NC vs Conf Champ

[a vol n tears]

I must be getting very old. Not too many years ago the goal of most every school was to win the conference championship. Just 1 or 2 years ago VOL fans would have loved to win the EAST and just make it to the SECcg. Has the playoffs diminished Conf Championships and made them just a stepping stone. Nobody on here talks about winning the conference anymore. They seem so disappointed but the Conf Champ is still a possibility if we can get healthy. Going to the Sugar Bowl is not a boobie prize. Fulmer only won 2 conf champs. Don't lose hope. Enjoy the remaining games, as the season is flying by. Still have a huge goal to play for.

 

[Volsfan895]

I must be getting very old. Not too many years ago the goal of most every school was to win the conference championship. Just 1 or 2 years ago VOL fans would have loved to win the EAST and just make it to the SECcg. Has the playoffs diminished Conf Championships and made them just a stepping stone. Nobody on here talks about winning the conference anymore. They seem so disappointed but the Conf Champ is still a possibility if we can get healthy. Going to the Sugar Bowl is not a boobie prize. Fulmer only won 2 conf champs. Don't lose hope. Enjoy the remaining game, as the season is flying by. Still have a huge goal to play for.

You would be hard pressed to find someone that wouldn't be sky high over winning the conference, but the way the SEC has been it has been a defacto play in game for the NC/Playoff any way.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

I like it OP! I think a lot of people think Bama is unbeatable and that has got a few down on the prospect of an SEC title. I for one will be shelling out the $500 for a ticket to see the Vols play when they get to Atlanta

 

[VolZen]

I would be really happy to play in the SECCG and or play in a New Year's 6 bowl.

 

[OneVolNation]

True champions may view it as a moral victory consolation prize for a team who couldn't make it to the big show. However, it certainly would be good for the program and recruiting overall.

 

[TN_Vol_Fo_Life]

Keeping up with the Joneses' effect is part of it. Watching our two most hated rivals win 6 natties while we dwell in squaller is tough. The perception versus reality is the other - to have the talented recruiting classes, lose 4 games by a combined 17 points, go on that winning streak and have so many returning starters back has the heads and hearts outta whack.

Every true fan will shed tears of excitement with 11-2, SEC championship, and a big six bowl. Doesn't mean we shouldn't want more, however.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

True champions (whoever they are) view a SEC title as a "moral victory"? Did I read that wrong?

How would a moral victory help any program or their recruiting?

 

[OneVolNation]

I'm not sure how you read it, but the one champion in the most literal sense each year is the team that wins the NC.

If that is the goal, then anything less than achieving the goal, at best, can only be considered a moral victory because obviously the actual NC victory wouldn't be achieved.

For your second question, despite the failure to accomplish the goal of a National Championship victory, a team can still "sell" their program to prospects as a strong, successful program with promise by pointing to conference championships or anything else short of winning it all more than if they didn't win the conference championship.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

An SEC title would be excellent. It is what we play for every year. "Failure" to win a national championships in any season would by this 'logic' mean every team fails every year if they don't win the National Championship. I don't agree with that, nor do I believe that. It is almost a ridiculous statement to make.

Then, not winning the only thing that DOES matter (the natty), can still be sold to recruits and your fanbase as a sign of strength. Because you didn't do the one thing you set out to do. Which was winning the national title. I don't follow.

 

[Vols_74]

I for one would love to win the SEC. It gives us bragging rights, provides momentum for recruiting and adds to our legacy in the toughest and best conference in college football. If we can win the SEC Championship this year somehow there will be definitive proof that UT football program is back.

A lot of luck goes into winning the natty. This season injury luck was not on our side but we still have a shot at the SEC. Go Vols! #wgwtfa

 

[OneVolNation]

Agree or not, every team that fails to win the National Championship fails to accomplish that as their goal if that was their goal. That is sound valid logical deductive reasoning and requires nothing else for inference. The argument is not selling failure to meet your goal as a strength (hence the "However") but rather that in the event of reaching a point in the season where it appears mathematically impossible to win the NC, in the grand scheme of the program's future, the season doesn't have to be counted as a total loss because there are still advantages to be gained by winning out versus not.

In other words, since there is still something left to fight for that will benefit the program even if it ends up not being the fulfillment of the ultimate goal, the either/or is a false dilemma.

 

[GVol1966]

I like it OP! I think a lot of people think Bama is unbeatable and that has got a few down on the prospect of an SEC title. I for one will be shelling out the $500 for a ticket to see the Vols play when they get to Atlanta

I think a sec championship game was the goal this year, so we still have a shot.
Before the season I thought we would even have a shot at winning it if we got there.
Too many injuries to still expect that imo.
Bama is not unbeatable but I don't see any sec team doing it.