Managing Expectations

#1
OrangeByBirth

OrangeByBirth

Old time Vol
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#1
There seem to have been concensus expectations that the 2011 season would be around 7-5 and that 2012 might offer a significant improvement over that. Many had "hope" of 8-4 or even a real stretch of 9-3. Some felt that 5-7 might be the reality.

Now, it seems that the majority have started to move a bit to the higher level of expectations around 8-4. That is no longer a stretch level or "hope" point but is showing up more and more as an expectation. An SEC title in 2012 is moving toward an expectation rather than a goal, too.

Frankly, I don't understand it. The only team that really looked like it cratered in the SEC in week 1 was Auburn and I don't find them on the schedule. LSU actually looked better than most predicted. SC looked vulnerable for 1 quarter and then put up 56 on a pretty good team. KY didn't look strong but they were already in the win column for most UT fans. UGA is in the midst of a struggle for the hearts and minds of the fans. They seem to be where UT was about 3 or 4 years ago. In general, I didn't see anything in week 1 that would cause my expectations to change. My hope and ambitions remain just that -- hope and ambitions.

What do you folks see to make your expectations go up? Am I missing something?
 
#2
#2
Yes, I think you are missing something: We play EIGHT home games this year, including LSU, GA, and SC. Playing those teams at home doesn't gaurantee wins, but it certainly boosts our chances. What most people don't realize with LSU is that every time TN-LSU play, the outcome is somewhat of a surprise. That game almost NEVER goes as predicted. Georgia is like a box of chocolates; lets hope we get the one that sucks that week. South Carolina can be slowed down if we can play the run decently. Bottom Line: I think we have a great chance to be 8-4, but I'm only worried about being 2-0 with a win this week against a VERY GOOD Cincy ballclub.
 
#3
#3
TXVol_44 said:
Yes, I think you are missing something: We play EIGHT home games this year, including LSU, GA, and SC. Playing those teams at home doesn't gaurantee wins, but it certainly boosts our chances. What most people don't realize with LSU is that every time TN-LSU play, the outcome is somewhat of a surprise. That game almost NEVER goes as predicted. Georgia is like a box of chocolates; lets hope we get the one that sucks that week. South Carolina can be slowed down if we can play the run decently. Bottom Line: I think we have a great chance to be 8-4, but I'm only worried about being 2-0 with a win this week against a VERY GOOD Cincy ballclub.
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Spot On!!!!!!!!!!! :good!:
 
#6
#6
I have a feeling that most of our fan's inflated expectations will be realligned after we come back from the swamp. 7-5 would be a solid season...I still think our best chance at a big win is going to be UGA.
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#7
#7
I have more respect for Cincinnatti than I do UGA. Even UGA fans wouldn't disagree with that right now.
 
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#8
#8
Does it really matter at this moment? We beat Montana, big deal!

Let's see what this week brings and then we'll see what happens against UF.

That will be 25% of the season completed. I think we'll know a lot about this team in the next 10 days.
 
#9
#9
I think that Tennessee's offense will carry them deep into some of those big games like Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. Turnovers and how the Big O's defense evolves will be telling. I feel comfortable with the DB's and the ability on run support. The reality of football; it's the bouncing ball or game management like at LSU last year. If a run game suddenly appears we get at least 9 wins. If it becomes an issue could drop to 6. Go Big O!!
 
#10
#10
Boca Vol said:
Does it really matter at this moment? We beat Montana, big deal!

Let's see what this week brings and then we'll see what happens against UF.

That will be 25% of the season completed. I think we'll know a lot about this team in the next 10 days.
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Agree.
 
#11
#11
Tumbleweedvol said:
I think that Tennessee's offense will carry them deep into some of those big games like Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. Turnovers and how the Big O's defense evolves will be telling. I feel comfortable with the DB's and the ability on run support. The reality of football; it's the bouncing ball or game management like at LSU last year. If a run game suddenly appears we get at least 9 wins. If it becomes an issue could drop to 6. Go Big O!!
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Guys like Maggitt, AJ, Coleman, Randolph, and Couch...and even guys like Hood, Lanier, and Moore should be playing much better by the middle of the season. At that point the D should really start to gel.
 
