How long do you think we have to wait now?

[PlanetVolunteer]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

We were Callaway catching the easiest pass that's ever been throw his way from 21-24 @Fla deep in the third. We have the means to compete now. Not beat Florida yet, but we showed we can compete when we don't have horrendous mistakes.

We have a deep seeded losing culture where we make awful mistakes, drop passes and miss opportunities. We need to win some ball games to start to get these guys to display some winning habits.

We have the coaches and guys to compete (not win anything big) but compete for third in the east right now. Heupel is drawing up plays that work and our guys just can't get out of their own way long enough to get this thing going.

This game at Mizzou is absolutely pivotal. A loss and 5-7 or worse is all but guaranteed and it could get real ugly. We need this win for confidence, growth, recruiting etc. The Pitt game was huge and we failed. We failed to be compete the whole game against Florida. Coach needs to get that W here Saturday. Period.

 

[westsidefan]

Don’t care how long you have been a fan. Just go away and don’t come back when we return to greatness.

ok boss.

 

[ddubb76]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

Arkansas won 3 games last year, but showed improvement. They have won 4 and beat two ranked teams this year. Let’s see how it plays out. I’m just as sick of waiting as the rest, but maybe we can look for positives this year and see what happens. Hate florida

 

[dduncan4163]

Transfer Portal could get us back quicker than most think. Look at Arkansas

 

[dduncan4163]

Seeing how quickly Pittman pumped talent in gives me hope this won't be a 5 or 6 year rebuild. Hope's a dangerous thing though.

 

[Volwonder1]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

Aren’t they loaded with 5th and 6th year seniors

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Hoople’s contract was set up to make it prohibitively pricey to fire him before he gets four seasons. Without a huge uptick in recruiting, he’s not gonna make it past that point. This team needs elite talent. It doesn’t matter how good Hoople’s scheme may be, the talent at the top of the SEC is too good. Vols could’ve had a top 10 class just off in-state kids this cycle but that opportunity is blown and probably won’t come around again any time soon. We’re not good enough to get top talent out of other states. With maybe one or two exceptions, we’re fighting for the kids that the top programs passed on. A few of those will turn into stars but now you have to worry about losing them to transfer portal once they do shine.

 

[Rocky Top Raby]

Face it bud, it's never happening for us. Arkansas has risen to relevancy twice in the time since we fired Fulmer yet since our AD either doesn't care or is full of retards we get absolutely nothing, and have to keep the south end zone bathrooms.

 

[GetEmVols]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

With the transfer portal I expect it to be much quicker

 

[Rickyvol77]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

Probably give the coaching staff more than 4 games?

 

[VOLINVONORE]

At least until we get a QB and an Oline.

 

[ru4real-really?]

the transfer portal gave them a huge boost in their Lane Kiffin QB!

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Wonder who the first player endorsed Big Jim’s Boobie Bungalow will be?

I don't know about that one, but most of the WR corps appear to be endorsing non-stick cookware.

 

[CAVPUT]

If UT's admin would stop this insane internal investigation and protect this program, we could actually start the process of getting things back on track. It's impossible to expect Heupel to gain any traction on the recruiting trail with this NCAA BS hanging like a millstone around his neck. We've fired everyone. We've hit rock bottom. We've suffered enough. Time to tell the NCAA we're done and the case is closed. Take 'em to court if we have to. What this admin has done and is doing to this football program defies explanation. If we're gonna start talking about firing folks, that's where I'd start. Coaching staff would be the last place I'd be pointing a finger.

 

[utVolFanInVA]

4 games dude...4 games


Arky was not kicking ass 4 games into Pittmans tenure.

Really, Sam was 2-2 in his first four games all against SEC opponents.
1st game: lost to #4 Georgia in Little Rock 37-10
2nd game: beat #16 Miss State in Starkville 21-14
3rd game: lost to #14 Auburn on the Plains 28-30
4th game: beat Ole Miss in Little Rock 21-33

Do you think this current UT team would be 2-2 in the SEC after playing 3 ranked team? How about being competitive in 3 of the 4 games?

 

[Rickyvol77]

Really, Sam was 2-2 in his first four games all against SEC opponents.
1st game: lost to #4 Georgia in Little Rock 37-10
2nd game: beat #16 Miss State in Starkville 21-14
3rd game: lost to #14 Auburn on the Plains 28-30
4th game: beat Ole Miss in Little Rock 21-33

Do you think this current UT team would be 2-2 in the SEC after playing 3 ranked team? How about being competitive in 3 of the 4 games?

