Magic8Vol
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I know I know, most people expect a look back comparison thread to be with the 85 SugarVols or the 98 National Champs. But for me, this years teams just feels like 89.
For those of you born after the 82 Worlds Fair, things today are much different than they were 20 years ago. Usually by the time the season started we as fans where whipped up into such a frenzy that when the team took the field for the first game, fans were ready to tear down the city to see the Vols play. I think this was because of the lack of news about the team we had back then. We were litterally starved for information. Back in the day(never thought I would be old enough to say that!) there was no twitter, message boards, internet or even sports talk radio! In fact, 89 was the 1st year that Knoxville had a sports talk show. What became the Sports Animal was then a 2hr talk show hosted by Alan Williams that no one really even knew existed. Fans had no voice or outlet to share their opinions or find out whats happening with the team. Other than about 30 seconds on the local news we only had the newspapers to give us a few stories. Now days, I litterally watch practice clips, interviews, quarterback club speeches, etc on you tube. Volnation keeps me going through out the off season, recruiting and of course during the season.
The summer of 89 was very similar to the summer of 2012. The 89 team was coming off a disappointing 88 campaign where they litterally lost their first 6 games. The entire state was in an uproar. People were crazy, depressed, angry, etc. Hell, one guy in Nashville climbed a Billboard and wouldn't come down until we won a game. There was even talk of getting rid of Coach Majors. Not much, but it was there as it always seems to be. The 88 team did finish the year 5-6 having won their last 5 in a row so there was a lot of guarded optimism about the up coming season. That team was full of future NFL players but hadn't reached their potential the previous year. The 89 team had an unbelievable group of wide recievers that included Anthony Morgan, Thomas Woods, Carl Pickens, Alvin Harper and JJ McCleskey. Antoine Davis, Charles McCrae and Tom Myslensky anchored the Offensive line. And that year we also had a new D-line/linebackers coach who came back to the Vols-John Chavis. Sounds familar doesn't it? As the season got closer to the first game I remember the feeling of anticipation and the hope of a great year. There were a lot of question marks but also a lot to be excited about. I haven't been that excited about an upcoming season since 89. Based on the message boards and sports talk radio it seems that most of you feel the same way. There's a fan frenzy around this team, a build up of optimism and uncertainty. New coaches, players and potential surround this season. There are more unknowns to start this season than any I can remember.
The 89 team went on to go 11-1 that year with emergence of two incredible freshman, Chuck Webb and Carl Pickens. The 89 team was the true start of what a lot of Vol fans view as the greatest time in modern Tennessee Football History. While I am not saying this years team will go 11-1, I do feel they have that potential. Maybe it's because of where we have been the last few years but I believe much like 89, this year will be the start of a lot of great times and big wins for Tennessee Football for a long time to come! :thumbsup:
For those of you born after the 82 Worlds Fair, things today are much different than they were 20 years ago. Usually by the time the season started we as fans where whipped up into such a frenzy that when the team took the field for the first game, fans were ready to tear down the city to see the Vols play. I think this was because of the lack of news about the team we had back then. We were litterally starved for information. Back in the day(never thought I would be old enough to say that!) there was no twitter, message boards, internet or even sports talk radio! In fact, 89 was the 1st year that Knoxville had a sports talk show. What became the Sports Animal was then a 2hr talk show hosted by Alan Williams that no one really even knew existed. Fans had no voice or outlet to share their opinions or find out whats happening with the team. Other than about 30 seconds on the local news we only had the newspapers to give us a few stories. Now days, I litterally watch practice clips, interviews, quarterback club speeches, etc on you tube. Volnation keeps me going through out the off season, recruiting and of course during the season.
The summer of 89 was very similar to the summer of 2012. The 89 team was coming off a disappointing 88 campaign where they litterally lost their first 6 games. The entire state was in an uproar. People were crazy, depressed, angry, etc. Hell, one guy in Nashville climbed a Billboard and wouldn't come down until we won a game. There was even talk of getting rid of Coach Majors. Not much, but it was there as it always seems to be. The 88 team did finish the year 5-6 having won their last 5 in a row so there was a lot of guarded optimism about the up coming season. That team was full of future NFL players but hadn't reached their potential the previous year. The 89 team had an unbelievable group of wide recievers that included Anthony Morgan, Thomas Woods, Carl Pickens, Alvin Harper and JJ McCleskey. Antoine Davis, Charles McCrae and Tom Myslensky anchored the Offensive line. And that year we also had a new D-line/linebackers coach who came back to the Vols-John Chavis. Sounds familar doesn't it? As the season got closer to the first game I remember the feeling of anticipation and the hope of a great year. There were a lot of question marks but also a lot to be excited about. I haven't been that excited about an upcoming season since 89. Based on the message boards and sports talk radio it seems that most of you feel the same way. There's a fan frenzy around this team, a build up of optimism and uncertainty. New coaches, players and potential surround this season. There are more unknowns to start this season than any I can remember.
The 89 team went on to go 11-1 that year with emergence of two incredible freshman, Chuck Webb and Carl Pickens. The 89 team was the true start of what a lot of Vol fans view as the greatest time in modern Tennessee Football History. While I am not saying this years team will go 11-1, I do feel they have that potential. Maybe it's because of where we have been the last few years but I believe much like 89, this year will be the start of a lot of great times and big wins for Tennessee Football for a long time to come! :thumbsup:
