Calm before the storm?

#1
jakez4ut

jakez4ut

Patience... It's what's for dinner
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Jul 7, 2005
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#1
i don't know what it is, probalby a combinaiton of several things, but it's very quiet around here, and there is virtually nothing on this game, save the usual previews that the regular websites generate each week.

it got me thinking. and that's cause for alarm..........

lexvol has cornered the market lately on the duldrums of TN football and our status in the college football landscape, so i'm not going to try and repeat the same thoughts or steal his thunder here.

However, i can't help but think "what is going on?". here we are in November, 1st in the East with three conf. games left. in years past, i think scenarios like this would have most of us in a tissy about the prospect of what "might" happen this year.

OWH has been very eloquent in his description of his feelings about the current status and his OP in his thread "call to arms indeed", probably hit the nail on the head. We've lost faith in this team. A good many of us approach the remainder of this season basically waiting for the other shoe to drop. we know it's going to happen, it's just a matter of when and who will drop it on us.

then there's a few of you out there that see it for what its....an opportunity. yet you don't see the pit falls lying ahead, all you see is the GA Dome. Honestly, i envy that.

so as i sit here, Thursday afternoon, on yet another HUGE game for our Vols, i wonder if the lack of buzz is related to our apprehension about what might happen this weekend, the lack of media coverage, or playing at noon vs. 7.45 on ESPN......etc.......and like i said at the beginning, it's probably a combination of all that.

what i truly hope though is that it hasn't found it's way in to the stands at Neyland come gametime, and I hope it hasn't found it's way to the locker room.

because the simple truth, excited about it or not, pessimistic about it or not, is that we do have the opportunity. it's right there, AGAIN. "AGAIN"......that is probably another reason for the calm. we've been here before, just a few weeks ago, and had it not been for the GA bulldogs, i wouldn't be writing this right now....

but that's the kind of season it's been, and it's not going to change, and i'm not going to apologize for it. we're where we are, period.

so, i guess for me, i've just come to the point where i need something to get me excited again. Which ought to speak volumes about where my expectations now lie, and that's the saddest part; 3 games to go, 1st in the East, and i'm not expecting a trip to ATL. the anxiety felt prior to, and after, the FL, Bama, USC and Cal games is something that just hasn't gone away. i want to feel like i felt watching the GA game.

that can happen again Saturday right after lunch.

Go Vols.
 
#2
#2
I think a win on Saturday would get everyone a little more confident and excited about a possible trip to Atlanta.

Most of us would be a lot more confident if UT had handled its business against Alabama...that, like the coming game against Arkansas, was an opportunity for Tennessee to control its destiny...and they failed miserably.

I think this team has a very good chance of getting to Atlanta. The Vols have the better personnel in each of their next 3 matchups...If this team gets past the Hogs and the Dores, VolNation will be a madhouse going into the Kentucky game.
 
#3
#3
jakez4ut said:
i don't know what it is, probalby a combinaiton of several things, but it's very quiet around here, and there is virtually nothing on this game, save the usual previews that the regular websites generate each week.

it got me thinking. and that's cause for alarm..........

lexvol has cornered the market lately on the duldrums of TN football and our status in the college football landscape, so i'm not going to try and repeat the same thoughts or steal his thunder here.

However, i can't help but think "what is going on?". here we are in November, 1st in the East with three conf. games left. in years past, i think scenarios like this would have most of us in a tissy about the prospect of what "might" happen this year.

OWH has been very eloquent in his description of his feelings about the current status and his OP in his thread "call to arms indeed", probably hit the nail on the head. We've lost faith in this team. A good many of us approach the remainder of this season basically waiting for the other shoe to drop. we know it's going to happen, it's just a matter of when and who will drop it on us.

then there's a few of you out there that see it for what its....an opportunity. yet you don't see the pit falls lying ahead, all you see is the GA Dome. Honestly, i envy that.

so as i sit here, Thursday afternoon, on yet another HUGE game for our Vols, i wonder if the lack of buzz is related to our apprehension about what might happen this weekend, the lack of media coverage, or playing at noon vs. 7.45 on ESPN......etc.......and like i said at the beginning, it's probably a combination of all that.

what i truly hope though is that it hasn't found it's way in to the stands at Neyland come gametime, and I hope it hasn't found it's way to the locker room.

because the simple truth, excited about it or not, pessimistic about it or not, is that we do have the opportunity. it's right there, AGAIN. "AGAIN"......that is probably another reason for the calm. we've been here before, just a few weeks ago, and had it not been for the GA bulldogs, i wouldn't be writing this right now....

but that's the kind of season it's been, and it's not going to change, and i'm not going to apologize for it. we're where we are, period.

so, i guess for me, i've just come to the point where i need something to get me excited again. Which ought to speak volumes about where my expectations now lie, and that's the saddest part; 3 games to go, 1st in the East, and i'm not expecting a trip to ATL. the anxiety felt prior to, and after, the FL, Bama, USC and Cal games is something that just hasn't gone away. i want to feel like i felt watching the GA game.

that can happen again Saturday right after lunch.

