Chances to Move on Up....

#1
VFL-82-JP

VFL-82-JP

Bleedin' Orange...
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
20,656
Likes
57,451
#1
Normally takes two things to move up in the polls: doing well, and someone above you not doing well (or as well).

Trap games for the teams above us in the AP and Coaches' polls are opportunities for us. So how fast could we rise? Let's consider some possibilities (not saying ANY of these are likely; just that they're possible):

Week 1 (3 Sep):
--> FSU very well might lose to Ole Miss, Tunsilitis and all. Keep an eye on this game.
--> Bama could lose to USC; if the loss is ugly enough, they could drop below #9, giving us a step up.
--> LSU could lose to Wisconsin. Hehe, okay, it's a stretch. But could happen.
--> Clemson could lose to Auburn. Hahahahaha, okay, it was just a thought. Auburn is imploding right now, it seems.
--> Houston could shock Oklahoma. I think it very unlikely, but still.

Week 2 (10 Sep): nothing. Everyone up top wins.

Week 3 (17 Sep):
--> Bama could lose to Ole Miss, as they have the past two years running.
--> Louisville could surprise FSU. Not likely, but could happen.
--> Oklahoma could lose to Ohio State. Or...
--> Ohio State could lose to Oklahoma. One's gotta win, and both start above us in the polls. So we're almost certainly picking up a spot this week in both polls.
--> Stanford could lose to USC. Double-edged sword here. If USC were to beat both Bama and Stanford in the first three weeks, they could actually leap over us in the polls. So we need USC to lose one of those games, while maybe winning the other to our benefit.
--> Notre Dame could lose to Michigan State.

Week 4 (24 Sep): Nada, everyone above us skates.

Week 5 (1 Oct):
--> Stanford could lose to Washington (Friday night game).
--> Clemson could get trapped by Louisville. Long shot, but possible.
--> North Carolina could get past FSU.
--> Oklahoma could get beat by TCU.
--> Michigan could lose to Wisconsin. Okay, it's unlikely, but this is THE hardest game on Michigan's schedule until the end of October. So many cupcakes for them....

Week 6 (8 Oct):
--> Bama could lose to Arkansas; not likely, but stranger things have happened.
--> Mark Richt could pull a surprise and beat FSU when they visit Miami.

Week 7 (15 Oct):
--> Let's beat the hell out of Bama and take their spot!

I only went as far as the 7th week, the Third Saturday in October. If we're still undefeated at that point, this whole list may become meaningless, because we could quite possibly be the #1 team in the land. Just win out, the rest will solve itself.

So...how high could we move up by the weekend of the Florida game? [someone asked this in another thread] At MOST, four spots, to #6. More likely, we'll still be in the #8 to #10 range when the Gators come to town.

Anyway, mainly just laid this out to get an idea of which non-Tennessee games I want to pay most attention to during the season. There are a lot of good ones, for sure.

Go Vols!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8 people
#2
#2
If UT doesn't take care of business then you won't have to waste your time worrying about any of those games.

It's a one game season each week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#3
#3
I heard, just a rumor, that if UT wins out.........we will move up........but its only a rumor.

Go Vols!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#4
#4
VolNRaleighNC said:
If UT doesn't take care of business then you won't have to waste your time worrying about any of those games.

It's a one game season each week.
Click to expand...

You're right, of course, Raleigh.

I could instead waste my time wandering around football fan forums telling people not to waste their time on football fan forums. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#5
#5
2wgkI5j
 
#6
#6
VFL-82-JP said:
Normally takes two things to move up in the polls: doing well, and someone above you not doing well (or as well).

Trap games for the teams above us in the AP and Coaches' polls are opportunities for us. So how fast could we rise? Let's consider some possibilities (not saying ANY of these are likely; just that they're possible):

Week 1 (3 Sep):
--> FSU very well might lose to Ole Miss, Tunsilitis and all. Keep an eye on this game.
--> Bama could lose to USC; if the loss is ugly enough, they could drop below #9, giving us a step up.
--> LSU could lose to Wisconsin. Hehe, okay, it's a stretch. But could happen.
--> Clemson could lose to Auburn. Hahahahaha, okay, it was just a thought. Auburn is imploding right now, it seems.
--> Houston could shock Oklahoma. I think it very unlikely, but still.

