Some of our “fans”….

[DaddyChad]

I’ve seen outrage from just about every fan of college football on social media most of which aren’t vol fan, some of which admit to hating the vols but say we got jobbed. Why do we always have some “fans” that try to defend the officials when we get jobbed or throw everyone else under the bus? Some are so worried about getting on Heupel’s ass that they’re ready to give the officials a pass on that call.

 

[VolArmy74]

I’ve seen outrage from just about every fan of college football on social media most of which aren’t vol fan, some of which admit to hating the vols but say we got jobbed. Why do we always have some “fans” that try to defend the officials when we get jobbed or throw everyone else under the bus? Some are so worried about getting on Heupel’s ass that they’re ready to give the officials a pass on that call.

Probably the most baffling other than the couple who are defending the ref are the ones bashing the offense and saying Hooker didn't play well and that it wasn't a well called game on offense. Hooker set a UT bowl game record for TD passes. He had almost 400 yards and no interceptions. He completed 64 percent of his passes and had a QB rating over 180. He added 60 yards rushing. We put up over 50 points ( I'm counting the OT that we scored under the rules of football). We had a back go for nearly 200 yards, good enough to tie for 2nd in UT Bowl history. The offense put up almost 700 yards. The time of possession was even. This was honestly maybe the best game the offense played this season besides maybe Missouri. Yet tons of people are bashing the play calling on offense. The defense was atrocious and deserves to be called out. We could have really used Taylor tonight but that's just what it is.

 

[DaddyChad]

Probably the most baffling other than the couple who are defending the ref are the ones bashing the offense and saying Hooker didn't play well and that it wasn't a well called game on offense. Hooker set a UT bowl game record for TD passes. He had almost 400 yards and no interceptions. He completed 64 percent of his passes and had a QB rating over 180. He added 60 yards rushing. We put up over 50 points ( I'm counting the OT that we scored under the rules of football). We had a back go for nearly 200 yards, good enough to tie for 2nd in UT Bowl history. The offense put up almost 700 yards. The time of possession was even. This was honestly maybe the best game the offense played this season besides maybe Missouri. Yet tons of people are bashing the play calling on offense. The defense was atrocious and deserves to be called out. We could have really used Taylor tonight but that's just what it is.

Hooker was good. Had a bad second quarter and an over throw that could’ve been a TD at the end of regulation then the throw that should’ve been a TD but the receiver was held. He played a fine game.

 

[MadisonvilleVol]

Some of our fans are a damn embarrassment. I tried reading a few of the game threads and couldn’t stomach the ****. Fire Heupel. Fire Banks. Etc. I’m all for discussing the game, play calls, or whatever but to read some of these thread makes me sick to be associated with any of these clowns. Hopefully the liquor will wear off and they will delete their nonsense but I doubt it.

 

[Chad F]

The officiating was terrible last night. No doubt about it. However, this team has to learn how to find a way to win. That game should have been won in regulation. It was a tough night that, I hope, ends up as a major learning point for this team.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I like Heupel. Not too crazy about Martinez or Tim banks defense may be worse next season with our departures.

 

[vols 30]

I like Heupel. Not too crazy about Martinez or Tim banks defense may be worse next season with our departures.

I don't think the defense gets better, maybe a little. There isn't much talent on that side of the ball.

The offense might be even better though. We are going to have to score a ton of points each game which shouldn't be a problem most games

 

[MurphyVol]

It was a poorly called game by the refs, no doubt. I don't think it makes me a "fan" if I'm disappointed that we gave up 600+ yards to a Purdue team that was missing their best offensive player.

I don't think there's anything wrong with being concerned about being 104th in passing yards allowed and and 103rd in 3rd down conversions. I certainly hope CJH is concerned about it.

Those of us familiar with Martinez aren't shocked. As soon as Coach moves on from him we'll take a step forward as a program.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

It's possible to do both, you know?

The officials sucked. The way Heupel handled the end of regulation sucked. Neither cancels the other out.

 

[1985Vols]

I don't think the defense gets better, maybe a little. There isn't much talent on that side of the ball.

The offense might be even better though. We are going to have to score a ton of points each game which shouldn't be a problem most games

Just saw where an All American safety from Northwestern hit the Portal yesterday. Wish we could somehow get him. We need to clean house in our defensive backfield because all of our DB’s are pedestrian at best

 

[southgatevol]

It's possible to do both, you know?

The officials sucked. The way Heupel handled the end of regulation sucked. Neither cancels the other out.

