A View from Big Ben: Is Josh Heupel lucky?

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Nothing wrong with being slightly critical of a football team. Problem is, there is almost never a thread that you post on where you're not negative. That's the reason you get so much flak from other posters. You're either a pretend fan troll or one of the most miserable people alive.

The premise of most threads is “we are the best, our players are the best, our coaches are the best.” It is like that every year on any Tennessee message board, regardless of how well or how badly the season plays out. There were fans on this board who would have given Jeremy Pruitt a lifetime contract in 2020, Butch Jones a lifetime contract in 2017, and Derek Dooley a lifetime contract in 2012. It’s impossible to talk reasonably and not sound negative in comparison when a majority of posters are absolutely delusional about the team on a yearly basis.

Heupel had some things beyond his control working against him when he took the job. But he also has had a good deal of luck. Saying he has had luck and citing the fact that he lucked into Hooker against his own judgment is not negative, it is reality. Based on how his high school recruits have performed, he is also very lucky to be here during the portal era. Saying someone has luck does not mean they are bad and is not a negative thing. We had luck in 98 too (although some people get pissed when you say that as well).

Also, for the record, getting irate any time someone disagrees with what you want to be true doesn’t make you a positive person. Saying we are going undefeated every year and then getting heated over someone saying we will lose a couple games looks more miserable to me than someone saying “I don’t think the football team I root for is going to be too great this year.”

 

[HeuperDrive]

No, and most of you whiny piss ants wouldn’t dare talk to me or anyone else over 5’8” in person the way yall do on here. In the real world, people don’t get outraged at someone being slightly critical of a football team. That’s a pretty uniquely online phenomenon

 

[tennrich1]

On the subject of luck-

My uncle, and probably others: “I’d rather be lucky than good.”

Gene Simmons: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Finally, the one play that REALLY stands out to me from the ‘98 season, the stumble and fumble. No matter how you look at it, that was a lucky play!

The Gene Simmons quote has been attributed to several people…Gary Player and Lee Trevino to name two…and most importantly…my daughters violin teacher growing up. I am one who whole hardly agrees with the statement….regardless of who originally said it! Glad you’re recovering London Vol…great to see you back!

 

[TennEddie]

On the subject of luck-

My uncle, and probably others: “I’d rather be lucky than good.”

Gene Simmons: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Finally, the one play that REALLY stands out to me from the ‘98 season, the stumble and fumble. No matter how you look at it, that was a lucky play!

The stumble and fumble in ‘98 had more to do with Billy Ratliff knocking the O lineman into
the Arky backfield and tripping up his QB than luck. An absolute terrific play.

 

[Tin Man]

As for the “positive people,” college football is hope eternal. This is especially true before the season begins. No matter who is on the roster, no matter the coaching staff, the breaks could go their way. “This could be the year!” is an outcry of hope.

Undefeated until they ain’t…

 

[wmcovol]

Heupel took over the worst SEC football program during the 2011-2020 decade. Today he’s won over 70% of his games & got Tennessee back in the top 10-15 national rankings both in performance & recruiting. I don’t see luck playing a part.

 

[Volrocketman]

Me… if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all!

“…. Gloom, despair, and agony on me!!!”

Thanks for reminding me, Imallvol. They just don’t make them like Hee Haw! anymore. I think many of the posters on this board would‘ve fit in just fine with that cast.

 

[Tin Man]

Heupel took over the worst SEC football program during the 2011-2020 decade. Today he’s won over 70% of his games & got Tennessee back in the top 10-15 national rankings both in performance & recruiting. I don’t see luck playing a part.

Surely, Danny White saw something in him when he hired him at UCF. Glad he brought CJH to Tennessee.

 

[Tin Man]

CJH took those who stayed at Tennessee and built a positive culture that recruits and transfers bought into when choosing to come to Tennessee. He’s building more VFLs. We may have called him Coach Hype when he arrived, but he’s as real as they come.

 

[BruisedOrange]

You're too smart for this place..

Everybody here is smart about something. We all just typically post about something else!


Seriously, I've learned so much from my fellow VFLs here, I feel compelled to at least contribute something every once in a while.

 

[Tin Man]

I had high fevers as a child…

 

[Delmar]

On the subject of luck-

My uncle, and probably others: “I’d rather be lucky than good.”

Gene Simmons: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Finally, the one play that REALLY stands out to me from the ‘98 season, the stumble and fumble. No matter how you look at it, that was a lucky play!

The luck was in the QB rolling out. Dumb play call by AR. They should have handed the ball off and punted. Pretty good chance they win if they do that. On the rollout, Billy Ratliff bull rushed the guard into the QB and caused him to stumble. Great play by Ratliff.

 

[tennrich1]

The stumble and fumble in ‘98 had more to do with Billy Ratliff knocking the O lineman into
the Arky backfield and tripping up his QB than luck. An absolute terrific play.

I've had this discussion with an Arkansas fan (typical insecure Hog fan who is constantly trying to convince me Hogs belong in SEC) many times. That Ratliff push was massive. Without it...we never make that play.

 

[wmcovol]

I've had this discussion with an Arkansas fan (typical insecure Hog fan who is constantly trying to convince me Hogs belong in SEC) many times. That Ratliff push was massive. Without it...we never make that play.

Actually, the refs blew the call on the Ark bad snap on the punt that they rewarded Tennessee a safety with about 6 min left. Ark was punting from about their 30 up 24-20. The snap went over the punters head. The Ark punted kicked the ball backwards thru the end zone from the 6 yd line. The correct call should have been “illegal kicking” & Tennessee rewarded the ball at the 3 first down. Instead they allowed Ark to give up a safety & punt Tennessee back to about their Tennessee 35 yd line.

Everything came out ok…. & right.