Tennessee DC " No one will run the football on us"

[EastHallApp]

It's entirely possible Tennessee will underachieve again, but that tends to show up in SEC play rather than against G5 opponents. For example, that "overhyped" UT team last year opened the season by beating eventual MAC champion Bowling Green 59-30.

Is that the same Bowling Green that Georgia Southern beat in the bowl game 58-27.

Let me put it another way: The last time Tennessee lost to a non-power conference opponent, Peyton Manning was the QB.

[AppDawg]

It's entirely possible Tennessee will underachieve again, but that tends to show up in SEC play rather than against G5 opponents. For example, that "overhyped" UT team last year opened the season by beating eventual MAC champion Bowling Green 59-30.

Is that the same Bowling Green that Georgia Southern beat in the bowl game 58-27.

Let me put it another way: The last time Tennessee lost to a non-power conference opponent, Peyton Manning was the QB.

I think they lost to Wyoming within the last 5 years or so. Can't recall if Dooley was HC or around the brief Kiffin K-ville affair.

[Goapps15]

UT lost to Wyoming back in 2008 in Neyland. That team was well overhyped as well and fell flat on their face. I believe they started that year out in the top 5 before finishing 5-7.

Coming from someone who grew up in Knoxville, local media thinks Butch Jones walks on water. The local sports talk shows believe this is their best team since 98. There will be plenty of nuggets that will come out of Knoxville before the season begins.

[bigdaddyg]

I would put Tennessee in the top 10 delusional fan bases. Clemson was there but I have moved them out now based on recent actual success.

[EastHallApp]

It's entirely possible Tennessee will underachieve again, but that tends to show up in SEC play rather than against G5 opponents. For example, that "overhyped" UT team last year opened the season by beating eventual MAC champion Bowling Green 59-30.

Is that the same Bowling Green that Georgia Southern beat in the bowl game 58-27.

Let me put it another way: The last time Tennessee lost to a non-power conference opponent, Peyton Manning was the QB.

I think they lost to Wyoming within the last 5 years or so. Can't recall if Dooley was HC or around the brief Kiffin K-ville affair.

My bad, somehow missed that one.

Regardless, last year's team was a lot better than that Dooley squad, and this year's team should be better than last year's.

[bcoach]

Every year we are going to beat these teams and we have done it exactly one time. Speak softly and carry a big stick.

[PhillyApp1]

My wish is for App to compete and not to have a 21 point give away segment.
Our wr's have to get off the line or this will be a replay of many other loses.
Our game plan has to be more creative and keep the TN defense guessing.
I have seen nothing in recent history to think we open our playbook against the big boys so I am not excited about our chances.
But, I will say the bowl victory does show we have the will to win and Taylor is growing up in front of us.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Misleading statistics. Our run was shut down the entire first half. Cox had a nice run to end the 1st half, however App had the ball in their own territory, with less than a minute. Safe to say Clemson was in a prevent. Second half, game was already in hand for Clemson, and they had some second stringers in by the middle of the 3rd quarter.

Now I know these statistics favor the case for App with regards to Shoop's comments, however let's be fair.

You could probably apply that scenario to most of Clemson's opponents last year

Not really - from the top of that list down:

Beat Syracuse by 10.

Beat FSU by 10 (tied after 3Q).

Beat South Carolina by 5.

Beat BC by 17 (7 pt. game at half)

Beat UNC by 8

Lost to Alabama

Beat State by 15 (6 pt. game at half)

15-7=8. 8 is still considered most.

Grasping hard at that straw, huh?

I stopped halfway down because those were the teams that had comparative success running the ball against them. And because I didn't want to look up the halftime score for every game. But...

Beat Notre Dame by 2

Beat Oklahoma by 20 (trailed by 1 at half)

Beat Louisville by 3

10 games were unequivocally close in the second half. Georgia Tech and Wake were 20+ point games at half, though not quite as bad as our game. App, Wofford and Miami were the only ones that were absolutely over at halftime.

We were close after the 1st quarter, we just got a head start on letting things get out of hand.