Why the losses hurt more this year

#1
T

Thunndarr

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#1
Was anyone devastated by the loss to OK last year? To FLA last year? (Don't get me wrong, I was angry and disappointed, but that was nothing compared to how I felt this year.)

And why is that, exactly? Because this year, for the first time in a long time, I see a team that has the chance to win every game they are in. (I'm not calling for an undefeated season from here on out, but I am calling for competitive games.)

This year, the difference is hope. The team is good enough to be in games that a lot of years they haven't been. And yeah, losing to FLA is always tough, and that streak is getting real old, but let's not act like Butch is the only coach at UT who hasn't been able to beat the Gators. And most of those losses haven't been close.

So watching the game Saturday, while I was telling myself that it wasn't going to end well because, let's face it, it never does, I found myself starting to believe.

And despite the loss, I'm actually grateful for that. I believe the team is better than it's been in years, and yeah, the losses are hard, but it's because we as a fanbase (even with the "questionable" coaching) are starting to believe.

I'm not ok with the losses, but I can't argue that something seems different about this team, and I can't deny that this season really feels like things are starting to turn around.

I haven't felt that way about Tennessee football in long, long, while. And it's about time.
 
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#3
#3
It hurts more because we have the talent to win and haven't, and from here on out it only gets tougher. That includes the remainder of this year and for the coming years in the SEC East.
 
#4
#4
No matter what the situation we will always pull for the Vols. Nothing is better than going to a game on rocky top I don't care what our damn record is.
 
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#5
#5
TacomaJPP said:
It hurts more because we have the talent to win and haven't, and from here on out it only gets tougher. That includes the remainder of this year and for the coming years in the SEC East.
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Talent doesn't win ball games. Skill wins ball games and UT "ain't" there yet.
 
#7
#7
Thunndarr said:
Was anyone devastated by the loss to OK last year? To FLA last year? (Don't get me wrong, I was angry and disappointed, but that was nothing compared to how I felt this year.)

And why is that, exactly? Because this year, for the first time in a long time, I see a team that has the chance to win every game they are in. (I'm not calling for an undefeated season from here on out, but I am calling for competitive games.)

This year, the difference is hope. The team is good enough to be in games that a lot of years they haven't been. And yeah, losing to FLA is always tough, and that streak is getting real old, but let's not act like Butch is the only coach at UT who hasn't been able to beat the Gators. And most of those losses haven't been close.

So watching the game Saturday, while I was telling myself that it wasn't going to end well because, let's face it, it never does, I found myself starting to believe.

And despite the loss, I'm actually grateful for that. I believe the team is better than it's been in years, and yeah, the losses are hard, but it's because we as a fanbase (even with the "questionable" coaching) are starting to believe.

I'm not ok with the losses, but I can't argue that something seems different about this team, and I can't deny that this season really feels like things are starting to turn around.

I haven't felt that way about Tennessee football in long, long, while. And it's about time.
Click to expand...

This says it all and I agree.
 
#8
#8
MedicT said:
Talent doesn't win ball games. Skill wins ball games and UT "ain't" there yet.
Click to expand...

So we have talented players but they dont have skill?? And whose responsibility is it to develop this skill to win these games? So if we are not "there yet", then when? Next year? 2020?
 
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#10
#10
The losses hurt more because Tennessee either is or should be better than most of the opponents on the schedule.

If you don't believe that, Florida people are talking about potentially winning the East. A week and a half ago most pundits picked them to lose to Kentucky. Now, fans see two teams left who lost to Kentucky (South Carolina and Missouri) and Vandy and think....it's possible. Which would only leave Georgia left in terms of pulling a major upset. So, if it's possible for Florida, who I have described as "bad", with roster issues up and down the roster and a 1st year head coach, it was really, really, really within reach for Tennessee.

Tennessee came into the year without one glaring weakness, whereas most teams did. So, I definitely believe that's where the anger comes from.
 
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#11
#11
Because everyone, including me, bought into the HYPE that media was printing on UT, coach Jones has said repeatedly that this program was a long ways from where it needed to be........but that doesn't sound as good as ESPN, CBS, SEC Network etc. etc.........you guys bought their BS and didn't want to hear what the coach had to say, because it is not sexy enough.

Blame yourselves for the butt hurt.

Go Vols!!!
 
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#12
#12
FlyFishnVol said:
Because everyone, including me, bought into the HYPE that media was printing on UT, coach Jones has said repeatedly that this program was a long ways from where it needed to be........but that doesn't sound as good as ESPN, CBS, SEC Network etc. etc.........you guys bought their BS and didn't want to hear what the coach had to say, because it is not sexy enough.

Blame yourselves for the butt hurt.

Go Vols!!!
Click to expand...

I said this before and got roasted, but a lot of the preseason stuff was because (a) Tennessee had a lot of returning starters and (b) if not Tennessee, who.

And we have proof of that so far.

Does anyone want to claim that Florida, Vandy, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas or South Carolina are better than average?

Throw in 3 cupcakes and you're talking 9 games before you get to Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia.

