The truth is in the numbers

[derekg_05]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

 

[utvols74]

Two word summary:

I was explaining the situation to my nephew who plays on a 7th/8th grade middle school team (which is comprised 50/50 of both grades). If his team were UT, I explained, they would have beaten all the teams with mostly 7th graders, but lost to ALL the teams that were mostly 8th graders. Sure, won some games, but played no reputable opponent. "So", I said, "At the end of the season, how does that feel?" Answer: "That sucks". Two word summary.

 

[Vol8188]

Middle school level takes are what we’ve grown accustomed to from most of you guys.

 

[volfeeva]

Question= Are we still restricted on scholarships from the Cornbread/ ATM scandal ?

 

[McDad]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Truth.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

Speculation.

 

[LittleVol]

Middle school level takes are what we’ve grown accustomed to from most of you guys.

Maybe, but it doesn’t change the validity of the argument.

 

[LittleVol]

Question= Are we still restricted on scholarships from the Cornbread/ ATM scandal ?

No. And that didn’t make a difference anyway when neglected to even go after TP players on defense

 

[TJSVOLS]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

They were the youngest team in the SEC so barring any crazy exodus through the portal they definitely won’t be just fighting for a bowl game next year.that’s ridiculous

 

[Rocky Top T]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

Be careful , these folks don't like fact's. If you play 4 good teams and have 0 wins, then you are not good.

 

[99gator]

You can look at it several ways.

1. I know this is not the overall goal of the program, but you need to tip your hat a little bit that Tennessee is beating the teams they should beat. That's a bigger deal than it sounds. As was detailed, beating the teams you should beat got you 8 wins.

2. Let's look at the 4 losses. I know woulda, coulda, shoulda.......they dominated Oklahoma and found a way to screw that up. But, they should have won the game. They went to overtime with Georgia. They had a critical turnover on the road against Alabama. The Vanderbilt game was actually their worst loss of the season. So, while losing sucks, they were in the game in those other games.

3. People thought this year was a transition year before it started and no one knew what was going to happen with the Nico/Aguilar thing.

4. Along the lines of #2, are you closer to getting where you want to be or falling back? Some could argue about Mississippi State and Arkansas the way I did some of their losses, but I think Tennessee is closer to the playoffs (which they made last year) than to perpetual mediocrity. Now in theory, the league may about to get tougher as it seems half the league will have a new head coach.

5. I think the new standard for judging coaches will be the playoff and performance in the playoff like college basketball. Winning the league (and this applies to all members), especially with unbalanced schedules when their are 9 programs with national championships aspirations in the league with schools like Missouri and Ole Miss wanting to get in on the the fun, is going to be damn near luck based to some degree. Napier needed to go and was terrible, but I would be lying if I said he didn't get the short end of the stick schedule wise within the league. In a league where 8 teams are ranked, some schools managed to play nobody.

6. Give him a chance to change and adapt. Clearly, he's an offensive guy and generally speaking, Tennessee scores points. Sign a couple of recruits, get a couple of guys in portal, and the defense will have the opportunity to play well enough to be a playoff team.

JMO

 

[Rocky Top T]

They were the youngest team in the SEC so barring any crazy exodus through the portal they definitely won’t be just fighting for a bowl game next year.that’s ridiculous

If they don't get a new DC, LB coach, if Joey doesn't come back or get a good transfer QB, and a whole lot of portal help on defense, it's not ridiculous at All

 

[Vol8188]

Maybe, but it doesn’t change the validity of the argument.

“Losing to teams full of 8th graders sucks!”, I guess it’s a valid argument. It’s still a middle school take, but valid

 

[PACKERVOL]

No. And that didn’t make a difference anyway when neglected to even go after TP players on defense

Not making excuses, but we did lose 2 all-SEC corners and a potential all-SEC nickel back who went crazy and up and abandoned the team before the season started. However, I agree that some major changes are in order from possible staff changes to a much heavier dose of top players from the portal. The numbers don't lie comparing our results against top teams vs. teams with losing records.

 

[m1al]

Maybe, but it doesn’t change the validity of the argument.

You sure about that?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Question= Are we still restricted on scholarships from the Cornbread/ ATM scandal ?

Yes. We have 83 scholarships for a couple of more years and other schools have 85.

Not a big reduction but still there.

 

[Czarcasm]

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

Yes. We have 83 scholarships for a couple of more years and other schools have 85.

Not a big reduction but still there.

Correct. We are mandated.

"...But while the remaining 12 scholarship reductions can be spread over the five years of the probationary period that began in July 2023 when the sanctions were doled out, the catch is Tennessee must take two a year, meaning the Vols essentially are operating with a maximum of 83 scholarships for the next three seasons."

It's not much but it's 2 more than any other SEC schools. I'm sure we would like to have had 2 more DB's to choose from,WR,OL,take your pick. It's small but does have an impact. We had to put William Wright in the game on some occasions. He's a walk-on. Maybe his play deserves it. Maybe the cupboard was bare in certain areas

 

[jps2194]

You can look at it several ways.

1. I know this is not the overall goal of the program, but you need to tip your hat a little bit that Tennessee is beating the teams they should beat. That's a bigger deal than it sounds. As was detailed, beating the teams you should beat got you 8 wins.

