Looks like we are going to have a dandy of a team we are playing, and one heck of a time berating them. At least the all knowing ESPN thinks so, but alas they might be on a roll this year.

Win or lose we love our Mountaineers.

http://sportsradioknoxville.com/vols-fa ... 2016-espn/

I hope we play with a chip on our shoulder, but with the expectation of a win, no matter what the numbers say.

If there's an upside, we have the highest probability for a win of the two G5 schools on the list, and higher than the FCS school. And not far off from Kentucky or Mizzou. So that's something.

Anyway, I hope they look right on past us and even if we don't win, we give 'em heck.

And we shouldn't be surprised. The only thing I will say is Tennessee has failed to live up to preseason expectations for literally over a decade now, but I really feel like their team this year is different. They are gonna be GOOD, only SEC team I think is better is LSU. Also watch out for UGA if Eason adjusts early. But yeah, I really have zero expectations for us giving them a good game. I think the Vols could be playoff contenders this year.

That's ESPN's FPI ratings, for those who didn't click the link. Among the human public, I'm pretty sure Bama has "favorite until proven otherwise" status in the SEC and maybe the nation.

WVAppsfan wrote:Looks like we are going to have a dandy of a team we are playing, and one heck of a time berating them. At least the all knowing ESPN thinks so, but alas they might be on a roll this year.

Win or lose we love our Mountaineers.

http://sportsradioknoxville.com/vols-fa ... 2016-espn/

Looks like APPs knack for scheduling top tier teams that are "on a roll" will continue.

I don't want to see us give them a good game, I want us to win. You either win or you lose. There is no in between. I will be there with full intentions of seeing us win. If we do not win nothing will make me feel good. I am willing to bet our guys feel the exact same way.

bcoach wrote:I don't want to see us give them a good game, I want us to win. You either win or you lose. There is no in between. I will be there with full intentions of seeing us win. If we do not win nothing will make me feel good. I am willing to bet our guys feel the exact same way.

coach you and I both know that a team and the coaches MUST go into every game to WIN THE GAME. I absolutely believe our team will do that - But you know, sometimes the opponent is just better than your team - I give the APPs about a 10% chance of winning this game.

I said it in the other thread, this UTk team will be the best they fielded in over ten years and I'd be shocked if they finish outside of the top ten and won't be surprised to see them in the hunt for the playoffs in Decemeber.

bcoach wrote:I don't want to see us give them a good game, I want us to win. You either win or you lose. There is no in between. I will be there with full intentions of seeing us win. If we do not win nothing will make me feel good. I am willing to bet our guys feel the exact same way.

Will I feel good about a loss? No. But you don't go from losing these games by 30 to winning them with "no in between." As Bobby Bowden said, "First you lose big, then you lose small, then you win small, then you win big."

bcoach wrote:I don't want to see us give them a good game, I want us to win. You either win or you lose. There is no in between. I will be there with full intentions of seeing us win. If we do not win nothing will make me feel good. I am willing to bet our guys feel the exact same way.

You just can't expect us to compete with the Tennessee's, Florida's, USC's of the world. These are powerhouse programs that get the best players in the country every year. I agree, winning is the only reason to play the game. I can guarantee you with the culture we have created here every player suiting up for us next year fully believes they are beating Tennessee right now, and us fans should think the same. But realism has to kick in at some point, I'm still going into this game with zero expectations. Tennessee is simply better, and they should be as they have far more resources. We're doing amazing things right now, and we're turning ourselves into one of the best G5 programs in the nation already. That's huge. But in my opinion I don't think we're at a place yet where we can realistically expect our team to beat a team as good as this Tennessee team. Maybe in a few years, but just not right now. I obviously hope I'm wrong, but I really think the Vols are gonna be one of the best teams in the country this year.

Tennessee's running back is 6'4" 240. Dayum.

They can go beat VT at Bristol, beat Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the entire SEC for all I care, but they will not beat the Apps on September 5th and that's what I believe.

Obviously we will have to play out of our minds, control the ball, not turn it over, blah, blah, blah. We all know that caliber or player often becomes obvious in match ups like these. We think we have fast DB's and then all of a sudden a really fast receiver blows by one of them. We think we have quick guys that can control the edge and all of a sudden a 6'4" back motors by. All that being said I see us bringing all we have to Knoxville and like you other guys I expect a win. Moral victories and collecting a check stopped when we were FCS. We might not be ready to knock off a premier P5 but by god we can bring all we have! Go Apps!

Our program is headed in the right direction and administration knows this. Playing teams like UT are for one thing. money and exposure. Can we beat them? I do not know, however we have an opportunity to see.

IMO we do have a legit chance to knock off a national power this year. It comes on Sept. 17.

John Mason: "Are you ready for this?"
Stanley Goodspeed: "I'll do my best."
John Mason: "Do your best!?! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and %^&* the prom queen!"

That being said, I'd just like to see us come out very prepared, no mistakes, and play the best we can play. Let it take us where we can go. On offense Lamb needs to step up to the next level regarding leadership and show some poise in this David versus Goliath matchup. We know whats coming, act like it (no deer in the headlights situation). Coaches need to have this team super prepared (not just going there to collect a check). This should be an easy game to get the team ready to play. Great environment, national exposure, and I'm sure Tennessee will be looking down their noses at us.

I agree. I would just like for us to come out and play 2 solid halves of football and let the chips fall where they may. Not much on moral victories but complete competitive game can go a long way towards the rest of the season.

The team played hard the second of the Clemson game last year, the despicable 2nd quarter haunted them the rest of the game. I feel that we are poised for a strong season. One game does not make a season, yet beating Miami or Tennessee defines the state of program. That would change everything.

One thing I've consistently noticed in games against P5 teams these past few years is our WRs inability to create space against defenders at and slightly beyond the line of scrimmage leaving no real option in the passing game. Hopefully with the speed we've recruited at the position, things will change in that regard.

WVAPPeer wrote:

bcoach wrote:I don't want to see us give them a good game, I want us to win. You either win or you lose. There is no in between. I will be there with full intentions of seeing us win. If we do not win nothing will make me feel good. I am willing to bet our guys feel the exact same way.

coach you and I both know that a team and the coaches MUST go into every game to WIN THE GAME. I absolutely believe our team will do that - But you know, sometimes the opponent is just better than your team - I give the APPs about a 10% chance of winning this game.

I understand that, which also makes me wonder why we play those games but that is another discussion. My point really is I keep hearing about something other than a win being a victory. It just isn't. If you don't win it is a loss plain and simple. No argument with your statement at all. I just am not going for any other reason than to see a victory. Granted the odds say I won't, but if so I will feel like crap. I will not feel any moral victory. Never have. No arguments with anyone here it is just my personal opinion that it is hard to claim any kind of victory if you end up with less points. I would also add that I am a little cranky so that could also be bleeding through.