Top 10 reasons that could derail 2016 Vols

#26
#26
KBVol said:
Good analysis JP.

I'd only add #6 as a legit concern. Medley was bad last year until we got through the tough part of the schedule...as in one of the worst in the country bad.

No, IMHO, until he shows he can hit a big kick/be consistently good vs the best teams on the schedule.....particularly from 40+ yds out, Lewis's concern/reason is legit.

We're gonna need him to be reliable, even clutch if we're gonna get to where we all think this team can get.
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That's fair, KB. The only reasons I'm not concerned about Aaron are, first, because we've seen kickers go through slumps like that many times before, on many teams, and recover without problem (it truly is just a mental thing for them most times, it seems, the most mental position on the team); and, second, the hard/easy parts of the schedule likely don't feel much different to a kicker--his opponent is really more the wind, weather, and distance from the goal posts than what's happening on the field with the other team. As long as he is protected by the blocking, the ground level situation is just all kind of a blur, whether they wear crimson or blue or black/gold. Know what I mean? :)
 
#27
#27
VFL-82-JP said:
Let's score it out:

10. Trip to A&M -- losing this game won't "derail" us from our main team goals. DENIED
9. Eason & UGa -- even losing to UGa won't necessarily cost us any goals, but it could. LEGIT
8. Overlooking a Team -- It is proven that Butch doesn't overlook teams. DENIED
7. Lack of a Passing Game -- Could be a significant factor. LEGIT
6. Medley's Kicking -- Nah, Medley's good, he just had a 5-game sophomore slump. DENIED
5. Battle at Bristol -- Heck no, this is a launching platform, not a derail. DENIED
4. Injuries -- Could happen. Fingers crossed that it doesn't, but it could. LEGIT
3. Weak SEC East -- Convoluted argument that, in the end, makes little sense. DENIED
2. Late-Game Scenarios -- Hate to say it, but it's a valid concern until proven fixed. LEGIT
1. Florida -- Like #9, this won't necessarily cost us our goals, but it could. LEGIT

So, my score for this article: 5/10. There are five legit potential derailers to keep a close eye on. In my personal view, injuries are the #1 concern (as every year), with passing game improvement and the ability to finish in the 4th qtr next in importance. The UGa and Florida games are maybe/maybe nots. The rest? Nah, we good.

Go Vols!
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Points 9, 3, and 1 are related. If UT can beat FLA and GA, they could lose 2 other SEC games and still easily end up in Atlanta. Lose 1, or both, and the biggest cocktail party in the world could decide the East champ.
 
#28
#28
KBVol said:
Good analysis JP.

I'd only add #6 as a legit concern. Medley was bad last year until we got through the tough part of the schedule...as in one of the worst in the country bad.

No, IMHO, until he shows he can hit a big kick/be consistently good vs the best teams on the schedule.....particularly from 40+ yds out, Lewis's concern/reason is legit.

We're gonna need him to be reliable, even clutch if we're gonna get to where we all think this team can get.
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Medley reminds me of a golfer who lines up wrong. Most of his misses seem to go straight as an arrow, just to the right. Not like a push, just lined up to the right.
 
#29
#29
Teeman said:
Points 9, 3, and 1 are related. If UT can beat FLA and GA, they could lose 2 other SEC games and still easily end up in Atlanta. Lose 1, or both, and the biggest cocktail party in the world could decide the East champ.
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Yeah, they really are (though I truly didn't get the logic of point #3...if you win the SEC, weakness of the East isn't all that significant on its own). Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee are the 3-legged stool in the East again, as it was for many years before we hit the Dark Ages and Florida hit its slump.
 
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#30
#30
KBVol said:
Good analysis JP.

I'd only add #6 as a legit concern. Medley was bad last year until we got through the tough part of the schedule...as in one of the worst in the country bad.

No, IMHO, until he shows he can hit a big kick/be consistently good vs the best teams on the schedule.....particularly from 40+ yds out, Lewis's concern/reason is legit.

We're gonna need him to be reliable, even clutch if we're gonna get to where we all think this team can get.
Click to expand...
agreed.
 
