Please Say No to Vandy, Ala, & KY (Here's Why)

[Other_Guy]

The whole argument is overblown. If tenn gets 2 "easy" games, there's only a few "easyc games in the SEC anymore. So the other 6 are going to be mostly playoff contenders. Remember, 9 teams still get to play Kentucky and/or vandy too. All they need to do is make sure the rest of the schedule balances out.
If things go as I'm expecting, Tenn will go on the road to Vandy (UK and Bama at home, meaning they'd get the extra home game). So they can make sure Tenn's other 3 road games are really tough.
There's no way to make sure its all balanced but I dont think its going to make a big difference in the long run, and you're right, it could come back to bite them. There's no way of knowing in this transfer age whether a schedule is going to be easy or hard from year to year.
And it'll all change when they expand again.

 

[Elhanan]

We’ll rotate through enough great teams to have a very high SOS.

It’ll be ok.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

I don't think TN has any input to it. SEC decision. It would be a good 3. Vandy not a bottom feeder anymore and as others have said we will rotate thru all the better teams anyway. No reason to play 3 hard permanent teams.

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

This is the best decision for Tennessee and the SEC

Vandy in state Rival, long running series
Kentucky, our most played rival
Alabama, another long running rival


As for Florida and Georgia, we will still play them twice every 4 years. And we will rotate in Texas, Oklahoma, LSU and the other SEC teams.

If your rival games aren't as tough, then then your rotational games are tougher, it averages out.

Also, for the longest time, Tennessee and Auburn have had the toughest schedules in SEC and it has cost us several SEC Championship Game appearances/titles.

This. Who your permanents are matters less when 3 of 9 teams are permanent instead of 7 of 8.

 

[feathersax]

Gimme B***, Vandy, Kentucky. If the SEC decides to modify the three annual opponents at some point in the future, there’ll be a chance to rethink it.

Just wanna slam the puke commode-doors every year. Vandie & their yellow uniforms are pus-filled warts
Any questions?

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

First off, I know that I have not been active for a while, but let me say I'm so proud of my vols. The fans were incredible last week and I had a lot of relatives comment of how the campus and stadium looked so beautify. I think Game Day will be back sooner than later. And I think we make the playoffs again this year- hopefully we host one on campus if not a bye because we are (IMHO) a top 5. Mark it

Regarding the 9 game schedule: I know a lot of us are getting excited about having Vandy, Ala, & Ky. as potential rivals on our schedule for the next 4-6 years, but it may not be such a good thing especially if Ala doesn't get back to being the powerhouse its been for decades.

Remember, next year the CFB committee will select participants based on SOS and not just wins/losses.

Thefore, my first choice would be Bama, Vandy and and one of South Carolina/Florida.

Lets be real, we have a great brand, and plent of NIL/money, but we don't necessarily have the reputation as some other bluebloods have that if it came down to us and lets say Notre Dame, Penn State (B1G) or Miami/Clemson (ACC); as a result, without going either 12-0/11-1/10-2, we may be on pens and needles waiting on who the committee will select for the final 1 or 2 playoff slots. It's all Political!!!! And lets not even think about if we had a close fought battle or loss with Vandy and/or Ky. (Geez) ;however, if we do indeed get Vandy, Ala & Kentucky, I see us playing LSU/OU and Florida one year and the next Texas/Aub/Georgia and we'd better go 3-0 with the above 3 or we may be in deep trouble. In other words, we should be careful of what we ask for.

Just my humble opinion.

Respectfully disagree.

Those are our 3 biggest traditional rivalries and the teams that we have played the most over the years.

Also, in regards to SOS, if you have easy rivals then you have harder rotational teams so it kind of averages out.

Auburn and Tennessee have suffered for years with the worst rotational schedules getting Al, Uga and FL/LSU every year. It's time to let some other teams to carry that burden.

 

[fossilfiction]

I want Georgia, Bama, and Florida. Everything else, cycle.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

First off, I know that I have not been active for a while, but let me say I'm so proud of my vols. The fans were incredible last week and I had a lot of relatives comment of how the campus and stadium looked so beautify. I think Game Day will be back sooner than later. And I think we make the playoffs again this year- hopefully we host one on campus if not a bye because we are (IMHO) a top 5. Mark it

Regarding the 9 game schedule: I know a lot of us are getting excited about having Vandy, Ala, & Ky. as potential rivals on our schedule for the next 4-6 years, but it may not be such a good thing especially if Ala doesn't get back to being the powerhouse its been for decades.

Remember, next year the CFB committee will select participants based on SOS and not just wins/losses.

Thefore, my first choice would be Bama, Vandy and and one of South Carolina/Florida.

Lets be real, we have a great brand, and plent of NIL/money, but we don't necessarily have the reputation as some other bluebloods have that if it came down to us and lets say Notre Dame, Penn State (B1G) or Miami/Clemson (ACC); as a result, without going either 12-0/11-1/10-2, we may be on pens and needles waiting on who the committee will select for the final 1 or 2 playoff slots. It's all Political!!!! And lets not even think about if we had a close fought battle or loss with Vandy and/or Ky. (Geez) ;however, if we do indeed get Vandy, Ala & Kentucky, I see us playing LSU/OU and Florida one year and the next Texas/Aub/Georgia and we'd better go 3-0 with the above 3 or we may be in deep trouble. In other words, we should be careful of what we ask for.

