LogicalVolFan

Hey now…don’t be coming into this comment section with fair and sound logic. That doesn’t tend to go over very well.

Articles like this, as well as the people in the comment section (looking at you bias-driven UGA fans), are just annoying. Guys…it’s okay to acknowledge that he had a great college career and also admit that he’s not a GOAT in any form or fashion. Is he a good college QB? Sure, but is he one of the best to ever do it or most talented? No, he’s not close. Georgia had an astoundingly good football team over the last few years and he benefitted heavily from it, but so would any other good college QB; much less a great one. There’s a reason that this guy isn’t high on NFL draft boards, and that is about as plain and simple as it gets. A more fair argument may be as to whether or not he had an astounding college career, but that in no way means that he’s an astounding player or talent. He had a few of the best teams that college football has ever seen surrounding…a system that played to his strengths really well…and most importantly…a coaching staff that is one of the best that we have seen in quite some time in terms of developing talent and game-planning for opponents. You don’t just get to ignore those things. None of this is hate, either; it’s just reality. Fun story and a great career, and if he can turn down the insufferableness a bit, he may have a decent career in television. Fun stuff and congrats Dawgs on the most boring and predictable national title in over a decade.

Please take note of my username because I do make a very conscious effort to base all of my takes on logic. Now...onto your points. I do love college football, and because of that, I would've appreciated seeing Alabama and Georgia squaring off in the National Championship because it is the best game that we could have possible seen. Doesn't matter much now, but that would've been my preference. Why? Because they are obviously built to and currently playing at a level that would've given us the best possible game. It really is that simple. When the BCS used to run things, everyone whined about it being more about statistics and quantifiable data rather than applying a very important principle to the opportunity to compete for a national championship: A team that passes the eye-test and is currently playing at a level that could lend to them competing for and possibly winning a national title in spite of 1 or 2 hiccups throughout the season, and in my opinion, this year's Alabama is the perfect example of such a team. There isn't a team in the top 4 that could hold a candle to the way that Alabama is currently playing, and there isn't one that will hold a candle to Georgia either; and if you really love football, you'd much rather see a good game as opposed to a cakewalk.

Tell me that you don’t want to play Bama without actually telling me that you don’t want to play Bama

The logic is based in who the team is today. I love the Vols and it has been an absolute blast to support them this year, but they are nowhere near the same team without Hooker. The rankings reflect who the team is today, and honestly, top 10 may still be generous. Joe just isn’t there yet.

It’s bizarre to say it after a 10 win season, but wherever UT lands just feels like a bit of a let down. Haven’t seen a meltdown like that in years, and regardless of what people want to argue, that was obviously a team that wasn’t there for each other at the South Carolina game. I know trolls are gonna troll, but this was one of those rare seasons where a team has the potential to do something wild if they can just stay composed, but they didn’t; so it is what it is. In regard to Alabama getting ranked above us, it only makes sense. The head-to-head doesn’t mean much when we are lacking our former Heisman front runner and Alabama is clearly the better team in his absence. Regardless of what bowl we end up in, I just hope we manage to pull it a win. I don’t think Joe is polished enough yet, and whoever the opponent, I imagine it being a tough outing.

The criteria will never be clear enough and teams/fanbases will always be disappointed. That’s, unfortunately, just how it is. As a Tennessee fan, I’d prefer to see us still within the top 4. It was a bit baffling to see us drop 4 spots after that Georgia loss. It just made more sense to me to see us swap places. We are undoubtedly better than teams ranked ahead of us, but my feeling that way doesn’t change much. My preference would be to see the best 4 teams get in, and I’d prefer to see Tennessee in the 3-spot. Whatever 2 teams remain, it’d give the rest of the country a bit of happiness and/or potential bragging rights to see them square off against SEC opponents and potentially be competitive; and at the end of the day, a UT-Georgia rematch looks to be the best potential matchup for an entertaining national championship. If OSU/Michigan managed to beat UT, it’d also keep a large fan base intrigued for a National Championship game. Don’t see it happening any of the ways that I provided, but it sure would be nice.

Eh...it may be a wasted effort as the internet seems to only work to bring out the most ignorant, ego-driven worst of many, but I try to bring a bit of reason into any discussion that I involve myself in. We do have a lot to ride on right now, and regardless of the outcome of the Georgia game, it has been a fun and easy year to be a Vol fan.

We don't have to do that either, but we could do a bit better than "hillbilly" and the long list of typical tripes of the south that continue to be both tired and ignorant. Just me.

This is the closest I could get to responding to G 43, but when do we stop calling sports a child's game and acknowledge that it is a multi-billion dollar industry? I just don't get this childish, outdated insult. Nearly any job could be reduced to a child's "game"...and no matter what you do for a living, it really isn't that big of a deal, and that's coming from a doctor. At the end of the day, you could simply call me a people-mechanic, and it really wouldn't be much of an insult, nor would it be far from true. I don't know...and I know it may be a bit hypocritical in this context, but I'm just not one who finds joy in belittling others for the sake of boosting my own ego. Just a bit too childish for me.

