RockyTopFE8251

Hard to believe Georgia was the 9th best team this week. I think in terms of matchups that was by far the toughest for each team. Had Tennessee not won Georgia would be at the top of the list...so how are they at #9? But, it's a ranking from SDS, I don't know why I would expect any different...

I was just as frustrated as you, don't get me wrong...but I don't care what league or conference you play in, winning 12 games in a season is impressive. Don't get me wrong, that game shouldn't have been as close as it was...but App State isn't College of Charleston or UTC. It's also week 1 on a Thursday night. Again, they played poorly tonight and should have won this game much easier...but I'll give it another week before I decide how "overhyped" they might be.

*they're... Way to represent that Missouri edumacation!

I would imagine this (SDS) is kind of like ESPN.com. They base what they "report" or write on depending on how many clicks and comments their stories get. Best way to stop it is don't read it. These articles are all "what ifs" and "what COULD be." It's an opinion piece. If they only reported about the game and what happened, what's gonna keep us entertained and in all these hateful arguments about why Alabama is better than you because they have 43 National Championships? I don't disagree that some of the stuff they "report" on here is just downright idiotic...but I keep coming back because it kills time while I'm taking a dump or eating lunch at work. So I'd say just take it like I do...maybe a few facts, but mostly an entertaining comment section.

That's fair. I think he's going to have his work cut out for him next year for sure though. Tennessee will definitely not be an easy task again next year, especially playing in Knoxville. If UGA can get Chubb back and they are able to hold on to this Eason kid at QB (and he's as good as they say he is), they're not gonna be as easy to beat for UF as they were this year. It'll be interesting to see what happens. And even more interesting to see what happens if they don't do so well, and how long they'll give him to get back to this years success.

I don't think he would leave for another job. The only was I see him leaving Alabama is when he retires. But like I said, I have no doubt in my mind he could go another 10 years if not more. All I'm saying is that Finebaum's comment isn't like saying the sky is green. If they win another championship, maybe he decides he's ready to end it on the highest note. I know there's not a Bama fan in the world that wants to ever think of him doing anything but coaching at Alabama until the day he dies, but the day will come that he decides to retire. You're gonna have to deal with it someday.

It's not too far fetched of an idea...he wins another title he can go out on top. Nick Saban will no doubt go down as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, so don't think I'm comparing coaches here...but nobody wants to go out like Phil Fulmer did or Mac Brown did, or even Mark Richt being let go like he did. Again, before I continue, let me remind you that I'm not saying Fulmer or Brown are up at Saban's level. But, with UT and UF looking like they could be on the rise again, and the west staying competitive like it has been, you've got to believe he's thinking about it. Nobody wants to have a great coaching career end after one or two 7-5 seasons...or even a 9-3 season. As much as I hate Alabama, it would be a shame to see a legend not leave on a high note. But, it's Nick Saban and it's the University of Alabama football. I have no doubt that he could go another 10 years and continue winning the division, conference championships and national championships. All that said, I just hope whenever he does decide to call it quits, he leaves with a loss to the Vols...

I'm no expert by any means, but am I the only one who thinks Jim McElwain could end up much higher on this list next year? What he did at Florida this year was great, don't get me wrong. But I can't help but wonder what might have been had Muschamp gotten one more year. For the sake of competition and and a competitive UT/UF rivalry, I hope McElwain continues to do somewhat well. But I'm interested to see how he does when he gets his own recruits into the program. If they pull this Eason kid away from UGA it'll be interesting to see how he can develop him. I don't think he's gonna get very far with Harris. But, like I said, I'm no expert and it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

Solid. I was thinking the same thing myself.

It's definitely a step in the right direction. A big step. But knowing we have the talent to get us ahead on those games, but the coaching staff let off the gas with the lead and let them slip away...it's depressing and frustrating. Like I said, finishing the regular season at 8-4 is a big step in the right direction. But at the time each of those four games were played, I felt like Bama was the only team that was better than us. At the end of the day, 8-4 is 8-4. Whether they are 7 point losses, or 77 point losses. The fact that they were so close just makes it a more frustrating 8-4. If we go 8-4 every year with all 4 losses being by 7 points or less...every year...then who cares that they were close? Butch Jones would be the next Mark Richt. So yes, this year close losses are better than blowouts. But now that we've seen what Team 119 is capable of, expectations for Team 120, 121, 122, etc...are going to be much, much higher and close losses aren't gonna be a good excuse anymore. But I think CBJ is the guy and I can't wait to make it a 9-4 season and then hopefully 15-0 next year!

