Reality of Our Situation

[beneVOLence]

Who said we were elite? I'll shut up and listen.

 

[djohnnyg]

Of course we're not elite....but this season some measure of order has been restored in Tennessee football. Beating teams like Miss. State, South Carolina, Kentucky Vandy...and Mizzou just like the old days. This season restored some pride and dignity in Vol football. No...we're not there yet...but UT proved it isn't dying and just going away with our tail between our legs...never to be heard from again. The domination of Kentucky has always been one of those "Vol things" that goes back to my childhood...and we've been able to maintain that despite the misery of some very bad seasons. Vol football still matters...and this year proved that. Imo. This year the echoes of Neyland have been stirred.

 

[OHvol40]

Shame on us fans for enjoying a 1-4 team nearly winning out! Shame!

 

[sjt18]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

So you misinterpreted the enthusiasm of some over pretty obvious improvements... and just had to pee on their legs?

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

I don't try to keep track of what everyone said here... but haven't you been one of the ones who made those 7 teams out to be too much for UT prior to the games? UK is a good team that got exactly the game they wanted against UT... and UT still won. Mizzou's D has been good most of the year. Mizzou and UK will finish the year 1 and 2 in the SEC in pass D. UT won throwing the ball against both.

Vandy is awful. OTOH, 6 other SEC teams have a win on their record because of Vandy. But UT's shouldn't count?

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

UT has a coach that has improved the team's play. The rest doesn't mean much at this point. There is significant improvement on the lines which to some of us is pretty encouraging considering what we saw under Jones. The DL is a patchwork of low expectation players and guys who changed positions. They played a big part along with JG in the way the season began. They're now playing very good. "Elite"? No. But the improvement is pretty massive.

The teams UT has beaten aren't great. But I'd take MSU, Mizzou, UK, and USCe against BYU or Ga State. Not as sure about Vandy. The point being UT has improved and would beat both of those teams the way they should have now.

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

Yeah. My excitement about EG is tempered too but more because of what he hasn't done in previous games. But he still put in the work. Enjoy it. Or would you rather the last 3 years? If it had been in JG's hands tonight... that's what you would have seen.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

No. A coach's performance has to be viewed in context. I don't care that much about awards... but Pruitt did a very good job when he could have lost this team.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

I won't predict success for Pruitt at UT. Too many things could break against him. But if you can't see that he's a MUCH better coach of the game than Jones... you're beyond help.

 

[vol66]

Ah hell folks, it’s just football. We played well enough to win today. I hate Vandy, probably skews my point of view.

 

[thehardknoxlife]

I was very critical of the team as most were at the start of the year. I said after the 2nd game that I didn't see very much improvement from the previous year. Fast forward till now, and if you don't see the improvement of this team, you are very blind and just look at the box scores after every game. They made huge strides the 2nd half of the season, especially the defense. Do I think they are elite, no, but they are improving at an above average rate and is why they finished strong no matter the team they played. That's what makes elite teams, improvement going forward. They also did this while tinkering QB's around because of below average play at the position. If they could have played the first two games at the end of the season, they would be a 9 win team, possibly even a 10 win team had the bama game went a bit different. The bowl game will tell a lot about the team as they should be facing a quality opponent. They are the best 7-5 team in the nation, hands down, even the real experts say it.

 

[vol66]

In other news...all is right at Rutgers.

 

[NickZ4UT]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

This is the absolute dumbest damn thing I have read today.

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Just move on to another team/sport. This situation is clearly not working for you op.

 

[Dudleys87]

@Freak can you appoint someone with the proper credentials to NOT approve threads like this?

Admins do enough already.

 

[Big Ugly Vol]

OP, think back to how bad it was. It seemed Pruitt had lost a lot of the fan base and was teetering on the edge of losing the team. Myself, I had to stop watching for a week or two just to keep my sanity. The players kept saying, don’t give up on us, and it seemed each week we were just a little better. There’s much to be proud of here. It’s not where we want to be, but it’s a step in the right direction. I think the Vol fans are totally irrational at times, but not one person has said we were elite.

 

[JohnD13]

What it's the point of this drivel?

Nothing.......

 

[FLVOL_79]

to make sure no one enjoys the positive ending

He had a positive ending, the rest of us had a happy ending..

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

Whiners gonna whine.
They do it every time.
They just can't, can't be happy no matter what;
Even with a curb-stomped team suddenly kicking butt.
Removing years and years of loser stench;
Wih freshman players coming off the bench.
Whiners gonna whine.
They do it every time.