Week 2 (10 Sep): nothing. Everyone up top wins.

Week 3 (17 Sep):
--> Bama could lose to Ole Miss, as they have the past two years running.
--> Louisville could surprise FSU. Not likely, but could happen.
--> Oklahoma could lose to Ohio State. Or...
--> Ohio State could lose to Oklahoma. One's gotta win, and both start above us in the polls. So we're almost certainly picking up a spot this week in both polls.
--> Stanford could lose to USC. Double-edged sword here. If USC were to beat both Bama and Stanford in the first three weeks, they could actually leap over us in the polls. So we need USC to lose one of those games, while maybe winning the other to our benefit.
--> Notre Dame could lose to Michigan State.

Week 4 (24 Sep): Nada, everyone above us skates.

Week 5 (1 Oct):
--> Stanford could lose to Washington (Friday night game).
--> Clemson could get trapped by Louisville. Long shot, but possible.
--> North Carolina could get past FSU.
--> Oklahoma could get beat by TCU.
--> Michigan could lose to Wisconsin. Okay, it's unlikely, but this is THE hardest game on Michigan's schedule until the end of October. So many cupcakes for them....

Week 6 (8 Oct):
--> Bama could lose to Arkansas; not likely, but stranger things have happened.
--> Mark Richt could pull a surprise and beat FSU when they visit Miami.

Week 7 (15 Oct):
--> Let's beat the hell out of Bama and take their spot!

I only went as far as the 7th week, the Third Saturday in October. If we're still undefeated at that point, this whole list may become meaningless, because we could quite possibly be the #1 team in the land. Just win out, the rest will solve itself.

So...how high could we move up by the weekend of the Florida game? [someone asked this in another thread] At MOST, four spots, to #6. More likely, we'll still be in the #8 to #10 range when the Gators come to town.

Anyway, mainly just laid this out to get an idea of which non-Tennessee games I want to pay most attention to during the season. There are a lot of good ones, for sure.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...

I don't see anything wrong with your assessment, I often watch games that impact UT's ranking or season. It's fun to root for teams that can help UT's SS or ranking...a perfectly healthy thing to do in CFB.

Go Vols!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 people
#7
#7
VFL-82-JP said:
Normally takes two things to move up in the polls: doing well, and someone above you not doing well (or as well).

Trap games for the teams above us in the AP and Coaches' polls are opportunities for us. So how fast could we rise? Let's consider some possibilities (not saying ANY of these are likely; just that they're possible):

Week 1 (3 Sep):
--> FSU very well might lose to Ole Miss, Tunsilitis and all. Keep an eye on this game.
--> Bama could lose to USC; if the loss is ugly enough, they could drop below #9, giving us a step up.
--> LSU could lose to Wisconsin. Hehe, okay, it's a stretch. But could happen.
--> Clemson could lose to Auburn. Hahahahaha, okay, it was just a thought. Auburn is imploding right now, it seems.
--> Houston could shock Oklahoma. I think it very unlikely, but still.

Week 2 (10 Sep): nothing. Everyone up top wins.

Week 3 (17 Sep):
--> Bama could lose to Ole Miss, as they have the past two years running.
--> Louisville could surprise FSU. Not likely, but could happen.
--> Oklahoma could lose to Ohio State. Or...
--> Ohio State could lose to Oklahoma. One's gotta win, and both start above us in the polls. So we're almost certainly picking up a spot this week in both polls.
--> Stanford could lose to USC. Double-edged sword here. If USC were to beat both Bama and Stanford in the first three weeks, they could actually leap over us in the polls. So we need USC to lose one of those games, while maybe winning the other to our benefit.
--> Notre Dame could lose to Michigan State.

Week 4 (24 Sep): Nada, everyone above us skates.

Week 5 (1 Oct):
--> Stanford could lose to Washington (Friday night game).
--> Clemson could get trapped by Louisville. Long shot, but possible.
--> North Carolina could get past FSU.
--> Oklahoma could get beat by TCU.
--> Michigan could lose to Wisconsin. Okay, it's unlikely, but this is THE hardest game on Michigan's schedule until the end of October. So many cupcakes for them....

