We're being underestimated

[GBO97]

And I LOVE it. Seems like many analysts and fans insist on counting us out and handing the win to OU simply because of one poor game in pass coverage. The spread is close to even but the bets have heavily favored OU. There were 5 SEC analysts on ESPN.com making predictions, and all 5 picked OU. Even knoxnews predicted an OU win. The truth is, we're not much worse, if any, than they are, and the game's at home. Both teams have comparable strengths and weaknesses, but the magnifying glass is being applied much more to UT. This should only make it more of a wake up call if the Vols come out ready to knock some heads, and lay it to the Sooners for a big home W. I think the team knows that they're underestimated too, esp. the secondary. I think a healthier secondary, with a coach, is going to come out fired up this time around, and although OU still has matchup advantages, Mayfield won't have the field day many project him to have. At first I thought that it was disturbing how much we're being overlooked in what seems like a coin flip game. But I love it now. I think we're ready to really turn some heads.

GBO, VFL

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

I agree. Its alot better for us to be counted out right now heading to the game. That way when we win (in commanding fashion might I add), it'll be more impactful. Just look at how the media has been slurping Ohio State for 9 months. All because they said they didn't believe they could beat Alabama or Oregon. We're gonna do the same thing. And the pathetic won't have any choice but to jump on the bandwagon as we head to the swamp.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

I believe that OU's biggest handicap will be the crowd noise: 1. New QB 2. New OC 3. Young OL 4. UT's Defensive Line with something to prove because of the BG Game 5. Secondary for UT, same as the DL

Not saying a blow out, but I would not be surprised if UT wins by more than 2 TDs. I get it, UT has been down, and we have not won that "signature game" over a non-conference team.......outside of anything catastrophic, I believe UT has the better team today.

Go Vols!:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock:

 

[BruisedOrange]

For team attitude, I'm glad the experts are predicting against us. I hope it adds to our players' resolve.

But I think the experts are correct, and excited Tennessee fans are OVERestimating Team 119.

We have plenty of solid reasons to be excited about this team: improved overall talent and speed, proven individuals at several key positions, and more starters with a year's experience gained.

But our depth is young, and already thinned by injuries and bad decisions. We're getting there, but Team 120 would hypothetically beat Team 119 by 24 points.

I think the Oklahoma we'll face today is stronger and more mature overall. We'll need OU to get some bad breaks to even the contest. I don't think we can withstand more injuries than Oklahoma today. If the game is close as predicted, OU surely has the edge in field goal kicking.

This is a great TEST for us. I hope to be surprised. I hope the O-line, field goal unit, and D-backfield show the most improvement from game one. I hope our coaches have found exploitable weaknesses in this OU team. But I won't be surprised by a loss today if it's under 10 points. Too many high-expectation fans here are setting themselves up for needless disappointment.

Just as bad, we could upset OU by 2 points and, instead of celebrating, we'll have fans grumping that we somehow underperformed! Relax and let the game and the season play out. Enjoy the ride up. These rebuilding seasons will be more fun and satisfying than the ones after we really arrive and look at the schedule expecting to go undefeated.

 

[Other_Guy]

Hurd reading Strikers comments will prove the difference

 

[rickyyrs]

I believe that OU's biggest handicap will be the crowd noise: 1. New QB 2. New OC 3. Young OL 4. UT's Defensive Line with something to prove because of the BG Game 5. Secondary for UT, same as the DL

Not saying a blow out, but I would not be surprised if UT wins by more than 2 TDs. I get it, UT has been down, and we have not won that "signature game" over a non-conference team.......outside of anything catastrophic, I believe UT has the better team today.

Go Vols!:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock:

What you said about Oklahoma, sounds like us last year when we played at Oklahoma. Last year Oklahoma knew Woorley was not going to run with the ball. Dobbs will take off. Makes a big difference.

 

[Other_Guy]

The main thing that gives me hope/confidence is that Butch has kept teling us to pump the brakes the last 2 years but I think this is the game he and the team have beeb getting ready for since Day 1. He tried to keep the ship steady until he got talent and develop them, now its time to throw the kitchen sink at this game. The time is now to show the CFB world who he and his staff are and whers they're about to take this team.
Lets say its a close loss, an instant classic. Not a deathly loss. But best case to get back on this stage is beat UF and Arky. However, going into the UGA game will still not be as big of a stage. It would take being 5-1 heading into Bama go get back on that stage. Then everyone kinda already knows lol. Big statement game today.

 

[VolFanInCzech]

This game could go either way honestly. We have so much power on offense, but the secondary needs to improve. I think if we can stop Bakers Mayfield and put pressure on him, we can win this game by 2 TDs. not too worried about their run game.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

we are being a little underestimated and i think that bodes well. I have seen on a few networks where they talk like we dont have a chance. Pretty strange for such a close line. People are scared to pick us. We got as good a chance as we have had in a long time on this stage. All these experts keep talking about our bad day in the secondary but nobody is talking about OUs weaknesses and there is many. They just skip right on by that. It kinda seems like OU also thinks its going to be easy but their in big trouble if they think this is the same team as last year. Its just funny last yr how everytime you turned on the TV last yr you heard somebody talking about our O Line. But this time around nobody is saying anything about OUs O Line and it has some major issues.

 

[Strateegery]

Ya know, we've all been wrong before. So what are the chances the analists are right? 50/50? I'll take that. What's funny is that when the game's over and we are the victors, the talking heads will spin it like it was all us all along.

