Could've won the East

[ArizonaVolFan]

I agree that we could have possibly pulled out the East. I know that Bray and Hunter don't play defense, but I bet you that FL wouldn't have beat us, USCe wouldn't have beat us, UGA wouldn't have either. Not that we were playing for BCS Championship or even have a Heisman winner on the field, but we would have out a more competitive team out on the field. At least we would have scored more than 6 points in the second half than we've done already.

 

[skeeter33418]

Why does everyone think that Bray is all that? Last i checked this is football not basketball one man does not make a team. Even if we had Bray and Hunter all season we still wouldnt have been able to run the ball.And who has Bray really beaten? we couldnt beat Florida or Georgia with him.

the colts would probably argue that at this point.

 

[Bigun]

Good points. I have to disagree with you on the UGA/UT game (go figure). We had 100 more yards offense and held you to -21 yds rushing. I just watched a replay of the game on Comcast and Bray was only out the last 4 mins of the game. Most forget that Crowell was out most of the game for us as well. You had a very tough schedule this season and injuries sure didn't help. But every team has injuries. You have to have depth to overcome them and that's one thing that UT is lacking in this season, and probably next. And not to make any predictions or anything but we've played serveral true freshmen this season who've contributed very well for us. Next season should be much more competitive for the SEC East as I think UGA, UF, UT, and USCe will all be improved. I think UGA will be the favorite given all of the experienced youth that we have. But there are a lot of great players in the league and anything can happen. I think CDD's growing up fast and will have a better situation to work with next season. But if I were a UT fan I'd have realistic expectations and let him work his system to get where you need to be. I think the guy can coach.

The key to overcoming injuries is, as you say depth, but also what positions are affected as well. Imagine UGA losing Murray, Malcolm Mitchell, Brandon Smith and another top defensive player? Even with your depth that would be tough to overcome. Now imagine losing them with no depth, especially at the QB position.

 

[PowerWookie]

That's because we didn't have the depth threat of Hunter.

UT still had the bad luck of facing the best 3 teams in the west, and UGA would have still backed into the SEC Championship with 2 losses.

this

 

[UGADawg4Life]

The key to overcoming injuries is, as you say depth, but also what positions are affected as well. Imagine UGA losing Murray, Malcolm Mitchell, Brandon Smith and another top defensive player? Even with your depth that would be tough to overcome. Now imagine losing them with no depth, especially at the QB position.

Yes, I'm very aware of UT's injuries. That's why Dooley has to be given a pass for this season.

We've been fairly healthy. But before the Florida game, we hadn't played a single game with all of our starters on defense. We lost Ogletree, our starting inside linebacker, against Boise State with a broken foot. Crowell's been banged up all season.

It's not like Simms should not be considered depth. He is, after all, a scholarship player and an upper-classman at that. You mentioned Malcolm, a true freshman. He's done some exciting things for us this season. But you have Rogers, who I believe has been healthy. In the *AU game, we had at least 3 true freshmen score, and 14 different UGA players have scored TD's in the last two games. My point is, you can't count on 2 or 3 players to win in the SEC. You have to have depth and lots of it. Give CDD some time and I think he'll get it for you.

 

[Indianavol4eva]

I see a lot of people who are calling some fans foolish or unrealistic and "homers" because they had such high expectations (especially after the Cincy game). The way i see it with a healthy Justin Hunter and Tyler Bray we could've and maybe even should've beaten UGA and USCe. One of those two will win the East (likely UGA) and the other will finish second.
I realize this is all speculatory but if we had been fully healthy, even with our lack of depth and experience, it's not irrational to think we couldve had a shot at the east this year.

What does this mean? We need Bray back to have a shot at offensive relevance.
Vandy is no pushover but for all those drinking the "Dore-Aid" they certainly aren't some juggernaut. I believe with Tyler at the helm Vandy will have difficulty stopping us. I certainly cannot wait to see #8 back out there (not a shot at Worley).

In addition i think this gives us, "the homers", a right to feel we have a legitimate shot to contend for the SEC East as early as next season. I believe in Dooley and he's bringing in what looks like another solid class. But more over i believe in Tyler Bray and all our playmakers when healthy.

Go Vols Baby. Beat Vandy and show that Tennessee is STILL Big Orange Country!!

:loco: :machgun:

I've seen the light. it's amazing how easily you people can flip our 0-6 record in the SEC into how we could have won the east. hell, I'll even give you the benefit of the doubt and say we beat UGA and USCjr if we have Bray and Hunter (even though we had Bray for UGA and still lost, and USCjr was missing Lattimore and Garcia against us). that puts us at 2-4 in the SEC. Does 2-4 win us the East?

 

[TBtheGBwiththeTD]

I've seen the light. it's amazing how easily you people can flip our 0-6 record in the SEC into how we could have won the east. hell, I'll even give you the benefit of the doubt and say we beat UGA and USCjr if we have Bray and Hunter (even though we had Bray for UGA and still lost, and USCjr was missing Lattimore and Garcia against us). that puts us at 2-4 in the SEC. Does 2-4 win us the East?

