For those who say UT is an "above average" program

[utmba93]

So start a thread that says how you feel.

Don't hijack OP's positive thread with your negativity.

Here's another option for you. Start your own board. Then you can make the rules.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Go back and read, his words not mine...i was quoting.

All I see is one guy calling another guy a "fake fan" because he's not a blind chest-thumping optimist. And let's face it, there's not a ton of reason to be.

If you're so emotionally invested in your football team that hearing it criticized is comparable to an adoring new mother hearing her baby insulted, you need to reassess your priorities.

 

[zjcvols]

Just been bidding time a bit. I suspect things are going north based on whatever happens on the field this season--with or without Dooley.

We need to win the 8 or so that we should, then add an upset plus a solid bowl game win to recover.

I don't think Dooley can do all that (there's absolutely no evidence to the contrary either). So, my bet is on going north without him. Dread listening to the excuses here, but, amazingly, it seems some have already started.

At least UT seems to be semi-stable in the sense the program won't get burned to the ground again, whether Dooley is the guy or not.

 

[abacon81]

UT hasn't been a good football program since 2000. Your thinking sounds like something a South Carolina fan would say.

Ok, i'll simplify....

"above average" is a subjective statement made by the OP, based on the source article that he also posted.

He was implying that based on the numbers in said article, UT is better than the "above average" label they have been given by many. He based this on the historical data in the article he referenced.

He was absolutely correct in his observation when you frame it in that reference.

 

[zjcvols]

Ok, i'll simplify....

"above average" is a subjective statement made by the OP, based on the source article that he also posted.

He was implying that based on the numbers in said article, UT is better than the "above average" label they have been given by many. He based this on the historical data in the article he referenced.

He was absolutely correct in his observation when you frame it in that reference.

He used one source. Not trying to flame the OP in anyway, but if he was going into detail about where UT is in respect to the rest of college football (and I don't think that was completely his point anyways), then NFL players would be about 1/10th of data he should use, and it would not be very relevant as of the moment, because 90% of the current UT players in the NFL are from someone who hasn't coached here in three years.

 

[utmba93]

At least UT seems to be semi-stable in the sense the program won't get burned to the ground again, whether Dooley is the guy or not.

I agree with that. Just ready to say thanks to CDD for getting us there, but time to move on if he doen't prove he can win big at UT.

The program is in better shape than when he started, but it's not on a track to compete for titles---and there's no excuse for UT having any other expectation.

 

[abacon81]

He used one source. Not trying to flame the OP in anyway, but if he was going into detail about where UT is in respect to the rest of college football (and I don't think that was completely his point anyways), then NFL players would be about 1/10th of data he should use, and it would not be very relevant as of the moment, because 90% of the current UT players in the NFL are from someone who hasn't coached here in three years.

I didn't say that he was "right" about where the program currently is...i only said that your criticisms of his facts were unfounded.

If you include other evidence, then i am thoroughly convinced that you can make the argument that UT is not anywhere close to where we once were.

But, again, we were discussing OP's initial post, based solely on that ONE article.

 

[zjcvols]

I agree with that. Just ready to say thanks to CDD for getting us there, but time to move on if he doen't prove he can win big at UT.

The program is in better shape than when he started, but it's not on a track to compete for titles---and there's no excuse for UT having any other expectation.

I'm so surprised fans are actually truly excited about 9-3 this season. I get that UT has been down and it'd be our best season for a while, but it's not anything outstanding IMO. And besides, 2013 is looking tougher than 2012.

But I'm ready for Friday either way.

 

[Vercingetorix]

At least UT seems to be semi-stable in the sense the program won't get burned to the ground again, whether Dooley is the guy or not.

I don't know what you mean by "burned to the ground again," but there definitely seems to be an attitude among our fans that our eventual return to our rightful place is inevitable; it's just a matter of how long it takes. And that's not true at all. There's nothing definite about it. Every year that goes by makes it less certain.

 

[utmba93]

I don't know what you mean by "burned to the ground again," but there definitely seems to be an attitude among our fans that our eventual return to our rightful place is inevitable; it's just a matter of how long it takes. And that's not true at all. There's nothing definite about it. Every year that goes by makes it less certain.

That last statement is my sense of it, Verci. We've got to get back in the conversation and into, at least, a long shot contender for title to get the players we need. Moreover, even with the players, Dooley can't beat Saban. So, we're back at the same concern.

 

[zjcvols]

I don't know what you mean by "burned to the ground again," but there definitely seems to be an attitude among our fans that our eventual return to our rightful place is inevitable; it's just a matter of how long it takes. And that's not true at all. There's nothing definite about it. Every year that goes by makes it less certain.

