Questions from a Millennial?

#26
#26
IN Jed said:
I attended Gallatin HS from 89-93 where we lost (i think) 3 games in 4 years and then UT from 93-97. I was conditioned that more than 1 loss in a season as a complete failure. Definitely did not prepare me for the last decade.
Click to expand...

I know some people from G-town. Most graduated between '87-'90. They had really good teams back then.
 
#27
#27
Back then you never, ever considered a loss to Vandy as even a remote possibility.
 
#28
#28
I was 44 in 98. Beginning of the season I had a lot of trepidation after losing Manning and knowing Tee was an unknown quantity. I felt like we got lucky somewhat against Syracuse and no reason to expect what was to follow. As the defense started to flex its muscle and we began winning game after game I started floating on cloud nine a bit. The range of emotions during the Arkansas and Miss. St. games was almost unbearable until that last exhilarating moment in each. By the time the NC game came around I was fully confident we would win handily. The final score in that game was not indicative of how thoroughly we whipped the Seminoles. Afterwards I'm thinking what can we do for an encore next year?
GBOGBOGBOGBOGBOGBO.....GBO

BTW, among many heroes on that team Travis Henry stands out for me. Taking over for the fallen Lewis was no easy task. If not for Henry rolling like a bowling ball on steroids Stoerners fumble would have been a mere footnote. Henry was nothing short of spectacular when he took over.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#30
#30
Boca Vol said:
I know some people from G-town. Most graduated between '87-'90. They had really good teams back then.
Click to expand...

That HS had an indoor football facility in the 80s and the turf was recycled from UT (at least that's how i remember it). I didn't realize at the time how unusual that was.
 
#32
#32
Hairy Vols said:
It being the off season we all obviously have a lot more time to think. I often find myself in the off-season looking reasons of optimism regardless of the state of the program.

Today while thinking I came across an interesting thought. Being as young as I am I didn't get to enjoy the 1998 Championship as much as some of you did. Which is what brought me to the question I'm about to ask. (Note this has no relation to the upcoming season, rather just a question of curiosity)

What was the mental state of the program and the fans going in to the 1998 season?

What were fans opinion of Fulmer, Manning's last game, and just what the next season held? Were there already National Championship talks at hand or was Manning's departure and inability to win a National Championship, for some, a sign of the decline to come?

Figure this would spark some fun conversation and reminiscence of the "Good Ol' Days".

Thank for those who reply. :)
Click to expand...

Most thought we would lose and lose big. 1998 was a total shock and surprise. Even leading into the championship games on that last day - most felt Tennessee was out of the running.

But on that day, all the undefeated, except for Tennessee lost - and the BCS had no choice but to take a team, that on paper was not impressive at all.
 
#33
#33
IN Jed said:
I attended Gallatin HS from 89-93 where we lost (i think) 3 games in 4 years and then UT from 93-97. I was conditioned that more than 1 loss in a season as a complete failure. Definitely did not prepare me for the last decade.
Click to expand...

I feel sad for you. Sometimes the other team is just the better team and learning to accept that is part of life. There should be no shame nor thoughts of failure if you lost to a better team. Your coach did you a great disservice.
 
#34
#34
AL Wilson was the difference on defense for the 1998 team, almost every time UT needed a play on defense, he delivered. He was incredible, a true Volunteer!! Without Big Al that team is lucky to be 8-3.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#35
#35
volfan102455 said:
Most thought we would lose and lose big. 1998 was a total shock and surprise. Even leading into the championship games on that last day - most felt Tennessee was out of the running.

But on that day, all the undefeated, except for Tennessee lost - and the BCS had no choice but to take a team, that on paper was not impressive at all.
Click to expand...

Beginning with the 3rd BCS poll UT was ranked #1. The UCLA & K-State games certainly created drama because of the quality of the opponents both were playing. Strength of Schedule was a big component of the formula used back then. I still don't think both would have jumped UT had K-State and UCLA won.
 
#36
#36
Hard to imagine a run like that now with the staff we have in place....hope i am wrong.
 
#37
#37
Boca Vol said:
Beginning with the 3rd BCS poll UT was ranked #1. The UCLA & K-State games certainly created drama because of the quality of the opponents both were playing. Strength of Schedule was a big component of the formula used back then. I still don't think both would have jumped UT had K-State and UCLA won.
Click to expand...

