The Tennessee Vols (1-2) have lost 13 times in their past 29 games, but they hadn't lost as badly as they did Saturday in 26 years. It was Tennessee's biggest loss since 1981's 41-0 drubbing by Georgia. It was the most points the Vols have given up since 1995's 62-37 loss in Gainesville.
"We pretty much got our butts kicked by our biggest rival," Vols center Josh McNeil said.
The Vols ran for 37 yards on 21 carries. They had minus-11 rushing yards against Florida last year and 66 two years ago.
"You can't do too many things when you can't run the football," UT senior tight end Chris Brown said.
You can't do too many things when you give up 554 yards of total offense, either. Florida had 299 passing yards and 255 on the ground."We cannot continue to give people big plays," Phil Fulmer said. "We cannot help good teams that way, as we did with Cal and Florida."
The defense has to make tackles. Jonathan Hefney needs to step up and be the All-American caliber player he was hyped to be before the season. He's supposed to be the leader in the secondary and has looked awful all season.
Something needs to change damn it! Lack of running offense aside, we damn sure can't give up that much yardage.
The whole "pre-season" all American #### is just that...####!!! How is it possible to label ANYONE an All American before a snap is even executed? By having the Pre Season All American selections, you have already ruled out players who may actually be more deserving by season's end. It's more ridiculous than the rankings.
I'll have to admit, I've never been a Tennessee fan. I think they're alway WAAAAAAY overrated, every season. Of course, they did have their one good one back in the late 90's. But this being said...I'm a UNC fan...so I have nothing to root for.
Hmmmmm.... I know you guys have been high on your QB recruits over the past few years, but none of them have really impressed me. Not to say that's the only reason for your woes.
Much like Spurrier came into the conference with a ####, it appears Meyer is doing the same thing. It might take some time for opposing coaches to adjust. Not to mention, he's clearly recruited the talent to back up his playcalling.
I don't pay much attention to pre-season all-american lists except to see who is supposed to be the leaders on my teams. The writer I quoted there is a college student. But given Fulmer's quotes on Hefney after the Cal game, it rang true.
We are usually rated every season because we have consistently been a top 10 or top 20 team.
Interesting that you are a UNC fan. We have not played you since 1961. We must be afraid that you might beat us and that we would not gain anything by beating you. Maybe you and I need to start a petition to match us up. That is, if you want to come on over to the big house.
Last edited by 14Falcons on September 19th at 11:23 AM.
I am O.K. with our offense. We are putting points on the board.
But our defense... well I've said it to you before. We allowed you guys to get practically 600 yards of offense on us. I mean, Tebow is good, but sheez.
I am really coming down hard on Chavis because not only is he our Defensive Coordinator but he is also the Defensive Line coach. And to me, that is where our trouble starts. Obviously Meyer is a genius, but still, 600 yards?
Falcon...I'm certainly not trying to turn this into a Tennessee bashing session...but I would ask you to check the preseason polls...and then check to see where Tennessee winds up after the season. That's the point I'm trying to make.
Naw...I'm sure Tennessee would "get well" on my boys. However, I'm very excited about what I've see so far this year...and the are all freshmen and sophs. They have lost two games by a total of five points...to two good teams. They start a freshmen QB...is looked awesome Saturday...and they have a soph and junior WR that will be household names by the middle of next season. All I'm saying is....keep your eyes peeled. My Heels are coming soon!!!
I would love to go to Knoxville to see them play you guys. I'm sure, especially this year, it wouldn't be much o####ame. But I'd go anyway. I'm up for the petition. Keep an eye on UNC during their big game with the Gamecocks in October. Demonicume and I both are going to be at that game. You should be rooting for my Heels..:)
14Falcons
Fulmer can coach so let's get that outta the way once and for all. The problem being is that he's fighting for the scraps in terms of what's left of the 'blue chipped' recruits. They're all either going to LSU , Florida or farther afield. And that's been his problem. And it hasn't helped that he's not got the ol' ball coach Spurrier just down the road. He'll now be setting his sights in Fulmer's direction as far as recruits go.
I don't think Tennesse is that bad. They have had a few down years, but who wouldn't when you have to play the likes of the SEC East every year.
I think Florida is in the top echelon of teams this year. USC, LSU, and maybe Oklahoma, WVU, Cal, and Ohio State. The way these teams have gone out and thrashed who they have played so far, you can't assume that the teams they play are bad teams.
I understand team pride is a tough thing to #### when they get their butts handed to them, but dwelling on the losses is sel####efeating. Hell, my favorite team was handed their butts and made to eat them on prime time tv last week. All that I can think to do is get through these lean years without jumping of####rain shiloh.
Hang in there, it has to get better sometime, right?
No problem. I set my Vols up for that with this blog. They deserve some grief. I just don't want this to turn into a fire Fulmer blog. There are plenty of those blogs and threads out there. I welcome anyone with facts regarding why our D is so bad to chime in.
I wish we would play UNC soon. There is a good chance we may meet in a Peach Bowl one of these years.
The pre-season polls are all about football traditional powers and who did what last year. That's about all there is to them.
You guys have had it tougher than us. That is for sure. Being next door in Iowa I hear a lot about Nebraska. The last company I worked for was based in Omaha, so they were all Husker fans.
But we just don't want to sink as low as you did to be honest. Although I think you are back despite the score Saturday night. I feel like you will find a way to beat Missouri, somehow, for the Big 12 North Championship. You guys have a history of doing that. But I will still cheer for Mizzou.
This post is my last on Florida-Tennessee. But we were beaten soundly and we need to pause to reflect. However, I hope to turn my attention, and all you dear readers attentions as well, toward Arkansas State - Tennesee with an upcoming post.
Some will say this is a weak opponent to schedule. But actually, we have never played them. So I think they are fair game, especially given that they are a next door neighbor. And besides that, they beat former Soutwest Conference member SMU last weekend.
Sure the Gators are National Championship caliber. They get my vote. And I'll put Cal in the top 10. There is something else too. That Southern Miss team we beat was a pretty good ball club. That's why I am not giving up.
But still, we could go 10 and 2 or 5 and 7. Who knows what will happen? Nobody knows.
And your welcome on the props. We conservatives have to hang together and resist the nonsense the left comes up with. Ultra is one of my faves. But he is a piece of work. I did enjoy my extended conversation with jgrace on that thread.
Cheers!
Last edited by 14Falcons on September 19th at 2:49 PM.
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