BearTN

A lot of it as about what the Head Coach wants. I know Vols fans were upset when Butch Jones hired Mike DeBord as OC. At Michigan under Lloyd Carr, he as OC and he TE coach, and concentrated on the running game. At UT, he had a wide open offense that was among the Vols' best until Heupel came along. Then he left, and the offense sucked after he left. When Jim Chaney was at Georgia, he led good offenses. When he went to Tennessee under Pruitt, his offense sucked. The coordinators are always helped or hindered by the head coach's direction on what he wants.

Just curious, how many aren't huge fans of any other sport than CFB. Sure, I hope the hoops Vols do well, and since I have lived in Cincy for 18 years, I hope they win the Super Bowl. However, I don't watch basketball games or NFL very often. The gap between the CFP championship game (or in this case, the gap between the end of the first quarter of the CFP championship game) and the first games in late August seems like forever in my sports life.

For the Vols, I think the bigger addition is Keenan Pili at LB. We lost 2 LB's that played a lot in the middle for us, and this was a key need. Dont'e Thornton may end up being a lot more productive at Tennessee than he was at Oregon, but we have other options to try. I'm not sure if we have an incoming recruits that can be an SEC day 1 starter at LB.

I learned something new. I watched Dukes of Hazzard growing up, and assumed it was the county in KY, not GA. I guess the person asking the question came up with the shows, but no Evening Shade (set in Arkansas) or Designing Women (Atlanta)? Also, I would pick REM for best band from an SEC town, but I think the B-52's at least belong in the conversation. Athens overall has had the best music scene, as far as bands that got national airplay goes.

1. NIL and the portal have drastically changed the game as we know it. I think a strange dynamic that I've seen little discussion is that many players will make more money than their position coach, and some will make more than their coordinators. How hard to you coach a kid who's exit from your program could cost your job? 2. I think the NCAA made this worse by choosing a stipend for college athletes as the hill they wanted to die on. I think a stipend would have at least made this process more gradual, instead of going from no money (officially) to whatever collectives are willing to pay. 3. Agents will always claim their client signed for a gazillion dollars.

The coldest thing Warren did was start the "Alliance" with the ACC and PAC 12 to combat the SEC, while he was negotiating to bring in USC and UCLA all along. The the money the B1G is pulling in, it the SEC, the B1G, and a pretty big drop to everyone else.

For some reason, I can't reply to the comments below. As a fellow Vol noted, it is "Texas," not the other "UT." As I remind my Texas neighbor and friend, if it weren't for a few hundred Tennessee men and their rifles, The University of Texas would be La Universidad del Noreste de Mexico, and their sport would be futbol.

I thought Georgia would win, but I'm not sure I expected this big of a curb stomping. Watching the semis, it's hard to imagine that Michigan beat Ohio State that badly. I think Ohio State would beat TCU (not by as big a margin, but comfortably) if they made the game ending field goal.

As a Vol fan rooting for Georgia and the SEC, I have one request for the Georgia coaching staff. Target Brock Bowers a lot more than you did against OSU. I don't think any team can slow him down.

I know smart wants to motivate the team going in as a heavy favorite, but the Dawgs weren't disrespected all season. After the opening win, many wondered if they were better than last year's team. They did have a couple of subpar games, for them, but all that matters is that they won those games.

Apologies for Dawg fans for not posting this in the 2nd quarter. The D only gave up 6 points after I posted this, so maybe this is what the needed :-) I was hoping Georgia would crush them, but it is nice to have 2 competitive CFP semifinals for a change

It is shocking to me how incompetent the Georgia defense looks. No pass rush and WR's are running uncovered. I hope they can turn it around, but the Dawgs may need to score every drive from here on out (and I hope they do). I know OSU has talent, but I really didn't expect this.

Not sure about the few posts trying to downplay our loss to SC. Yes, we had several injured DB's, but I don't recall seeing any attempts to bring any pressure on Rattler the entire game. We basically left him alone to have plenty of time to find uncovered receivers. If you recall, some overreacting fans were calling for Banks to be fired as DC after the game. Also, the SC DB's pretty much held our WR's in check. That was the most gut wrenching loss for the Vols in the last 20 years, because we weren't playing high stakes games late in the season in 20 years. Hopefully, the team will use it as a learning experience and not try to sleepwalk to a win when we are heavily favored. Still, it was been a great season, and it is great to be relevant again.

I was disappointed watching the second half. SC got worn down. I knew about some of the offensive player opt outs or transfers, but didn't realize how many defenders didn't play. From the Gamecock fan perspective, hopefully this is just getting rid of malcontents that aren't buying into what Beamer is doing (which is surprising considering how they finished the regular season) and not players not wanting to play for him. My gut, from way outside looking in, is that it is the former.

This was an unexpectedly great season. I was expected 8, 9 if we were lucky, wins. To take the next step and compete for the SEC Title, we have to get more physical on the OL to be able to run the ball against Georgia. They shut our run game down the last two years, so their safeties never really had to worry about run support. Obviously, we need better pass coverage. Finally, we need to build more quality depth. We are a lot closer than we have been in the last 20 years.

I don’t think he has much to gain from another year. I think the biggest issue will be what NFL scouts think of him in coverage. He does great against the run.

