Impact of the first big game on the rest of the season

[WA_Vol]

Here's how UT finished the season after winning or losing the first big game, past 11 seasons:

2009 7-6, L 15-19 UCLA
2008 5-7, L 27-24 UCLA
2007 10-4, L 45-31 Cal
2006 9-4, W 35-18 Cal
2005 5-6, L 16-7 Florida
2004 10-3, W 30-28 Florida
2003 10-3, W 24-10 Florida
2002 8-5, L 13-30 Florida
2001 11-2, W 33-9 Syracuse
2000 8-4, L 23-27 Florida
1999 9-3, L 21-23 Florida

Losing the first big game, UT is 51-35, .593 winning %
Winning the first big game, UT is 40-12, .769 winning %

Does seem to set the tone for the season. Go Vols

 

[Vol Jedi]

I think it all depends on whether or not UT is favored in the game. We're not expected to win tomorrow, so if we do, the added confidence should carry over to other games. If we lose, we forget about it and move on to next Saturday. No one will be shocked if we lose tomorrow, thats the only good thing about having a "re-building" year.

 

[WA_Vol]

I think it all depends on whether or not UT is favored in the game. We're not expected to win tomorrow, so if we do, the added confidence should carry over to other games. If we lose, we forget about it and move on to next Saturday. No one will be shocked if we lose tomorrow, thats the only good thing about having a "re-building" year.

I think that's the key word, confidence. Confidence going forward.

 

[IPorange]

I tend to think the outcome doesn't affect the season, but rather the state of the team that year corresponds to winning in general, including early big games.

 

[WA_Vol]

I tend to think the outcome doesn't affect the season, but rather the state of the team that year corresponds to winning in general, including early big games.

I think it does both. It affects the confidence, and tells us how good the team is.

 

[SandoVOL]

I tend to think the outcome doesn't affect the season, but rather the state of the team that year corresponds to winning in general, including early big games.

Or the team that corresponds to losing, for that matter
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[RandB]

Different scenario for this game. I don't think the past has any bearing on this season.