This season is a huge disappointment. That won't change unless we somehow win the SEC.
This year was primed for success and we just look so average.
What tvolsfan said.
This team was mature. It had guys who know how to "win". They didn't play well and have yet to look coached well.
Ok, now see, I just think this is a bit of heavy breathing.
Before the season started, I thought 10-2, win the East, get to Atlanta, see what happens after...saw that as a really nice goal.
We are only one game off that mark, thus far. Disappointing, sure. But a "huge disappointment"? No. Not at all. 7-5 would be a huge disappointment (and clear regression). 8-4 would be stagnation. But we broke the FL streak; we beat UGa again. We played in, and won, the most-attended football game in history. With the exception of the Bama game, we have defended Neyland. We've done a lot of good things this year to offset the bad. 9-3 in the regular season is only one (admittedly ugly) USCe game below the level most here on VolNation were ready to call a great season (not making that up; there was a poll; 10-2 was the most common answer by far).
So, like the blog writer who said this season is a "disaster" (worse, really, he said "disaster would be an understatement"), I think you guys are breathing a little heavy.
Yes, there were the D4Hs and Nationdoms who said 15-0, playoffs or bust, but you guys weren't with them, were you? I have you both pegged as far more reasonable, usually.
One other point: If you're going to give negative marks for what the coach does directly control (and you should), you ought to be willing to give allowance for those things that the coach largely does NOT control, like an unprecedented string of injuries to team captains and other key players . Yeah, yeah, S&C can help prevent injuries, coach is ultimately responsible for everything that happens, yada, yada, I get it, but you gotta be reasonable, or it's not even worth having the conversation.
There is room for gradations between "very happy; success" and "major disappointment." For me, we're in that in-between space. I't put myself at "definitely disappointed in the USCe game, mildly disappointed in the season as a whole (as long as we don't lose again these next 2 weekends), and slightly concerned about whether Butch has much more upside."
That's a far cry from "huge disappointment."