 

[LittleVol]

I’ll say this. When Bayside used to beat the crap out of Valley every year, they were pretty elite thanks to A.C. Slater.

Hahaha.
Very under appreciated post.
Bayside never asked "Preppy" to come out for the team.

 

[Teeman]

Beats losing.

 

[EZE]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

Much of what you say is true. However, this is Year 2 and progress has been made. We don’t know what Pruitt’s ceiling is yet. I have been as hard on him as anybody, but the best case scenario is for him to continue elevating this program.

 

[therealitytheory]

Sitting here watching replay of Bowden and KY steamrolling Louisville - gives me a better appreciation of our win in Lexington.

Wrong thread?

 

[Power T-Rev]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

Just enjoy it, dude. Jeesh

 

[csprig9]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

Let’s fire the coaches and see how well that works out for us again
7 wins is an improvement
We weren’t beating those guys just last year
Find something else to complain about and go cheer for WSU or whoever else you wanted to be the coach

 

[CAVPUT]

Maybe it is just that I am a realist or maybe even a Debbie Downer. However, I have read many posts over the past couple of weeks that seem to have me feeling we are elite again.

The reality of our situation is this:

We are 7-5; not 10-2 or even 9-3 but a seven win team. Those seven wins are against very bad teams with one of those teams (UAB) not having a single impressive win. On top of that, we got beat by Ga State and BYU!

On getting beat by BYU and Ga State as well as who we actually beat, we do not have a coach of the year coach! We, Tennessee fans, are very fond of two of our receivers this year. However, neither are going to win any awards or go in the first round or even the second of the NFL draft!

We had a record setting RB tonight. He set the record against a typical Vandy team with a losing record! In fact, the previous record was set against a Georgia team.

When we have break out, record setting performances against teams who are ranked and we win those games, then COY honors and All-American statuses can be proclaimed.

On to maintaining the Butch standard in beating lesser quality teams at the end of the season and then beating some over ranked Iowa, Nebraska or whichever the over ranked bowl opponent we have!

Look, no one is proclaiming this to be a good UT team much less a great UT team. It's a team down to what...60 scholarship players? We are woefully thin and very young. Rebuilding this program is akin to learning to walk as a child. You take baby steps, walk then run. It's a process/progression. We have a winning record for the first time in a while. We are going to a bowl game for the first time in a while. We FINISHED a season in winning fashion for the first time in a while. We have a good culture in and around this program for the first time in a while. Bottom line is that we've got things going in the right direction for the first time in a while.

I don't think any fan, coach or player would say this is an acceptable norm, but everyone involved needs to show some patience. There's no way to quickly flip a roster, develop SEC level strength and depth. You'll enjoy things a lot more if you accept reality and enjoy watching the transformation.

 

[norrislakevol]

Of course we're not elite....but this season some measure of order has been restored in Tennessee football. Beating teams like Miss. State, South Carolina, Kentucky Vandy...and Mizzou just like the old days. This season restored some pride and dignity in Vol football. No...we're not there yet...but UT proved it isn't dying and just going away with our tail between our legs...never to be heard from again. The domination of Kentucky has always been one of those "Vol things" that goes back to my childhood...and we've been able to maintain that despite the misery of some very bad seasons. Vol football still matters...and this year proved that. Imo. This year the echoes of Neyland have been stirred.

Right. This year Tennessee has turned the ship around. It should be a rarity for the Vols to lose to teams with lesser talent from here on out. The last ten years we have unfortunately seen plenty of that!

 

[SPRINGHILLVOL]

Great to finish 7-5... still need to know they should have gone 9-3 with the weak, weak teams in SEC
East. Every team we beat in the SEC East has a losing SEC record. So does Mississippi State. They beat lousy teams, including the fluff schedule... I will get excited when Tennessee next year has a win over
Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, or Alabama... Otherwise my excitement is very limited. I hope they do it but per last 10 years it is hard to watch a team play like they do.... I am sick of watching them always lose to Florida, Georgia, Alabama and pad their wins with cupcakes !!

 

[utvolpj]

Beats losing.

This seems to be lost on too many right now. 4 game winning streak, winning sec record, etc. Learn to enjoy it after what we've been thru the last few years

 

[The Original Fade]

Who have we beat that has so impressed you?

SC clearly mailed it in the second half of the year, but they did give UGA their only loss, at home no less and we destroyed them. I thought that performance was well as the passing performance against Mizzouri’s D was impressive.

But you go ahead and find the negativity wherever you can, but the rest of us will continue to feel good about our future.