Just my humble opinion.

The SOS is meaningless. Win 10, and you’re in. Lose 3 with a weaker schedule, and the SOS isn’t your problem.

 

[vavolfan6]

I thought they already announced permanent opponents and ours was Bama, Vandy and Florida....what happened?

 

[TNnative]

I would be for Bama South Carolina and Florida. Vuck Fandy.

 

[cgrish]

First off, I know that I have not been active for a while, but let me say I'm so proud of my vols. The fans were incredible last week and I had a lot of relatives comment of how the campus and stadium looked so beautify. I think Game Day will be back sooner than later. And I think we make the playoffs again this year- hopefully we host one on campus if not a bye because we are (IMHO) a top 5. Mark it

Regarding the 9 game schedule: I know a lot of us are getting excited about having Vandy, Ala, & Ky. as potential rivals on our schedule for the next 4-6 years, but it may not be such a good thing especially if Ala doesn't get back to being the powerhouse its been for decades.

Remember, next year the CFB committee will select participants based on SOS and not just wins/losses.

Thefore, my first choice would be Bama, Vandy and and one of South Carolina/Florida.

Lets be real, we have a great brand, and plent of NIL/money, but we don't necessarily have the reputation as some other bluebloods have that if it came down to us and lets say Notre Dame, Penn State (B1G) or Miami/Clemson (ACC); as a result, without going either 12-0/11-1/10-2, we may be on pens and needles waiting on who the committee will select for the final 1 or 2 playoff slots. It's all Political!!!! And lets not even think about if we had a close fought battle or loss with Vandy and/or Ky. (Geez) ;however, if we do indeed get Vandy, Ala & Kentucky, I see us playing LSU/OU and Florida one year and the next Texas/Aub/Georgia and we'd better go 3-0 with the above 3 or we may be in deep trouble. In other words, we should be careful of what we ask for.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[cgrish]

I will believe the sos basics when I see it. Imo they will still go by w vs losses

 

[VolCalls]

I thought they already announced permanent opponents and ours was Bama, Vandy and Florida....what happened?

Nothing has been announced. All that’s out there are predictions. Official announcement comes this Tuesday.

 

[orange parmejohn]

Side note, I wonder how this may alter the evolution of the game. Every season is going to be even more of a grind. Survival of the most durable.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

The SOS is meaningless. Win 10, and you’re in. Lose 3 with a weaker schedule, and the SOS isn’t your problem.

'Win the SEC and you're in' is actually a true statement. SOS isn't that important.

 

[Volinnooga]

My prediction is it’s going to be Bama, Vandy and Florida. It ought to be KY rather than Fla but I have A sneaking suspicion they slide Fla in.

 

[CrownRoyalSaltedCaramel]

Wanting to play Kentucky and Vanderbilt is for losers.

I want Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Those are our real rivals. We checker Neyland for those games. Not when we play Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

You certainly aren’t the swiftest deer in the forrest are you?

 

[tatervol]

I thought they already announced permanent opponents and ours was Bama, Vandy and Florida....what happened?

You are absolutely clueless. That’s what happened.

 

[Sudden Impact]

The caveat and mulligan are the SEC will change this permanent 3 team schedule every 4 years.

 

[LWSVOL]

OP, the difference between Bama-Vandy-Ky and Bama-Vandy-USCe/FL is really, really minor. Gotta put it in context. For instance:

with Bama-Vandy-Ky	with Bama-Vandy-USCe (or FL)
Bama	Bama
Vandy	Vandy
Kentucky	USCe (or FL)
UGa	UGa
LSU	LSU
Arkansas	Arkansas
Ole Miss	Ole Miss
Miss St	Miss St
USCe (or FL)	Kentucky

...and the following season:

with Bama-Vandy-Ky	with Bama-Vandy-USCe (or FL)
Bama	Bama
Vandy	Vandy
Kentucky	FL (or USCe)
Texas	Texas
Oklahoma	Oklahoma
A&M	A&M
Auburn	Auburn
Mizzou	Mizzou
FL (or USCe)	whichever of FL/USCe not listed above

Can you find the difference in Strength of Schedule between the two options?

So you see, it doesn't really matter.

There is a more significant difference between the easiest possible permanent opponents (say, Vandy, Kentucky, and Miss State) and the hardest possible (something like UGa, Bama, Texas). But even then, the difference pales once you put it in the context of an entire season.

Go Vols!

Can’t predict SOS 10 years from now. No telling who will be good and who will be bad. Vandy beat us three times in the last 15 years. We and others on our schedule could fall to bottom third of league, including Bama or UGA

 

[vavolfan6]

Nevermind

 

[onevol74]

Side note, I wonder how this may alter the evolution of the game. Every season is going to be even more of a grind. Survival of the most durable.

As it should be. Tired of seeing Sunbelt and OVC games in Neyland at premium prices.

 

[Jbob1871]

The SOS is meaningless. Win 10, and you’re in. Lose 3 with a weaker schedule, and the SOS isn’t your problem.

SOS matters. Unbalanced schedules require data driven analysis in the interest of fairness.