Go Vols.
Click to expand...

Basketball starts tomorrow at 7:30 :)
 
#4
#4
Part of the issue is that people have given up on prognostication. That eliminates some of the traffic. The general apathy is very telling.
 
#5
#5
Jaytrain5 said:
I think a win on Saturday would get everyone a little more confident and excited about a possible trip to Atlanta.

Most of us would be a lot more confident if UT had handled its business against Alabama...that, like the coming game against Arkansas, was an opportunity for Tennessee to control its destiny...and they failed miserably.

I think this team has a very good chance of getting to Atlanta. The Vols have the better personnel in each of their next 3 matchups...If this team gets past the Hogs and the Dores, VolNation will be a madhouse going into the Kentucky game.
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i think that's what worries a lot of us......exactly that. getting to the KY game with one more to win to go to ATL.

and you know KY could make thier season with a W in that one regardless of how little it will mean to them in the conf.

i don't see the anxiety going anywhere until/unless they actually do win all three of the next games, at least for me anyway.
 
#6
#6
1st place in the East, control own destiny and Arky game not sold out.

Very telling.
 
#7
#7
As I posted a moment ago elsewhere, I think that the fact that no team has been able to take control of the East and be the front-runner for more than 7 days has everyone in wait-and-see mode.
 
#8
#8
Lexvol said:
Part of the issue is that people have given up on prognostication. That eliminates some of the traffic. The general apathy is very telling.
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yep. and there's AT LEAST 3 more weeks of that in store for us, regardless of what we do against the Pigs on Saturday.
 
#9
#9
jakez4ut said:
yep. and there's AT LEAST 3 more weeks of that in store for us, regardless of what we do against the Pigs on Saturday.
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That's the crazy part...

Georgia and Florida both have tough games on Saturday...Even if we lose to the Razornutt's on Saturday afternoon, we might be back in the driver's seat by Saturday night...
 
#10
#10
lawgator1 said:
As I posted a moment ago elsewhere, I think that the fact that no team has been able to take control of the East and be the front-runner for more than 7 days has everyone in wait-and-see mode.
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true.

but here's the thing that gets me. if you're FL or GA, would you rather have anyone else in front of you besides TN if you need a team to lose to help your cause?

i can say with a great deal of confidence that if TN were in GA's or FL's spot, right now that is, i know i'd be a lot less inclined to hang my hat on FL losing to SC or GA losing to KY to help our cause.

GA/Auburn..that's another story, but you get my point.
 
#13
#13
dobre_shunka said:
You don't think another SEC loss at home will turn things from apathetic to full out negative?
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a loss will be bad, yes. i'm thinking more on the lines that even if we beat Ark, the apathy/anxiety won't go anywhere.
 
#14
#14
General Jack said:
I do, particularly if we get mauled and beat down physically, which is a distinct possibility.
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i don't even think it will take that. a loss at this point, with the SEC E sitting on a silver platter, with this being your 3rd opportunity to take control of this thing.........

it will be bad.
 
#15
#15
jakez4ut said:
true.

but here's the thing that gets me. if you're FL or GA, would you rather have anyone else in front of you besides TN if you need a team to lose to help your cause?

i can say with a great deal of confidence that if TN were in GA's or FL's spot, right now that is, i know i'd be a lot less inclined to hang my hat on FL losing to SC or GA losing to KY to help our cause.

GA/Auburn..that's another story, but you get my point.
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is the point that we're not very good?
 
#16
#16
It is already bad.

I am still astounded by the non sell out. It would be different if we were in last place but we're practially in first.
 
#18
#18
jakez4ut said:
A good many of us approach the remainder of this season basically waiting for the other shoe to drop. we know it's going to happen, it's just a matter of when and who will drop it on us.
Click to expand...

I think this sums it up... I'm looking forward to the game, but my outlook is heavily tempered by the fact I have been let down and embarrassed repeatedly by this team. I'm holding my breath and preparing for the worst, albeit hoping for the best, an attitude which isn't conducive to generating much excitement.
 
