Toughest Games 2015

[ERAY]

Against Alabama, twice!

This went over my head at first but it came back around and SMACKED me in the face! :vava:

GBO!

 

[Coug]

With all due respect, how is McElwain "their Dooley"? The guy was the OC for some of those Alabama NC teams and then went to Colorado State and really improved that program significantly.....4-8 to 8-6 to 10-2. Dooley never did shiite anywhere....he was a losing head coach before coming to Tennessee and doing everything he possibly could to completely wreck our program. I hope you're right, even though it likely doesn't matter for our head to head games, but I just dont see the comparison.

Btw, I definitely agree with your stance on the Florida game. LOL at anybody who says we should beat Florida after 10 straight losses....it just never happens no matter what.

People's reasoning for us not beating Florida is simply ridiculous. "We haven't beat them in 10 years". Truth be told, we should have beat Florida the last two years. For silly reasons that didn't happen. We will beat Florida this year, I'd bet money on it.

Great posts in this thread. I'm very nervous about this season however. Injuries have the potential to lead us into another 6 win season, and Tennessee is still not where they want to be depth wise. My thing is that Dobbs needs to be great. Last year he had some good games, but also bad games where nothing went right for him. If we're going to beat OK, AR, UGA, and FLA he's gonna have to be more consistent than last year. Can't wait to get a look at the spring game

I also believe the Mizzou game is a bit underrated right now. Beating Mizzou would have big SEC east implications, as well as ending their current ownership of the vols

Finally, someone willing to talk Mizzou! I think beating Mizzou is doable. Doing it on their home turf would be even better. Most people would disagree but I think with Mauk coming back it'll be good for us.

 

[joevol33]

People's reasoning for us not beating Florida is simply ridiculous. "We haven't beat them in 10 years". Truth be told, we should have beat Florida the last two years. For silly reasons that didn't happen. We will beat Florida this year, I'd bet money on it.



Finally, someone willing to talk Mizzou! I think beating Mizzou is doable. Doing it on their home turf would be even better. Most people would disagree but I think with Mauk coming back it'll be good for us.

I like our chances vs Missouri on their field. They couldn't win a game there last year!

 

[livefaith]

This went over my head at first but it came back around and SMACKED me in the face! :vava:

GBO!

Wake up man. Once in the season, and once in the playoff. Geesh.

 

[KBVol]

People's reasoning for us not beating Florida is simply ridiculous. "We haven't beat them in 10 years". Truth be told, we should have beat Florida the last two years. For silly reasons that didn't happen. We will beat Florida this year, I'd bet money on it.



Finally, someone willing to talk Mizzou! I think beating Mizzou is doable. Doing it on their home turf would be even better. Most people would disagree but I think with Mauk coming back it'll be good for us.

For silly reasons? We've lost 23 of the last 29, 18 of the last 22, 10 of the last 10....how many silly reasons you got? We should've won last year, yet we didn't. We shouldn't have won 2 years ago and we didn't. Pretty much appears that whether we're supposed to win or lose, all we do is lose. I can't explain it and neither can you....we just lose to Florida regardless of the circumstances regarding either team.

 

[Aesius]

For silly reasons? We've lost 23 of the last 29, 18 of the last 22, 10 of the last 10....how many silly reasons you got? We should've won last year, yet we didn't. We shouldn't have won 2 years ago and we didn't. Pretty much appears that whether we're supposed to win or lose, all we do is lose. I can't explain it and neither can you....we just lose to Florida regardless of the circumstances regarding either team.

This year's Florida team will be different than last year's. They lost their top WR, top RB, top DE, and their entire OL.

The loss of Dante Fowler alone will make the game easier on our OL, and Barnett/Maggitt should feast on their inexperienced OL.

The 2015 Gators will be in danger of not making a bowl and our roster is finally in a position to take advantage of them being down.

Obviously that doesn't mean we WILL win the game--they will still have a stout DL and possibly the best secondary in the SEC--but having a better QB, OL, RB/WR corps and pass rush makes me like our chances barring something crazy happening.

Last season our only advantage was at the QB position, but it didn't matter due to atrocious OL play.

