Tennessee has faced tougher schedule than other CFP contenders
SEC Network reporter Cole Cubelic tweeted an interesting observation Monday: Tennessee’s combined opponent record is more impressive than any of the other teams contending for a playoff spot.
Overall opponent record:
Ala 26-21
OhSt 18-20
Mich 21-18
Clem 27-15
aTm 23-16
Wash 14-23
UL 22-19
Neb 15-22
Baylor 8-26
WVU 17-14
Tenn 34-11— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) October 17, 2016
Any talk of the Volunteers’ resume is likely a moot point unless they reclaim the top spot in the SEC East and make it to Atlanta. Florida leads the division with a 3-1 record, but those three wins have come against Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Missouri while UT has gone 2-2 against UF, Georgia, No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 1 Alabama. Few would be surprised if UT ends up representing the division in Atlanta.
Alabama and Texas A&M have at least played above .500 competition, but Tennessee is the only team which has faced opponents with a combined 30-plus wins through seven weeks.
It’s not about schedule, it’s about how they performed. They took on the big dog in the SEC and only scored 10 points. They are by no means a bad team, but the hype they get every year is ridiculous. Butch (about to have a heart attack) Jones hasn’t done that much in his coaching career but everything thinks he’s Saban or Meyer. They were brought back to reality on Saturday. Believe me, I’m a Razorback fan and I know what that looks like!
You lost me at “hype they get every year” that is just plan BS talk from people that have not been paying attention…
When/where have you ever heard someone favorably compare Butch Jones to Saban or Meyer?
I think he refers to Tennessee fans saying Jones has UT back in the limelight.
No one else has much respect for Jones…
ESPN College Gameday, CBS, TV ratings, Peyton Manning and all around goodwill toward men have Tennessee back in the limelight.
Jones is building a juggernaut who may play for the SEC Championship this year.
Juggernaut…. LMAO. You lost by 39 at home…
I wouldn’t call UT a juggernaut…
Using only win/loss doesn’t represent a true SOS.
And here you are again….Trolling a UT article….WOW! I love it when I am right!
You really don’t know what trolling is do you? Nothing I just posted was trolling.
Seeing how they will only have faced 4 ranked opponents all year and will go 2-2 shows just how average they are. And that’s still considering VT as a top 25 team. Overall, they have a very soft schedule.
Truth weagle99.
UT’s win over Georgia is much less impressive now that Vandy beat them. Not looking much like a “quality” win.
Sadly this is very true. And with VT’s romp from Syracuse, Florida is now their most prestigious win. Butch now has to ensure his team wins out (on paper very doable) while UT fans hold their breath for a gators loss. I hope we can help you out in a few weeks, but the sense of urgency has apparently dimished for us. If UT slips up, ARE Butch’s days numbered?
It amazes me none of the SEC fan bases are smart enough to realize Tennessee is playing with 2nd and 3rd stringers and are still ranked 18. That Tennessee played Alabama with 3 freshman OL getting their first game experience, a 4th & 5th string Linebacker playing, 3 all SEC defensivE players out. Tennessee curb stomped Florida after spotting them, beat a Georgia team that played it’s best game all year. I really think it is fear. Lol
It could be that none of the other fans care. You guys talked mad $hit. Its not our fault your coach failed to properly condition your players.
Think you are confusing the media pumping us up and most reasonable Vol fans looking for continued improvement. If you can’t see our SOS is legit, you’re not watching sec football. We could lose another one and go 9-3 but that doesn’t make it a bad season from where we came from and all the injuries. However, we are on the move and that’s pretty easy to see in all games but Bama.
Tennessee’s opponent record will look just like the rest soon enough. Let it play out before you try to bias a decision 7 weeks into a season. Florida may lead the East but they will have to earn it now as Tennessee sits back and enjoys the easy part of their schedule now. Good thing it worked out the way it did because the injuries are killing the Vols depth.
Is Saturday Down South published from Tennessee or alumni publishers. They just don’t give up the hype. ESPN said Arkansas had the 2nd toughest schedule in the nation. Now, that may or may not be right but the only 2 teams we have lost to are #1 Bama and #5 A &M. We STILL have #18Florida, #23 Auburn, #LSU then Missouri.
“…Has Faced….” in the title means only games already played.
Plus Tennessee is so hot right now.
Don’t hate.
Appreciate.
You realize those are the only teams we have lost to as well right? Idiot…
Soooo stupid.
The word “tougher” in this context is only applicable to the relative team and their schedule.
Meaning, if Tennessee doesn’t have the talent (which they do) to match the teams on their schedule then yes, by default it is “tough”. However, how can one truly measure tough in this instance?
Every team does not play every team. There are unlimited variables, and the transitive property does not apply to sports.
Fallacy…fallacy everywhere…