3 Thoughts and a Cloud of Dust: Mojo Falling

by CornFromAJar on Sep 16, 2007 12:29 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Got lots and lots of text messages during and after the game, and looking at them again today there are some actual salient points in there (a little surprising, since they were coming from people at various levels of inebriation and frustration). And now that I've had time to think, I can respond with more than the standard "WTF" I was using Saturday.

--We had better get used to this. We have switched spots with south carolina!* Eh, not exactly. Ten years ago, we were neck-and-neck with Florida. Now they're head and shoulders. The rest of us in the East are scraping for second place. It's like the Triforce has been split and scattered throughout the Eastern division, and whoever claims all three pieces will be the next to challenge the Gators. And that's the dorkiest analogy I've ever made. Basically we haven't switched places with Carolina, but we have slipped down while they've climbed up, and Georgia's right there, too (and don't look, but here comes Kentucky. Yikes).

--Im over fulmer. Out coached. The game has changed weved stayed same* Oy, now we're to the heart of the matter. I've been a staunch Fulmer supporter for years, but with this loss everything has changed. I'm not quite jumping ship yet, but until Saturday the rebuttal to "fire Fulmer" was "you're being irrational, look at the man's record and everything he's accomplished." But now it's obvious that we're not on a level with strong national programs anymore, not even close. Bad luck over the course of a season is bad luck. Bad luck over the course of six or seven seasons is a trend. "Fire Fulmer" is no longer an irrational, knee-jerk thought. It's a legitimate conversation that needs to be had rationally and carefully among Vol fans. Or we should just scream a lot, which would probably be more cathartic.

The reasonable response to "fire Fulmer" is no longer "you're being irrational." It's "if not Fulmer, then who?" Start looking for answers, folks.

--They are running it up on purpose, something Phil would never do.* Maybe that's part of the problem, ya heard? Oh, and a bonus message I got, just because I'm feeling spiteful: That kiss is weird. I wonder which one is the buck. Me too, not that there's anything wrong with that...

We've got Georgia in three weeks. I don't care about the Ark St. game, win or lose, it has no bearing on our season. All that's left to play for is to win SEC games and hope a meteor hits Gainesville. Go Vols? I suppose.

*(all messages [sic], obvs)

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Agreed!

I've always been very pro Fulmer and given him credit for winning a national cahmpionship, 2 SEC Titles, and 6 East Division titles and always remember how in '01 we could have played for the national title against Miami if we would have beaten LSU or how in '04 that Auburn team was just flat out great and we played 'em close.

Seeing the game yesterday made me realize that we are no longer a top tier program. We're in the top of tier 2, but not on par with the true elites. The times have passed Phil and his staff cleaning house is what would be best for the Tennessee program.

But I've convinced myself this was bound to happen. USC? terrible in the 90's. Oklahoma? same. LSU? It was more like LSWho when we were on top with Florida State and Nebraska and Miami, but they've both slipped as well. Florida was bad pre-visor and during the Zooker's short tenure, but they completely changed their philosophy and are now poised to compete for back-to-back SEC and National Titles.

Possible canidates? Your guess is as good as mine. After seeing the spread offense with elite athletes (that Tennessee could recruit) everywhere, I'm inclined to see a new coach with that system. Someone young, for sure, that could stick around for a while if had anywhere near the success we're used to. I hate head coach turnover more than anything and that's what plagues a lot of programs. Take he time and find the right guy. Chris Peterson at Boise State anyone?

Ainge in Orange and the amazing 7 yard route runners, coming to a campus near you!

by Volorado on Sep 16, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

We do need to worry about Arkansas State

At this point, I think we have to just hope that we can win enough games to be bowl eligible. We could easily lose to Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Kentucky. If we win the other games, that still leaves us at 5-7.

by twwilliams on Sep 16, 2007 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

There is no Arkansas State

As far as I'm concerned, everyone who isn't healthy needs to sit -- especially Ainge, who obviously can't play with that pinky -- and take the two weeks before UGa to get well. I know Ark St almost beat Texas in week 1, but SEC play is all that matters now.

What kind of bowl game are we going to win if we have to rely on beating the sisters of the poor to get there?

And if we lose all those SEC games that you listed, we don't deserve a bowl anyway.

by CornFromAJar on Sep 16, 2007 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Have to agree. As bad as losing to Arkansas State this week would be, losing to Georgia would be worse. Play the second string. Play the youngin's. It's practice for the SEC.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Sep 16, 2007 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Fulmer Gone?

100% in line with you guys in the fact that i have always spoken out against the "fire fulmer" fans. Last year i started to wonder and now i think your right that at least new staff should be taken into consideration. I feel like college football is changing especially in the way speed and skill positions dominate offensive roles. Just look at the success of boise state, west virginia, and hawaii. Not to mention the obvious domination of USC. Then Cal and FL are just physical proof of a changing game. Fulmer is probably not even to blame as much as chavis, but traditional football and conservative nature doesn't win the big games anymore.

-Bill Cowher
-Rich Rodriguez
-Norm Chow

"I will give my all for tennessee today"

by CT4UT on Sep 17, 2007 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

The Latest Conspiracy Theory...

I've been saying that the game has passed Fulmer up for 3-4 years now. It's true. He's a great coach, but he just can't coach in tier 1 these days. We employ/play the same football that we did in the 90's. Sorry Fulmer but the game has evolved. As many of you have said, just look at the up and comers now. It's all fresh, new, exciting, dynamic offensive schemes with coaches with a new philosophy. If you look around it is OBVIOUS that this is the way to go. Now for my conspiracy theory. Anyone though about John Gruden?
A) His wife and entire family is from Sevierville...he has ALL kinds of ties to TN football including a family of in-laws who bleed orange.

B) He originally started as a graduate assistant football coach at UT back in the day.

C) His NFL team sucks and he could get fired this year or the next...about the perfect time for us getting rid of Fulmer

D) As seen by our new athletic director's recent firing/hiring athletic coaches binge, we are willing to spend whatever it takes to get us back in the national elite.

What do you guys think?

by sauza311 on Sep 17, 2007 8:38 AM EDT reply actions