Week 6 (8 Oct):
--> Bama could lose to Arkansas; not likely, but stranger things have happened.
--> Mark Richt could pull a surprise and beat FSU when they visit Miami.

Week 7 (15 Oct):
--> Let's beat the hell out of Bama and take their spot!

I only went as far as the 7th week, the Third Saturday in October. If we're still undefeated at that point, this whole list may become meaningless, because we could quite possibly be the #1 team in the land. Just win out, the rest will solve itself.

So...how high could we move up by the weekend of the Florida game? [someone asked this in another thread] At MOST, four spots, to #6. More likely, we'll still be in the #8 to #10 range when the Gators come to town.

Anyway, mainly just laid this out to get an idea of which non-Tennessee games I want to pay most attention to during the season. There are a lot of good ones, for sure.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...


I'm more interested in where we finish. Right now it's cheap glitz and glamour
 
#8
#8
FlyFishnVol said:
I don't see anything wrong with your assessment, I often watch games that impact UT's ranking or season. It's fun to root for teams that can help UT's SS or ranking...a perfectly healthy thing to do in CFB.

Go Vols!!!
Click to expand...

Amen, brother. I watch a lot more football when Tennessee's fate is in the mix, no matter how indirectly, than when it's not. It becomes a really fascinating puzzle when your team is legitimately in the hunt.

Ah, the good old days! We're back to 'em....

Go Vols!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#10
#10
Week 1 and week 3; if Mississippi wins those games, they would probably jump over us.

If both Miss. & UT win out, it would potentially be an SEC Championship game with the #1 and #2 teams. Would the loser of the SEC title game make the playoffs in that scenario?
 
#11
#11
Enki_Amenra said:
Week 1 and week 3; if Mississippi wins those games, they would probably jump over us.

If both Miss. & UT win out, it would potentially be an SEC Championship game with the #1 and #2 teams. Would the loser of the SEC title game make the playoffs in that scenario?
Click to expand...

You're right, Enki. Ole Miss winning both of those is a lot like USC beating both Bama and Stanford in the first three weeks; they could both leapfrog over us.

So we want both of them to win one, lose one, of their two toughest games early on. That's best for the Vols.
 
#12
#12
I like the idea here and appreciate the hard work you clearly invested, but we are so good and the goals are so lofty that I don't care about moving up artificially. If we win enough big games we will be there at the end
 
#13
#13
TBtheGBwiththeTD said:
I like the idea here and appreciate the hard work you clearly invested, but we are so good and the goals are so lofty that I don't care about moving up artificially. If we win enough big games we will be there at the end
Click to expand...

Appreciate your comments, TBtheGB, but...

  • It wasn't that much work; took about 15 minutes.
  • It's not moving up artificially; the teams are racked and stacked...when one loses favor, others fill in the gap. It's all based on the games on the field and voters' impressions from them.
Agree emphatically with your final statement. It all starts with us winning. And winning some more.
 
#14
#14
VFL-82-JP said:
Normally takes two things to move up in the polls: doing well, and someone above you not doing well (or as well).

Trap games for the teams above us in the AP and Coaches' polls are opportunities for us. So how fast could we rise? Let's consider some possibilities (not saying ANY of these are likely; just that they're possible):

Week 1 (3 Sep):
--> FSU very well might lose to Ole Miss, Tunsilitis and all. Keep an eye on this game.
--> Bama could lose to USC; if the loss is ugly enough, they could drop below #9, giving us a step up.
--> LSU could lose to Wisconsin. Hehe, okay, it's a stretch. But could happen.
--> Clemson could lose to Auburn. Hahahahaha, okay, it was just a thought. Auburn is imploding right now, it seems.
--> Houston could shock Oklahoma. I think it very unlikely, but still.

Week 2 (10 Sep): nothing. Everyone up top wins.

