"Tennessee is always overrated"

[05_never_again]

I'm curious - where exactly is the evidence for this meme coming from observers of the program?

When I go back and look at previous seasons and the expectations going into those seasons, I don't see a lot of failure to live up to expectations. Despite some preseason talk about Tennessee, Georgia was expected to win the East last year. Nobody expected anything out of Butch during his first 2 years. Nobody (except Tennessee fans) expected anything out of Tennessee when Dooley was here. Expectations were very modest for the Kiffin year, and Tennessee was just kind of "there" during Fulmer's last few years (either Georgia or Florida was expected to win the East).

The last year Tennessee was truly overrated was 2005 - 11 years ago (preseason #3 and failed to make a bowl). I don't get it - how exactly are we "always" overrated?

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

Overrated argument is pointless. People throw that out too easy. Also often a dumb chant at games.

 

[08Vol]

I'm curious - where exactly is the evidence for this meme coming from observers of the program?

When I go back and look at previous seasons and the expectations going into those seasons, I don't see a lot of failure to live up to expectations. Despite some preseason talk about Tennessee, Georgia was expected to win the East last year. Nobody expected anything out of Butch during his first 2 years. Nobody (except Tennessee fans) expected anything out of Tennessee when Dooley was here. Expectations were very modest for the Kiffin year, and Tennessee was just kind of "there" during Fulmer's last few years (either Georgia or Florida was expected to win the East).

The last year Tennessee was truly overrated was 2005 - 11 years ago (preseason #3 and failed to make a bowl). I don't get it - how exactly are we "always" overrated?

It comes from 3 places. 1st it's a joke about the Fulmer teams that were always good but rarely great. 2nd it's a reference to Dooley's "you aren't going to have UT to kick around anymore" comment before 2012. 3rd and mainly it comes from UT fans being completely unrealistic every year. "Officially" we haven't been overrated since 2005 or 2008, but we have a lot of fans who always call into radio shows, tweet at sportscasters, and write on message boards about how this is going to be our year. I argue with these UT fans every year and they have the Ricky Bobby mindset that if UT isn't first then they're last

 

[AboveAllNations]

I think it's a natural dynamic of our schedule; since we typically finish strong against cupcakes like Kentucky and Vanderbilt, we always have some momentum going into the offseason that gets deflated when we lose to Florida every September. The "overrated" charge especially strings when we lose Florida games we're favored to win, like in 2012, 2014, and 2015.

Hopefully the cycle finally breaks this year.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

2012

We were ranked top 25 going into the Florida game. Fans being instructed not to tear down the goalposts after the game because...you know...a win was VERY likely everyone thought. Then we saw what happened in that game and the rest of the season.

 

[05_never_again]

It comes from 3 places. 1st it's a joke about the Fulmer teams that were always good but rarely great. 2nd it's a reference to Dooley's "you aren't going to have UT to kick around anymore" comment before 2012. 3rd and mainly it comes from UT fans being completely unrealistic every year. "Officially" we haven't been overrated since 2005 or 2008, but we have a lot of fans who always call into radio shows, tweet at sportscasters, and write on message boards about how this is going to be our year. I argue with these UT fans every year and they have the Ricky Bobby mindset that if UT isn't first then they're last

I don't really count our own fans' opinions in deciding if we are "overrated" or not. Fans, generally speaking, overrate their team (even the ones like me that think they are cynical).

When I think of truly overrated teams, I'm thinking about teams that are consistently touted by the national media as being title contenders and rarely, if ever, meet those expectations (like Clemson except last year, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC after Carroll left, Oklahoma except last year, etc.). Those teams are almost perennially overrated, even when they have "good" seasons.

I understand why those teams are consistently overrated ("Blue Blood" schools that the media has a vested interest in hyping), but Tennessee isn't one of them.

 

[savannahfan]

It comes from 3 places. 1st it's a joke about the Fulmer teams that were always good but rarely great. 2nd it's a reference to Dooley's "you aren't going to have UT to kick around anymore" comment before 2012. 3rd and mainly it comes from UT fans being completely unrealistic every year. "Officially" we haven't been overrated since 2005 or 2008, but we have a lot of fans who always call into radio shows, tweet at sportscasters, and write on message boards about how this is going to be our year. I argue with these UT fans every year and they have the Ricky Bobby mindset that if UT isn't first then they're last

Second is the first loser!

 

[Revengevol]

Fans of UT. We are as loud and brag like an Alabama fan. One difference is the Bamers back up what they say.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Fans of UT. We are as loud and brag like an Alabama fan. One difference is the Bamers back up what they say.

Every single post you've made bashes UT and the coaches.

Think you could make it a little less obvious that you are a rival fan?

 

[CMcEver]

This is the first time in like 10 years that Tennessee has been ranked in the top 10... If you want to go by facts, Georgia has been the most overrated SEC team the last decade. Pretty sure they were preseason top 10 every year Richt was there, and rarely, if ever, lived up to those expectations.

 

[Vol737]

There is a collective roasting of Tennessee across the board on sports talk shows all over the place today. Locally, on the SEC Network, in ATL, etc.. Common thread? Overhyped, coaching is highly questionable, use of Dobbs, passing game. Deserved to be sure, but I'm okay with this wake up call if something good comes from it.

 

[Alto1]

There is a collective roasting of Tennessee across the board on sports talk shows all over the place today. Locally, on the SEC Network, in ATL, etc.. Common thread? Overhyped, coaching is highly questionable, use of Dobbs, passing game. Deserved to be sure, but I'm okay with this wake up call if something good comes from it.

I agree. Bottom line 1-0........

 

[TNnative]

I remember a year Tennessee wasn't over rated: 98. Peyton was gone and most folks doubted the Vols would do that much; But once we got past Florida, a buzz started for a conference championship. With each win afterwards, more folks started believing a run to the top might be possible. A few started making brags, but for every one who did, there were ten saying don't jinx it.

But ever since it has been won, some people are either all, "we gonna whoop they ass" or "we suck ass". And we wonder why some species eat their young. SMH

 

[Wylo]

I'm curious - where exactly is the evidence for this meme coming from observers of the program?

When I go back and look at previous seasons and the expectations going into those seasons, I don't see a lot of failure to live up to expectations. Despite some preseason talk about Tennessee, Georgia was expected to win the East last year. Nobody expected anything out of Butch during his first 2 years. Nobody (except Tennessee fans) expected anything out of Tennessee when Dooley was here. Expectations were very modest for the Kiffin year, and Tennessee was just kind of "there" during Fulmer's last few years (either Georgia or Florida was expected to win the East).

The last year Tennessee was truly overrated was 2005 - 11 years ago (preseason #3 and failed to make a bowl). I don't get it - how exactly are we "always" overrated?

I think that should've read "Notre Dame."


We're good..

 

[TNnative]

Fans of UT. We are as loud and brag like an Alabama fan. One difference is the Bamers back up what they say.

You have only made 12 posts, and already have Kirby calling you out? Man, that is some kinda world record. You must be a troll.

 

[Revengevol]

Every single post you've made bashes UT and the coaches.

Think you could make it a little less obvious that you are a rival fan?

If you notice I'm not the only Vol fan bashing our team. You gonna call the other hundreds of fans out too. Did u see anything last night worth bragging about.

 

[onevol74]

Fans of UT. We are as loud and brag like an Alabama fan. One difference is the Bamers back up what they say.

Especially when it comes to hiring great coaches. Alabama actually is willing to pay for what their expectations are. And in a way we are just foolish.