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#32
#32
savannahfan said:
Medley reminds me of a golfer who lines up wrong. Most of his misses seem to go straight as an arrow, just to the right. Not like a push, just lined up to the right.
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I agree. It's like he lines up to the upright. Makes a good kick and misses by less than a yard. What would happen if the fans behind the goal post held up a target for him to aim at rather than the upright, even if he was off a yard or two it would still be good.

That's fan participation that could actually help the Vols.
 
#33
#33
Iam4utalways said:
I agree. It's like he lines up to the upright. Makes a good kick and misses by less than a yard. What would happen if the fans behind the goal post held up a target for him to aim at rather than the upright, even if he was off a yard or two it would still be good.

That's fan participation that could actually help the Vols.
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I think this is a great idea, and would like to see a beautiful young lady in a bikini as the "target" for each shot.

I would really appreciate if the TV crews would focus on and let us focus on the target just as the kicker should. Every time.

:)

Go Vols!
 
#34
#34
VFL-82-JP said:
I think this is a great idea, and would like to see a beautiful young lady in a bikini as the "target" for each shot.

I would really appreciate if the TV crews would focus on and let us focus on the target just as the kicker should. Every time.

:)

Go Vols!
Click to expand...

I could get behind that idea.
 
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#35
#35
JohnD13 said:
Exactly what we need more negative things to discuss or think about. Congratst
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Yeh, it's far better to stick our head in the sand and ignore things. If you ignore them hard enough they won't happen. EVER!!!!!!??????
 
#36
#36
VFL-82-JP said:
That's fair, KB. The only reasons I'm not concerned about Aaron are, first, because we've seen kickers go through slumps like that many times before, on many teams, and recover without problem (it truly is just a mental thing for them most times, it seems, the most mental position on the team); and, second, the hard/easy parts of the schedule likely don't feel much different to a kicker--his opponent is really more the wind, weather, and distance from the goal posts than what's happening on the field with the other team. As long as he is protected by the blocking, the ground level situation is just all kind of a blur, whether they wear crimson or blue or black/gold. Know what I mean? :)
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Fair enough. Here's hoping he becomes but one of our many post season all-Americans after a stellar season.
 
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#37
#37
1. Friday Top 10: Things That Could Derail the Hype Train | Rocky Top Insider

2. Friday Top 10: Things That Could Derail the Hype Train | Rocky Top Insider

These two could be our ONLY setbacks. But, we lose by only 1 point to Texas A&M 30-31. It keeps us right up there in the running to make the 4 team playoff because we're gonna win the SEC East & SEC Championship game too.

12-1 we will be after being SEC Champs. If that doesn't give us a national title shot in a 4-team playoff I don't know what will. Thanks!
 
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#38
#38
11. EXPECTATIONS - this team is expected to beat everyone because they won 5 straight to end the season (against teams with a combined 18 wins). This is a team that has yet to learn how to win the close games.

The good news is, 9-3 with a good bowl game will have you thinking about a National Championship again in 2017.
 
#39
#39
Homer J Gator said:
11. EXPECTATIONS - this team is expected to beat everyone because they won 5 straight to end the season (against teams with a combined 18 wins). This is a team that has yet to learn how to win the close games.

The good news is, 9-3 with a good bowl game will have you thinking about a National Championship again in 2017.
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12. STUPIDITY. The stupidity with which some opposing team fans troll our forums might make our fans stupider as well, which could result in us making noise at the wrong times in Neyland Stadium, distracting our offense and causing us to lose 5-6 games a year. So...yeah. Stupidity.

The good news is, Homer Gator will disappear from the VolNation boards never to be seen again after we whup dey azz in September. :)
 
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#40
#40
Homer J Gator said:
11. EXPECTATIONS - this team is expected to beat everyone because they won 5 straight to end the season (against teams with a combined 18 wins). This is a team that has yet to learn how to win the close games.

The good news is, 9-3 with a good bowl game will have you thinking about a National Championship again in 2017.
Click to expand...

Yeah... finishing the season on a 3 game losing streak while getting the brakes beaten off you in a bowl game is the better way to go... and who can forget those inspiring victories over Vandy and Florida Atlantic? :good!:
 
#41
#41
Football Top 10 reasons that could derail 2016 Vols

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1. Ghost of Kiffin and/or Dooley appearing
 
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