Florida Gators alpha roll the Tennessee Volunteers yet again: UF 30, UT 6

by Joel on Sep 20, 2008 7:17 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football Comment 28 comments

Commence the 15-minutes of stream of conscious post-game ramblings. Hold me accountable for nothing.

Deep breath. Hmm. I find that I am out of words. Oy? Overused. Argh? Ditto. Hmph. There. A new one.

We have problems on special teams. I'm thinking most of that is coaching, and most of that is an obstinant resistance to learning from our mistakes. Brandon James ran a punt back for a TD against us two years ago in Neyland Stadium. It was called back. It would have been nice to learn from that near miss without real consequence. But we did it again last year in the Swamp, just a week or two after doing it again against Cal on the West Coast. Not only did we punt it to James again this year, but we kicked it off to him and let him open the game on our side of the field as well.

Most frustrating of all to Vol fans is the speed at which we seem to fix problems. Brontosaurus slow.

Surprisingly, our offense and defense weren't systemically bad today. No, what's systemic is our capacity to make just absolutely astounding, egregious errors at the worst possible time. After a nice defensive stop, we got the ball back, and almost immediately Arian Foster got 15 in the wrong direction by committing a 15-yard personal foul penalty. That put us in third and long, which led to the pass out to the flat and the defensive hit on Hardesty as he was turning upfield, which of course led to the fumble and the first score by jump pass.

And when we did get a nice drive going, running the ball, using the clock, keeping Tebow off the field, we botched a handoff in the red zone, fumbled the ball, and headed back to the sideline with zero points.

Rinse and repeat.

The Florida Gators have completely and utterly alpha-rolled the Tennessee Volunteers. We've been pinned on our backs, held by the throat, and forced to look into their eyes to concede their dominance. It is not a comfortable position.

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I need a little more time to compile my thoughts.

Meanwhile, it’s a gorgeous day outside. Time to enjoy the fall!

by Hooper on Sep 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i've got mad respect for anyone who can

separate fandom and real life. congratulations to you sir.

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 20, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fulmer

The only logical conclusion, to an outsider anyway, is that it’s time for a new regime on Rocky Top. These players have obviously committed to working hard, conditioning themselves, and doing what the coaches say, yet they’re losing — and losing big.

Tennessee will be back, there’s no question about that. Whether it’s with Fulmer running the show or not? That’s the question.

Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Sep 20, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry buddy

$2.5 million a year till 2013.

source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/sport/iacollege/article_1271637.php/Vols_Fulmer_gets_two-year_contract_extension

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 20, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOU is right.

For the sake of discussion, I’ll suppose that firing Fulmer is the right answer. UT simply does not have the funding to buy out the contract right now. The stadium renovations (and other facilities expansions) have the AD paying off a lot of debt, and the downturn in the economy is tightening up the boosters’ pursestrings. Even with the supposition that a buyout is the best idea, he’s our guy.

Now, I’m not going to state that we should want Fulmer gone. I’m going to stay out of that one; it doesn’t involve me, and it’s waaaaaay too soon after a bad game to think about. Emotions are a tricky thing, and stepping back is the right answer.

by Hooper on Sep 20, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

gotta remove subjectivity (emotions) and remain objective (take a break, step outside of yourself and evaluate).

We are stuck with the coaching we have.

So. In the mortal words of Donald “Duck” Rumsfeld. You go to war with what you’ve got.

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 20, 2008 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But yes

the players are playing their hearts out. I love those guys, and I hope than nobody holds anything against them. There was absolutely no quit in them in this game, and no room to even speculate about it.

by Hooper on Sep 20, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's got to be tough for the players

crompton though…i’m not sold

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 20, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coming all the waaaaay from DK... where it is 2am...

Agree on the players… Berry was flying all over the field the entire game and the offense showed lots of effort… but ultimately it all boils to the coaching… or in our case… LACK OF COACHING… what did they do all summer long… special teams is a disaster and we look lost in most situations… Thank goodness I am going to Oktoberfest because I don’t feel like watching us lose 12-3 against AU next weekend… I am really trying to keep the faith… but these are trying times…

by ExpatVol on Sep 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a shame...

Tennessee has not done better in this series. (I enjoy wins, but come on Vols, show up.) As a Gator alum, I do hate UT, but not with the passion I hate FSU. It’s fun watching FSU get swallowed into a black hole. UT, not so much. I actually respect them.
That said, if Fulmer goes, who would fill his shoes? Who is the hip young coach who could light this team up?