So, it was there if Tennessee was "good". It's year 3. Tennessee should be "good".
 
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#13
#13
It's simple. We controlled both games and looked like we were going to win for the first 50-55 minutes of the games. We had the rug pulled from beneath us at the last minute both times. That's why they sting more
 
#14
#14
To me, last years Florida game and the OU game this year hurt much worse than this years Florida game. I guess it's because this years FL game didn't surprise me. Or I was just still numb from the OU game.
 
#15
#15
It hurts more because our loses lay at the feet of the adult that's in charge. Losses don't hurt as much when you realize that you're just outmanned, but that's not the case this year.
 
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#16
#16
Hurt? I was pissed for an hour and then enjoyed my weekend. I suggest some of you all do the same.
 
#17
#17
99gator said:
I said this before and got roasted, but a lot of the preseason stuff was because (a) Tennessee had a lot of returning starters and (b) if not Tennessee, who.

And we have proof of that so far.

Does anyone want to claim that Florida, Vandy, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas or South Carolina are better than average?

Throw in 3 cupcakes and you're talking 9 games before you get to Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia.

So, it was there if Tennessee was "good". It's year 3. Tennessee should be "good".
Click to expand...

Depends on how you define "good". We've led for something like 235 out of 240 minutes played so far this season. Our record isn't "good" because we've had games sabotaged by inept decision-making and highly suspect play-calling.
 
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#18
#18
It could be better, could be worse. There are 100 teams (some even in the top 25) that wish they could be us right now bc of potential. Forget the biased national writers. Remember "they all hate Tennessee anyways." They came from the woodworks to give us a whipping, but those same writers will not be so obliged to write when things are going well for us. Humble yourselves, we are lucky to live in such a great state and pull for such a great team. #believeinteam119
 
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#19
#19
FlyFishnVol said:
Because everyone, including me, bought into the HYPE that media was printing on UT, coach Jones has said repeatedly that this program was a long ways from where it needed to be........but that doesn't sound as good as ESPN, CBS, SEC Network etc. etc.........you guys bought their BS and didn't want to hear what the coach had to say, because it is not sexy enough.

Blame yourselves for the butt hurt.

Go Vols!!!
Click to expand...

The coach didn't want to set himself up for failure either. That's why he was playing everything down.
 
#20
#20
Old saying "Gotta make hay while the sun shines". Those two teams were as close to beat as u can get. That's why it hurts.

There's no rule that says Tennessee has to be outcoached is there?
 
#21
#21
Carlitovol said:
Depends on how you define "good". We've led for something like 235 out of 240 minutes played so far this season. Our record isn't "good" because we've had games sabotaged by inept decision-making and highly suspect play-calling.
Click to expand...

One of the things that has become aggravating every season for Vol fans is watching other teams over the course of the season pound Florida.

I know Tennessee could have and should have won. But, I think you will see some games here soon (possibly this week) where Florida isn't even competitive.

Outplaying Florida at this point in time is not necessarily an accomplishment. And there's only one team I can think of that has outplayed or been in position to beat Florida the last two seasons and lost. Everyone else got it done.
 
#22
#22
Thunndarr said:
Was anyone devastated by the loss to OK last year? To FLA last year? (Don't get me wrong, I was angry and disappointed, but that was nothing compared to how I felt this year.)

And why is that, exactly? Because this year, for the first time in a long time, I see a team that has the chance to win every game they are in. (I'm not calling for an undefeated season from here on out, but I am calling for competitive games.)

This year, the difference is hope. The team is good enough to be in games that a lot of years they haven't been. And yeah, losing to FLA is always tough, and that streak is getting real old, but let's not act like Butch is the only coach at UT who hasn't been able to beat the Gators. And most of those losses haven't been close.

So watching the game Saturday, while I was telling myself that it wasn't going to end well because, let's face it, it never does, I found myself starting to believe.

And despite the loss, I'm actually grateful for that. I believe the team is better than it's been in years, and yeah, the losses are hard, but it's because we as a fanbase (even with the "questionable" coaching) are starting to believe.

I'm not ok with the losses, but I can't argue that something seems different about this team, and I can't deny that this season really feels like things are starting to turn around.

I haven't felt that way about Tennessee football in long, long, while. And it's about time.
Click to expand...

wonderful post!!
 
#23
#23
Johnnyreb#VFL said:
It could be better, could be worse. There are 100 teams (some even in the top 25) that wish they could be us right now bc of potential. Forget the biased national writers. Remember "they all hate Tennessee anyways." They came from the woodworks to give us a whipping, but those same writers will not be so obliged to write when things are going well for us. Humble yourselves, we are lucky to live in such a great state and pull for such a great team. #believeinteam119
Click to expand...

Before we began the process of adding outsiders to our league, as far media darlings go, California and Texas combined had a population close to all the states in the SEC combined.
 
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#25
#25
MedicT said:
Talent doesn't win ball games. Skill wins ball games and UT "ain't" there yet.
Click to expand...

Fair point.

When you boil it down, we had enough (insert whatever here) to get leads in the first half of two big games and blow them both.
 
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