It's hard to overstate how BADLY...

[armchairvol]

the program needs a win over florida. The Vols lost their mojo a few years ago--Fulmer lost it and so did the team. The diehards think we can get it back. The only way is to win this game and show the country--not to mention a boatload of bigtime recruits--that the Vols are a serious competitor again. Fulmer's record in big games--and in particular against florida--is not good: That fact, and the firepower that their offense has compared to UT, leaves me less than optimistic, even tho the Vols have an experienced squad. I thought miami played quite well defensively against florida--and they still lost by 20 or more--admittedly, an absurd call on a replay in the second half helped the gators. Can the Vols play a good game for 60 minutes against a good team. I'll have to see it to believe it--it's been a LONG time since they have.

 

[jrnyfan74]

What is sad about the state of the program now, is that we EXPECT to lose. I can remember in the early 90's going to games and always expecting to win. We have lost our toughness and discipline it seems, and nobody fears us anymore. I agree a win next week would do wonders for this team and program, but in order for that to happen, the coaches have to be honest with themselves and think outside of the box.

 

[kptvol]

What is sad about the state of the program now, is that we EXPECT to lose. I can remember in the early 90's going to games and always expecting to win. We have lost our toughness and discipline it seems, and nobody fears us anymore. I agree a win next week would do wonders for this team and program, but in order for that to happen, the coaches have to be honest with themselves and think outside of the box.

Don't stop believin'.

 

[jrnyfan74]

Don't stop believin'.

Amen to that!

 

[vol4eva]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but know matter how bad this year or the next few years might go, I have no doubt that after Fulmer and staff are gone that we will rise as a program and be stronger than ever. I truly believe that one day we will be feared again.

 

[NationofVols]

Well we always bounce back as a program. Tennessee didn't get where they are by just fading away. Everyone goes into funks and down times. No one is immune to it. Oklahoma, USC, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska....

However there doesn't appear to be anything in the forecast that will assume that we'll be anywhere other than an 8-9 win team for the next few years.

 

[Mullet]

What is sad about the state of the program now, is that we EXPECT to lose.

This is a great point. Be honest with yourself folks, do you expect to win next weekend?

What evidence, other than "hope" and "lifelong loyalty" do you have that we will come close to beating Florida?

We'll have home field advantage -- and it has been proven time and again that it's very rare that an SEC team blows out another SEC on the road.

That's definitely in our favor. However, with Crompton making terrible decisions/throws, and our defensive coordinator playing like it's 1993 -- we don't have a chance vs. Florida.

I love TN as much as anyone, and I would never root for them to lose in order to facilitate change.

Next Saturday will be a showcase of whether we decide to play our best players, or continue with the Fulmer tradition of seniority.

Creer should be getting 1/2 the carries. He showed that last year as a freshman!

Jones should be taking quite a few snaps at QB.

Our defense should be MUCH more aggressive, since we've got good safeties.

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I assume none of those things will happen, and we will lose by at least 2 TDs.

 

[I40VOL]

This is a great point. Be honest with yourself folks, do you expect to win next weekend?

What evidence, other than "hope" and "lifelong loyalty" do you have that we will come close to beating Florida?

We'll have home field advantage -- and it has been proven time and again that it's very rare that an SEC team blows out another SEC on the road.

That's definitely in our favor. However, with Crompton making terrible decisions/throws, and our defensive coordinator playing like it's 1993 -- we don't have a chance vs. Florida.

I love TN as much as anyone, and I would never root for them to lose in order to facilitate change.

Next Saturday will be a showcase of whether we decide to play our best players, or continue with the Fulmer tradition of seniority.

Creer should be getting 1/2 the carries. He showed that last year as a freshman!

Jones should be taking quite a few snaps at QB.

Our defense should be MUCH more aggressive, since we've got good safeties.

-------

I assume none of those things will happen, and we will lose by at least 2 TDs.

i agree, it will be at least 2 td's

 

[TNshadetree]

Hey, but think positive. We only have to make 4 points to beat Auburn.

 

[rebel7254]

Look, even if we manage to beat Florida next week, that doesn't automatically get Fulmer & co. off the hook. A win at Florida doesn't mean a whole lot if we still end up losing 5 or more games, which is entirely possible from what we've seen so far and the schedule to come. A win against Florida wil surelyl be something to be happy and excited about, but don't fool yourself into thinking it makes us one of the top SEC teams again.

Now, we can start getting seriously optimistic if the Vols pull off a 10+ point win over Florida, and then look good in a victory against Auburn on the road. If that happens, I think we could all agree that perhaps they have gotten it together and it's for real.

I don't think being realistic and making judgments based on what we've seen so far makes us bad fans. Other than hope and loyalty, as previously mentioned, there is not much of a reason to think that we will beat Florida. Despite our low expectations, I think it's safe to say that we'll be watching and cheering just as hard for the Vols to win as anybody who sincerely believes the Vols are going to win before the game starts. You don't have to dismiss reality to be a "good" fan.