2. Let's look at the 4 losses. I know woulda, coulda, shoulda.......they dominated Oklahoma and found a way to screw that up. But, they should have won the game. They went to overtime with Georgia. They had a critical turnover on the road against Alabama. The Vanderbilt game was actually their worst loss of the season. So, while losing sucks, they were in the game in those other games.

3. People thought this year was a transition year before it started and no one knew what was going to happen with the Nico/Aguilar thing.

4. Along the lines of #2, are you closer to getting where you want to be or falling back? Some could argue about Mississippi State and Arkansas the way I did some of their losses, but I think Tennessee is closer to the playoffs (which they made last year) than to perpetual mediocrity. Now in theory, the league may about to get tougher as it seems half the league will have a new head coach.

5. I think the new standard for judging coaches will be the playoff and performance in the playoff like college basketball. Winning the league (and this applies to all members), especially with unbalanced schedules when their are 9 programs with national championships aspirations in the league with schools like Missouri and Ole Miss wanting to get in on the the fun, is going to be damn near luck based to some degree. Napier needed to go and was terrible, but I would be lying if I said he didn't get the short end of the stick schedule wise within the league. In a league where 8 teams are ranked, some school managed to play nobody.

6. Give him a chance to change and adapt. Clearly, he's an offensive guy and generally speaking, Tennessee scores points. Sign a couple of recruits, get a couple of guys in portal, and the defense will have the opportunity to play well enough to be a playoff team.

JMO

What does it say for our fanbase when a Gator fan gets it over most of our fanbase Completely agree with #2, Vandy is the only game we got whipped (which pains me deeply). Throw in the fact that we are the youngest team in the SEC which most likely contributed to some of those losses due to inexperience, lack of development, etc. We clearly need to fix the defensive issues, but to suggest we will be fighting for bowl eligibility next year is absurd.

 

[Alto1]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Correct. We are mandated.

"...But while the remaining 12 scholarship reductions can be spread over the five years of the probationary period that began in July 2023 when the sanctions were doled out, the catch is Tennessee must take two a year, meaning the Vols essentially are operating with a maximum of 83 scholarships for the next three seasons."

It's not much but it's 2 more than any other SEC schools. I'm sure we would like to have had 2 more DB's to choose from,WR,OL,take your pick. It's small but does have an impact. We had to put William Wright in the game on some occasions. He's a walk-on. Maybe his play deserves it. Maybe the cupboard was bare in certain areas

I’ve wondered if this genuinely affects us at all? Now that NIL is here it just seems like an easy work around. In my eyes it’s as easy as “ yeah we’re all outta schollies but we can pay you cash value NIL money of that schollie and call it even”.

 

[SubVet676]

You can look at it several ways.

1. I know this is not the overall goal of the program, but you need to tip your hat a little bit that Tennessee is beating the teams they should beat. That's a bigger deal than it sounds. As was detailed, beating the teams you should beat got you 8 wins.

2. Let's look at the 4 losses. I know woulda, coulda, shoulda.......they dominated Oklahoma and found a way to screw that up. But, they should have won the game. They went to overtime with Georgia. They had a critical turnover on the road against Alabama. The Vanderbilt game was actually their worst loss of the season. So, while losing sucks, they were in the game in those other games.

3. People thought this year was a transition year before it started and no one knew what was going to happen with the Nico/Aguilar thing.

4. Along the lines of #2, are you closer to getting where you want to be or falling back? Some could argue about Mississippi State and Arkansas the way I did some of their losses, but I think Tennessee is closer to the playoffs (which they made last year) than to perpetual mediocrity. Now in theory, the league may about to get tougher as it seems half the league will have a new head coach.

5. I think the new standard for judging coaches will be the playoff and performance in the playoff like college basketball. Winning the league (and this applies to all members), especially with unbalanced schedules when their are 9 programs with national championships aspirations in the league with schools like Missouri and Ole Miss wanting to get in on the the fun, is going to be damn near luck based to some degree. Napier needed to go and was terrible, but I would be lying if I said he didn't get the short end of the stick schedule wise within the league. In a league where 8 teams are ranked, some schools managed to play nobody.

6. Give him a chance to change and adapt. Clearly, he's an offensive guy and generally speaking, Tennessee scores points. Sign a couple of recruits, get a couple of guys in portal, and the defense will have the opportunity to play well enough to be a playoff team.

JMO

We were just as close to 6-6 (Miss. State, Arky) as we were to 10-2. That works both ways.

Aside from that, I agree. And we need a new DC worse than Trump needs a new hairdresser.

Go Vols.

 

[Hairy Vols]

I am not attacking Josh's appearance or any personal attacks. Just looking at the numbers, and it's very concerning. Then factor in that historically the man has failed to make big changes when they needed to be made.

2025 Tennessee:

8 wins: those 8 teams are a combined 34-61. Which explains how we got the number 6 ranked offense in the country.

1 win against a team above. 500 (FCS ETSU)

0-4 ranked opponent record, outscored by 55 points in those losses.

#86 ranked defense in the nation.

#10 in SEC for most penalties.

Barring any unforseen miracle, realistically Tenn will be fighting for bowl eligibility in 2026.

I forgot where the exact same team rolls out every single year. Correct me if I’m wrong aren’t most people complaining about roster turnover because of the portal and you have the magical insight to know where every player will land and how everu roster will look? I’d pay to have that kinda intelligence. They could use you at the pentagon brother. Your talents are wasted here on Vol Nation.