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Sep 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we could get Trooper Taylor back?

But really, its the third game of the season. Last season was just as bleak at this point. There is a long road to climb back up (and its not looking like a clear one) but its not over yet.

by Muhler on Sep 20, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hip young coach

I live in Colorado, and I’ve been pretty impressed with the turnaround Dan Hawkins has made at CU. Considering the NCAA and self impposed sanctions on recruiting and financed and the negativity around the program he inherrited, 3-0 right now is pretty good and the entire attitude/perception about CU football has done a complete 180 from 3 years ago. We’ll see how the rest of the season carries out and how well he does against the likes of Mizzou and Texas and FSU, but he’s on my radar. Plus, with his intensity, he would have no problem adjusting to the SEC.

We need more G-Gun!

by Volorado on Sep 21, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least the AU-LSU game is on... nice to see some SEC football tonight...

by ExpatVol on Sep 20, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We need Auburn to win

Then maybe they’ll have a letdown next weekend.

by wvvol on Sep 20, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

That was worth driving 6 1/2 hours each way…

We are bad, REALLY bad.

I posted a few random thoughts tonight over at my joint while riding back across the mountain (I was not driving, of course), but there was so much that went wrong, that I am really not sure where to start.

It is going to get really interesting — and I predict ugly — from here…

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Sep 20, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fire who?

I like to attack the box from a different angle. How about firing the athletic director. Let the new one decide who else must go?

by TenesseeTarhill on Sep 21, 2008 8:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Come on..... you can't axe Mike Hamilton

for this type of football performance. He brought in Bruce Pearl for friggin’ sakes!!!! He’s done some great things for our university. Besides, the circa 1994 offense/2-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust scheme has been in place since before Hamilton. Kicking to James after the past 2 years was inexplicable and made me want to put my head through the TV. This is on the staff not having the team ready to play.

Cannons... fire them.

www.BucEm.com - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

by Craig T on Sep 21, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definately not Hamilton

He’s done a great job upgrading facilities (football and basketball), bringing in Pearl, the Lady Vols are back to back champs, baseball is having a turnaround, a softball championship 2 years ago, I could go on, but Hamilton is not the issue.

I thought the Clawfense was new and all spread out and crazy and a point machine, but it’s the same as always, it’s like Fulmer hired a “Yes” man to run the same old UT offense that he always wants to run.

Seriously, at one point in the first half, the Vols had a first and five after an offsides at midfield and my father, an Oklahoma fan, turned to me and said, “They should take a shot deep here, then it’s still only second and five”. I quickly responded, " No, you watch, we’ll run right into the line for a 2 yard gain." Snap of the ball, running play, 2 yard loss, 2nd and 7.

Tennessee has the athletes to hang with anybody in the country, but the preperation, discipline, and game plan and game management is never in place. That is a coaching problem.

And no, Crompton is not the answer at Quarterback. He makes terrible reads, runs out of the pocket too quickly and is innacurate. I know we have no other options, but I am prepping myself for a long season, really long, like that Vandy game isn’t looking like a sure thing right now.

We need more G-Gun!

by Volorado on Sep 21, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why did they go for two?

O.K., so firing the AD was a stupid idea. : ) I was wondering why we went for 2 after having had so much trouble in the red zone to begin with – why risk injury on one more point that would have no appreciable effect? I couldn’t believe this decision, but one of the announcers suggested it, too. (maybe he saw a field signal, or something).

Usually when Tennessee has played poorly in the past, there are some flashes of brilliance
upon which a fan can hang some hope that the misfire is caused by an tuning adjustment
and not a leaking cylinder head. This one’s got all that, and a burned piston..

by TenesseeTarhill on Sep 21, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The reason for going for two:

With a 27-0 score, you can use a field goal to tie only if you get 3 TDs with 2-point conversions. That’s 3×8 = 24, then 3 for the FG. If you go for 1, you guarantee that you must get four TDs. If they had made the 2 points and got the ball back quickly, there’s not as much pressure for a TD because 1 drive can still be a FG drive.

It’s still an utter desperation strategy, but that’s the logic.

by Hooper on Sep 21, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Going for 2

I guess the thinking was that if Tennessee could score three more TDs (unlikely) and also score three 2-pt. conversions to go along with them (also unlikely) that they’d be down only by a field goal assuming Florida was held scoreless the rest of the way (very unlikely).