It is possible. It is also possible for these to be true AND have "fans" who are incessantly ignorant and obnoxious.

 

[Volsfannn]

It is possible. It is also possible for these to be true AND have "fans" who are incessantly ignorant and obnoxious.

Not going to beat many quality opponents with a defense giving up average 38 points per game. The play calling in the final minute with timeouts was beyond mind boggling. To not see that and not criticize that is blind allegiance. Defense has been problematic all season. Questionable play calling in the ole miss, pitt, Florida, and Bama games this season. Even the Kentucky game had questionable calls. In tight games on certain offensive possessions, you have to figure a way to get defense a breather later in the game when running this super pace offense. Multiple times this season he gassed an absolutely tanked defense running 3 running plays up the middle for net minus yardage taking 15 seconds off the clock. Twice inside red zone in the bama game. I like the job Heupel is doing. Hopefully can fix the defense somehow, until then this season is our ceiling, not going to beat the big 3 until that happens.

 

[615vols]

Probably the most baffling other than the couple who are defending the ref are the ones bashing the offense and saying Hooker didn't play well and that it wasn't a well called game on offense. Hooker set a UT bowl game record for TD passes. He had almost 400 yards and no interceptions. He completed 64 percent of his passes and had a QB rating over 180. He added 60 yards rushing. We put up over 50 points ( I'm counting the OT that we scored under the rules of football). We had a back go for nearly 200 yards, good enough to tie for 2nd in UT Bowl history. The offense put up almost 700 yards. The time of possession was even. This was honestly maybe the best game the offense played this season besides maybe Missouri. Yet tons of people are bashing the play calling on offense. The defense was atrocious and deserves to be called out. We could have really used Taylor tonight but that's just what it is.

Of course, but the way our last possession in regulation was handled was just awful. All we had to do was pick up another 10 yards and kick a game winning fg, we had the timeouts, and what do we do? Call two deep balls down the sideline in a row. This was idiotic enough, especially considering hooker was off on the deeper passes the whole game. I like heupel, and the refs sucked a**, but there’s no denying heupel sh** the bed on that series.

 

[jbr82]

I’ve seen outrage from just about every fan of college football on social media most of which aren’t vol fan, some of which admit to hating the vols but say we got jobbed. Why do we always have some “fans” that try to defend the officials when we get jobbed or throw everyone else under the bus? Some are so worried about getting on Heupel’s ass that they’re ready to give the officials a pass on that call.

I don’t know but what really gets me is in the past 10+ yrs we have willfully blind fans that criticized and blame their fellow fans for TN football sucking. Many fans took up for suck coaches and even certain players.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I love our fans but they also make me sick to my stomach.

If you’re defending the outcome of this garbage Bowl Game, then you’re no better than the idiots who took a TD away from us.

It was rigged, everybody else said we were robbed. There’s nothing more to discuss.

I’m glad Heupel had enough balls to play to win instead of our loser formal coaches who played not to lose.

 

[Alto1]

A lot of them or their family members are youth or HS officials themselves and take it personally. Thin skinned.

 

[CAVPUT]

It's possible to do both, you know?

The officials sucked. The way Heupel handled the end of regulation sucked. Neither cancels the other out.

Exactly. It's all part of being a "fan" and being "invested" in the program. It's over the top to call for firings, but that's the instant gratification world we live in now. It's reasonable to be critical of the coaching decisions and performances in this game. Heupel is who UCF fans told us he was. Shouldn't have been surprised by his coaching, but it did anger me. Guess I'm just old school. Going for it on 4th instead of kicking FG just isn't something I can relate with. As for Hooker, he did have nice stats, but he wasn't making the plays we needed when we needed them in order to win this game. I know you can't make every throw, but he hits one of those over throws and UT likely wins that game. There are player who just seem to have that knack for making the play that a team needs when they need it. Hooker didn't do that and I think it's reasonable to be upset at the over throws since that's what we've had to endure with JG and Milton. Being critical isn't being a "bad fan". It goes along with fandom just like cheering your team. Two sides of the same coin. Fandom does not mean you have to be a deaf, dumb and blind sheep.

