Looking back on the Arky game. Looking ahead to the next 2 games.

[preacherwebb]

I never really thought we had a real shot to be LSU, Alabama, or Arkansas, thus last night was not a surprise.
We played a superior team, and it showed.

Say what you will, but I think the players came to a point last night where reality set in, and they were playing the game to get it over with.

I think they knew they were beat, and were looking ahead to the next two games.

Why?
They knew we would lose to Arky, but we can still beat Vandy and UK and make a bowl.

If what I think is true, then it leads to a couple other possibilities:
1) UT will come out early with the most passion, effort, and fire they've played with all year against Vandy. If we have early success, then they will play a full game for maybe the 1st time this year. If they don't have early success, they may just pack it in early again.
2) If we lose to Vandy, the mentality of " season's over, nothing left to play for" could kick in, and we get thumped by a UK team, playing us in their bowl game.

I believe this is what happened last night, and what to watch for the next 2 weeks.

Thoughts?

 

[preacherwebb]

And let me just add, to be clear, that I hope we win out and go to a dinky bowl and win there too.

 

[fade route]

There is 0 improvement everywhere on the field. I can't think of one area where we are better than the beginning of the year. That's what's so discouraging. I can take the losses given the injuries to our star players, but the lack of improvement anywhere is disturbing.

 

[YankeeVol]

I doubt this team beats Vandy

 

[AllVolYall]

The problem is not that they didn't beat Arkansas. The problem is how they lost. And I agree with fade route's post. Where's the improvement?

 

[TANKIAS613]

The lack of improvement is the problem. Maybe the injuries set us back, but there has been no sign of improvement. This staff is really going to have to work hard in the offseason.

 

[UrbanCryer]

There is 0 improvement everywhere on the field. I can't think of one area where we are better than the beginning of the year. That's what's so discouraging. I can take the losses given the injuries to our star players, but the lack of improvement anywhere is disturbing.

if you look at the site below UT has actually improved in almost every statistical catagory from last year(with the #1 toughest schedule in the country)

and without the following players from 2010 due to graduation/injuries/dismissed

Offense:
Bray
Hunter
Gerald Jones(grad)
D. Moore(grad)
Luke Stocker(Grad)
the last 3 were all of UT's offense last year so how could we improve? i dont know either but we have.

Defense:
Gerald Williams(grad-4.5 sacks/7.5 TFL)
Chris Walker(grad-3.0 sacks/6 TFL)
Lamarcus Thompson(grad-60 tackles)
Nick Reveiz(grad-108 tackles/6TFL)
Herman Lathers(75 tackles/4.5 TFL)
Janzen Jackson(69 tackles/4 TFL/5 ints/ 1 sack/ 6 pass breaks ups/ ALL AMERICAN)
Montori Hughes(17 tackles/3.5 TFL/1 sack/5 qb hurries/2 pass break ups)
Brent Brewer
D has also statistically improved

look, we ALL hate getting hammered but we just dont have the experience and depth yet.
i will say dooley better win 8 next year and NO blowouts or ill be the 1st in line for massive change

cfbstats.com - 2011 Tennessee Volunteers

 

[vol84eng]

There is 0 improvement everywhere on the field. I can't think of one area where we are better than the beginning of the year. That's what's so discouraging. I can take the losses given the injuries to our star players, but the lack of improvement anywhere is disturbing.

Devrin Young returning kick offs and punts????