Tennessee - Big Ten Bullies

[GahLee]

Nope. If we can't win the natty I'd rather have the team we lost to by 5 points win it.

It makes us look good. And it'll motivate our players more since they'll see how close they are to being national champs.

This is pure ignorance. Nobody is going to pat UT on the back for almost beating Alabama. I hope they lose every game for eternity, as any Vol fan should.

 

[GahLee]

No. I think you don't get it.

College football today is all about perception. If the team you beat or lose to goes out and wins the rest of its games, it makes you look good. Whether that means your resume gets a quality win or the loss doesn't look so bad.

For example, Bowling Green winning 10 games and the MAC made our win week 1 look more impressive by the end of the year. I rooted for Bowling Green all year to win it's other games so we could look good.

Same reason I'm rooting for Alabama now.

Stop posting. Immediately.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

In case you haven't noticed, UT plays in the SEC, meaning that if they win all their games next year (or lose only one, like Alabama this year) and win the conference championship, they will be in the playoff, no ifs, ands, or buts. Therefore, it doesn't matter one iota whether Oklahoma or Alabama or anybody else wins or loses. If we played in Conference USA or maybe even the Pac 12, maybe it would matter, but we don't. We play in the universally recognized toughest conference in America. All we have to do next year or any year in the foreseeable future is win.

To hell with 'Bama.

Scott, I applaud your emotion, but question your logic.

The reason, the only reason, that the SEC is so universally recognized as the toughest conference in college football is because we collectively win a lot more than we lose out of conference. Especially in big games, Power 5 vs Power 5 games. From that, you can conclude that to continue to be viewed as the toughest conference, we have to keep winning when our teams play teams from other conferences. It really is that simple.

Now, no single game is going to overturn that. So Alabama could lose to Clemson, and the "SEC advantage" would not go away. But a series of key losses, over time, will erode our advantage...take last year's 5 big losses by SEC West teams in bowls, for instance. That tarnished our image, enough that this year people were--for the first time in a long time--talking about the PAC or B10 being the toughest conference in the US. Others disagreed with them, but just the fact that the door was open was an indicator of a shift.

So cheer for whoever you like in the NC game next week. It alone won't kill the SEC's advantage. Just keep in mind that, as a championship game, it will weigh more heavily than other OOC games, and will contribute to the nation's perception of the conference. Either way.

Me, I'm hoping Bama wins. I don't hate them, just love beating them when WE play them. And I like being in the toughest conference in college football.

Go Vols!

 

[brink637]

I'm pulling for Clemson. I think they're less a threat to our recruiting.

 

[Remy]

I'm embarrassed by some of these comments. I know it's just to convey how much hatred toward Bama you have, but you might think twice, especially if you know someone who sacrificed his life over in the sandbox to those animals. And everyone on here knows we have a bunch of military or retired military people on this board...

Dude, I had sand in my boots when the USS Cole was blown up in Yemen and a DD214 I am very proud of along with base privileges to this day anywhere on this globe. No need for you or any veteran to attempt lecture me about service to our nation. If I want to make a humor about Bin Laden and Bammer I will. Had I run into the guy I'd have left him field dressed on a fence post on the highway to Dammam from Riyadh.

 

[thebjd]

Scott, I applaud your emotion, but question your logic.

The reason, the only reason, that the SEC is so universally recognized as the toughest conference in college football is because we collectively win a lot more than we lose out of conference. Especially in big games, Power 5 vs Power 5 games. From that, you can conclude that to continue to be viewed as the toughest conference, we have to keep winning when our teams play teams from other conferences. It really is that simple.

Now, no single game is going to overturn that. So Alabama could lose to Clemson, and the "SEC advantage" would not go away. But a series of key losses, over time, will erode our advantage...take last year's 5 big losses by SEC West teams in bowls, for instance. That tarnished our image, enough that this year people were--for the first time in a long time--talking about the PAC or B10 being the toughest conference in the US. Others disagreed with them, but just the fact that the door was open was an indicator of a shift.

So cheer for whoever you like in the NC game next week. It alone won't kill the SEC's advantage. Just keep in mind that, as a championship game, it will weigh more heavily than other OOC games, and will contribute to the nation's perception of the conference. Either way.

Me, I'm hoping Bama wins. I don't hate them, just love beating them when WE play them. And I like being in the toughest conference in college football.

Go Vols!

I know this has been beaten to death but here is my take again. Bama is Bama regardless of the conference affiliation. The same was true of Tennessee and will be again. Elite programs are going to remain prestigious regardless of the conference. Look at OSU, FSU, USC etc. They all get hyped because of who they are. I can muster some SEC pride for Ole Miss, MSU, and other teams in the conference but when it comes to the heavyweights in the conference I will only pull for one.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I know this has been beaten to death but here is my take again. Bama is Bama regardless of the conference affiliation. The same was true of Tennessee and will be again. Elite programs are going to remain prestigious regardless of the conference. Look at OSU, FSU, USC etc. They all get hyped because of who they are. I can muster some SEC pride for Ole Miss, MSU, and other teams in the conference but when it comes to the heavyweights in the conference I will only pull for one.

There's great validity to this, BJD, I agree. But even the heavyweights benefit from conference affiliation. It may not be the "slingshot" for them that it can be for lesser programs, but it still helps.

*shrug* I'm just an SEC fan (first and foremost a Vols fan, of course). I like being in this storied, rich conference and I like its member programs. Especially when we whup all dey butts.

 

[Wylo]

If Bama played ISIS I'd be in the stands wearing a fake beard and a turbin!

So, you hate rednecks more than murderers?


Brilliant

 

[Sassenach]

I have a co worker that is a complete arrogant arse wipe alabama fan during football season. He always has an excuse for why the loose blah blah blah. I would like to see alabama lose just to hear his excuse. It will and has never been that the better team out played them

 

[82_VOL_83]

In case you haven't noticed, UT plays in the SEC, meaning that if they win all their games next year (or lose only one, like Alabama this year) and win the conference championship, they will be in the playoff, no ifs, ands, or buts. Therefore, it doesn't matter one iota whether Oklahoma or Alabama or anybody else wins or loses. If we played in Conference USA or maybe even the Pac 12, maybe it would matter, but we don't. We play in the universally recognized toughest conference in America. All we have to do next year or any year in the foreseeable future is win.

To hell with 'Bama.

In case you haven't noticed the SEC is the SEC due to teams like Bama, FL, and UT etc.

 

[82_VOL_83]

There's great validity to this, BJD, I agree. But even the heavyweights benefit from conference affiliation. It may not be the "slingshot" for them that it can be for lesser programs, but it still helps.

*shrug* I'm just an SEC fan (first and foremost a Vols fan, of course). I like being in this storied, rich conference and I like its member programs. Especially when we whup all dey butts.

If possible I would wish 12-0 on those we don't play and 11-1 on those we do and 2 losses on the West Champ that we beat every year in the SECCG. That's how I feel about the SEC. I know it's not possible but would be nice.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Stop posting. Immediately.

Not a thing he said was wrong.

 

[82_VOL_83]

This is pure ignorance. Nobody is going to pat UT on the back for almost beating Alabama. I hope they lose every game for eternity, as any Vol fan should.

I love people telling others how to be fans. Maybe the 4 or 5 that attempt to do this every time this comes up should just shoulder the donation burden of all those that think you are an idiot. Then you you can tell everyone how they should behave as a VOL Fan.