Mississippi State sucked and absolutely CJH would school Leach

 

[utvols74]

Depends on when you get an SEC-caliber:
1) QB
2) RB
3) WRs

..in that order.

 

[onecrazytj]

We do not have the depth and I seriously wonder how long it will take us to have a team that can compete (once again…thanks AD). I get so sick of watching teams like Arky turn things around so quickly and we struggle. How long before we aren’t the laughing stock of the SEC? Nothing against our team…it’s really a talent and depth issue.

Thanks AD? You mean how Fulmer screwed us with CJP? This is the result of a long line of bad decisions. Arky is in year two and we’re in game four. They only won two games last year. Chill out man and give the new regime time to work.

 

[VOLnMiami]

Evidently Sam Pittman is pretty good. Always was a good O line coach but who knew he could be a good head coach. On the other hand we’ve made four POOR hires in 13 years and that sets you back. Too early to tell about Heupel.

Pittman also hired a damn good staff to help him along the way.

 

[MAUSERWERKE]

Seriously? Ut has been through this for umpteen years and countless coaching staffs! The answer: as long as I thought at the beginning of the year. How many times can anyone say this: UT is going to have to take some lumps to get on the other side of this. I said that 3 coaches ago and with the patience of the fanbase as low as it is I’ll probably still be saying it 3 coaches from now. Eventually ppl are gonna put their money where their mouth is on this patience thing, stop the blaming and finger pointing and ride all this out. Some will go kicking and screaming. They’ll burn all the jerseys and boycott Neyland. But at least they’ll go. Come back when the losses don’t sting as much and/or UT as a program is in a more stable place.

There is a principle in investing markets called "total capitulation." Every investor who wants to sell has sold out their position. No one is left to sell, so the opportunity is there to go long on the investment. I think Vols football may be in an analogous position. As long as a large segment of remaining fans are "invested" (thinking we must have a trigger finger ready to fire the staff and start over....again), the program won't reach a point of stability and really start to recover.

I think Huepel is doing better than expected, given the obvious constraints he is operating under. He needs to find an SEC caliber QB. He must recruit and develop more players and get to a full roster. Those two things alone will work wonders. Plus, he must cut down on the penalties.

TN is playing like you would expect a young team with no depth to play. Inconsistent with too many mistakes, and fading in the stretch. All of that is correctible. Over time.

 

[gr82batnvol]

Probably give the coaching staff more than 4 games?

I don’t blame the coaching staff or the current athletic director. I think they did a good job getting us in a position. This brand of football is way more exciting than anything we have seen in 10+ years. Obviously, we have all been here waiting through all the searches and with decent recruiting over the years, and it just sucks to keep coming back into a rebuild.

 

[rtr88]

to be relevant? 5 years
to be a contender for the east 7 8 years Sec Champs 10 to 15 years National Champs 30 to 40 years

Need to replace Rocky Top with the song 'In the year 2525" as fight song.

 

[Vol524]

You don't think coaching had anything to do with the undisciplined gameplay, and lack of consistent execution?

Heupel and co are responsible for much more than just calling plays on game day.

I am sure they are coached not to hold or false start. It happens. If we were not so thin at spots you could sit the player on the bench for a series or two. We do not have that luxury. All the staff can do is address it in practice, which they have done. We can not tell the starting right tackle to sit on the bench for the rest of the game. Who would take his place? Dropped passes are going to happen. I do agree we drop way too many and the thing that makes it worse is all the throws that are over the receivers' heads. The transfer portal and lack of talented players are hurting us. They are playing with heart, they don't quit and they look like a team. That is much better than they were last season.

 

[They]

Vols are going to have to hit a home run on a QB first.
Vols are going to have to hold on to the staff, and create stability.
Stability and QB number 1a and 1b.

Finally, fix attrition. NCAA allowing more than 25 for a yr or 2 and us grabbing transfer portal guys for depth and a few gems.

A QB can change this whole thing in a season.

Mediocre QB play and only 25 adds per season, we are who we are.

 

[Vol524]

OP I don't know how long it will take. I do know it will take longer than many on here are willing to wait. They keep bringing up how long they have already waited. That is not this staff or this AD's fault. Get over the past. This staff is doing a great job building a team. If you can't tell this team, tho less talented than last year's team is playing with heart, pride, and effort you need to stop watching football or maybe read a book on football. The staff we have is way better than the staff we had last year. Heupel will get the job done if we can just keep him here long enough to fill the voids we have. I am more excited about UT football than I have been in years. They are fun to watch. If it makes you mad to watch them, do yourself a favor and go mow the lawn.