2014 NCAA Football

[l3rewski]

In reverence to the third week in October I had to watch this (again). This guy cracks me up because he's actually serious.

BTW I like Tennessee just fine (except this week).

Yeah, that's a classic.

Enjoy watching us get smashed again this Saturday. Maybe we'll be competitive again at some point in my lifetime. May take a few more coaching changes though... we can't get enough of those.

[MS256]

Yeah, that's a classic.

Enjoy watching us get smashed again this Saturday. Maybe we'll be competitive again at some point in my lifetime. May take a few more coaching changes though... we can't get enough of those.

I don't take that game for granted. Should be a wild scene with Kiffin's return to Neyland Stadium.

[l3rewski]

I don't take that game for granted. Should be a wild scene with Kiffin's return to Neyland Stadium.

Oh, it should be entertaining in that regard.

I don't hold much animosity towards him. Yeah, the way he left has pretty crappy, and his single recruiting class became one of the biggest busts ever, but he brought elements to the team that I miss. Most Vol fans disagree though.

[MS256]

Oh, it should be entertaining in that regard.

I don't hold much animosity towards him. Yeah, the way he left has pretty crappy, and his single recruiting class became one of the biggest busts ever, but he brought elements to the team that I miss. Most Vol fans disagree though.

Funny thing is that he's not much more popular among Alabama fans than he is among Tennessee fans. I like some of the things he's doing with the offense though. (If only he had some linemen that could figure out who to block and what the snap count is).

[cowboydave1967]

Oh, it should be entertaining in that regard. I don't hold much animosity towards him. Yeah, the way he left has pretty crappy, and his single recruiting class became one of the biggest busts ever, but he brought elements to the team that I miss. Most Vol fans disagree though.

The fans will be the ones that harbor ill feelings towards Kiffin. None of the players there now even know him other than being the former coach at USC and offensive coordinator for Alabama. I was really ticked off at how he left Knoxville. But seeing the implosion of the USC football program when he went back, I was thrilled he was gone. He didn't do all the damage to my beloved Vol football program. It was already on a down spiral under Phil Fulmer. I really think Butch Jones will get them back on track, but he had over 10 years regression to turn around and build up. That will take more than 2 or 3 years. I just hope the Vol Nation understands that. Our defense is 300% better than 2 years ago. Special teams much improved. Offense will get there. Go Vols. Beat Bama!!

[l3rewski]

Funny thing is that he's not much more popular among Alabama fans than he is among Tennessee fans. I like some of the things he's doing with the offense though. (If only he had some linemen that could figure out who to block and what the snap count is).

His play calling and offensive schemes are what I miss the most.

The fans will be the ones that harbor ill feelings towards Kiffin. None of the players there now even know him other than being the former coach at USC and offensive coordinator for Alabama. I was really ticked off at how he left Knoxville. But seeing the implosion of the USC football program when he went back, I was thrilled he was gone. He didn't do all the damage to my beloved Vol football program. It was already on a down spiral under Phil Fulmer. I really think Butch Jones will get them back on track, but he had over 10 years regression to turn around and build up. That will take more than 2 or 3 years. I just hope the Vol Nation understands that. Our defense is 300% better than 2 years ago. Special teams much improved. Offense will get there. Go Vols. Beat Bama!!

The majority of TN fans love Butch, so I think he will be given enough time to prove himself. Personally, I love a lot of things about him and he's a messiah compared the previous regime, but his (and his assistants') in-game coaching is still an unknown. Time will tell. With his phenomenal recruiting, he will have no excuses, talent and experience wise.

[cowboydave1967]

He definitely has some of the best recruits we have had in a long time on the hill. You are right about the in-game coaching and game plan changes. We have a difficult time adjusting while in process. Some times it seems as though the coaches have a game plan and they are sticking to it come hell or high water. I understand we have a lot of young players, but most of them have been playing football since junior high or earlier. They should be able to make adjustments. If all of the verbal commits sign and meet eligibilty requirements next, we have another great class coming. Butch is building a top notch program in one of the toughest conferences.

[trickyputt]

I miss The Great Pumpkin. Its just a flavor thing, no substance, but those were fun days.

[l3rewski]

He definitely has some of the best recruits we have had in a long time on the hill. You are right about the in-game coaching and game plan changes. We have a difficult time adjusting while in process. Some times it seems as though the coaches have a game plan and they are sticking to it come hell or high water. I understand we have a lot of young players, but most of them have been playing football since junior high or earlier. They should be able to make adjustments. If all of the verbal commits sign and meet eligibilty requirements next, we have another great class coming. Butch is building a top notch program in one of the toughest conferences.

Agree, especially with the bolded part. With the problems we've been having with the offense and O-line, at times it just feels like Butch and Bajakian are dead set on their system and are unwilling to adapt to the personnel issues. Because of that, I don't feel like we will see a lot of success until Butch is able to get 3 or 4 full recruiting cycles in.

[cowboydave1967]

I would like to see some slip screens, draws and options to slow down the blitzes. But Worley will have to actually have to keep some and turn up field to keep the ends "honest". As long as he pitches every time, even my old butt could get in position to make some of those tackles. Lol. More slants and draws on 1st down. And when he is in trouble, throw it away. We have most of the offense, other than the 2 left tackles that went down at the 1st of the season, healthy. We need those big receivers involved, however is necessary. Pig Howard can't catch every pass. I truly feel we can play with if we can keep our defense off the field some. We need at least 12-15 1st downs to keep us in it. If not, we get hammered. Again.

[trickyputt]

By the way.. how many of you think T will take Bama?

[cowboydave1967]

It never hurts to wish. Unless there is an unforseeable and unfortunate infectious outbreak in Tuscaloosa, it isn't happening again this year. But hey, like it is said earlier in this thread, "on any given day". Right? GO VOLS!!!!

[MS256]

By the way.. how many of you think T will take Bama?

I think they have the same odds they had in 2009...and look what almost happened.

[l3rewski]

By the way.. how many of you think T will take Bama?

Our defense will give you troubles, but the offense will not be able to take advantage. It should go similar to the way the Ole MIss game went for us.

That moment above is why I miss Kiffin in a way. He remained competitive with the big boys.

[MS256]

My out on a limb pick this week:

LSU over Ole Miss.

Confidence level:

15%

[trickyputt]

Ole Miss here. Bo threw better than 75% against them last time, and OM is better this year in other areas.

[MS256]

Ole Miss here. Bo threw better than 75% against them last time, and OM is better this year in other areas.

Hence "out on a limb" and "15%".

[trickyputt]

I read that my choice is 96% so you must be at 4%. Tomorrow is Fri, so you have time to reflect on keeping your record of winning guesses.