Excuses are not relevant here Aquila. Reasons why Tenn survived the SEC schedule with only two losses is relevant and not playing Aub and LSU is one of those reasons. Opinions otherwise around here are meant to antagonize and stir the pot. Tenn was damned inconsistent...the most I have ever seen by a Vol squad. Looked good against Ga and Ark but pretty well sucked against most others and pulled tiny wins out three different times in their SEC games. Hard to win rival fans like me over when my team racked up such an epic win over the Vols and they struggled so mightily most of the year and their coach was almost fired.
So MCG, what is your point? Should the SEC change its rules from year to year to favor the way the Gators win? The rules were set before the games were played. You want them changed to give the SECCG to a three loss team because they had impressive wins rather than to the two loss team?
I had given you the benefit of the doubt, MCG and had also tried to present my points in a decent manner. It's clear, however, to me now that you are a fan that exists in a dream world. In this dream world Tennessee gets beaten by Auburn and LSU just like Florida did, I might add, and your beloved Gators get to play for the SEC championship. That would be just fine by me except for one thing, the SEC schedule did not dictate that Tenn. played those two teams this year. Who knows what would have happened if they had played? We can draw conclusions all we want about what might have happened. The fact is, it didn't happen. That's why your EXCUSES are totally irrelevant. As I write this I can't even believe that this conversation has lasted this long. Tenn. doesn't decide who they play from season to season just as Florida doesn't. Get over it! As for their coaches almost getting fired: To me the fact that Tennessee answered time after time speaks volumes to the attitude of these young men. Also, it says something about the coaching staff as well. The players were willing to lay it all out when their coaches were under the most heat. Players that didn't care for their coaches or believe in their coaches would have folded a long time ago and Tenn. would have lost 5 or more games this season. Then Fulmer would have really been on the hot seat. The fact that the players responded by whipping Georgia and Arkansas, coming from behind in the 4th quarter to beat Vandy, and perservering against UK also speaks volumes about how these players responded to their coaches. There will be a day when Fulmer is done and that day may be coming soon but I think the job that he did this season under such intense scrutiny is to be commended. I know Tenn. Tom and others may argue that they never should have been in those situations and they are correct, however, the fact that these players still cared enough to come up with those wins tells me something about their respect for Fulmer and staff. Another thing that can be noted is the fact that LSU was thought to be the best team in America for much of the season and some people still want to see them play in the NC game yet they eked out close wins all season long, one of which was against the Gators. They lost to Kentucky and Arkansas and could have easily lost to Auburn. Yet they're still considered the most talented team in America and they probably are. They have a terrible coach though, one that got lucky and outcoached Urban Meyer. So, you can accuse me of stirring the pot or antagonizing or whatever but the facts remain. The number one reason Florida will be sitting around watching the game on Saturday is because they didn't take care of business against Georgia. In fact, the Georgia running game ran over that Florida D while Tennessee's D dominated the Georgia offensive line. Florida wins that game and they control their own destiny and are playing on Saturday for a shot at the SEC title and quite possibly a berth in the NC game if the right dominoes fall. Instead they will have to wonder what might have been.
Oh and by the way, I think Tennessee has enough closed-minded, excuse-making fans but thanks anyway. Now that might be stirring the pot.
Man...somehow I just confuse people here Aquila. I wasn't referring to you or Tom with that comment. I also readily accept Florida's fate....that's why I took the time and trouble to mention what happened to Florida in 1992 when the shoe was on the other foot and UF squeezed into the CG after a solid loss to UT. The point of that is that I had no illusions about that Florida team the same as I hold realistic opinions about this year's Tenn team. UF was a much more dynamic team this year than was Tenn....averaging 38 ppg in the SEC games and putting a beatdown on several teams including your favorite. I absolutely guarantee you that Vegas would have a Fla-LSU rematch on the neutral turf of the Georgia Dome as even or possibly UF favored by 1 or 2 points. That's not making excuses or dreaming....it's fact based on what occurred on the field this year. Does it matter in the grand scheme of things.....no not in the least. How about Tenn goes out there and puts a whipping on LSU and it's BCS bowl opponent for a change and subsequently change my tune.
I've got no problem giving Tenn props if they win the SEC title. Hopefully the Vols wouldn't lay an egg in the BCS Bowl after that but in any event they get my sincere admiration if they can win the SEC because winning the SEC is never easy. Would I secretly think Florida was a better team.....uh...I've got 59 reasons to believe that I think. :wink:
the bottom line is <r>that you just can't give the Vols a compliment on something <B><s></s>they earned on the field<e></e></B>! Instead you want to talk about style points and point to statistics that really don't mean a whole helluva lot once you strap on the helmet comes Saturday afternoon.<br/> <br/> Its shallow and its demeaning to what the Vols accomplished this year. Enjoy your pandering for the Heisman.</r>
I've seen better represenatives of the SEC East that's all Corey for what it's worth. Not many better in terms of determination but in terms of season long performance I've seen better for sure. Just an observation.
Both LSU and UT have been winning close games of late .... save the LSU loss to Arky in trip-OT ....... but I just have a feeling UT gets this done and it's not going to be a close, 3 - 7 point, game. I think UT wins by double digits.
you're making my head hurt <r><QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> HUH? And that's huh with a side salad of WTF.<br/> <br/> Tennessee's 'season long performance' is the reason they won the SEC East.<br/> <br/> What the hell is this Ice Dancing???</r>
I dunno Corey...it's obvious to me. Not every SEC East winner of the last 15 years is equal in ability and in performance on the field. That confuses you? You don't believe it? :shock:
MCG, You should work for the CIA...you are without question the most persistent individual I've ever come across. You get get a confession out of anyone.... hell, I'm ready to confess to some crimes right now if it will make you stop :wink:
I am pretty well done with this topic but I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one that sees the uselessness of this argument and I'm very glad to see that another Gator fan feels the same (Gaterzfan). As for MCG, it's now clear to me that you like to say things to stir things up a bit and evidently enjoy that nemesis role. That's cool, it takes all kinds to make things interesting. Some guys relish that role and perhaps you are one of them. I feel it totally fruitless to argue my point anymore as I don't think there is even an argument. What the point spread for a LSU-UF matchup is another foray into dream world. Nice discussion here about nothing and I don't think it deserves anymore of my time. Thank you.
Aquila.....just making a point and then debating it's valididty when some don't want to agree if my argument is pro-Gator....which of course it tends to be. The nature of this board seems to slant in that direction and you are caught in the crossfire. Sorry about that. In any event what gets lost here is that I do respect the Vols for being able to get to the SECCG game. What they do from here has much....much more to do with the success of the season and I think all Vol fans would agree post-game that if they lose to LSU then at 9-4 and Outback Bowl bound the Tenn season is really much like the last 5.....not that rewarding. The bowl game would be crucial to Tenn at that point. People just don't like it when realism creeps in to the equation. I had this same type of debate going on about Notre Dame a couple of years ago when their offense was truly weak to the trained eye and yet they managed to eek their way undefeated through a weak schedule heading into a showdown with USC whereupon they got crushed and sucked even more on offense that night. Then the Irish got blasted in their BCS Bowl as well and truthfully I don't see the satisfaction in ending the season like that.
Well. I don't wanna speak for my fishin' pal MCG but ...... could it be "Rocky Top"??!! :shock: :wink: