switch because of injuries.

My point here is that all teams played injured, and that should not be an excuse, and it appears that even Phil tried to use it during his post game interview. This should go on your staff for not having your team prepared to play.

Just a thought from the outside, and good luck to you next year and I look forward to making my first visit to Neyland in 07.
 
#69
#69
Well I disagree, Crompton did make two good throws but a healthy Ainge makes more than that and we score more IMO. and if we won that one and go into Fayeteville with a healthy Ainge and an LSU win I think we play much better and at least keep it close. They "looked" beat before the end of the 1st half, but #5 would still have took us to the house and our lack of a running attack bites us in the butt as well.
I'll second this VJR.The team has complete confidence in EA's ability.
 
#70
#70
My point here is that all teams played injured, and that should not be an excuse, and it appears that even Phil tried to use it during his post game interview. This should go on your staff for not having your team prepared to play.

I agree, you play with the hand you are dealt and everybody is playing hurt at this point in the season. But it's tough to ignore our injury situation right now. Forget the QB situation, I can't ever remember our defense being this banged up.
 
#72
#72
Honestly, I know Cutty is everyone's savior right now, and I think he;s a great coach. From Monday through Friday, he does a good job fundamentally preparing them to do their job.

But on game day, I've just never been totally enamored with either his ability to make adjustments or call a game against an attacking defense. Great coach, but I sometimes hold a little back on his game day strategery.
 
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