 

[volfaninutah]

This year we turn the tables on Fla and GA. We own SC. At Mizzou will be tough and I think Arkansas will not be easy anymore. I think they have turned it around with the Hogs they have. They just need a consistent QB to make them the king of the west.

 

[tennesseeduke]

Oklahoma
Georgia
Alabama
Missouri

Looking at our schedule I think these will be our hardest games. Florida and Arkansas I think we can and probably will win. AT Alabama and AT Missouri are going to be difficult but I could see us adding Missouri to the win column this year. Right now the talking heads don't like our odds in the Missouri game. Georgia being a home game is going to be yet another rowdy, electric environment. We SHOULD easily go 8-4, possibly 10-2 regular season.

All of them starting with the spring game. Get out of it with no injuries then get ready for game 1!

:loco:

Tennesseeduke

 

[Boca Vol]

This year's Florida team will be different than last year's. They lost their top WR, top RB, top DE, and their entire OL.

The loss of Dante Fowler alone will make the game easier on our OL, and Barnett/Maggitt should feast on their inexperienced OL.

The 2015 Gators will be in danger of not making a bowl and our roster is finally in a position to take advantage of them being down.

Obviously that doesn't mean we WILL win the game--they will still have a stout DL and possibly the best secondary in the SEC--but having a better QB, OL, RB/WR corps and pass rush makes me like our chances barring something crazy happening.

Last season our only advantage was at the QB position, but it didn't matter due to atrocious OL play.

At this point....and I attended my 1st game in '78 or '79, but until I see differently I believe you could dress out Chuckey Doak HS in Gator unis and they would probably beat UT.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Alright, KB and Boca and everyone who has an inferiority complex when it comes to Florida, time to get over it. Team 119 has no such complex. And just like flipping heads ten times in a row has zero bearing on what happens the 11th time, how Tennessee did against Florida the past ten years has no bearing on what happens in 2015 unless our players allow it to.

They have no intentions of that. In fact, they intend to whup dey azz.

I understand if you can't believe yet, you're suffering years of shell shock. But don't worry; the cure is coming. Team 119 is bringing it to you.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Geo 1 week after hard hitting hogs.
o-bama on the road
Hogs
Mizzou Pinkel makes the most of his talent
Wild Card: Ok...do we get the team that quit on the coach late last season or the title contenders we had early in the season? They have two or three really good RBs. They have new OCs and position coaches all over.
We have arrived Game: Gators.

 

[VOLinNC]

I think our toughest games will be
1. Bama
2. Arkansas
3. Georgia
Because of their strong running games, but don't worry I've already came up with our. Defense to combat them! It's a 5-2 with Mixon, KMac, CMos, Tuttle and Barnett on the DL and Maggitt and JRM as LB's. I'll make sure to get this to Butch tomorrow so they can start practicing it 😎👍

 

[Boca Vol]

Alright, KB and Boca and everyone who has an inferiority complex when it comes to Florida, time to get over it. Team 119 has no such complex. And just like flipping heads ten times in a row has zero bearing on what happens the 11th time, how Tennessee did against Florida the past ten years has no bearing on what happens in 2015 unless our players allow it to.

They have no intentions of that. In fact, they intend to whup dey azz.

I understand if you can't believe yet, you're suffering years of shell shock. But don't worry; the cure is coming. Team 119 is bringing it to you.

I don't have an inferiority complex just like I'm not delusional. After last season's game, you have to ask yourself, WTF? There must be something sinister at play.

I'll be in BHG Stadium just like I've been in: 91, 97, 99, 01, 03, 11, 13. I keep telling myself it has to happen eventually.

 

[Coug]

For silly reasons? We've lost 23 of the last 29, 18 of the last 22, 10 of the last 10....how many silly reasons you got? We should've won last year, yet we didn't. We shouldn't have won 2 years ago and we didn't. Pretty much appears that whether we're supposed to win or lose, all we do is lose. I can't explain it and neither can you....we just lose to Florida regardless of the circumstances regarding either team.

Chatt-town is that you?

I don't have an inferiority complex just like I'm not delusional. After last season's game, you have to ask yourself, WTF? There must be something sinister at play.

I'll be in BHG Stadium just like I've been in: 91, 97, 99, 01, 03, 11, 13. I keep telling myself it has to happen eventually.

