On that basis maybe we should go ahead and cancel next year's game against Oklahoma. Aside from our fanbase, on a national level who cares if we beat Indiana? Our participation in a nationally televised marquee match-up against the likes of Penn State or Michigan will turn a lot of heads including those of recruits. Win or lose, who wouldn't love to play in a game like that?I guess what I am saying is that I think any other 6-6 team in the country, we win. Against any top 15... top 20 team with a 9-3 record , we go home beaten up.
My mind definitely works differently than several on here. I keep seeing "just get a win", and "a win will help recruiting more".
For the "just get a win" crowd, this team is in the process of learning how to be a team. They've taken big steps. At the first part of the year many were having a hard time figuring out where they were supposed to line up, and then somewhere after Florida, it started clicking. The team stopped thinking about where they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to do, and they just started doing it. They banded together through some crappy self created adversity, and lo and behold, wins. We should take care of Vanderbilt. The bowl game should be a continued learning experience and a measuring stick. For those players coming back, just having to go toe to toe with a more "established" upper level team, win or lose, the experience is invaluable. See the '98 Orange Bowl where we got our clocks cleaned and then what happened the next year.
For the "recruiting" crowd, what would get a recruits attention more? Playing Indiana? or Playing Penn St. or Michigan? The hype up to that game would mean more to recruiting than the outcome of the game. You win, the hype continues. You lose, you push to the recruits "See, we need you".
Just my 2 cents...
Ahhhh the 1982 Peach Bowl. I took pictures for UT Sports Information then and went to the game. During halftime I went up to the pressbox for 'lunch'. The Iowa delegation had provided corn fed pork chops.. They must have been an inch thick and you could cut them with a plastic fork. Absolutely amazing. Best I have ever had. The Tennessee press corp brought possum. It were delicious too. (and no.. it was a joke)Tennessee has a 4 bowl win streak against B1G teams. Historically, the Vols have fared well against B1G opponents.
Music City Bowl W 38–24 December 30, 2016 Nebraska
Outback Bowl W 45–6 January 1, 2016 Northwestern
TaxSlayer Bowl W 45–28 January 2, 2015 Iowa
Outback Bowl W 21–17 January 1, 2008 Wisconsin
Outback Bowl L 10–20 January 1, 2007 Penn State
Florida Citrus Bowl W 45–17 January 1, 2002 Michigan
Florida Citrus Bowl W 48–28 January 1, 1997 Northwestern
Florida Citrus Bowl W 20–14 January 1, 1996 Ohio State
Florida Citrus Bowl L 13–31 January 1, 1994 Penn State
Fiesta Bowl L 17–42 January 1, 1992 Penn State
Liberty Bowl W 21–14 December 29, 1986 Minnesota
Peach Bowl L 22–28 December 31, 1982 Iowa
Garden State Bowl W 28–21 December 13, 1981 Wisconsin
Bluebonnet Bowl L 22–27 December 31, 1979 Purdue
In bowl games, Tennessee is 9-5 vs B1G teams during the past 40 years.
Penn State seems to have the Vols number, being 3-0 vs UT during this span.
The only times Tennessee has faced B1G powerhouses, Michigan and tOSU, the Vols have been victorious.
On a personal note, the 1982 Peach Bowl loss sticks in my craw because my cousin (who doesn't care one whit about CFB) was attending the writers' workshop at Iowa that year and has a commemorative coffee cup for that game, from which he's always drinking during our rare visits at the breakfast table.
Next year is next year. Indiana is a good football team this year. I'll bet it would be a better game than you give credit.On that basis maybe we should go ahead and cancel next year's game against Oklahoma. Aside from our fanbase, on a national level who cares if we beat Indiana? Our participation in a nationally televised marquee match-up against the likes of Penn State or Michigan will turn a lot of heads including those of recruits. Win or lose, who wouldn't love to play in a game like that?
I would eat crow. I am not above admitting I was wrong. But it won't be an issue in this case. We are not a top 20 team. Sorry, we just aren't. Be objective and don't be a homer. I love the VOLS too, but we ain't that good.
I think the defense is playing well enough for either of those teams. It all depends on pass protection and QB play. There aren't many teams in the country that can matchup on the outside with UTs recievers.I would think so. IMHO, BOTH those losses are on Pruitt and the staff. But that's a different argument.
I guess what I am saying is that I think any other 6-6 team in the country, we win. Against any top 15... top 20 team with a 9-3 record , we go home beaten up.
Just wondering...in search for irony...are some of the posters wanting a tougher matchup for premium cred, the same ones wanting to give Oklahoma lots of money to not play us next season? I’ll admit to the vice versa. I want the 8th win more than bragging rights because I believe there’s more benefit. I also say play the games we’ve SCHEDULED cuz we ain’t little bisches like we were under Dooley...and we may get OUTSCORED but we’re not going to be physically manhandled.
Does the payout really matter to the school since all of the money goes into a pot so Vandy can get a share?Here's the Group of Six Bowl payouts
Citrus Bowl 8.550 million
Outback Bowl 6.350 million
Texas Bowl 6.326 million
Music City Bowl 5.650 million
Liberty Bowl 4.294 million
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl 3.168 million
Here's the Group of Six Bowl payouts
Citrus Bowl 8.550 million
Outback Bowl 6.350 million
Texas Bowl 6.326 million
Music City Bowl 5.650 million
Liberty Bowl 4.294 million
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl 3.168 million
Does the payout really matter to the school since all of the money goes into a pot so Vandy can get a share?