 

[Jackcrevol]

i just dont think we're as good as some of the media hype early on. I think we're improved from last year. And deserving a top 25 ranking. But, Oklahoma is probably a top ten program at years end

 

[RockCityVol]

Neyland and our Vols will return to prominence today. Big day today. I am convinced we will wake up the whole SEC east and vol haters with our win today.

It is going to be a great day.

 

[peyton4heisman]

Haven't been up this early on a Saturday since I was a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons. Gonna be a long 9hours and 45min!

 

[norrislakevol]

Let's break it down:
OL - Advantage Tennessee
RB - Even...maybe slight edge OU
WR - Advantage Tennessee
QB - Advantage Tennessee
DL - Advantage Tennessee
LB - Advantage Oklahoma
DB - Slight Advantage Tennessee
ST - Hard to judge. Both teams have solid return game.

So If we pressure Mayfield, Game over. Their line struggled against Akron as far as run blocking goes.

Edit: Forgot to Add WR. Tennessee has a bigger and more athletic WR corps than OU does.

 

[Biopsyman]

'Twss

 

[m9000]

It is hard to be underestimated until we beat some good teams. By good, I mean the upper 1/3 of they SEC or equivalent quality.

What was the last quality win?

 

[General Jack]

Let's break it down:
OL - Advantage Tennessee
RB - Even...maybe slight edge OU
QB - Advantage Tennessee
DL - Advantage Tennessee
LB - Advantage Oklahoma
DB - Slight Advantage Tennessee
ST - Hard to judge. Both teams have solid return game.

So If we pressure Mayfield, Game over. Their line struggled against Akron as far as run blocking goes.

Agree that if we pressure and disrupt we should win.

I expect OU to get the ball out quick. Glad Mayfield isn't known for his running.

 

[Pacer92]

I'd rather us be underestimated. I think we are better than we've been in several years, but we have to eventually win a game of this magnitude to get back into any discussions of being legit again.

 

[saxvol]

OU has not been very good on the road at night in recent memory. If our D shows up we got this game. GO VOLS!

 

[CAVPUT]

Guess I'm in the minority, but I feel UT is a little over rated. I'm still not sold on the OL despite the gaudy numbers against BG. Secondary is a huge concern, and I'm still waiting on the WR core to live up to the hype. Add to that the injuries and suspensions, and I think UT still has a bit of that hill left to climb before they can beat the big boys regularly. I've always thought next year would be the year UT made national noise on the field.

Until UT gets it done on the field against the better teams.....

 

[Sooner Nation]

I think both teams have a lot of athletes and it'll be a close game.
This game will come down to turnovers and getting touchdowns instead of field goals.
How will our young oline play in front of this crowd? I believe crowd noise will cause a few false starts and a couple wasted time outs. If our line holds up, we'll be able to have success passing the ball.
I think an X factor for my boys on offense will be Mark Andrews- a very athletic, big, Tight end- h back that they flex out and has great hands.
I think for the Vols on offense, I'm most worried about the qb run game and scrambling out of the pocket.
Last year the game was bigger for OU,as they were ranked very high and had high expectations. This year the game is a little bigger for the Vols, as you're trying to re emerge as a big boy and this is a statement win and sets the table for the rest of the season.
Both teams play 4 man fronts on defense and like to blitz alot, so who's able to get pressure and not get exposed in the secondary.

This should be a great game, I'm pumped! I hope there aren't any major injuries and the Vols do well after tonight. Here it is- OU 30-27 in a classic between 2 of CFB's big boys! BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!

 

[bnhunt]

If anything, I think it is the opposite. I'm not sure what UT has done to be ranked in the top 25 at this point. I hope I'm completely wrong and we beat the crap out of OU today, but if I was betting with my head and not my heart, I would say OU wins 38-24.

 

[orange parmejohn]

i just dont think we're as good as some of the media hype early on. I think we're improved from last year. And deserving a top 25 ranking. But, Oklahoma is probably a top ten program at years end

What have you seen that makes you think OU is a top 10 program? They would have to win every game, with only a loss to either Baylor or TCU( I believe both are in their conference) and win their bowl game to finish in top 10.

 

[holdemvol]

we are being a little underestimated and i think that bodes well. I have seen on a few networks where they talk like we dont have a chance. Pretty strange for such a close line. People are scared to pick us. We got as good a chance as we have had in a long time on this stage. All these experts keep talking about our bad day in the secondary but nobody is talking about OUs weaknesses and there is many. They just skip right on by that. It kinda seems like OU also thinks its going to be easy but their in big trouble if they think this is the same team as last year. Its just funny last yr how everytime you turned on the TV last yr you heard somebody talking about our O Line. But this time around nobody is saying anything about OUs O Line and it has some major issues.

Who is talking like we don't have a chance? Every prediction I have seen outside of OU message boards has called for a close game.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Let's break it down:
OL - Advantage Tennessee
RB - Even...maybe slight edge OU
WR - Advantage Tennessee
QB - Advantage Tennessee
DL - Advantage Tennessee
LB - Advantage Oklahoma
DB - Slight Advantage Tennessee
ST - Hard to judge. Both teams have solid return game.

So If we pressure Mayfield, Game over. Their line struggled against Akron as far as run blocking goes.

Edit: Forgot to Add WR. Tennessee has a bigger and more athletic WR corps than OU does.

I think you ate right, comes down to pressuring qb. This makes me confident knowing how much they had to hikd last year and their OL isn't as good as last year and our DL should be better. This IMO is the reason for confidence