#12
#12
TXVol_44 said:
I have more respect for Cincinnatti than I do UGA. Even UGA fans wouldn't disagree with that right now.
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Put down your crack pipe. I have many friends who went to uga and none of them think uga would lose to cincy.
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#18
#18
Most everybody will be favored against us. After watching the Montana game it was easy to see what Dooley was trying to do. That was simply get the running game going which really it never did. Montana was dead set on not letting us run the ball. Plain and simple if Dooley would have turned Bray loose we would still be scoring. I don't think we see this conservative approach once we get into SEC play. GO Vols
 
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#19
#19
DERELICK_MY_VOLS said:
Can't we just focus on beating Cincy first?
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I have never understood why fans say this. unless you are actually playing or coaching I think it will be ok if you look ahead. plus its a message board there is only so much that can be said about Cincy. JMO
 
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#20
#20
Honestly, I just think people are excited and see the potential we have. That generally happens when the season kicks off. Obviously we should be improved from last year and that's where a lot of the optimism comes from.

For some reason earlier in the week I was kind of sweating the Cincy game...not so much that we would lose, rather it being a tight ball game. Today my orange glasses have me feeling good about the game and thinking we'll pull it out a little easier than some on here think. I along with most Vol fans are kind of on the fence in regards to our overall ability and most of this is due to the fact that we haven't been that good. I don't know about you guys, but this plays with my mind sometimes and has me overthinking the game. Maybe it's just me...
 
#21
#21
TXVol_44 said:
I have more respect for Cincinnatti than I do UGA. Even UGA fans wouldn't disagree with that right now.
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Speaking of UGA fans. Where are they all at this week. They are being rather quiet for some reason. I wonder why?
 
#22
#22
I still think we have the talent to go 8-4, but whether or not we'll rise to the occasion remains to be seen. If we lose to the Bearcats, I will revise my expectations downward, because SEC opponents will see blood in the water and take advantage of it. IMO, anything below 7-5 will be a setback for this program. Even 7-5 is more a reflection of the schedule we play than the talent we put on the field. Another 6-6 season means we have problems beyond the schedule. JMO, of course.
 
#23
#23
OrangeByBirth said:
There seem to have been concensus expectations that the 2011 season would be around 7-5 and that 2012 might offer a significant improvement over that. Many had "hope" of 8-4 or even a real stretch of 9-3. Some felt that 5-7 might be the reality.

Now, it seems that the majority have started to move a bit to the higher level of expectations around 8-4. That is no longer a stretch level or "hope" point but is showing up more and more as an expectation. An SEC title in 2012 is moving toward an expectation rather than a goal, too.

Frankly, I don't understand it. The only team that really looked like it cratered in the SEC in week 1 was Auburn and I don't find them on the schedule. LSU actually looked better than most predicted. SC looked vulnerable for 1 quarter and then put up 56 on a pretty good team. KY didn't look strong but they were already in the win column for most UT fans. UGA is in the midst of a struggle for the hearts and minds of the fans. They seem to be where UT was about 3 or 4 years ago. In general, I didn't see anything in week 1 that would cause my expectations to change. My hope and ambitions remain just that -- hope and ambitions.

What do you folks see to make your expectations go up? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Honestly, yes you are missing something. With a team that's as big of a question mark as we are this year, you become nervous about each hump. The big one for us being the first game.

Now I don't argue and say that Montana is an exceptionally strong football team, but I don't think I stand alone when I say I was uneasy about it. The "what if we lose" mentality was definitely there, thinking we may just come out looking too shaky or too young. That was our first big hurdle, and needless to say our Vols didn't just overcome it, they absolutely hammered it.

So yes we're going to be more optimistic. Each game, especially every "W", is another hurdle jumped and another question answered. We came out strong like we were hoping to, so now the level of optimism has jumped.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#24
#24
chatt-townVOL said:
Honestly, yes you are missing something. With a team that's as big of a question mark as we are this year, you become nervous about each hump. The big one for us being the first game.

Now I don't argue and say that Montana is an exceptionally strong football team, but I don't think I stand alone when I say I was uneasy about it. The "what if we lose" mentality was definitely there, thinking we may just come out looking too shaky or too young. That was our first big hurdle, and needless to say our Vols didn't just overcome it, they absolutely hammered it.

So yes we're going to be more optimistic. Each game, especially every "W", is another hurdle jumped and another question answered. We came out strong like we were hoping to, so now the level of optimism has jumped.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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We couldn't run the ball, scored only one offensive touchdown in the 2nd half and gave up 16 points to an FCS team. I'm not sure you watched the same game the rest of us saw. Not saying that it's the end of the world, but there were certainly elements against Montana that should be cause for concern against quality competition.
 
#25
#25
bleedorange0037 said:
We couldn't run the ball, scored only one offensive touchdown in the 2nd half and gave up 16 points to an FCS team. I'm not sure you watched the same game the rest of us saw. Not saying that it's the end of the world, but there were certainly elements against Montana that should be cause for concern against quality competition.
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"bleedorange" is such an ironic name for a negavol
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