Ive been going to games since the mid 1960s, and got my first season ticket for my 12th birthday in 1968 so Ive pretty much seen it all....the good, bad, and ugly. Saw us beat Penn St. in the first night game at Neyland in 1972. Went to UT during Johnny's early years when we were pretty bad. Saw the steady improvement during the mid/lates 80s (but for 1988) to the point where we were SEC contenders year in and year out (1985 and back to back champs in 1989 and 1990) and in the national picture when Fulmer took over in 1993. He took us to the next level where we competed for SEC East titles most every year, winning back to back in 1997 and 1998 and won the first BCS NC in 1998. A slow decline in recruiting combined with some questionable coaching hires/nonhires, and bad luck led us to a coaching change in 2008 that most objective observers felt was probably needed BUT very poorly handled by our AD. Then his hire of the youthful, brash, self proclaimed So.Calif kid was bold, but ill-fated and misguided, which further set the program back. His next hire was nearly as bold, and risky but in a totally different direction. DD had the training, the pedigree, but not the record as a head coach. His recruiting, given the circumstances, has been good, really very good. His hires have been bold and he has not been afraid to mix it up in that regard (in contrast to Phil who's only real attempt to mix it up likely helped get him fired (Dave Clawson)). So objective observers thought that this was the year that the jury would began real deliberatons on the verdict on our current coach. By years end the verdict would likely be in, or it would be fairly clear what it would be. Hopes were very high based on the first two games, and the fact that Fla. appeared to be beatable based on last year and what was seen so far this year. However, those hopes faded into the night in a span of about five minutes of action last night when the Gators Stood Up and the Vols pretty much Laid Down. You could see the body language, on both sides of the ball and special teams, it was obvious that the Vols let one or two plays completely take all the wind out of their sails. The fight was gone from them. They were done for the night.
What happened and Why? Well, with the game very much on the line and in doubt, during those few critical minutes when it mattered most---- Florida was just better in all facets of the game when it mattered. They ran better; caught better, threw better, schemed better, tackled better, kicked better, played harder, with more focus, played smarter, with more heart, and determination, all on the road in front of 100K hostile fans.......The last 20 minutes of the game looked nothing like the first 40. Was it conditioning, inexperience or lack of depth?
Our coach said before the year that those excuses would not be valid ones this year, and I think our AD and fanbase will hold him to it. Is Florida really that good and it just took them that long to get their stride and show it? Well maybe, and time will tell us that answer. Are we lacking in leadership on all levels?
Why does a team get so deflated so quickly when it gets down a little? Do they not know that when the going gets tough, the tough get going? Look at Fla...they faked the punt and got stuffed, down a score and defending on their own end of field.....what did they do......did they let that misfire get them down......No they put on more steam and freightrained us into the night, literally running us out of our own stadium......
I dont pretend to know any of the answers, but I think I know most of the questions. Which leads me to my assessment of where we are at this point:
Dooley must regroup his team, and beat Akron convincingly; then either beat Miss St or GA on the road.
I think we should be able to handle Akron even though I expect us to struggle some and be flat. If we could somehow find a way to beat UGA, it would give this team, these coaches, some refound mojo going into Miss St, and would take some of the sting out of last night. That is a tall order, and Im not sure this team and these coaches are up to it based on what I saw last night in the last 20 minutes; I think the game is 60 minutes long in Athens, not 40. Lose to GA and then Miss St becomes a must win in my opinion for DD to salvage a decent season and his job. If we go into the Ala game 0-3 in the conference, we will be 0-5 coming out of the SC game, and I dont see DD surviving past this year.
I really like DD and hope he can turn us around. We have been in the valley too long. He is entering a three game stretch that will determine his destiny. Can he rally this team to win on the road against UGA and/or Miss St? In my opinion his coaching life at UT depends on it.............
What happened and Why? Well, with the game very much on the line and in doubt, during those few critical minutes when it mattered most---- Florida was just better in all facets of the game when it mattered. They ran better; caught better, threw better, schemed better, tackled better, kicked better, played harder, with more focus, played smarter, with more heart, and determination, all on the road in front of 100K hostile fans.......The last 20 minutes of the game looked nothing like the first 40. Was it conditioning, inexperience or lack of depth?
Our coach said before the year that those excuses would not be valid ones this year, and I think our AD and fanbase will hold him to it. Is Florida really that good and it just took them that long to get their stride and show it? Well maybe, and time will tell us that answer. Are we lacking in leadership on all levels?
Why does a team get so deflated so quickly when it gets down a little? Do they not know that when the going gets tough, the tough get going? Look at Fla...they faked the punt and got stuffed, down a score and defending on their own end of field.....what did they do......did they let that misfire get them down......No they put on more steam and freightrained us into the night, literally running us out of our own stadium......
I dont pretend to know any of the answers, but I think I know most of the questions. Which leads me to my assessment of where we are at this point:
Dooley must regroup his team, and beat Akron convincingly; then either beat Miss St or GA on the road.
I think we should be able to handle Akron even though I expect us to struggle some and be flat. If we could somehow find a way to beat UGA, it would give this team, these coaches, some refound mojo going into Miss St, and would take some of the sting out of last night. That is a tall order, and Im not sure this team and these coaches are up to it based on what I saw last night in the last 20 minutes; I think the game is 60 minutes long in Athens, not 40. Lose to GA and then Miss St becomes a must win in my opinion for DD to salvage a decent season and his job. If we go into the Ala game 0-3 in the conference, we will be 0-5 coming out of the SC game, and I dont see DD surviving past this year.
I really like DD and hope he can turn us around. We have been in the valley too long. He is entering a three game stretch that will determine his destiny. Can he rally this team to win on the road against UGA and/or Miss St? In my opinion his coaching life at UT depends on it.............