I know that but the media was anti Tennessee all throughout that day, making the case for both UCLA, K-State and the one loss teams. Even after Tennessee was selected they were still saying one of the other 1 loss teams was the better choice.

Tennessee won at least 2 of those games that year by sheer luck. It wasn't like we dominated all year long - because we didn't.
 
#40
#40
We had a losing streak against UF that had the fanbase very frustrated heading into that season as well. There were probably more conversations pre-season about whether or not we could snap that streak than there were about winning championships. Of course in those days it was also basically a given that whoever won that game would win the East and probably the SEC as those were clearly the top 2 programs in the conference for several years there.
 
#41
#41
coffeevol said:
The 90's
Click to expand...

1990 (Majors) = 9-2-2 finished 8th AP
1991 (Majors) = 9-3 finished 14th AP
1992 (Majors) = 9-3 finished 12th AP
1992 (Fulmer) = 10-2 finished 12th AP (actually 9-2-1 - the tie became a win because of the forfeit)
1994 (Fulmer) = 8-4 finished 22nd AP
1995 (Fulmer) = 11-1 finished 3rd in AP
1996 (Fulmer) = 10-2 finished 9th in AP
1997 (Fulmer) = 11-2 finished 7th in AP
1998 (Fulmer) = 13-0 finished 1st in AP
1999 (Fulmer) = 9-3 finished 9th in AP

6 of those seasons would be unacceptable to most on here because they were less than 10 wins and from another post we all know that 10 wins is the bar.

Many on here would have been saying "Fire Fulmer" in 1994. He was 3-4 that year after the Alabama game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#42
#42
Peyton was gone. Tee stepped in and lead a "blue collar" team playing "workmanlike" to "carry the rock" to the first BCS NC. Talk about coack speak, bUTch has nothing on Phil.

Sitting with my family and our backs against the press box on the north 40 yard line, this was without a doubt the most exciting season I ever attended, or remember, although the 1969 season comes close. My son was 10 and my daughter was 6 in 1998. All they remember is getting a new shaker and Big Orange "We're No.1" hand....and loud...and daddy yelling himself hoarse...which he did a lot😎).

Losing RB Jamal Lewis to an ACL in the 4th game against Auburn cast a huge shadow on season hopes but Deshawn Ellis and the Travis & Travis duo stepped right in.

I think Tee setting a new NCAA Consecutive Passes Completed record in the 7th game even though it was against the lowly C.O.C.K.S was huge for the passing team confidence going forward.

I have heard that during the Arky 4th qtr when we were down, Billy Ratliff said our D had the Arky Oline on their heels and our D was going to get the ball back. So he went out and blew (and I mean BLEW) Razorback guard Brandon Burlsworth totally off the line into the Arky backfield and QB Clint Stoerner tripped on his foot causing the famous "stumble & fumble" and Ratliff then got the ball! I don't care how many times you watch that ending you can tell both sides of the Vols line smelled Hog blood and would not be denied.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Tennessee_Volunteers_football_team
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#43
#43
volfan102455 said:
I know that but the media was anti Tennessee all throughout that day, making the case for both UCLA, K-State and the one loss teams. Even after Tennessee was selected they were still saying one of the other 1 loss teams was the better choice.

Tennessee won at least 2 of those games that year by sheer luck. It wasn't like we dominated all year long - because we didn't.
Click to expand...

i think by the time we beat Auburn FL and GA, it was pretty apparent that team was really good. that FL game was as hard fought a game by both sides as maybe i've seen. we did dominate GA, and though the score didn't necessarily reflect it, we steamrolled Auburn.

the Arkansas game, i don't think anyone saw Ark being as good as they were that season. at the time we played, both were undefeated, and Arkansas was ranked i think 8th, and had they won that game, would have put themselves right in the BCS picture.

while i won't argue the circumstances, cause that game was all but lost, but when they recovered the fumble, it wasn't like it was inside the 5. we had to go 1/2 a field score a touchdown to win, and did. the fumble per se didn't win the game. it just provided the opportunity, so at least there's credit for taking advantage of it.

when i think "sheer luck" i think Miami returning a fumble recovery 92 yards against BC for the win in one of their title runs. or Nebraska/Mo in 97 when there was a kicked tip in the endzone for the win. or CO getting 5 downs on the goal line in their co national title season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#44
#44
highspeed said:
We had a losing streak against UF that had the fanbase very frustrated heading into that season as well. There were probably more conversations pre-season about whether or not we could snap that streak than there were about winning championships. Of course in those days it was also basically a given that whoever won that game would win the East and probably the SEC as those were clearly the top 2 programs in the conference for several years there.
Click to expand...