I thought it was foolish simply because when you’re down 27-0, there’s no way you can avoid the fact that it will take four possessions to avoid losing. 3 TDs with 2-pt. conversions added to each is almost like 6 TDs (you’re running your offense in the red zone with only one chance to score.) Assuming Tennessee pulled off the near impossible and scored all those TDs and 2-point conversions they’d still be down by a FG at the end. That’s a lot of risk to take just for the advantage of being able to kick a FG to tie. Not a good decision in my opinion, especially with such an inept offense.

Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Sep 21, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And then I read this.

by Hooper on Sep 21, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will SOMEONE Please Fire Phillip Fulmer?!!!

I have been a Vols Fan for many years and I am SICK of losing to Florida! Every since Coach Fulmer won the National Championship and then signed that big, fat contract, it’s been like he’s gone into cruise control mode!
I am sick of it and I HOPE you are too! I don’t want to hear anymore “We lost a tough one”, etc, etc. It’s time for Fulmer to start getting it done again or, move out and let someone take over, who can!

by Rhino196669 on Sep 21, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Going for two, contd.

I understand the logic of the scoring plan. But, the operative word is scoring. When I saw
that play I could not believe it. Almost like the unwritten rule about “not taking points off
the scoreboard” when there is a defensive penalty during a fieldgoal. But, my logic is based
on having a dead-on kicker like we have had in the past. I think I may have answered my
own question. Philip trusts his QB more than his kicker. In the past, even during shakey
offensive times, our kicking was so dependable I just didn’t worry about it. And then there is now.

by TenesseeTarhill on Sep 21, 2008 7:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How Many Times???

We kick to a guy who has burned us before without a new plan or clue of how to get a different outcome. We have seen Tebow run that little jump pass multiple times, and other teams have beaten us with tight end TD’s before, but did anybody think (Including the coaching staff) about that on FLA’s first drive? No way. Poor Eric Berry bit on the step forward by Tebow and so did the linebackers. Hey coaches – Auburn & GA will spot that. Make an adjustment!!!

Both losses fall on the coaching staff IMO. We had multiple 1st down plays of 6 – 7 yards against UCLA then threw 2 INC passes. Yesterday, the players never really believed they could beat FLA. That is coaching. I had big hopes that the new guys on the staff would change things, but it is the same old lack of creativity.

Blind leading the blind. Maybe Smoky needs to be promoted!!

by coach799 on Sep 22, 2008 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can’t argue about the punting at all. I think there were nearly 100,000 fans in that stadium who didn’t want UT to punt to James, and about 6,000-10,000 (yeah, my numbers are really rough) who did. The latter group is the Gators fans in attendance.

I will say this much about the jump pass: that is one of the most difficult plays to defend. If you peel a defender back with the TE and Tebow keeps the ball, you’ve overweakened your line. Not only that, but you have a bunch formation of receivers to the right – any of whom could have run pass patterns. It’s such a fast play at the goal line that you have to gamble on the play and hope you’re right. UT gambled on the run and obviously lost. But if a defender had pulled back with the TE, Tebow could have run around the left end, and the remaining linemen on that side wouldn’t be able to keep up.

But yeah, that punt was a bad, bad idea.

by Hooper on Sep 22, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it was Einstein who said...

“The Definition of insanity is repeating the same experiment over and over expecting different results”

by Getoffmyvols on Sep 22, 2008 10:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Long hard road

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Tennessee will have a hard time returning to glory against Florida; the state of Florida plays year-round football; only Texas and California produce a comparable number of promising recruits; with the demise of FSU and Miami and the excitement of Meyer’s instant success, UF has garnered a large advantage in drawing those athletes; Tennessee has an entirely different situation; Fulmer knew he needed to recruit nationally, and his decision to play games on the West Coast was a crucial one; but when Tennessee loses those games, the plan back-fires.

I have a tremendous respect for Fulmer as a coach, but he’s lost his luster and no longer draws the talent as he used to; his emphasis on the O-line is key to creating a winning team, but kids want flare; UT must find a way to show folks across the country something interesting — a team that young kids would want to come to play for; otherwise, playing on the big stage and romping around to different venues will only hurt.

by FestusPapyrus on Sep 22, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs