SyracuseVol
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- Sep 5, 2004
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Maybe it was just because I've been focusing at college in Syracuse the past 4 years, and have been living up here in Jersey my whole life, but I had not really seen the merits of people bashing Phil, and blaming him for what's been a downturn of this program. I guess my optimism survived so far away from the scene.
That really changed today.
This team was a legitimate title contender every season (except 2000) from 1995-2001. They were defensively sound, strong in conference, very good in bowl games, and generally won close games.
Ever since, its been a horrifying turnaround. This team now finds a way to lose close games, plays TERRIBLY in bowl games.
And, what I think has been most important, they have totally obliterated their homefield advantage. Any SEC team with a pulse should no longer fear Neyland Stadium. Florida, LSU, UGA, Auburn, South Carolina, VANDERBILT, and ND out of conference, have all walked in here and won over the last three seasons.
Next season is the key. A fourth-year starter at QB, a young defense coming back, hopefully a couple of stud wideouts coming back (Meachem should stay if he has any smarts). Next year will be the put up or shut up year. If this team keeps on losing to upper-echelon SEC foes, Phil should resign. Period.
That really changed today.
This team was a legitimate title contender every season (except 2000) from 1995-2001. They were defensively sound, strong in conference, very good in bowl games, and generally won close games.
Ever since, its been a horrifying turnaround. This team now finds a way to lose close games, plays TERRIBLY in bowl games.
And, what I think has been most important, they have totally obliterated their homefield advantage. Any SEC team with a pulse should no longer fear Neyland Stadium. Florida, LSU, UGA, Auburn, South Carolina, VANDERBILT, and ND out of conference, have all walked in here and won over the last three seasons.
Next season is the key. A fourth-year starter at QB, a young defense coming back, hopefully a couple of stud wideouts coming back (Meachem should stay if he has any smarts). Next year will be the put up or shut up year. If this team keeps on losing to upper-echelon SEC foes, Phil should resign. Period.