Could've beaten Florida as well. would make us 5-3 overall. (assuming we would've beaten vandy and UK) and no that would put us a game behind UGA assuming they beat UK.

So maybe we don't win the east but we arguably would've been the best team in it.

As I said it was purely speculation and a reason why i am excited for next season. I'm not even saying that all this would have happened with no injuries but it certainly looked very possible.

So i am so sorry to have offended you with my optimism, heaven forbid i try and see some positives in what has been an extremely turbulent season. Next time ill just post fire CDD so i don't have to upset you. Ill agree that this program needs more attrition and to get rid of everyone, including the young promising talent because they can't win right now.

 

[Indianavol4eva]

i have no problem with optimism if it's realistic. However, realistically, having Bray and Hunter back only gives us 1 possible win over UGA. we would not have beaten USCjr, because if we get Bray and Hunter back, they get Lattimore back. We would not have beaten UF or anyone else. at best, we would be 1-5 in the SEC right now, which is basically just as bad as we are now.

 

[Carl Pickens]

Why does everyone think that Bray is all that? Last i checked this is football not basketball one man does not make a team. Even if we had Bray and Hunter all season we still wouldnt have been able to run the ball.And who has Bray really beaten? we couldnt beat Florida or Georgia with him.

...

 

[Carl Pickens]

Colt still would have been bad team with Peyton

That's not important right now Tonto....where is the Lone Ranger?

 

[TBtheGBwiththeTD]

i have no problem with optimism if it's realistic. However, realistically, having Bray and Hunter back only gives us 1 possible win over UGA. we would not have beaten USCjr, because if we get Bray and Hunter back, they get Lattimore back. We would not have beaten UF or anyone else. at best, we would be 1-5 in the SEC right now, which is basically just as bad as we are now.

I agree. it's all just speculatory. that's why the title is COULD've won, not WOULD've. I personally think UF and USC were winnable with lattimore, bray and hunter. just my :twocents:

 

[VOLinthaNATI]

Why does everyone think that Bray is all that? Last i checked this is football not basketball one man does not make a team. Even if we had Bray and Hunter all season we still wouldnt have been able to run the ball.And who has Bray really beaten? we couldnt beat Florida or Georgia with him.

Says the Colts fan. Nice.

 

[Indianavol4eva]

I agree. it's all just speculatory. that's why the title is COULD've won, not WOULD've. I personally think UF and USC were winnable with lattimore, bray and hunter. just my :twocents:

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, but this is why i call people homers and other names like it. In reality, if anyone other than a UT fan looked at all this information about injuries and such, they would not say that UT COULD've won. The only people that seem to think that are a majority of fans on this particular board.

 

[Jax_Vol]

That's not important right now Tonto....where is the Lone Ranger?

Nooo Tonto....I said to bring back a posse...


I could have ate a stack of coal and pooped a diamond

 

[UGADawg4Life]

i have no problem with optimism if it's realistic. However, realistically, having Bray and Hunter back only gives us 1 possible win over UGA. we would not have beaten USCjr, because if we get Bray and Hunter back, they get Lattimore back. We would not have beaten UF or anyone else. at best, we would be 1-5 in the SEC right now, which is basically just as bad as we are now.

O'kay, if you're getting Bray and Hunter back (Bray played all but 4 mins of the UGA/UT game) then we get Ogletree and a healthy Crowell. And I'd like to see you throw in a healthy Boykin but that might be too much.:whistling:

 

[UGA insider]

O'kay, if you're getting Bray and Hunter back (Bray played all but 4 mins of the UGA/UT game) then we get Ogletree and a healthy Crowell. And I'd like to see you throw in a healthy Boykin but that might be too much.:whistling:

And a healthy Crowell, he had bruised ribs and got his wrist busted up early in the UT game. And we'd get one of our best pass rushers who was suspended for being a knucklehead.

 

[EastTN28]

Bray would not have changed the UGA game.
He might have changed the USCe game, but who knows.

When the running game is this poor, it is hard to win regardless of who is QB.

 

[1world1love]

Last i checked this is football not basketball one man does not make a team.

Sorry if posted, but the Colts say hi.

 

[1world1love]

Bray would not have changed the UGA game.
He might have changed the USCe game, but who knows.

When the running game is this poor, it is hard to win regardless of who is QB.

Bray didn't have a great game and it is heard to know how it would have ended, but having Hunter in that game may have made a difference. Georgia has a good secondary and they were able to focus so much attention on Rogers and the run game.

 

[UGA insider]

Sorry if posted, but the Colts say hi.

Very true.

I don't keep up with the NFL much but I remember the talk on the radio regarding Manning and the Colts. I remember there was a question if Manning would play or not. I think the Colts first game was against the Texans. To make a long story short, I think the Colts were an 11 point favorite with Manning playing. Once the word got out that Manning was out, I think it suddenly turned the Colts into a 7 point dog. I don't know if those numbers are accurate but I know something insane like that happened earlier this year.

