Sin City Vol
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Pretty much agree with all you typed.I’m the biggest NegaVol and Pruitt detractor on this site...proudly. However...this team and staff did all I ask for against MSU. The competed to the level they’re capable of, and were not embarrassing. I was pleasantly surprised and have nothing bad to say over that game. Had they played the same way and lost, I still wouldn’t have too much bad to say.
We are not a good football team, and are years from championship level....but I can live with that as long as I see effort, scheme, and development. Sitting back on our heels and being beaten by lesser talent will always set me off, but if we can turn the corner and compete in every game we’re in I can be satisfied. Doing so is an assurance that we are headed the right way and won’t wander in darkness forever.
The programs which master the new transfer portal and grad transfer situations will have a slight advantage.That's at once realistic and unrealistic. The roster probably needs that kind of infusion of talent. The reality is that if Pruitt doesn't give recruits something tangible to believe in within the first 3 years... they're not going to sign with him. He may need 5 years. He has 3.
The wild card is transfers and grad transfers. The 25 signee rule hurts teams that need to rebuild. The transfer rules can help. Pruitt really needs to grab some difference makers from the transfer portal or JUCO route.
We aren't close to Bama, UGA, LSU or UF. Not sure where this delusion comes from after beating a very subpar Ms State team.The Vols are good, consistent QB play away from competing with anyone in the SEC except Bama and probably UGA (on talent). JG was a liability that cost UT games. Maurer has done some things to spark hope but isn't the answer yet either.
UT's D played better but needs an O that protects them more than they've been protected this season. They have no depth. They have holes in their talent.
The OL is improved and improving. The RB's are "good" but lack the power to run through a defensive LOS focused on stopping the run. UT is very good at WR and TE. What they haven't had from JG at all and from Maurer consistently is a QB that can hit plays downfield to open up the run game and take pressure off the OL.
This past week the Vols won a hard fought game against a team with similar talent. We played significantly better on defense and the 5+ minute, 91 yard drive to seal the win was something we have not seen in a while. My question for VolNation is "have the Vols turned the corner?" We lost to a bad Ga St team in game one, if that game were played next week we win by 40+. Each and every week we have watched this team get better, the OL is starting to get a push, the QB and receivers are getting on track. The running game is better because the OL has improved. The tackling is the best we have seen in a few years. the DL is improving and got some pressures and sacks last week. This team is young and thin at several positions. This weeks game will give us the answer to to the question 'Have the Vols turned the corner?". If we can hold Bama to a reasonable number, say 35 to 42 and score a reasonable amount 21 to 28 then I think this Vol team is well on its way to becoming a well coached team. We are no where near as talented as Bama and are several signing classes away from being "back", but I think we have to give Pruitt and this coaching staff a high grade on "teaching" these young men what it takes to win ballgames.
I write all of this to say I think we have ourselves a ball coach and staff. This team had lost for so long that "losing" permeated the locker room. This coaching staff are all winners, they know what it takes in terms of effort, skill and determination to win football games. They have since day 1 tried to instill winning in our players. They have gotten rid of the "bad apples" and now are down to 67 scholarship players who want to win and are willing to work hard enough to do so. I do not think we make a bowl game this year, losing to GA St and BYU cost us that. But at the end of this season I expect we are 5-7 and are well on our way to a bowl game in 2020.
These players deserve our support. Get there early, stay late and Go Vols!
I’m the biggest NegaVol and Pruitt detractor on this site...proudly. However...this team and staff did all I ask for against MSU. The competed to the level they’re capable of, and were not embarrassing. I was pleasantly surprised and have nothing bad to say over that game. Had they played the same way and lost, I still wouldn’t have too much bad to say.
We are not a good football team, and are years from championship level....but I can live with that as long as I see effort, scheme, and development. Sitting back on our heels and being beaten by lesser talent will always set me off, but if we can turn the corner and compete in every game we’re in I can be satisfied. Doing so is an assurance that we are headed the right way and won’t wander in darkness forever.
Maurer played a little. He played in a gameplan designed for JG. The coaches have commented a few times on the gameplan being different for Maurer.We lost by 31 to UF. We might have lost by 24 with decent QB play, but Maurer played and did nothing so not sure that even holds water.
Well,at least your honest.This was never going to an easy re-build but i see things starting to go in the right direction.I’m the biggest NegaVol and Pruitt detractor on this site...proudly. However...this team and staff did all I ask for against MSU. The competed to the level they’re capable of, and were not embarrassing. I was pleasantly surprised and have nothing bad to say over that game. Had they played the same way and lost, I still wouldn’t have too much bad to say.
We are not a good football team, and are years from championship level....but I can live with that as long as I see effort, scheme, and development. Sitting back on our heels and being beaten by lesser talent will always set me off, but if we can turn the corner and compete in every game we’re in I can be satisfied. Doing so is an assurance that we are headed the right way and won’t wander in darkness forever.
The fortunate thing is that every team left on the schedule is a flawed team. USCe in spite of their UGA win is very flawed. Vandy is downright awful. UK isn't a lot better. Mizzou is very, very vulnerable to the pass. The sell out to stop the run. They're a little difficult to evaluate fairly because they've played a pretty weak schedule.
UAB... if UT is still losing to mid-majors that deep into the season then there are really, really big problems. They have a good record but have avoided difficult opponents. UT is their only P-5 opponent. They're beating up on their little sisters
I saw things to be positive about. Still dislike Pruitt, and am disappointed he’s here, but they gave me nothing to be critical of on Saturday. I’m not looking for miracles...just play with intensity and intelligence. If the other team is just better I can accept that.Well,at least your honest.This was never going to an easy re-build but i see things starting to go in the right direction.