Is the Florida game a "Make or Break" the season game?

#27
#27
I don't know if it's a "break" game, but it's certainly a "make" game.

The last 4 times the Vols have beaten the Gators (98, 01, 03, 04), UT has won or tied for the East title. There's only one instance in which the Vols have beaten the Gators and not won the East (1992).


There's a strong argument that it's a "break" game too, since the Vols have only won the East twice after losing to the Gators, which has happened 15 times since division play began. That's fifteen seasons with a loss to Florida and only 2 division championships in those 15 seasons. Not a very promising stat for those thinking that the Vols can come back and take the East after an early-season defeat at the hands of the Gators.
 
#30
#30
utfantilidie said:
On September 15, the Gators invade Neyland.September 17, 2011 we lost there by ten 33-23,( a week later the Gators beat Kentucky at Kentucky 48-10, of course we lost to Kentucky). The Gators finished the season 3-5 SEC and 7-6 overall. Tennessee finished 1-7 SEC and 5-7 overall.

All the facts point to yes. This game is the game. Thoughts?
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They lose 2000 all purpose yards in demps n Rainey. New OC and can't decide between two mediocre qb's. No receivers. We will "break"their backs and "make" ourselves front runner in the east.
 
#31
#31
fade route said:
If we lose to UF, the fanbase will fold the tent on Dools. He would have to pull some significant upsets later to win them back, but there's nothing on his resume' that says he's capable of that kind of turnaround as a coach. So, yes, its make or break.
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I must be in left field on this one. Im just not following the logic.
 
#32
#32
Lawrence Wright said:
No....although many here act like it's an elimination game.

It's the first conference game of the year, and the East winner will likely have no less than 2 losses by season's end.
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I don't think that's really the question.

A- I think it is a crossroads game for this team. They need to believe that they can beat the top tier teams. UF is down some but UT hasn't beaten them in awhile so the mental and emotional benefit is still there. A loss also gives USCe and UGa an immediate leg up. Both UT and UF face tougher rival games in the West than they do. Tactically it is an important game for both. Emotionally and mentally it is a hump that UT has to get over to have confidence headed into the rest of the season.

B- Dooley just about has to have that game for all the reasons above plus it puts him behind the 8 ball for what he needs to do to keep his job. I personally do not think that 7 wins with this team is acceptable or should be tolerated. If the offense is as good as its talent level and the D is just mid-pack then UT should win at least 8 but really more. It is not very often that a team has 3 legitimate 1st rnd talents at WR and a 1st rnd talent at QB on the same roster.


I know you guys don't quite get it... but you should try putting the shoe on the other foot. There are many very important reasons that this is a huge game for the Vols and Dooley. A win over UF means legitimacy at least from the perception angle. It gives UT credibility with recruits more than before. A loss would affirm all the bad things that have been said about the program.
 
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#33
#33
BeecherVol said:
Im looking at it from a different direction. Which is taking the east out of equation until its worth worrying about.

Typically 1 game doesn't "make or break" a season.

UT has been anything but typical the last several years so individual games against certain opponents early in the year will carry a lot more weight than they normally do.

This program needs good things to happen and that needs to be early IMO. The NC St and UF games are extremely important for this reason. Its a shot in the dark to know how the team will react if it starts 1-2.
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This.
 
#34
#34
fade route said:
If we lose to UF, the fanbase will fold the tent on Dools. He would have to pull some significant upsets later to win them back, but there's nothing on his resume' that says he's capable of that kind of turnaround as a coach. So, yes, its make or break.
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I agree with your conclusion more or less but I don't think the fanbase folding on him in week 3 will be the cause. I do not think that 7 wins will or should save his job. Getting to 8 or more without UF is a tall order.

He has to get winS this year that push him over the hump and convinces fans, media, and recruits that he's credible.
 
#35
#35
This is the first year since 04 I've felt we should beat FL. They legitimately have a very good defense, but we're playing at home, they're coming off a road game at A&M, and we should have a very good offense. Agree with the poster(s) who said that if Dooley can't get it done this year he likely never will.
 
#36
#36
GAVol said:
I must be in left field on this one. Im just not following the logic.
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No matter what happens with NC State, Dools has to start 1-0 in the S E C. We lose, the fanbase will sour on him quick. To get that fanbase back on board, he would have to pull some big upsets, like UGA, USCjr, or Bama. However, he's never shown that he can pull the big upset, so its unlikely that he could recover from the UF loss. Not sure why that's hard to get your arms around, GAVol.
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#38
#38
fade route said:
No matter what happens with NC State, Dools has to start 1-0 in the S E C. We lose, the fanbase will sour on him quick. To get that fanbase back on board, he would have to pull some big upsets, like UGA, USCjr, or Bama. However, he's never shown that he can pull the big upset, so its unlikely that he could recover from the UF loss. Not sure why that's hard to get your arms around, GAVol.
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Disagree. I think his chances of keeping the job plummet if he's not 4-0 going into Athens. FWIW, I don't think anyone except for Bama would be a "big" upset. This is why I think he should win more than 8 with this team. He needs to get all the ones UT should win then do no worse than split the competitive ones.
 
