This game has quickly increased its importance

[Other_Guy]

For me, anyway.
Putting aside the fact they're a rival, or just because any ranked team is a big opportunity, I didn't see this as a key game for Tenn's season. Sure, I knew they were likely the best chance at a big upset out of them, Florida and Bama, but let me explain what's different now. You can tell me if you agree (or if your opinion of the game has remained the same).
I was really undecided if they would go 5-5 or 6-4. Then they go 2-0. Then A&M looks very beatable. Then Auburn looks very beatable. Then Kentucky looks extremely beatable.
All of a sudden we're now staring at a possible shot of winning all 7 games against those teams currently ranked below the Vols.
Am I putting on the orange tinted glasses and suggesting they'll go 7-3 or 8-2? Not prior tp Saturdays game, no, but thats my point. A poor showing likely means 6-4.
But I'm getting more excited at the opportunity to take on Georgia than I originally anticipated, because all of a sudden Tenn is a little better after game 2 than I expected and the schedule looks easier than I expected.
Which all means this is a huge game. You can tell by the way Pruitt was answering questions that he hopes the urgency to get better is there from the team. I think he wants this game badly.

 

[HooahVol]

Of the remaining undefeated SEC teams UGA is the one I think we have the best shot of beating. Bama looks like Bama and I think Trask is going to have fun with our secondary. This is the one we can pick off. Plus, I love seeing the puppy dogs faces when they realize that, yet again, they are not champions.

 

[Boca Vol]

It's about the same for me. I thought USCjr, Mizzou, Ark, UK, & Vandy should be wins. aTm & AU as toss-ups, and UF, UGA, & Bama as long-shots. Still think that. 7-3 or 6-4.

I just want UT to have a shot in these games. They haven't been competitive in a while. Bama was for a while last year but that's about it.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

It's the same for me, because I expected us to beat USCe and Mizzou. I expected us to be 2-0 coming into this game, and I figured UGa probably would be too (though I did have a brief hope after watching them bumble around against Arky that Auburn might upset the dawgs).

For folks who thought we might stumble out the gate and arrive at the UGa match 1-1, I can see how the game now suddenly seems to have more importance. You foresaw a world where we were still not competitive, but suddenly we are. I get that.

But no, for me it has the same weight today as it did before the season started. It's Ugly UGa. We need to whup they butts. This is the first gateway to Atlanta for us.

Go Vols!

 

[Other_Guy]

It's the same for me, because I expected us to beat USCe and Mizzou. I expected us to be 2-0 coming into this game, and I figured UGa probably would be too (though I did have a brief hope after watching them bumble around against Arky that Auburn might upset the dawgs).

For folks who thought we might stumble out the gate and arrive at the UGa match 1-1, I can see how the game now suddenly seems to have more importance. You foresaw a world where we were still not competitive, but suddenly we are. I get that.

But no, for me it has the same weight today as it did before the season started. It's Ugly UGa. We need to whup they butts. This is the first gateway to Atlanta for us.

Go Vols!

I didnt foresee a world where they weren't competitive. Keep in mind they barely beat SC and very few saw them winning as big as they did.
I'm also factoring in the remaining schedule, which is actually more so my focus. The schedule looks much more easy. But I get what you're saying.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I think this is different because we’ve now reached a point where we’re not going to be taking away positives just because we hung around for a quarter and a half and are gushing over Maurer throwing a good deep ball to Calloway. The days of moral victories and apathy should no longer exist. We’re going to Athens to win on Saturday. Obviously with a 14 point spread we’re not supposed to, but I’m gonna be really pissed if we lose because we’re more capable than we have been in a long time. I’m confident we’ll be ready Saturday.

 

[Doberman]

I don’t know that the game has taken on more importance, but my feelings that we can play with them, and possibly win, have increased.

I haven’t been this jacked up in a while. Hoping the team is feeling like me.

 

[SLODAWG]

Of the remaining undefeated SEC teams UGA is the one I think we have the best shot of beating. Bama looks like Bama and I think Trask is going to have fun with our secondary. This is the one we can pick off. Plus, I love seeing the puppy dogs faces when they realize that, yet again, they are not champions.

I think Florida is a much better match up for TN. The Gators have been very vulnerable as far as run defense and running is the strength of the Vol offense.

 

[preacherwebb]

I had us at 7-3 before the season started. A win this weekend gives us a legitimate shot at 8-2. And, like has already been said, I think this one is the most winnable of the big three. That said, I does mean more to me than it did before the season started, because then, I had this one chalked up as an L, but now ...

 

[NighthawkVol]

Of the remaining undefeated SEC teams UGA is the one I think we have the best shot of beating. Bama looks like Bama and I think Trask is going to have fun with our secondary. This is the one we can pick off. Plus, I love seeing the puppy dogs faces when they realize that, yet again, they are not champions.

I actually think it's Florida. I'm predicting 7-3, with losses to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, but if we do upset one of them, I think it's Florida because it's in Knoxville in December. Florida NEVER has to play in cold weather. I also see concerns in their defense and offensive line. Given an entire 9 games of film, I think Pruitt can scheme up a defense to slow down their offense.

 

[ButchPlz]

Why is everyone ignoring the reality that our secondary will almost definitely improve by December? Florida's defense is atrocious, and I have full faith ours will be better by the time that game rolls around.