Week 3 (17 Sep):
--> Bama could lose to Ole Miss, as they have the past two years running.
--> Louisville could surprise FSU. Not likely, but could happen.
--> Oklahoma could lose to Ohio State. Or...
--> Ohio State could lose to Oklahoma. One's gotta win, and both start above us in the polls. So we're almost certainly picking up a spot this week in both polls.
--> Stanford could lose to USC. Double-edged sword here. If USC were to beat both Bama and Stanford in the first three weeks, they could actually leap over us in the polls. So we need USC to lose one of those games, while maybe winning the other to our benefit.
--> Notre Dame could lose to Michigan State.

Week 4 (24 Sep): Nada, everyone above us skates.

Week 5 (1 Oct):
--> Stanford could lose to Washington (Friday night game).
--> Clemson could get trapped by Louisville. Long shot, but possible.
--> North Carolina could get past FSU.
--> Oklahoma could get beat by TCU.
--> Michigan could lose to Wisconsin. Okay, it's unlikely, but this is THE hardest game on Michigan's schedule until the end of October. So many cupcakes for them....

Week 6 (8 Oct):
--> Bama could lose to Arkansas; not likely, but stranger things have happened.
--> Mark Richt could pull a surprise and beat FSU when they visit Miami.

Week 7 (15 Oct):
--> Let's beat the hell out of Bama and take their spot!

I only went as far as the 7th week, the Third Saturday in October. If we're still undefeated at that point, this whole list may become meaningless, because we could quite possibly be the #1 team in the land. Just win out, the rest will solve itself.

So...how high could we move up by the weekend of the Florida game? [someone asked this in another thread] At MOST, four spots, to #6. More likely, we'll still be in the #8 to #10 range when the Gators come to town.

Anyway, mainly just laid this out to get an idea of which non-Tennessee games I want to pay most attention to during the season. There are a lot of good ones, for sure.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the write up JP. Alot of differnt possibilities with the different match ups.
I see everyone saying dont want to climb artificially or winning moves you up but the first four games is not going to move you up with one being ranked and thats Florida at #25.
 
#15
#15
Orange_Vol1321 said:
Thanks for the write up JP. Alot of differnt possibilities with the different match ups.
I see everyone saying dont want to climb artificially or winning moves you up but the first four games is not going to move you up with one being ranked and thats Florida at #25.
Click to expand...

I agree, Orange. Our first real chance to get the nation's attention will, unfortunately, come against a completely unranked and unheralded Va Tech squad. There's no real gaining in the polls based on that, unfortunately, though we might be able to open some eyes to the potential of our very talented squad.

So it's not until the 4th week, the Florida game, that we'll get to begin making real statements. Unfortunately, a lot of the other Top 25 teams will have had as many as two meaningful ranked-vs-ranked games, by that point.

Here's hoping the favored teams lose some of those, giving us room TO move up once we get into our gauntlet and start winning key matchups of our own.

Go Vols!
 
Last edited:
#20
#20
I think we'll be up to #7 by kickoff of the Florida game:

==> FSU loses to Ole Miss in week 1;
==> Either Oklahoma or Ohio State have to lose in week 3 (they play each other); and
==> Notre Dame loses to Michigan State in week 3.

That's 3 spots up for us.

Ole Miss may temporarily leapfrog us after beating FSU in week 1, but they'll drop back below us after losing to Bama in week 3.

So we end up welcoming the Gators to Neyland as the #7 team in the Coaches' poll.
 
#21
#21
VFL-82-JP said:
You're right, of course, Raleigh.

I could instead waste my time wandering around football fan forums telling people not to waste their time on football fan forums. :)
Click to expand...

I get your point here, but I just want us to win. Beat UF for the love of all that's holy. Beat UF. So freaking sick of losing to that school. Take care of business.
 
#22
#22
Nice write up,I'm too lazy to look it up so thanks for that. The games you listed upsets can happen,that's what I love about college football.
 
#25
#25
Why care? It won't make any difference to the selection committee.

I don't care about preseason rankings, or how we move week by week.

Only thing I care about is who goes to Tampa and brings home that trophy. And those polls won't help make that happen.

This is just about seeing it on a TV screen, and you all shaking your butts at the opposition's fans, isn't it?
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top