#39
#39
zidanefan said:
This is the first year since 04 I've felt we should beat FL. They legitimately have a very good defense, but we're playing at home, they're coming off a road game at A&M, and we should have a very good offense. Agree with the poster(s) who said that if Dooley can't get it done this year he likely never will.
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You honestly haven't gone into the season thinking we would beat Fla that year for 7 years?
 
#40
#40
Obviously we still have to play games after the UF game, but that game is huge. We have to worry about NC State first because if we lose that one I dont know how the team will feel, but my confidence will be very low. If we take care of NC State & Florida that sets up to be undefeated going into UGA. We all know UGA can be overrated from time to time, and if we have momentum going into that game anything can happen.
 
#41
#41
No. If we are basing our whole season on the outcome of the UF game we are in trouble as a team and more so as a fan base. If this team "quits" because they lose to UF, they all need to be stripped of their scholarships immediately......................
 
#42
#42
I'm not saying that the entire season depends on the Florida game, but I do think that if Florida wins, Tennessee will have a new coach next year.
 
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#43
#43
sjt18 said:
Disagree. I think his chances of keeping the job plummet if he's not 4-0 going into Athens. FWIW, I don't think anyone except for Bama would be a "big" upset. This is why I think he should win more than 8 with this team. He needs to get all the ones UT should win then do no worse than split the competitive ones.
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+1000. This team is more talented than it has been in close to a decade.
 
#44
#44
i think it is about as 'must win' as it can get without it literally being a late in the year game where you win and go to SEC CG and you lose and you don't. It's not at that level obviously, especially since it's so early in the year, but it's pretty darn near. I think the team needs it, I think the fans need it. Dooley could certainly use it as well. If we lose it doesn't mean the season is over...I just think it causes huge concern with the rest of the year. I think if we lose to UF...a lot of fans will think great...we're likely also losing to UGA, Bama, maybe SCjr, etc etc. Not that it matters what fans 'think'...but I know a lot of vols fans are getting sick of being disappointed so early in the season. Would be nice to play some meaningful games later in the year . We'll see. GBO!
 
#46
#46
RockyTopHoosier said:
i think it is about as 'must win' as it can get without it literally being a late in the year game where you win and go to SEC CG and you lose and you don't. It's not at that level obviously, especially since it's so early in the year, but it's pretty darn near. I think the team needs it, I think the fans need it. Dooley could certainly use it as well. If we lose it doesn't mean the season is over...I just think it causes huge concern with the rest of the year. I think if we lose to UF...a lot of fans will think great...we're likely also losing to UGA, Bama, maybe SCjr, etc etc. Not that it matters what fans 'think'...but I know a lot of vols fans are getting sick of being disappointed so early in the season. Would be nice to play some meaningful games later in the year . We'll see. GBO!
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Absolutely this. There is nothing exciting about barely making it to the Music City Bowl. We need BCS bowls in our lives more often.
 
#47
#47
madbamahater said:
No. If we are basing our whole season on the outcome of the UF game we are in trouble as a team and more so as a fan base. If this team "quits" because they lose to UF, they all need to be stripped of their scholarships immediately......................
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Its just math. Name 8 wins if UT cannot beat a down UF program at home.
 
#48
#48
lawgator1 said:
I think it depends a lot on how the game is played and the final score. A UT win really sets you up nicely for a good run at the SECe title and I think does a lot for the attitude of the UT fanbase and the administration. A UF win? I think honestly -- and this may sound strange -- but a loss by a couple of touchdowns might be easier to take than a loss by a couple of points.
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Yeah This ^
 
#49
#49
Florida – This year more than past the offense will be hitting on all cylinders, with UF Defense going to be strong, this could just come down to Bray not giving UF “D” the ability to win this game. Our “O” line will protect Bray for time…the D backs that will be HOLDING OUR RECEIVERS as they did last year, using the rule to keep from getting burnt deep. We just need to keep our heads “Receivers” and let the officials make the calls, its UF only defense from UT running up the score. UF Offense will need to play error free, I think that this is where CSS comes into play with pressing the QB into errors. Look for UF to play multiple QB’s in this game. UT WINS
 
#50
#50
ItsAllVols said:
Florida – This year more than past the offense will be hitting on all cylinders, with UF Defense going to be strong, this could just come down to Bray not giving UF “D” the ability to win this game. Our “O” line will protect Bray for time…the D backs that will be HOLDING OUR RECEIVERS as they did last year, using the rule to keep from getting burnt deep. We just need to keep our heads “Receivers” and let the officials make the calls, its UF only defense from UT running up the score. UF Offense will need to play error free, I think that this is where CSS comes into play with pressing the QB into errors. Look for UF to play multiple QB’s in this game. UT WINS
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:unsure:
 
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