 

[HooahVol]

I will agree we should improve by seasons end and hopefully have everyone back healthy. It is weird playing Florida so late. BTW, this 10 game all SEC season is brutal, there is not guarantee Trask makes it to that final game without at least a few dings and bruises.

 

[wb1112]

I actually think it's Florida. I'm predicting 7-3, with losses to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, but if we do upset one of them, I think it's Florida because it's in Knoxville in December. Florida NEVER has to play in cold weather. I also see concerns in their defense and offensive line. Given an entire 9 games of film, I think Pruitt can scheme up a defense to slow down their offense.

Agreed, not to mention the fact that our secondary will probably be a lot better by the end of the season.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Why is everyone ignoring the reality that our secondary will almost definitely improve by December? Florida's defense is atrocious, and I have full faith ours will be better by the time that game rolls around.

Our defense is 2nd in the SEC right now.

 

[saxvol]

Really hoping GA comes out flat like they did last year against SC. We are catching them at the right time, coming off a big win against AU and with bama looming the following week. Just have to bring our A game. Go vols!

 

[Other_Guy]

I think Florida is a much better match up for TN. The Gators have been very vulnerable as far as run defense and running is the strength of the Vol offense.

You may actually be right. Florida could improve by then, but so could UT. Honestly the only reason I don't agree with you is because, well, it's Florida

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

This game was always important if we are going to win the East. An upset by the Vols, followed by a Ga loss to Alabama the next week would turn the SEC East into a 2 team race between Florida and Tennessee. If Vols lose we'll still be in it but would likely have to run the table with wins vs Bama and Florida and hope those 2 could beat GA, not very likely I feel. The SEC East is up for grabs and a win here would put us in the driver's seat I feel. Those thinking we are a couple years away from competing for championships were wrong I believe, I have always thought we could win it this season and a win Saturday will put us right into the thick of it.

 

['Boro-vol]

Beating Georgia would put us squarely in the middle of the race for the East. That's the prize. It also will give a leg up in some important recruiting battles against the Dawgs.

Additionally...it would negate the inevitable letdown we always seem to suffer when we get on a roll and everyone in the media starts talking about us in a positive light. It's almost like clockwork. We need this one for a host of reasons, not the least of which is psychological.

 

[njvols]

Of the remaining undefeated SEC teams UGA is the one I think we have the best shot of beating. Bama looks like Bama and I think Trask is going to have fun with our secondary. This is the one we can pick off. Plus, I love seeing the puppy dogs faces when they realize that, yet again, they are not champions.

Not sure who, but I think we'll beat one of the three. UF looks good, but probably the weakest D of the three...but maybe the best offense. I still don't think any team is going undefeated this year. Kinda like SEC bball...round robbin schedule virtually assures that every team most likely will have an off week at some point...just don't think there's that dominant team like LSU last year...

 

[HiltonHeadVol]

It's the same for me, because I expected us to beat USCe and Mizzou. I expected us to be 2-0 coming into this game, and I figured UGa probably would be too (though I did have a brief hope after watching them bumble around against Arky that Auburn might upset the dawgs).

For folks who thought we might stumble out the gate and arrive at the UGa match 1-1, I can see how the game now suddenly seems to have more importance. You foresaw a world where we were still not competitive, but suddenly we are. I get that.

But no, for me it has the same weight today as it did before the season started. It's Ugly UGa. We need to whup they butts. This is the first gateway to Atlanta for us.

Go Vols!

I'm always a bit amused at anyone (especially in the SEC) who at the beginning of the season adds up "likely wins" on our schedule - primarily due to surprises developing as the season goes. I see no one is even mentioning the Hogs in Little Rock (or in F'ytvlle, I'm not sure which). If you don't think Arky is much better than anyone expected, then you haven't watched them. They have Felipe Franks and a up and coming team with Briles as OC. Plus we as Vols almost never play well in the state of Arkansas. We will get a great effort from Kentucky and Arkansas and will be fortunate to win both. Just sayin

 

[rikberry31]

I actually think it's Florida. I'm predicting 7-3, with losses to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, but if we do upset one of them, I think it's Florida because it's in Knoxville in December. Florida NEVER has to play in cold weather. I also see concerns in their defense and offensive line. Given an entire 9 games of film, I think Pruitt can scheme up a defense to slow down their offense.

I agree FU's defense was torched by Ole Miss and didn't look good last week.

 

[rikberry31]

Of the remaining undefeated SEC teams UGA is the one I think we have the best shot of beating. Bama looks like Bama and I think Trask is going to have fun with our secondary. This is the one we can pick off. Plus, I love seeing the puppy dogs faces when they realize that, yet again, they are not champions.

I would go with Florida but Georgia has a Georgia game every year, hopefully they will have one this week.

 

[SmilezDavis]

Nothing has changed for me. I expected both teams to be undefeated at this point, and I said all summer that I think we have a legitimate shot at the division. I felt that Florida should be the favorite due to their obvious advantage at quarterback. Recent history suggests that we’re more likely to beat Georgia than either Alabama or Florida regardless of talent or record, so this game is exactly what I thought it would be.

 

[TheRealUT98]

I think Florida is a much better match up for TN. The Gators have been very vulnerable as far as run defense and running is the strength of the Vol offense.

I agree. Especially if by the grace of God we can have the same guys gain experience together in the secondary it benefits us playing them last

 

[CAVPUT]

I live among the dawgs. There's no game...none...more important to me than the UGA game. And yeah...that includes bama.