ESPN: Why it's time to sell Tennessee

[MWAVolfan]

Sorry, can't agree with that assessment. Sure the SECe has some "less than" teams, but TN plays four top teams in a row, and VA Tech may be better than they looked. Certainly the schedule gets easier after AL - just like it does every year thanks to an always front loaded schedule, but don't think that MO this year is the same one from last year. If you average out the opponents, maybe it seems easier, but the problem is that the four toughest games aren't averaged out across the schedule, and that changes everything. Last year I was saying buy stock in A&M for this year; well, buy stock in the 2017 LSU team.

As far as the schedule having been easy for years, most analysis wouldn't agree with you. For starters the schedule always has AL, GA, FL, and the rotating west team always seems to be managing to contend for second place in the west. Name one team outside the SECw that plays the team that is generally 1 or 2 nationally every damn year.

You completely misread my post. I said that our schedule this year is way easier than it has been in years. Which is undeniable.

Our remaining schedule strength is ranked #48. That's including the three games we are about to play. We only leave the state of Tennessee three times the whole year. The SEC east is incredibly weak. Florida will have at least 3 losses if not more, depending on how the UGA/FL game plays out.

Once we look back on it at the end of the year we will see that TAMU and Bama are the only two real tough teams on our scheule.

 

[MWAVolfan]

So the UF team that came into the game as the statistical #1 defense in the country with future NFL players at every level of their defense was weak? I know UF has played weak teams, it's the beginning of the year, most top P5 teams play weak teams to start off. Even when playing weak teams you have to play fundamentally sound football and this UF team did that. Heck, they didn't look weak in the 1st half.

This Florida team if ranked against Florida teams of the last 25 years would have to be ranked in the bottom 5. Florida didn't look weak in the first half because Tennessee was abysmally bad. We looked horrible. Perspective helps. People think that because they beat us 11 years in a row that they are tough. But in reality that streak says more about our poor coaching in the last decade than it does how good Florida is. Look at Florida's record the last 6 or 7 years. That team has sucked.. except against UT. The common problem in that equation is UT.

 

[MWAVolfan]

So the UF team that came into the game as the statistical #1 defense in the country with future NFL players at every level of their defense was weak? I know UF has played weak teams, it's the beginning of the year, most top P5 teams play weak teams to start off. Even when playing weak teams you have to play fundamentally sound football and this UF team did that. Heck, they didn't look weak in the 1st half.

If Florida played in the west they would finish next to last in the secw

 

[AM64]

You completely misread my post. I said that our schedule this year is way easier than it has been in years. Which is undeniable.

Our remaining schedule strength is ranked #48. That's including the three games we are about to play. We only leave the state of Tennessee three times the whole year. The SEC east is incredibly weak. Florida will have at least 3 losses if not more, depending on how the UGA/FL game plays out.

Once we look back on it at the end of the year we will see that TAMU and Bama are the only two real tough teams on our scheule.

I did read your initial statement as meaning that the Tennessee schedule has been historically soft rather than the schedule is softer than it has been in years. Yes, numerically the schedule is easier than it has been, but that is still subjective because it is based on preseason expectations - could easily go either way from there with the benefit of hindsight - A&M probably never figured in as the second toughest game in that four game back to back sequence. The proximity to the fan base is a plus as you say, but stacking those four games together without a bye week in between or even one after the first three games really changes it from just a numerical rating. AL had the same problem last year as I recall.

SOS is a very meaningful statistic, but it's only as good as the input, and there have been some dramatic changes from the preseason that should affect SOSs across the board. SOS simply doesn't account for how games are distributed, and that's a problem if you really want it to be meaningful.

 

[JustinVol]

If Florida played in the west they would finish next to last in the secw

Doubtful

 

[edyeary]

If the Vols were stock my strategy would be to buy a little more or hold. They are at a high for sure but not their greatest possible high. Even one loss in the next three wouldn't deter me. A win over the Bubbas would send their stock through the roof. Then stand pat the rest of the season and buy more if they are in the playoff picture. When they win the NC I might sell a little due to it being difficult to repeat but I will never sell of my entire stock [adoration] of the Vols.