Vols non-conference schedule

[wmcovol]

Is very weak this year. Was 2024 & 2025 the years Tennessee was supposed to be playing Oklahoma? I remember 2023 was the year Vols were to go to BYU & they played Va instead

If you add OU in the non conference, this schedule wouldnt be so weak along with 8 other SEC games.

 

[rocketskates]

Honestly, I don't even mind it. The SEC is murderer's row every year and although I'm lukewarm at best on many of Herbie's takes, I remember him saying last year that power conference schools were going to end up scheduling fluffy non-conference games because in the end it doesn't matter when you play stiff in-conference competition. It's not like the BCS era where a win over a big out of conference opponent is really considered. OSU, Oregon, Texas and most other playoff teams last year had garbage out of conference games as well. Basically, its kinda like why take the risk when your conference slate is difficult enough.

 

[#1fulmerite]

The largest reason we made the playoffs last year was out schedule and, to some degree, when we caught a couple of the teams. Had we had Oklahoma at the end instead of the beginning, the W/L ratio may have been different.

 

[LittleVol]

The largest reason we made the playoffs last year was out schedule and, to some degree, when we caught a couple of the teams. Had we had Oklahoma at the end instead of the beginning, the W/L ratio may have been different.

What are you talking about?

We beat them on their home field. A mucked up field mind you. Stop talking nonsense all the time.

 

[Fatdad32]

Our OCC schedule should stay about exactly where it is. If you want to have a team that has a shot at a Natty you don't schedule a hard OCC to add to. Oklahoma, Bama, Florida and Georgia. The only thing it does if you make it harder is decrease your shot at the playoffs.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Spurrier made a career off of playing ridiculously weak non-conference schedules. While we would be playing teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, he'd be playing Rice and Tulane and running up the score sky high on them.

 

[Vol-e-ball]

Weren't we supposed to be playing Nebraska this year? That would've helped some...maybe.

 

[TNHopeful505]

I think we are playing a weak schedule bc we had some cancellations that left us scrambling to find opponents. When that happens, it's rare you're gonna get a P4 team. Win and it doesn't matter.

 

[WillisWG]

The largest reason we made the playoffs last year was out schedule and, to some degree, when we caught a couple of the teams. Had we had Oklahoma at the end instead of the beginning, the W/L ratio may have been different.

yep that 71-0 W over Kent got is in

 

[Boca Vol]

Spurrier made a career off of playing ridiculously weak non-conference schedules. While we would be playing teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, he'd be playing Rice and Tulane and running up the score sky high on them.

They played FSU every year when they were very good. That gets overlooked.

 

[wmcovol]

The largest reason we made the playoffs last year was out schedule and, to some degree, when we caught a couple of the teams. Had we had Oklahoma at the end instead of the beginning, the W/L ratio may have been different.

Other than Alabama (Milroe was completely horrible that night), when did OU look good late last year? LSU beat them pretty good, SC embarrassed them at home.

 

[wmcovol]

Weren't we supposed to be playing Nebraska this year? That would've helped some...maybe.

I think Nebraska was to be next year.

 

[Volz4lif3]

Tennessee St.. great

 

[VFL-82-JP]

OP, you say "non conference schedule is weak" as if it varies wildly from year to year. It really doesn't.

It's always three powder puffs (usually 2 G5, 1 FCS) plus one FBS peer that might or might not be a challenge. Some years, that;'s an Oregon. Sometimes, it's a Virginia.

Either way, it's just a single game. The bulk of the OOC schedule is about amassing wins. Every year.

Go Vols!

 

[SpookyAction]

Spurrier made a career off of playing ridiculously weak non-conference schedules. While we would be playing teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, he'd be playing Rice and Tulane and running up the score sky high on them.

He played FLSt every season. 14 times, twice in 1995. FLSt was in the Top 10 every time they played while Spurrier was HC, except 2001. Seminoles were Top 3 6x. Ranked #1 in two of the games.
He had 1 landmine in his schedule every year.

Pretty amazing to have his coaching record at UF when he played a full SEC slate and FLSt every year. Spurrier was 5-8 vs Bowden.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

We pretty much have adopted the scheduling practices of our SEC East rivals, with the exception of the Gators, who have recently lost their mind. We’ve scheduled an ACC team just like those teams who have a set rivalry game vs an ACC team like UK, UGA, UF and USCjr. Next year we get GT bc Nebraska wussed out.

 

[Volnanza]

What are you talking about?

We beat them on their home field. A mucked up field mind you. Stop talking nonsense all the time.

Let me just remind that one of the most truthful posts of the year was made by an OU fan after that game.

"That was the worst 10 point beatdown that I have ever seen in college football"

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Spurrier made a career off of playing ridiculously weak non-conference schedules. While we would be playing teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, he'd be playing Rice and Tulane and running up the score sky high on them.

Spurrier played Florida State every year when they were a perennial top 5 team and Clemson every year at South Carolina. Saying he played ridiculously weak nonconference schedules just because their toughest nonconference game was at the end of the year is a foolish thing to say.

 

[Tennessee Jedd]

Can't stop thinking how the '98 season started with a win over Syracuse (with a young Donavan McNabb at QB). They say history doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes. GBO!

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Yeah, we lost OOC games vs OK and Nebraska which aren't easy games to replace on short notice. Not knowing when we will go to a 9 game Conference schedule hurts scheduling as well.

 

[Boca Vol]

OP, you say "non conference schedule is weak" as if it varies wildly from year to year. It really doesn't.

It's always three powder puffs (usually 2 G5, 1 FCS) plus one FBS peer that might or might not be a challenge. Some years, that;'s an Oregon. Sometimes, it's a Virginia.

Either way, it's just a single game. The bulk of the OOC schedule is about amassing wins. Every year.

Go Vols!

Tend to agree. The last “big-time” OOC opponent was Oklahoma in ‘14 & ‘15. Since then it was:

VA Tech
GT
WVU
BYU
Pitt x 2
UVA
NC State

Pretty “meh!”

 

[maryvillenative]

A weak non-conference schedule worked well for 'bama last year.

 

[livefaith]

I'm not overlooking SU. Sorry, we have some ?s and they ended strong.

 

[NEO]

Spurrier made a career off of playing ridiculously weak non-conference schedules. While we would be playing teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, he'd be playing Rice and Tulane and running up the score sky high on them.

Spurrier beat the living daylights out of everyone not named Nebraska. During that era it was Osborne then Spurrier. I hated his guts and still do to an extent but he hung most of our 90s losses on us. Him and Osbourne.

 

[a vol n tears]

Spurrier and Fulmer were basically in another era of football. Money was not near what it is now. In the 90s there were only a few teams that actually pursued being a NC. Note the quality of coaches then vs now, facilities at schools then and now. Recruiting budgets. In a few years we will look at the 90s like we currently look at the 60s and 70s