Means I can't imagine we will be where we were January 18th, 2010 in the next few years.

It's blind faith/hope/tired of being Florida *****/tired of Bama kicking/tired of sucking, etc. This seems to be the best team we've had since 2007 (though this offseason eerily reminds me of 2008), the schedule is semi-soft, and the East is down=Lots of hope.

It's understandable.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I'm so surprised fans are actually truly excited about 9-3 this season. I get that UT has been down and it'd be our best season for a while, but it's not anything outstanding IMO. And besides, 2013 is looking tougher than 2012.

But I'm ready for Friday either way.

The team has mostly been flat-out awful for what, six years now? Why be surprised that fans would be excited about seeing a team that was merely good? You act like people who are satisfied with anything less than jumping right to an SEC championship are chumps.

 

[zjcvols]

The team has mostly been flat-out awful for what, six years now? Why be surprised that fans would be excited about seeing a team that was merely good? You act like people who are satisfied with anything less than jumping right to an SEC championship are chumps.

I'm not trying to say that. Maybe suprise isn't the right word. Semi-disappointed. I actually remember when UT and 9-3 was bad.

 

[zjcvols]

And 9-3 would be a nice year. I just don't think it's something great or a sign that UT is back on top (unless we win the SEC title, but that is very unlikely).

 

[utmba93]

The team has mostly been flat-out awful for what, six years now? Why be surprised that fans would be excited about seeing a team that was merely good? You act like people who are satisfied with anything less than jumping right to an SEC championship are chumps.

I know folks hate Franklin, but look at what he's done in less time. He may be the guy who puts the nail in the coffin this year, imo.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I'm not trying to say that. Maybe suprise isn't the right word. Semi-disappointed. I actually remember when UT and 9-3 was bad.

And before that, I remember two straight decades when Tennessee was awful. The 90s weren't normal. People act like that's the way it's supposed to be, but that's the only time in even semi-modern football that it's been that way.

You've got to be good before you can be great. I would be pretty ecstatic with 9 wins and any kind of sign at all that Dooley isn't as over his head as he's seemed to be so far.

 

[005]

If we won 9 games and lost the three obvious losses, then won a solid bowl game, people would be very excited.

It will be a VERY interesting year.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I know folks hate Franklin, but look at what he's done in less time. He may be the guy who puts the nail in the coffin this year, imo.

Once you take out the chest-pounding, I don't see that he's done anything more than Bobby Johnson and Woody Widenhofer. He went 2-6 in his conference. He played a close game against a bored good team in that 11:30 CST Jefferson Pilot slot, just like Vandy does every year, and his team found away to choke away that win, just like Vandy does every year. I am not yet impressed.

 

[005]

I am not yet impressed, but I am interested to see if they are pesky-decent against south carolina on thursday or if they get rolled.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I am not yet impressed, but I am interested to see if they are pesky-decent against south carolina on thursday or if they get rolled.

Their out of conference schedule is, of course, horrible -- Northwestern, Presbyterian, Massachusetts, Wake -- so all Franklin has to do is find two conference wins and he'll be in another bowl game. At which point everyone will be carrying him around in a chair and he'll get a giant payday at some school that doesn't know any better. I hope to God it's not at UT.

 

[005]

It just absolutely better not be at UT. And I sincerely don't think it will be. Not even close.

 

[slh1089]

I'm so surprised fans are actually truly excited about 9-3 this season. I get that UT has been down and it'd be our best season for a while, but it's not anything outstanding IMO. And besides, 2013 is looking tougher than 2012.

But I'm ready for Friday either way.

You don't go from a bad team to instant contenders. Especially with how hectic things have been on a consistent basis. One doesn't continually stay on top either. It's all a cycle, and it just depends on how quickly a program can work through that cycle that determines that programs greatness. So, if this team finds a way to make it to 9-3, I for one will be ecstatic.

 

[Rudy123]

Which college football program produces most NFL talent? - NFL.com

Yes, but look at the lack of NFL talent that we have been producing the past few seasons.
Coleman left U.T. but was drafted. Bryce Brown left U.T. but plays for Kill a Delphia. Stephens left U.T. but is with the Titan's.
If we don't start winning and producing NFL picks, we will fall off the radar.
As a top ten winning program, we are in 8th place but USC is only about 7 wins from passing us up.

 

[slh1089]

And please don't start buying into this james Franklin business just yet.

 

[Escape Goat]

.