 

[KeyVol14]

Probably the most baffling other than the couple who are defending the ref are the ones bashing the offense and saying Hooker didn't play well and that it wasn't a well called game on offense. Hooker set a UT bowl game record for TD passes. He had almost 400 yards and no interceptions. He completed 64 percent of his passes and had a QB rating over 180. He added 60 yards rushing. We put up over 50 points ( I'm counting the OT that we scored under the rules of football). We had a back go for nearly 200 yards, good enough to tie for 2nd in UT Bowl history. The offense put up almost 700 yards. The time of possession was even. This was honestly maybe the best game the offense played this season besides maybe Missouri. Yet tons of people are bashing the play calling on offense. The defense was atrocious and deserves to be called out. We could have really used Taylor tonight but that's just what it is.

My only gripe was going for the deep throws towards the end of regulation when we only needed 10 yards to make it a chip shot FG but in saying that, we had wide open TDs and the refs (shocker) missed a defensive PI on Purdue when they held on Tillman. If there is anyone to blame it’s banks play calling. He should have brought pressure all night

 

[Sarms58]

The officiating was terrible last night. No doubt about it. However, this team has to learn how to find a way to win. That game should have been won in regulation. It was a tough night that, I hope, ends up as a major learning point for this team.

The biggest problem I saw with how we responded to the officiating was that the DBs, particularly Burrell, never modified how he covered. He plays physical with lots of hands on and that’s allowed more by some officials than others. But just like with hitters and pitchers, you have to adjust to the strike zone and he never did.

Of course we were very thin at DB last night with our best corner gone and our best backups also unavailable. People are gonna hate on Burrell but the coaches do generally play the best available players. We need to get a stud corner either in the next class or via the portal.

Outside of officiating we had our share of problems. Once again without Mays on the OL we struggled in our short yardage game. Not counting the infamous TD run in overtime, we were stopped on multiple attempts. We signed a top OL prospect in this years class but we’re still hurting depth wise from our losses via the portal. It would be nice to pick up an SEC ready OL in the portal before next year.

And Hooker did not have his best game. In fact, I can’t recall him missing so badly on open receivers all year. We easily left 21 points on the field due to missed throws to wide open receivers.

I was really hyped up for a win but we just didn’t play well enough to take it out of the referee’s hands. But this year does give us hope for the future - something we didn’t have this time last year.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

It wasn’t our best coached game, there is no doubt about that. I have questions about the final drive play-calling mostly. But, I’m not going to get on Heupel’s rear end about a bowl game.

We scored 45 points in regulation. I would say 95% of the time that should be more than enough to win. But, we didn’t because our defense is extremely bad. We left a few touchdowns on the field in the 2nd quarter, but….45 points. Hard to be upset with that.

You HAVE to fix this defense in the portal this off-season otherwise this team’s ceiling is probably 8 wins next year.

 

[southgatevol]

Exactly. It's all part of being a "fan" and being "invested" in the program. It's over the top to call for firings, but that's the instant gratification world we live in now. It's reasonable to be critical of the coaching decisions and performances in this game. Heupel is who UCF fans told us he was. Shouldn't have been surprised by his coaching, but it did anger me. Guess I'm just old school. Going for it on 4th instead of kicking FG just isn't something I can relate with. As for Hooker, he did have nice stats, but he wasn't making the plays we needed when we needed them in order to win this game. I know you can't make every throw, but he hits one of those over throws and UT likely wins that game. There are player who just seem to have that knack for making the play that a team needs when they need it. Hooker didn't do that and I think it's reasonable to be upset at the over throws since that's what we've had to endure with JG and Milton. Being critical isn't being a "bad fan". It goes along with fandom just like cheering your team. Two sides of the same coin. Fandom does not mean you have to be a deaf, dumb and blind sheep.

Kinda with you on the FG instead of going for it on 4th. However I remember the time when we had conservative play calling and fans would complain about why we never go for it on 4th down like good coaches would. If whatever is called works it's intelligent coaching, doesn't, we have an idiot for a coach. Would have helped if they would have called the jersey "tug".

 

[TheFlash1971]

The 3 straight pass interference calls on our corner was bogus.
Tennessee had 160 something in penalty yards.
Purdue had like 50 or 60 something.
That’s means no matter what we were going to get jobbed at some point .
My mind we won , nothing against Purdue but the refs gave them that game.

 

[VolArmy74]

My only gripe was going for the deep throws towards the end of regulation when we only needed 10 yards to make it a chip shot FG but in saying that, we had wide open TDs and the refs (shocker) missed a defensive PI on Purdue when they held on Tillman. If there is anyone to blame it’s banks play calling. He should have brought pressure all night

See, it was 10 yards from a long FG, not a chip shot at all. It was 20+ yards from a chip shot.