Typos galore, but I think you get the gist of it.

I’m the past person to drink the kook-aid, but man UT just keeps impressing me more and more each week. My honest thoughts of the Georgia matchup are this: either a 4 point game or one that ends up with a multiple TD separation, and I see that going in either direction. Can we please be honest for a second and not be children? Both teams are incredibly impressive, and it sparks be a fun game. And geez…quit with the “hillbilly” and ignorant insults people. Every other areas of the country lives to throw that around enough when thinking of the south. Maybe…just maybe…We don’t lean into it so much and act as if a few of us got a degree or two from the schools that were choose to support.

I do see it being a good game, but I don't know how much of a factor Rodriguez will be. Say what you want about our secondary, but the front 7 on defense is somehow going under the radar although they continue to play insanely well. A healthy Levis and a well spread field should make for a good game, though, as is almost always the case with Kentucky.

*Caveat: a lot of what I mentioned can be attributed to coaches as well. It’s just as awkward as a coach to learn that you have the ability to scheme with the greats, and learning to hold yourself to that level each and every day is a growing pain. Now, I’m not comparing Heupel to Saban or Smart by any means, but I do think he is also at a point where he has the opportunity to stretch himself into a new echelon in terms of status and ability. Again, from personal experience, there is a vast difference in how a coach at a perennial powerhouse D1 carries himself and executes his strategy from day to day, and in how a former D1 coach who is now a juco guy who still can’t figure out how to win or best utilize his players and maximize their talent. Some just get it, and Hendon Hooker is a crystal clear example of someone who’s gone from being able to say “Yeah, I was kinda good and was on a college team” to “I’m now considering my draft status.” Same guy, different coach. Should be an interesting few years for UT fans to see if the growth is embraced.

Where I see a lack in maturity, discipline, and poise is the letting go of that 18 point lead. As great as our offense is, were Bama in that position, I don't seem them letting that lead slip; and in my eyes, that's a "we've been here before" thing much more than it is a talent thing. When you've been at that competitive and talented level of play, you know how to maintain that lead through composure. As composed and comfortable as Hooker has been this year, you could tell he was fighting for and forcing a bit more this game, and it led to some costly mistakes that resulted in multiple scores. Now, he did bounce back from it and regain his composure, and that's an incredible growth moment that may prevent him from doing so in the future; but it was also almost our downfall. This is all, of course, an overly critical view, and I'm more than willing to acknowledge that; but it is a viewpoint that I would hold were I a professional scout. As a former athlete who had a ton of potential that was squandered, I know how it feels to be in that position where you are around people who are used to consistently playing at a level that you are capable of playing at, but you only do so on your best days; and I think a lot of Tennessee players are now having to realize that they are capable of and will need to continue maintaining that high level of play rather dipping up and down a bit.

Oh, I didn't. They are in that list, and deservedly so.

I think this year and next are firmly set to be good years, but I don't know about it after that. Milton looks to be one of the better back-ups in all of college football, and because of that, I say next year should be at least decent. It will be interesting to see what plays out on the recruiting front; and ultimately, that will decide A LOT for the future. Can't forget that transfer portal, though; which makes everything so much more unpredictable.

Not a reaction to this weeks games, but the week prior when the Vols played LSU bud.

Both Tennessee and Bama did everything that they could to win that game, but they also did everything that they could to lose that game as well; so here’s my take on both teams: Tennessee has the ability to beat anyone this year, and unlike last year, they are finding ways to do so when the game is close. Alabama is still Alabama. They’ll be fine. Honestly, I try to remove bias from analysis whenever possible; and I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but I think Tennessee may actually be one of the best teams in the country this year. I also think that Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia all share one unique trait this year: they’re really good, but they are all also experiencing growing pains. Bama and Georgia have seasoned leaders both on the team and coaching staff who are sometimes carrying and having to guide younger talent. Tennessee, on the other hand, has a bunch of guys who obviously have the talent to be there, but are lacking some of the poise, experience, and maturity to know what to do with being there. UGA is UGa and we all know that; and I don’t really know what to expect from that game. I do know that I’ll be happy if we make it through the Kentucky/SCar/Mizzou gauntlet unscathed because they almost always give us a game. Lots of football left to be played.

Everybody...hear me out. I know how hard it is, but quit responding to the trolls. I assume that the vast majority of those who take the time to type a comment are mature adults...so, next time you see that troll comment and immediately start typing your response, walk away for 5 minutes before pressing send. You'll realize it isn't worth it, and maybe....juuuussstttt maybe, we'll have to read just a little bit less of the nonsense. After all, children often don't like to continue playing a game when no one is playing it with them.