You are sporting a defeatist attitude.

I wholeheartedly was not expecting us to beat Florida last year, I really wasn't. So when we ended up losing it wasn't such a heart breaking thing to me. It was harsh seeing us lose by one point but I got over it fairly quickly. There was however nothing sinister about it. The fact that Worley was playing was a huge reason we didn't win but lets not beat a dead horse. You should relish in knowing Dobbs will be the QB the entire game.

 

[Wildasamink16]

@Bama
@Florida
Oklahoma
UGA
Ark

We're capable of losing all of these. Probably won't but definitely could.

We are capable of winning all these as well probably won't but definitely could

 

[volfanatic24]

Need to consider the following

@Bama - They are the reason Sutton is working at nickel position, so he can move him to a receiver and not a side.

@Florida - New coaching staff

Oklahoma - New offensive coach

UGA - New QB and Offensive coach

Ark - New offensive coach

Of course we have a new Offensive coach also, but to his credit the players say he didn't change much.

@Bama new quaterback as well.

 

[KBVol]

Chatt-town is that you?



You are sporting a defeatist attitude.

I wholeheartedly was not expecting us to beat Florida last year, I really wasn't. So when we ended up losing it wasn't such a heart breaking thing to me. It was harsh seeing us lose by one point but I got over it fairly quickly. There was however nothing sinister about it. The fact that Worley was playing was a huge reason we didn't win but lets not beat a dead horse. You should relish in knowing Dobbs will be the QB the entire game.

No, it's KB. And yes, my attitude toward Florida is defeatist as hell, and for good reason.

Notice that I don't carry that same attitude vs any other team....not Georgia, not Alabama, not SCar, not any other team....and for good reason. I'm actually very optimistic about Team 119. I've argued on VN that we should have a very good year, win at least 8 or 9 games, have a chance to represent the East in the SECCG because of our talent and experience. I fully believe we beat Georgia and have a good chance to surprise/upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Mizzou seems to have our number but I feel good about going to Columbia and winning that one, too. But Florida??... no way.

 

[KBVol]

Alright, KB and Boca and everyone who has an inferiority complex when it comes to Florida, time to get over it. Team 119 has no such complex. And just like flipping heads ten times in a row has zero bearing on what happens the 11th time, how Tennessee did against Florida the past ten years has no bearing on what happens in 2015 unless our players allow it to.

They have no intentions of that. In fact, they intend to whup dey azz.

I understand if you can't believe yet, you're suffering years of shell shock. But don't worry; the cure is coming. Team 119 is bringing it to you.

With all due respect JP, if you or anybody else doesn't think for one second, that by far the biggest issue Team 119 faces is the mental and emotional "hold" that Florida firmly holds on Tennessee, you're fooling yourself.

Last year, Tennessee was dominating a pathetic Florida team who's QB was doing everything he possibly could to hand the game to Tennessee on a silver platter.

Yet, everyone in Neyland stadium....every player, coach, administrator associated with either team...every Tennessee fan watching from home, every Gator fan in Gainesville was just waiting for the one play, the one moment that signaled and made evident that "mental/emotional hold" that Florida owns....

And then it happened.... literally the only way that putrid, feckless Florida team with a despised lame duck coach could have any hope of winning...a mental error by Coach Bajakian with the slow-developing playcall...a poorly executed play which led to the short field that Florida desperately needed so they could get in the endzone....the last play of the 3rd quarter, the sack and fumble...the end of the game.

Anybody who's ever paid scant attention to the Tennessee-Florida series the last 40 years knew it was over....and it was. The 9-0 lead, before Florida's offense even lined up to run their first play of that offensive series, was already gone, and EVERY coach and player from Butch Jones on down from Team 118 knew it.

So the question is, how will the "hold" manifest itself for Team 119, and when it does reveal itself, how will Team 119 respond? Will they wilt and submit like so many great Tennessee players and Tennessee teams have done over the years.... or will they finally find a way to breakthrough and end the absolute Florida dominance over Tennessee if only for one brief season??

As you probably can tell, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[alexbond45]

Bold Prediction:

Tennessee and Arkansas both go undefeated into the matchup, causing College GameDay to arrive in Knoxville!!