I thought before the season started that we could finish 8-4, but with two of the four losses being pretty big ones. I didn't think Tennessee could go 8-4 giving up leads in the 4th quarter and ever loss by 7 points or less. As a fan, that's a depressing way to see your team go 8-4. But, remembering where we were just a few years ago, I settled with it and was at peace with my team finishing the season at 8-4, and even squeezing into the CFP top 25! All things considered, not a bad season. But, reading this article brings back all the depressing feelings of what could have been. Imagine had these plays gone differently, plus the fourth quarter against Arkansas, Tennessee could have easily been 12-0 and playing Bama again in Atlanta. Yea, Bama is by far the best team in the country right now with how they've been playing...but who knows how good Tennessee may have been at this point with all the momentum they could have... I guess I get to say what us Vol fans have been saying for the last 7 years yet again...Maybe next year. Excuse me now while I go lay in a corner and cry about what could have been.

There is no doubt in my mind that if AJ Johnson had played, it would have been a totally different outcome. He's one of those players who fires up the entire team and makes them play better. That being said, the next guy in line has to step up and fill in. That didn't happen the way it needed to. As was pointed out in the article, dropped passes KILLED us. Take away the multiple drops from Pig Howard and Von Pearson, the game is much different. Correct me if I'm wrong...I thought coaches challenges were not allowed in the last 2 minutes of the half? Is that just an NFL rule? Either way, Tennessee wasted 2 timeouts in the last 3 minutes of the game, one being that challenge on the second onside kick. Mizzou played well enough on defense to win that game. The reason there isn't a ton of credit being given is because of the inconsistency on offense. But, they say defense wins championships, so maybe it will work out for you guys. You've got a tough text against Arkansas next week, and if there's a hot team in the SEC right now, it's the Hogs... WOOO PIG SOOIE!

What I don't understand is how you can look at the "Coaches" Poll and think there is an SEC bias on the playoff committee, ESPN or anywhere else. If Coaches from all around the country are ranking teams similar to the Playoff Poll, the AP poll or ESPN...are you saying the coaches from your beloved ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and every other conference have an SEC bias too?

The refs "did everything in THEIR power to keep them in this game?" How do you figure? Aside from the offensive pass interference against Mizzou, what ground do you stand on? How many of Mizzou's penalties were false starts? I don't know the exact number, but I know there were several. I think Mizzou did a pretty good job of letting Tennessee stay in that game, considering how bad the Vols played.

The problem is, the offside penalty was never called. The ref should have said there were two penalties, offside (which would have been declined) and illegal touching, which would make it Mizzou's ball. They never called the offside until after the review, which the offside penalty is not reviewable. And saying, "Never mind the fact that UT was still down 8 with less than 2 minutes left" tells me you didn't see Tennessee's seemingly impossible comeback against South Carolina.

It's all about what fans you interact with. I went to a UGA/Arkansas game in 2010 or 2011 in Athens. I was spit at/on several times for wearing my Tennessee shirt to the game. It was a pretty unpleasant experience, but I know it's only a very small portion of fans who would treat someone that way. Unlike evolves two experiences in Gainesville, I actually had a really good time there. There was a large group around us who were cheering at the fact Justin Hunter, a 19-20 year old student athlete, tore his ACL, but aside from that everyone was extremely nice. The few times I have been to Tuscaloosa were the same. You have a small group who are out of control towards other fan bases, but for the most part everyone is welcoming. I've seen the bad side several times in Knoxville, but I feel like it's up to us classy fans to see it, recognize it, and insure those visiting fans feel welcome and know that we're not all a bunch of asshats.

As ridiculous as it may be that players can't profit off their own names, it's against the rules. They know it's against the rules. As much as we see about it in the news, there is no reason a player should ever accept money for an autograph. They know what the outcome is going to be when they get caught. Whether the rule is a good one or not, it's still a rule. When you break rules, you deal with the punishment. I think it's dumb that the law tells me I have to wear my seatbelt...but that didn't stop me from getting a ticket for it. So, instead of only attacking the NCAA (whom I believe SHOULD allow players to profit off their own names), why is no one criticizing these players who are KNOWINGLY breaking rules and putting their career and their team's season in jeopardy?

Before we bash the "weak" non-conference games on these schedules...we should realize that scheduling games takes two schools. There's a reason you usually only see on "Power 5" non-conference team scheduled. Do you think Ohio State, Virginia Tech or any other "Power 5," wants to play TWO SEC schools, risking losing two games and missing out on a chance at a playoff spot? Finishing the year with one loss still leaves you with a decent shot at a National Championship, especially if that one loss is against a solid SEC program. But two losses...you're out of the conversation. So before we criticize our own conference for not scheduling stronger out of conference opponents, remember that it takes two schools to agree to play each other.