Does mental really matter?

#1
SeniorDrill

SeniorDrill

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#1
We keep hearing the mantra Tennessee is not capable of beating Florida? Is that even relevant? I don't think a whole team's (coaches and players) mentality has anything to do with losing a football game. Notice I didn't say winning.

It goes to Butch's 1 on 1 depiction of a football game. One play does not win or lose a football game even though we like to think it does. A game is won with the body of work during the time it is played of the winning team.

I just do not believe that when it gets down to the final minutes that any player on our team is thinking, God, we are going to lose again if they are on the playing field.

With that being said, let's blow this game wide open!!!
 
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#3
#3
I agree with you but the problem is that folks don't remember the events of the entire game - they only remember that one series of plays where the game was lost or won.

It has become normal in college football for there to be swings in the games. The high scoring offenses coupled with the lack of defense (... and yes if a team is scoring 30+ points, the other team really does not have a good defense IMO ...) drives this.
 
#4
#4
I never played organized football, but I'm guessing that when you get hit by a 300 lb lineman you aren't thinking about streaks, superstitions, point spreads, social media trash talk or any of that stuff. You might be thinking d@mn, that hurt, and/or hopefully, ok, I'm gonna make that dude pay for that on the next play.
 
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#5
#5
Past Florida games games won't matter on Saturday. How anyone thinks that they do is beyond me. Saturday's game will be won or lost on Saturday. Nothing to do with 95, 99, 02, 08, 11 or 2015. Just doesn't work that way. Sorry.
 
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#7
#7
Yes, it matters.

I heard an interview with Tom Herman before the season started. When asked how he mentally prepares his team to overlook all the preseason hype he said, (paraphrasing) "this team hasn't done anything yet, last year's team only lost one game and beat FSU in a bowl game. THIS team is 0-0.

I personally think it would help this Tennessee team if they enter tomorrow's game with that kind of mindset. THIS team has never lost to Florida, they are 3-0, at home, and can do what 11 other teams couldn't.

They are as prepared physically as they are gonna be for tomorrow. It is vital for them to be prepared mentally in the next 32 hours.

Some or all of you probably could have said this better than I just did, but I hope you get my point.
 
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#9
#9
Anyone who has every played any sport and was a part of a big game, it is mental until you settle in after the first two minutes. That's about all.
 
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#13
#13
It does matter! Why do you think M. Ali tried to intimidate his opponent days prior to the fight? Why do you think that in war, one army will do horrible things to the enemy, so others in the opposing army will be afraid? Why do you think Spurrier made certain comments before playing Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State or Clemson?
 
#14
#14
ScornedPapaVol said:
Past Florida games games won't matter on Saturday. How anyone thinks that they do is beyond me. Saturday's game will be won or lost on Saturday. Nothing to do with 95, 99, 02, 08, 11 or 2015. Just doesn't work that way. Sorry.
Click to expand...


Past games do matter. Since we lost so many of them, even games when we were the better team.
It sends a message that even when the odds are in our favor, such as home field advantage, Florida having injuries to key players and us having a better roster, we still can't beat Florida. Even when we have a sizable lead in the game, Florida comes back and beats us in the 4th quarter. It sends the message that regardless of the situation, we still can't beat them.
Past games do matter. Should we get a lead then lose the lead, the thought will creep in. "Here we go again, we haven't been able to beat them in 11 tries"
 
#17
#17
there is a big mental part of the game..you have to focus to make the right plays and decisions on the field..if you are not mentally prepared you will make mistakes and over run plays or do stupid things you would not normally do..GO VOLS
 
#19
#19
Remember guys, these are young men. Momentum itself has tremendous emotional swings in any football game, much less a rivalry. And of course emotion is a mental response.

And although these kids are only here for 4 years, the crowd is the constant. They have lived and breathed the losing streak to UF. And they have significant sway in breathing life into or out of a team.

Is this mental? Of course. Most things in life are .........
 
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#20
#20
SeniorDrill said:
We keep hearing the mantra Tennessee is not capable of beating Florida? Is that even relevant? I don't think a whole team's (coaches and players) mentality has anything to do with losing a football game. Notice I didn't say winning.

It goes to Butch's 1 on 1 depiction of a football game. One play does not win or lose a football game even though we like to think it does. A game is won with the body of work during the time it is played of the winning team.

I just do not believe that when it gets down to the final minutes that any player on our team is thinking, God, we are going to lose again if they are on the playing field.

With that being said, let's blow this game wide open!!!
Click to expand...

If you are saying that because we lost 11 in a row that has no affect on this years game i agree. But The mental aspect is a massive part of every sport.

How your mentality is during each and every play affects the effort you put in. If you let yourself get down any time something bad happens thats going to affect your level of play. If the other team gets a TD and you get pissed off and fired up thats going to affect your play. Staying focused.

Its all mental.
 
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#22
#22
SeniorDrill said:
We keep hearing the mantra Tennessee is not capable of beating Florida? Is that even relevant? I don't think a whole team's (coaches and players) mentality has anything to do with losing a football game. Notice I didn't say winning.

It goes to Butch's 1 on 1 depiction of a football game. One play does not win or lose a football game even though we like to think it does. A game is won with the body of work during the time it is played of the winning team.

I just do not believe that when it gets down to the final minutes that any player on our team is thinking, God, we are going to lose again if they are on the playing field.

With that being said, let's blow this game wide open!!!
Click to expand...

It 100% matters in any competition and really in life as well. Why do you think there's sports psychologists? Being in the zone is a real thing. It's a mindset where a player has put in the work and combines it with a positive, confident attitude. If you've played sports, you know. Same goes for the opposite. When you approach a game, match whatever knowing you have little to no chance you're setting yourself up for failure.
 
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#24
#24
TNsnyper20 said:
It absolutely matters. Anyone who says it doesn't has never played the game.
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What you said!! It absolutely matters! It mattered last year, it mattered the year before, and it will matter this year! You have to play as if you have already won the game! If you are hesitant trying not to "lose" the game you will lose every time! This coaching staff and this team has played "not to Lose" on several occasions, and they lost every time! Tomorrow is another opportunity to break through that barrier, and if they do, Look out! This could be a really special year! If they don't, Well, ...
 
#25
#25
quote-Yogi-Berra-baseball-is-90-percent-mental-and-the-160352_1.png




Football too!
 
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