Tennessee - 20
Arkansas - 14

Remember this post..

The last time UT and Arkansas met undefeated (like, 3+ games undefeated not 1-3)...

 

[VFL-82-JP]

With all due respect JP, if you or anybody else doesn't think for one second, that by far the biggest issue Team 119 faces is the mental and emotional "hold" that Florida firmly holds on Tennessee, you're fooling yourself.

Last year, Tennessee was dominating a pathetic Florida team who's QB was doing everything he possibly could to hand the game to Tennessee on a silver platter.

Yet, everyone in Neyland stadium....every player, coach, administrator associated with either team...every Tennessee fan watching from home, every Gator fan in Gainesville was just waiting for the one play, the one moment that signaled and made evident that "mental/emotional hold" that Florida owns....

And then it happened.... literally the only way that putrid, feckless Florida team with a despised lame duck coach could have any hope of winning...a mental error by Coach Bajakian with the slow-developing playcall...a poorly executed play which led to the short field that Florida desperately needed so they could get in the endzone....the last play of the 3rd quarter, the sack and fumble...the end of the game.

Anybody who's ever paid scant attention to the Tennessee-Florida series the last 40 years knew it was over....and it was. The 9-0 lead, before Florida's offense even lined up to run their first play of that offensive series, was already gone, and EVERY coach and player from Butch Jones on down from Team 118 knew it.

So the question is, how will the "hold" manifest itself for Team 119, and when it does reveal itself, how will Team 119 respond? Will they wilt and submit like so many great Tennessee players and Tennessee teams have done over the years.... or will they finally find a way to breakthrough and end the absolute Florida dominance over Tennessee if only for one brief season??

As you probably can tell, I'm not holding my breath.

I understand, buddy, I understand. Help is coming. 119 is bringing the cure. Just have a shot of whiskey for the pain and I'll wait with you.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

I know people have a mental blocker when it comes to Fla but I just don't see how they could be our second most difficult game this year. If we can't beat them then there's a few more we don't have a shot in

I thought we should have beaten them this past year. I'll have to see it to believe it.

 

[KBVol]

I understand, buddy, I understand. Help is coming. 119 is bringing the cure. Just have a shot of whiskey for the pain and I'll wait with you.

Haha! You're good people JP. Figure my life expectancy is 25-30 more years. Hopefully I'll see Tennessee beat Florida once, maybe somehow twice more before I meet my Maker.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Chatt-town is that you?



You are sporting a defeatist attitude.

I wholeheartedly was not expecting us to beat Florida last year, I really wasn't. So when we ended up losing it wasn't such a heart breaking thing to me. It was harsh seeing us lose by one point but I got over it fairly quickly. There was however nothing sinister about it. The fact that Worley was playing was a huge reason we didn't win but lets not beat a dead horse. You should relish in knowing Dobbs will be the QB the entire game.

No I'm right here, and KB is 150% correct. What makes last years loss even worse is that it was a terrible game. We've had some good games against Florida, lost most of them, but had some good games. Last year both teams had a sloppy, poorly executed game, and we STILL couldn't win. We just needed one good offensive drive and it never came. Last year was the game to end the streak and keep it from going to 10, and we blew it.

So until proven otherwise, it doesn't matter who they field, it doesn't matter who we field, we will lose to Florida. It's the only rational conclusion to come to.

 

[1standgoal]

Potentially we should be win every game on the schedule excluding Alabama, which may be a close game. Realistically expect a loss to Oklahoma, Florida, and Missouri, and, because of their ground game, a loss to Arkansas and Georgia. But who knows, if the vols stay healthy and play to their potential, they could not only win the SEC east and SEC championship, but play for a national championship as well. GO VOLS!

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Potentially we should be win every game on the schedule excluding Alabama, which may be a close game. Realistically expect a loss to Oklahoma, Florida, and Missouri, and, because of their ground game, a loss to Arkansas and Georgia. But who knows, if the vols stay healthy and play to their potential, they could not only win the SEC east and SEC championship, but play for a national championship as well. GO VOLS!

So, to summarize ... potentially we go 13-2 or better, but realistically we go 6-6 (losses to Bama, Oklahoma, Florida, Mizzou, Akansas, and Georgia). Umm...right?