Yes and the game was won in OT. We had lost the last 5 to Florida.
 
#45
#45
Who ever heard of Dion Grant before the one handed interception against fl? Who ever heard of Travis Henry or Travis Stephens before Jamal Lewis went down? Who ever heard of Cedric Wilson before Tee Martin started airing it out after the Ga game? Stars were emerging during the season before our eyes. When that happens then the perception of our team can awing 180 degrees instantly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#46
#46
volfan102455 said:
I know that but the media was anti Tennessee all throughout that day, making the case for both UCLA, K-State and the one loss teams. Even after Tennessee was selected they were still saying one of the other 1 loss teams was the better choice.

Tennessee won at least 2 of those games that year by sheer luck. It wasn't like we dominated all year long - because we didn't.
Click to expand...

The media has to create drama. It's what they do. The teams left out are always the better choice, blah blah blah.

Nothing new. But to your point FSU was favored in the NC game.
 
#47
#47
46yrvol said:
Who ever heard of Dion Grant before the one handed interception against fl? Who ever heard of Travis Henry or Travis Stephens before Jamal Lewis went down? Who ever heard of Cedric Wilson before Tee Martin started airing it out after the Ga game? Stars were emerging during the season before our eyes. When that happens then the perception of our team can awing 180 degrees instantly.
Click to expand...

it can, but even that year, as well as they did, and they just kept winning, nationally it felt like most were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

people still talk about that title game as a farse because weinke didn't play...but no one ever brings up the fact that FSU was still favored to win, and most everyone that picked the game picked FSU to win.

those that picked TN did so out of "team of destiny" idea, not necessarily b/c they had any tangible reasons to pick us. which was fine, and there probably was a little of that to it as well.

bottom line, imo, Tennessee earned that title. we weren't the pre season gimmie pick for a national title. we weren't on everyone's top 5 list, and it was, as has been mentioned already, debatable up to the last week of the season whether TN, KSU, or UCLA should get a spot in that game. in the end, TN is the only one that wound up controlling it's own destiny.

that season, for that kind of team, was the epitomy of taking it one week at a time, and not listening to the outside "stuff".
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#48
#48
Echoing what most have already said, most thought it would be a rebuilding year. There were already "Fire Fulmer" rumblings before the season.

There was very little widely-publicized recruiting information in those days, so many people were unaware of the extraordinary amount of talent we had compiled in the 1996, 1997, and 1998 classes.

The win over Florida caught people off guard, and in those days, they were considered the only major obstacle between us and the SEC (and national) title games. Alabama and Georgia struggled during that period, and both were considered "should" wins.

Many of the wins looked sloppy, and negavol'ing persisted throughout the season, going into the national title game. Also, there were crude sports message boards in those days (see Missouri's board, tigerboard.com, for an idea of what they looked like), and there was considerable hate directed at UT.
 
#49
#49
volfan102455 said:
1990 (Majors) = 9-2-2 finished 8th AP
1991 (Majors) = 9-3 finished 14th AP
1992 (Majors) = 9-3 finished 12th AP
1992 (Fulmer) = 10-2 finished 12th AP (actually 9-2-1 - the tie became a win because of the forfeit)
1994 (Fulmer) = 8-4 finished 22nd AP
1995 (Fulmer) = 11-1 finished 3rd in AP
1996 (Fulmer) = 10-2 finished 9th in AP
1997 (Fulmer) = 11-2 finished 7th in AP
1998 (Fulmer) = 13-0 finished 1st in AP
1999 (Fulmer) = 9-3 finished 9th in AP

6 of those seasons would be unacceptable to most on here because they were less than 10 wins and from another post we all know that 10 wins is the bar.

Many on here would have been saying "Fire Fulmer" in 1994. He was 3-4 that year after the Alabama game.
Click to expand...

I like how you conveniently forget Butch gets an extra game to get ten wins from. As stated a billion+ times on here, ten wins isn't what it used to be
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top