Syracuse: Deep Breath

#26
#26
The 1998 Syracuse game is a completely inappropriate reference. Last night was actually more like the 1998 Arkansas game.

Either way, we're still going undefeated and winning the National Championship.
 
#28
#28
In that Syracuse game, Syracuse was rightly called for pass interference on a 4th down UT pass with a couple of minutes remaining in the game and the Vols trailing by two. We got a first down, moved it down the field and Hall kicked the game winner. Hall's kicking percentage going into that game was .647--not all that great. But then he hit another game winner against florida a couple of weeks later. He won two games, at least, on our way to national title. Money!
 
#29
#29
Syracuse also played its home games at that time in one of those horrible--and horribly loud--bubbles. Tough place to play. It was like the old "homer dome" baseball field that the Minnesota Twins used to play in that was incredibly noisy.
 
#30
#30
illinoisvolfan1 said:
Responding to my own post - think we could hire that Appy coach??
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I had the same thoughts last night as I was watching Butch get out-coached! Hopefully it was just first game jitters, and everyone will settle down and get in gear. I really think the offense had better work extra hard at practice this week.
 
#31
#31
armchair said:
Syracuse also played its home games at that time in one of those horrible--and horribly loud--bubbles. Tough place to play. It was like the old "homer dome" baseball field that the Minnesota Twins used to play in that was incredibly noisy.
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They still do.
 
#36
#36
05_never_again said:
No parallels to that game. That game was on the road, Syracuse was ranked #17, and they had a QB taken 2nd overall in the draft the next year.
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Sorry, but first games of the year are always treacherous and App State was as good as 'Cuse. Just sayin...
 
#38
#38
The better comparison is 1989. That year, we opened at home against a middling Colorado St. team that would go on to a 5-5-1 record in the old WAC. We beat them 17-14. The next week, Tennessee went out to Los Angeles and beat a top 10 UCLA team 24-6, en route to an 11-1 record.

That's the only time in my living memory where we looked horrendous in the first game, survived, and went on to have a great season. I'm much more worried this is a repeat of 2005 (17-10 over UAB as a preseason #3 team, went on to 5-6 record).

(h/t Beano on Basilio's show)
 
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#40
#40
Volador said:
Little did anyone know that the win we escaped with at Syracuse would lead towards a NC and undefeated season. We rocked the Carrier Dome in the first half and then the Vols fell apart in the second half. With a few breaks and a tough call against the Orangemen, we walked out of that stadium with a W. Not a pretty, sexy, proud or gleeful W, but a W just the same.
Easy to point at what we feel went wrong last night but as Butch said after the game "Good teams find ways to win".

We beat a scrappy and determined team last night. Let's focus on what it will take to defeat VaTech. My immediate thoughts go towards improving our call playing on both sides of the ball. We have uncovered some weaknesses and need to make adjustments.

Anyone else have suggestions for our coaching staff?

Go Vols!
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It's not 1998 anymore, hth. :hi:
 
#42
#42
AboveAllNations said:
The 1998 Syracuse game is a completely inappropriate reference. Last night was actually more like the 1998 Arkansas game.

Either way, we're still going undefeated and winning the National Championship.
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Wow Wow Wow. Syracuse was an ugly first win of the season. Last night was an ugly first win of the season. And btw, I never said that the two teams were equal opponents, did I? (even though time might prove us all wrong - which would only help our strength of schedule)

Optometrist is Now Open if someone cannot SEE the very simple comparison. And the point of the thread was asking VN what do we need to do to focus on the VaTech game??

Go Vols!
 
#43
#43
Volador said:
Wow Wow Wow. Syracuse was an ugly first win of the season. Last night was an ugly first win of the season. And btw, I never said that the two teams were equal opponents, did I? (even though time might prove us all wrong - which would only help our strength of schedule)

Optometrist is Now Open if someone cannot SEE the very simple comparison. And the point of the thread was asking VN what do we need to do to focus on the VaTech game??

Go Vols!
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So was 2005.
 
#44
#44
peyton4heisman said:
Careful with the Syracuse references! I got cussed badly last night in the Official Game thread for saying "Remember Syracuse '98!"

Oooooooo were the responses ugly and barely coherent!

:)
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I kept flashing back to last year against Arky. Ball control offense, strong running game and little opportunities for the offense. Thankfully, I believe, Appy got wore down. The fake cramps were an obvious indicator. I could see them controlling the ball the majority of the second half and the Vols never having a chance. Thankfully it didn't happen.
 
#45
#45
Volador said:
Little did anyone know that the win we escaped with at Syracuse would lead towards a NC and undefeated season. We rocked the Carrier Dome in the first half and then the Vols fell apart in the second half. With a few breaks and a tough call against the Orangemen, we walked out of that stadium with a W. Not a pretty, sexy, proud or gleeful W, but a W just the same.
Easy to point at what we feel went wrong last night but as Butch said after the game "Good teams find ways to win".

We beat a scrappy and determined team last night. Let's focus on what it will take to defeat VaTech. My immediate thoughts go towards improving our call playing on both sides of the ball. We have uncovered some weaknesses and need to make adjustments.

Anyone else have suggestions for our coaching staff?

Go Vols!
Click to expand...
Or the 05 opening game against UAB. At this point I simply don't know. It will be a mystery until after next wk or even through Sept
 
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