After plummeting to a 5-6 season in 2005, Tennessee's 9-4 record in 2006 appears to put the program back on the right track. As far as the Vols are concerned, though, they aren't moving nearly fast enough to suit their own goals.
I am not sure Vol fans are convinced. We need to see another year at least to be sure. We last won the SEC east in 2004. Vol fans want to compete for that every year. I think the jury is still out on whether or not coach Phil Fulmer can restore this program to the preeminece he had it operating at from 1998 through 2002.
"Our best game was Cal (the season opener), and we haven't played like that since then," linebacker Ryan Karl told The Tennessean. "We've just got to be able to put those pieces together and play like that every game."
A 9-4 season meets or exceeds the expectations at most Division I-A programs but not at Tennessee. That's particularly true when two of those losses came at home to Florida and LSU. Add a road loss to Arkansas and all three regular-season losses came to teams that entered the bowl season ranked in the top 11. The fourth and final loss came in a disappointing performance in a 20-10 Outback Bowl loss to unranked Penn State. Tennessee has won just two bowl games since winning national championship in 1998.
Again I offer this as evidence that coach Phil Fulmer uses bowls more as winter practice than a game fans want to see the Vols win. I know it sounds like sour grapes. And I know Phil will never admit it. But he is trying to save his lucrative job. And Championships have more to do with that than bowl wins given bowl losses are quickly forgotten being they happen at the end of the year.
Offensively, the Vols became a better passing team in 2006, due in part to the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and the growth of quarterback Erik Ainge, but the running game rarely produced on a consistent basis. Three turnovers, including Ainge's critical third-quarter interception, kept the Vols from climbing out of their hole against Penn State. "Erik made a couple of really undisciplined plays, to be honest with you," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Again, they're young and learning and not professionals, and even professionals make mistakes." The defense allowed 183 rushing yards and 197 passing yards without forcing any turnover, prompting defensive coordinator John Chavis to vow offseason changes.
" I don't like to look back because I don't want the past to catch up with me," said John Chavis, Defensive Coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers. He admits that Tennessee struggled this year on the defensive line and with defensive backs. "After 2005 we lost a lot of seniors and this year we had a lot of injuries leaving us not as deep as we normally are on defense" "But we are getting better." Chavis is also getting ready for next year as the Volunteers practice in preparation for Monday's Outback Bowl in Tampa Florida.
Marvin Mitchell says the Vols are concentrating on stopping Penn State's big running back. While being careful to avoid the fast side to side running of the SEC and straight ahead running style of the Big 10 stereotypes, some of this will be visible on Monday. Penn State will run straight at the Vols.
Howevever, Phil Fulmer is also warning his team that Penn State has some very fast receivers that defensive backs for Tennessee will have to cover well and that will require that the defensive line get some pressure on the Penn State quarterback.
Tennessee is three and "o" in its last three games against Big 10 opposition with consecutive bowl wins over Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan. The Vols and the Volunteer faithful are looking for number four on New Year's Day.
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