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.
For the sixth time in the last nine seasons, a September loss has forced the University of Tennessee's football team to redirect its goals.
Edited from: Vols regroup after loss, Monday, September 03, 2007
By Stephen Hargis, Assistant Sports Editor, Chatanooga Times Free Press
"As far as tackling, we did not have a good day at all," UT Coach Phil Fulmer said. "It wasn't just up front. The front played reasonably well. It was our tackling. It was some at linebacker and a lot at safety. Jonathan Hefney has made a lot of plays for us here and will make a lot more, but he did not have his best game at safety.
"Stopping the run remains a concern. They're very skilled and quick at tailback, and they made us miss. Cal has good backs, but they're not that good."
Tennessee's inability to wrap up allowed Cal to rush for 230 yards. Fulmer said after watching game film that he counted 22 missed tackles.
I don't normally like making predictions on the next football season until the NFL's early-entry deadline passes. One departure can radically change a depth chart. For instance, I was going to get brave and predict South Carolina to win the SEC East next year until receiver Sidney Rice changed his mind and bolted for the NFL.
But with most of the major decisions already announced -- aside from a couple of the Florida guys -- I'll go ahead and predict the SEC in 2007.
I think Urban Meyer will really get to unveil some of the nuances in his offense with Tim Tebow taking all the snaps. In that case, the Gators will once again be difficult to prepare for among the conference schools.
No comment on Florida. What could I say? What could I do? Hugs.
2. South Carolina
Ten starters back on defense. A confident Blake Mitchell. A strong running game. Sidney...dang it.
I'm not entirely sure who Erik Ainge is going to throw the ball to. So much for the touted 2005 class helping the Vols at receiver. Also, defensive coordinators seemed to figure out David Cutcliffe toward the end of the season.
I am not enamored with Fulmer and Cutcliffe these days. Back in the day? Yes. These days? No.
4. Georgia
If you look back, great SEC teams almost always have superior defensive lines. Just look at Florida this year. Look how Tennessee got run over this season. The Bulldogs will not have a great defensive line next year.
Hey, unsportsmanlike conduct on the Tennesee comment. This guy must be a University of Tennessee Chatanooga Moccassins fan. Not Golden Moccasins Lisa. Not even Water Moccassins, which would help the understanding of the mascot. Who's afraid of soft shoes? Hard shoes maybe, they could hurt, especially if they had buckles. Just like that little hand purse my junior high girlfriend used to pop me on the head with. Yeah, the little black one with the big gold buckle. Thanks a lot Deb? But Lisa, Moccassins, that's pretty good isn't it?
5. Kentucky
It's really hard to put the Wildcats here, simply because they return so much from an outstanding season. But it's still Kentucky.
Too bad for Wildcat fans. No, I'm serious.
6. Vanderbilt
I like quarterback Chris Nickson and the job Bobby Johnson is doing, but the SEC East is loaded and there's really no place to put the Commodores except their familiar position.
That gives it away right there. The guys a Furman fan. Furman? Don't know Lisa. You'll have to look that one up.
SEC West
1. Arkansas
Darren McFadden is probably the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy next season. He's surrounded by a lot of underclassmen who contributed to the SEC West championship run.
McFadden is one tough S.O.B.,.
2. LSU
The quarterback situation is starting to become slightly terrifying with Ryan Perrilloux's potential legal troubles, though Matt Flynn is certainly capable.
Flynn can gett'er done!
3. Auburn
The Tigers seem to enjoy winning ugly by running the ball, playing field position and working the clock.
Lisa, which mascot do you like? These guys have never been able to make their minds up. Tigers? Plainsmen? War Eagles? Dumbo Jackson's? Boknowsitalls?
4. Alabama
Nick Saban will need a year or two. He didn't immediately work miracles at Michigan State or LSU. The Spartans went 6-5-1, 6-6, 7-5 in his first three years. LSU went 8-4 in his first year there.
Lisa, here is another one or two. Crimson Tide? What the hell is that? Elephants? Pink Elephants? T.P.'s? Big Orange Boxes?
5. Ole Miss
The Rebels are possibly a year away from making the top-tier teams a little uncomfortable. They're still young and will really miss Patrick Willis at linebacker.
Fired David Cutcliffe. Dumb!
6. Mississippi State
It's hard to look at the talent and believe the Bulldogs are preparing to compete with Arkansas, LSU and Auburn.
Tennessee football coach Phillp Fulmer talks with reporters about the upcoming Super Bowl, featuring former Tennessee assistant coach Lovie Smith and former quarterback Peyton Manning during a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
University of Tennessee Assistant Head Football Coach Trooper Taylor announced Saturday he has removed his name from consideration for the head football coach position at Howard University. I have chosen to remove my name from consideration as the head football coach at Howard University. I appreciate them contacting me. "I am extremely excited about what we are doing here at Tennessee, and my family and I love and respect Coach Fulmer, our staff and the city of Knoxville. I really appreciate the support I have received from our fans and our players that wanted me to stay.
Tennessee receivers coach Trooper Taylor withdrew his name as a candidate for the head coaching job at Howard. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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.
Tennessee tried to rally late, but three turnovers proved to be too costly as an 88-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Penn State's Tony Davis was the difference in a defensive struggle. The Nittany Lions defeated the No. 17 Volunteers, 20-10, in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on a soggy field.
Penn State's Tony Hunt ran 31 times for 158 yards then showed he isn't ready for the NFL when he said Tennessee didn't want to tackle him from the get go thus proving if he doesn't watch his mouth he will provide way too much bulletin board material in the future. Otherwise, both teams showed a lot of class and sportsmanship which I like to see.
One thing that bothers me about Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer is that he uses bowls as "Winter Practice." We are 1 and 3 in our last four bowls and I think Fulmer's approach is partially responsible. He doesn't seem to try to win bowl games for the seniors or the fans.
I believe he succombs to the temptation to let his younger players play as preparation for the next season. He is under tremendous pressure to win championships and must do so if he is to continue his lucrative career at Tennessee and protect his tenure as Dean of SEC football coaches.
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