#19
#19
jakez4ut said:
true.

but here's the thing that gets me. if you're FL or GA, would you rather have anyone else in front of you besides TN if you need a team to lose to help your cause?

i can say with a great deal of confidence that if TN were in GA's or FL's spot, right now that is, i know i'd be a lot less inclined to hang my hat on FL losing to SC or GA losing to KY to help our cause.

GA/Auburn..that's another story, but you get my point.
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Honestly, as a Florida fan, I look at the situation and figure the following:

1) The only way we get in is for either UGA to lose both of its remaining games (Auburn and Kentucky) and for you guys to lose at least one more, or for the SECE to end in a three way tie between us, UT, and UGA (which means UT and UGA losing exactly once, each).

Odds are not good. Not because either you or UGA is all that scary or invincible down the stretch, but because it just seems like that mathematically its a little strained.

2) Assuming we got the nod from the SECE, so what? When our only losses were to Auburn and LSU and we were close with LSU, I figured we could give them a game if there were a rematch. After the UGA game, though, I don't feel that way. Especially if LSU is playing for a spot in the national title game.

As I've said before, I think whoever runs into that team in ATL is likely going to be shredded, and that's whether its us or UT or UGA.

3) Assuming Florida wins Saturday or against FSU, then I basically think our fate is sealed and its Cap One or Outback for us. My focus is on getting this team ready to make the big run I expect to see out of them next year. The defense will be a lot better, the offense will have matured a bit, Tebow and Harvin and James should all be firing on all cylinders, add in a running back in that Moody kid.

You think I was obnoxious this year? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
 
#20
#20
Such a tightrope Fulmer is on.

This team is just as likely to go 0-3 as it is 3-0 during this stretch. He goes 3-0 and he could very well get his 6-8 more years in K-town. 0-3 and he has no shot.
 
#21
#21
allvol123 said:
It is already bad.

I am still astounded by the non sell out. It would be different if we were in last place but we're practially in first.
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Thats a good point... the apathy is very troubling. I hope Hamilton takes note between bouts of man love with Fulmer.
 
#22
#22
General Jack said:
I think this sums it up... I'm looking forward to the game, but my outlook is heavily tempered by the fact I have been let down and embarrassed repeatedly by this team. I'm holding my breath and preparing for the worst, albeit hoping for the best, an attitude which isn't conducive to generating much excitement.
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:thumbsup:
 
#23
#23
General Jack said:
I think this sums it up... I'm looking forward to the game, but my outlook is heavily tempered by the fact I have been let down and embarrassed repeatedly by this team. I'm holding my breath and preparing for the worst, albeit hoping for the best, an attitude which isn't conducive to generating much excitement.
Click to expand...

Well put. Ordinarily I would be obsessed about the matchup, rationalizing a trip home to go to the game, etc. etc. etc.....but the way this year (and most of the last half-decade) has gone, I don't really want to think that much about the game until kickoff. I'm like a girl who went home with somebody at the bar last week trying not to think about the fact that he hasn't called me yet.
 
#24
#24
lawgator1 said:
Honestly, as a Florida fan, I look at the situation and figure the following:

1) The only way we get in is for either UGA to lose both of its remaining games (Auburn and Kentucky) and for you guys to lose at least one more, or for the SECE to end in a three way tie between us, UT, and UGA (which means UT and UGA losing exactly once, each).

Odds are not good. Not because either you or UGA is all that scary or invincible down the stretch, but because it just seems like that mathematically its a little strained.

2) Assuming we got the nod from the SECE, so what? When our only losses were to Auburn and LSU and we were close with LSU, I figured we could give them a game if there were a rematch. After the UGA game, though, I don't feel that way. Especially if LSU is playing for a spot in the national title game.

As I've said before, I think whoever runs into that team in ATL is likely going to be shredded, and that's whether its us or UT or UGA.

3) Assuming Florida wins Saturday or against FSU, then I basically think our fate is sealed and its Cap One or Outback for us. My focus is on getting this team ready to make the big run I expect to see out of them next year. The defense will be a lot better, the offense will have matured a bit, Tebow and Harvin and James should all be firing on all cylinders, add in a running back in that Moody kid.

You think I was obnoxious this year? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
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honestly, i'd like FL in a rematch with LSU. and math aside, GA/KY or AUB and ARK or KY/TN provide plenty of opportunity for FL to find themselves in ATL.

and you won't have anything to be obnoxious about after your trip to Neyland next September.:)
 
#25
#25
jakez4ut said:
honestly, i'd like FL in a rematch with LSU. and math aside, GA/KY or AUB and ARK or KY/TN provide plenty of opportunity for FL to find themselves in ATL.

and you won't have anything to be obnoxious about after your trip to Neyland next September.:)
Click to expand...


You and I both know better.
 
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