 

[tenmanjonez]

I'm with you. I'd much rather beat a team at full speed. But at this point in the season, few are. We got rocked with the loss of Ealey and King, but I think the team's now better off because of it. Crowell had to grow up fast, and now Samuel's out for the season. I think the difference makers in the SEC, as usual, will be in the trenches, since several teams seem to be o'kay in the skill positions, especially UGA and UT. I think Vandy's ship sinks next season with the loss of all of those seniors. KY's a train wreck and I think the Evil Genius is running out of tricks at USCe. Although he won't go quietly. Should be an interesting season. UT should show the most improvement of any team in the East, barring key injuries. Never count out UF though. They're loaded with talent.

No, no, I get that. I'm just saying, they're going to be in a similar position on offense that Tennessee and UGA have been in the last year or 2, and that's just getting guys used to playing. The QB's have had a bit of a chance with Brantley going down, and I can't say that I was impressed, but then again, I think we have a good Backup in Worley here, but I have yet to be blown out of the water. It's just about getting used to the speed of the game and look of the game. Again, assuming major injuries are avoided, I still think it's a UT/UGA race next year just because of Florida's youth at the important position on the field.

I think, the more I think about it, USC will probably be right there with us, especially if Connor Shaw continues to improve, and most importantly, NOT get them beat. That was Garcia's main problem, he would throw too many INT's and make stupid decision, but somehow bail himself out with his legs. Well, Connor Shaw can use his legs, and he seems like a classic SEC Game Manager, not a Great QB, if that makes sense. I think the East will be a lot of fun to watch next year, especially if we get Mizzou as well.

 

[UGADawg4Life]

No, no, I get that. I'm just saying, they're going to be in a similar position on offense that Tennessee and UGA have been in the last year or 2, and that's just getting guys used to playing. The QB's have had a bit of a chance with Brantley going down, and I can't say that I was impressed, but then again, I think we have a good Backup in Worley here, but I have yet to be blown out of the water. It's just about getting used to the speed of the game and look of the game. Again, assuming major injuries are avoided, I still think it's a UT/UGA race next year just because of Florida's youth at the important position on the field.


I think, the more I think about it, USC will probably be right there with us, especially if Connor Shaw continues to improve, and most importantly, NOT get them beat. That was Garcia's main problem, he would throw too many INT's and make stupid decision, but somehow bail himself out with his legs. Well, Connor Shaw can use his legs, and he seems like a classic SEC Game Manager, not a Great QB, if that makes sense. I think the East will be a lot of fun to watch next year, especially if we get Mizzou as well.

Agreed. But it's going to hard for me to digest that a Midwest team is going to be playing in the SECE. It'd be awesome to have Clemson join the SEC so that there would be added importance to the USC/Clemson game at the EOY.

If UT can get some big boys up front and improve on the secondary, you might be right. I still think '13 will be your year if CDD can keep fan support. But I think UT will be the most improved team in the SEC in '12.

 

[tenmanjonez]

Agreed. But it's going to hard for me to digest that a Midwest team is going to be playing in the SECE. It'd be awesome to have Clemson join the SEC so that there would be added importance to the USC/Clemson game at the EOY.

If UT can get some big boys up front and improve on the secondary, you might be right. I still think '13 will be your year if CDD can keep fan support. But I think UT will be the most improved team in the SEC in '12.

The thing is, no one knows if Hunter/Bray/Rodgers will be here in '13. We've got size on the O-Line, and we won't lose anyone on the line, it's just getting them acclimated to the SEC, and I think another year of S&C and scheme and what not will help a lot. I think we'll have the experience next year, so that won't be a reason for not winning anymore. Same thing for the Secondary, just getting some guys some play time and scheme study/practice. I think it's next year, or it will be a few years. However, if we have a bad year, chances are Bray/Hunter/Rodgers probably hadn't done a great year, so if that happens, maybe '13 =p

 

[sjt18]

Yea but even if everyone was healthy you forgot to add we also played BAMA, ARKY, and LSU. Good luck running thru the east when UGA hasn't played any of them this year

Right. Most likely case UT would have been 5-3 in the conference and still behind USCe and/or UGA. I believe they would have beaten 2/3 of the UF/UGA/USCe but slipped up on one.

 

[UGADawg4Life]

Right. Most likely case UT would have been 5-3 in the conference and still behind USCe and/or UGA. I believe they would have beaten 2/3 of the UF/UGA/USCe but slipped up on one.

If you look at most good seasons for a team, they usually manage to dodge playing a murder's row like UT had this season. We didn't play LSU and Bama but we did play teams, that when the schedule was made, were very strong (AU and UF). Plus we played Boise State. A game that I'd like to have as a "do over". The only problem is that you don't often get those. I've wondered if we might get them in a bowl game.

Can you imagine CDD's face when he first saw the schedule this year! Especially with the inexperience that he had to work with. That'll build character in a hurry. :yes: (or send you to the looney bin)