I should probably enjoy the moment as it's happening, but I can't help but wonder what next few years may look like for UT. Milton may be one of the best back-ups in college football, and because of that, next year may look bright as well; but I'm wondering what the fall off may be afterwards. I do know that there were a TON of recruits at that Bama game, and I'm hoping that it paid off. With the flashes of potential that they've shown this year, I do think Napier has the potential to bring Florida back into the conversation sooner rather than later.

Both Tennessee and Bama did everything that they could to win that game, but they also did everything that they could to lose that game as well; so here's my take on both teams: Tennessee has the ability to beat anyone this year, and unlike last year, they are finding ways to do so when the game is close. Alabama is still Alabama. They'll be fine. Honestly, I try to remove bias from analysis whenever possible; and I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I think Tennessee may actually be one of the best teams in the country this year. I also think that Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia all share one unique trait this year: they're really good, but they are all also experiencing growing pains. Bama and Georgia have seasoned leaders both on the team and coaching staff who are sometimes carrying and having to guide younger talent. Tennessee, on the other hand, has a bunch of guys who obviously have the talent to be there, but are lacking some of the poise, experience, and maturity to know what to do with being there. UGA is UGa and we all know that; and I don't really know what to expect from that game. I do know that I'll be happy if we make it through the Kentucky/SCar/Mizzou gauntlet unscathed because they almost always give us a game. Lots of football left to be played.

I don’t know that Saban would share the same mindset, but I know I would be willing to let this game be a toss up in lieu of Young sitting it out. Both his and the team’s long term future would be far better off for it if he isn’t absolutely healed and 100%. They’d be fine in terms of the SECCG, and he’d be better off in maintaining his draft stock and long term health. No brainer.

There are a few things that I know for certain about this game: 1. I have no clue what to expect. 2. If I were Bryce Young, there is nothing you could do to convince me to play. 3. No matter the outcome, the aftermath is going to be a nightmare in terms of what people will say about it. Tennessee wins? Overblown “They’re back” headlines, as well as We knew Bama was flawed!” Bama wins? Overblown “Why would we ever question Bama?” headlines, as well as “Tennessee is a joke as always!” Either way, I’m not really looking forward to any of it. Just hope they play a good game with zero to minimal injuries.

I still don’t know how to feel about this team, and honestly, my biggest concern lies in the coaching room before it does anywhere else. Offensively: the talent and potential is obviously there to compete with anyone, but the foot has been taken off of the gas twice and it has almost cost us each time. I’m all for winning with grace, but Saban and Smart know what they’re doing when they choose to demoralize opposing teams with one more statement score. It’s just hard to bounce back from being deflated by a seemingly insurmountable deficit and I’d like to see Heupel follow that lead. Defensively: I don’t know that we lack talent so much as we seem to lack preparation. The Florida game was a perfect example as to how we both poorly prepared and failed to deviate from the gameplan when it was obvious that Florida was not going to rely on the run at all. Just bizarre. Still: tons of potential that I think could be the turning point in the program and lead it back to being a year-to-year contender in the SEC; but with this year in mind, I still see them as more of an unknown than anything else.

I still don't know how to feel about this time, and honestly, my biggest concern lies in the coaching room before it does anywhere else. Offensively: the talent and potential is obviously there to compete with anyone, but the foot has been taken off of the gas twice and it has almost cost us each time. I'm all for winning with grace, but Saban and Smart know what they're doing when they choose to demoralize with one more statement score. It's just hard to bounce back from being deflated by a seemingly insurmountable deficit, and I'd like to see Heupel follow that lead. Defensively: I don't know that we lack talent so much as we seem to lack preparation. The Florida game was a perfect example as to how we both poorly prepared and failed to deviate from the gameplan of planning for the run when it was obvious that Florida was not going to rely on it at all. Just bizarre. Still: tons of potential that I think could be the turning point in the program and lead it back to being a year-to-year contender; but with this year in mind, I still see them as more of an unknown than anything else.

Bring out the popcorn friends…this comment section is about to be fun.

There’s paperwork in place for a French’s partnership, but the rumor is that they plan on passing out plushy imitation bottles. Something about “players safety” and “fairness” or something like that. Disappointing…but we’ll make do.

There’s so much inconsistency and the roster is always rotating. Don’t get me wrong…top tier talent in those cockatoo hats; and the talent alone is enough to guarantee a top-5 finish, but you have to leave a little room for humility

I'm sorry...it seems you have forgotten that you are engaging in social interaction on the Internet. We do not use logic or reason here. We throw baseless, generalized accusations and troll others. We do not have fair and decent exchanges... In all seriousness, I haven't watched the Cats much this year, but have noticed the ranking bouncing around a bit. Looking almost as consistent as the Vols?