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.

 

[DonDiego]

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.”

You just take on the world at every turn, not sure if it's some sort of hatred for the team, you're just miserable as a person, or just looking for attention. Nah, I'm going to go with miserable.

 

[vol_sec]

Your top 10 active leaders in wins vs. AP Top 25 teams in the 2020s are …​

• 1. Kirby Smart (Georgia), 23
• 2. Ryan Day (Ohio State), 17
• 3. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), 15
• 4. Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), 14
• 5. Steve Sarkisian (Texas), 12
• T6. Josh Heupel (Tennessee), 11
• T6. Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State),

10 noteworthy stats about college football coaches against ranked teams

How have college football coaches performed in big-time games? Dig into the numbers and they'll tell quite the tale.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

 

[VOLdo Raine]

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.

Agree that Ratliff knocked the OLineman back, but odds are still higher that he trips up Stoerner, and the ball is down. The manner in which Stoerner fumbled that ball….and that Ratliff was then in position to jump on it…that’s still some luck IMHO.

 

[BruisedOrange]

In my little brain it's funny/ironic to read the discussion here of luck vs. preparation vs. execution... after listening to a podcast debate between neo-Darwinism, theistic evolution, and intelligent design. The parallels between the arguments are comparable, and might say as much about human nature as about either subject.

Carry on. (Just waiting for someone to bring up games in which luck/"luck" worked against Tennessee, to see where that takes the discussion.)

"Lesser gods may be monitoring this conversation for training purposes."

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

You just take on the world at every turn, not sure if it's some sort of hatred for the team, you're just miserable as a person, or just looking for attention. Nah, I'm going to go with miserable.

Tennessee football will make a man miserable

 

[Big Orange Captain]

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.

Kentucky was worse than us

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Tennessee football will make a man miserable

Nah, that's all on you

 

[Go aeiou]

Funny, right before reading this post by London Vol, I mentioned that I was craving Fish and Chips. The problem I have is that my nearest restaurant with the dish charges $28 and I refuse to pay that much. 30A tourist prices ugh. Anyway, I loved the post so much I gave in..

Which town/restaurant did you get those fish and chips.
We are currently in Alaska(cruise). Excellent F&C.
Have to say the best F&C are in England. About the only good food.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Is Josh Heupel lucky?

Hello Volnation its August again and time to come out of hibernation.

I am a big fan of Josh Heupel, any man who has won 30 games in three years get my support. Try to remember the pre Heupel days when the last time Tennessee beat Alabama or Florida the players wore leather helmets; when the Vols went 0-6 in SEC play and when Kentucky and Vanderbilt had winning streaks against the boys in Orange. Yes, I am a big fan, but I am asking the question is he also lucky?

Napoleon once said when being offered a new general “I know he’s good but is he lucky?” it seems Napoleon knew the importance of being lucky.

Lucky No 1
If it wasn’t for the appointment by Tennessee of Heupel’s AD at UCF Danny White, I think feathersax probably had a better chance of the getting the job at Knoxville. As they say ‘right place right time’.

Lucky No 2
Josh personally recruited Joe Milton whilst he inherited Hendon Hooker and Josh anointed Milton as QB1. If Milton had not got hurt, I am sure Hooker would never have had the chance to cement his name in Tennessee folklore. Definitely ‘by accident than design’

Lucky No 3
Josh put all his chips on 32 Red or more accurately Nico Iamaleava (this is the last time I call him Nico, he is no friend or member of the Vol family). But by strange fate he swapped a 3 star journeyman for a 5 star Heisman candidate and I think he will have won again, here is why:

American Football loves a good measurement, how fast can he run? how high can he jump? how big is the Quarterbacks hands? How long is the Offensive Tackles arms?. But there is one thing that there is no method on how to measure and that is if he is A Gamer.

I have watched quite a bit of tape of Joey Aguilar and here are my observations. Firstly, you will notice this season that even when the ‘heat is coming’ this guy doesn’t lower his eyes, he keeps focused on the route regardless of the impending punishment coming (no running out of bounds on the last play by this guy). Secondly, he throws what I bizarrely call ‘catchable balls’, the TEs and Slot Receivers are going to love this guy. Thirdly, his arm strength is good enough for the deep ball which is such a staple of the Huepel offense. Fourthly, people will highlight the number of INTs he threw at App State but when you go back to the tape this guy was often 14 points down in the 1st Quarter and regularly put the team on his back and took many chances for the good of the team. I believe JA will win a least one game this season on his own.

If I can come back to arm strength, remember the five last quarterbacks are Dobbs, Hooker, Milton, Iamaleava and Aguilar, now Milton and Iamaleava had by far the strongest arms, but that really means nothing when throwing from the deck of a ship in the ocean, they would rarely hit water. Yes Dobbs, Hooker and now I believe Aguilar were and are the most successful of the five because I believe they were and are Gamers.

I know it s the time of year where everybody wallows in optimism, but I really think we, by accident or design, have the better quarterback than UCLA and this season is going to be a pleasant surprise.

GO VOLS

Fantastic post! Here are a few other lucky factors that have worked in Huepel's favor...

NIL and the transfer portal: Make no mistake, a good portion of Huepel's early success can be attributed to the timing of the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal! Without those two factors, this rebuild would've taken way longer! This really helped to expedite the process! Without NIL, I dont think we get a lot of the players we got so early in Huepel's tenure.

Weak 2024 and 2025 schedules: Let's face it, a big reason we won 10 games last year is we benefitted from a relatively soft schedule. All of our OOC opponents were terrible and we played the worst ranked teams in the SEC last year. Plus 2 of our 3 toughest rivalry games were at home. Similarly, our schedule is fairly soft again this season other than the road games and that could be worth a 2 game swing. However considering the youth of this team and the sudden loss of our QB, I dont think too many people would be upset at Huepel for turning in an 8-4 season.

 

[Go aeiou]

Agree that Ratliff knocked the OLineman back, but odds are still higher that he trips up Stoerner, and the ball is down. The manner in which Stoerner fumbled that ball….and that Ratliff was then in position to jump on it…that’s still some luck IMHO.

We were on 44th row. The play was right in front of us. He awkwardly placed the ball on the ground for us. I was ready to walk out of the game before the play, but dear wife wanted to stay. Thanks sweetheart.
Stoerner is a good guy these days.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Fantastic post! Here are a few other lucky factors that have worked in Huepel's favor...

NIL and the transfer portal: Make no mistake, a good portion of Huepel's early success can be attributed to the timing of the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal! Without those two factors, this rebuild would've taken way longer! This really helped to expedite the process! Without NIL, I dont think we get a lot of the players we got so early in Huepel's tenure.

Weak 2024 and 2025 schedules: Let's face it, a big reason we won 10 games last year is we benefitted from a relatively soft schedule. All of our OOC opponents were terrible and we played the worst ranked teams in the SEC last year. Plus 2 of our 3 toughest rivalry games were at home. Similarly, our schedule is fairly soft again this season other than the road games and that could be worth a 2 game swing. However considering the youth of this team and the sudden loss of our QB, I dont think too many people would be upset at Huepel for turning in an 8-4 season.

SOS