I agree with this that think Leach wouldn't care much one way or the other. I think what is overlooked about his resume is that he never was the head coach anywhere that had a winning tradition. The degree of difficulty of his record at the places he coached was pretty high. It would have been interesting what would have happened if wasn't run out a Tech (I don't think he should have been fired), or if the Vols hired him. As far as innovation to the way the game is now played, I think it is hard to pick many coaches that have had more influence on how the game has changed than Leach.

Yes, I'm sure if I were a Gator fan, I would be very disappointed. I do think Napier had a big mess left by Mullen, who seemed dead set against recruiting the top high schools in Florida. Napier seems to be landing players that he needs to land in the state of Florida. We will see if he shows improvement in year 2. I do think winning non CFP bowl games will come down to which team has the least players opting out.

To your point, it's a nice gig if you can get it, as far as money and perks go. Not really sure that the role does anymore.

I just wish he was hit on a couple of more open passes at Vandy to get the Vols WR single season yardage record. This decision makes perfect sense, though.

I have never been a fan or not a fan of the places Leach has coached, but I have been really sad since the story broke. I found myself scrolling through Leach’s interviews, especially when he answers non football question. I think most coaches reveal little of their personalities and use coach speak. I feel like Leach represents a guy we think we kind of know, for his intellect, oddball humor, and some crazy genius stuff he does. I think the best way to appreciate Leach is to look for his answer of which PAC 12 mascot would win in a battle royale to the death. He takes the question seriously, and is in turn, hilarious. I’m hoping for a complete miracle, but post game interviews and SEC Media days will have a sad hole in them, I’m afraid. hope the next few hours and days are as peaceful for the Leach Family as possible.

We are still bitter about Peyton not winning, and we have never had a Heisman winner. Yes, Woodson returned punts, but he was ranked in the mid 50's for yards per return that year and over 13 yards less per return than whoever was the punt return leader that year. Woodson is a total class act, though. For the Vols' other runners up, I would have voted Charlie Ward over Heath Shuler. That was fair. Paul Hornung from ND really shouldn't have won. ND was 3-7, and he threw more INT's than TD's. Johnny Majors was runner up. I agree with Johnny though, when asked much later who should have one. He said Jim Brown should have won it. Regardless, good luck in the CFP. I think Hooker should have made the top 4, and I see your point on Corum. He's a beast.

As a Vol fan, I have always been down on the Hypesman, but Hooker not even getting an invite is a joke. Stroud only played one decent team and was not a factor. I bet Hooker and Bennett would put up even bigger numbers if they played PAC 12 defenses. I have not watched TCU, so I have no opinion on Duggan. I guess the only outcome that would make me pay any attention to this award would be if Bennett would win. He should, but I'm guessing he won't. There are too many voters outside the Southeast that won't vote for Southeast players.

This will be the most orange Orange bowl ever. They should let both wear their home uniforms. I'm less confident without Hooker at QB, and if Dabo has finally switched to Klubnik (I would prefer he start DJ, who can't seem to throw). I think another key will be who misses the game. It's a big bowl for the Vols, since we haven't been to a Big 6 in a long time, however, some players may not risk injury for a non CFP game. Clemson may have players to also opt out, especially since a non CFP Big 6 game is a disappointment for them. Finally, our OC, Alex Golesh, has left for USF. Our offensive staff will have to adjust for how the get plays into the game, so that could have as much affect on our offense as Milton playing instead of Hooker. I certainly hope that all SEC teams win their bowls. Until the CFP is over, I am a huge Dawg fan. Roll Tide! Hail State! Geaux Tigahs! Hotty Toddy! Go Gators! Go Cocks! Go Wildcats! Go Tigers (without a Cajun accent)! Sooie Pig!

Where I struggle is should a team be out of the CFP if a key player is injured. I don't think my Vols could be any playoff team without Hooker. I do think we should be in ahead of Bama based on the mentioned criteria of the committee (Vols win head to head against Bama, better record vs mutual opponents, more wins vs. bowl eligible teams, etc. The committee says we are behind because we have the worst lost. That is fair, but they should state that worse lost is in the criteria. I'm not bothered we are out, since we have 2 decisive losses. What would bother me more is if Caleb Williams wins the Hypesman over Hooker. Yes, Williams put up big numbers against PAC 12 defenses. However, Bo Nix also put up big numbers against PAC 12 defenses after being ineffective for 2 years and a game against SEC defenses. I don't think Hooker would win, but I would take him over Williams against weak defenses (Hooker put up those numbers against 5 of the top 20 ranked defenses when he played them). I am also puzzled why no one mentions Bennett. All QB's are game managers. That is a key thing that all successful QB's must do. However, Bennett makes plays that win games. He doesn't just sit back there hoping to not make a mistake. Considering that Ohio State had more overall Hypesman awards than the entire SEC until Tebow won his makes me think that that awards is a bit of a joke. Peyton got screwed (Woodson was the 56th ranked punt returner out of 108 D1 schools. I have no problem with Charlie Ward over Heath Shuler, as I would have voted the same way. Paul Horning, who led ND top a 3-7 record, throwing more picks than TD's, should not have won over Johnny Majors, however, I agree with Johnny Majors - Jim Brown should have won, but white voters didn't vote for Jim Brown. I think Hooker should place over Williams. If I had a vote, I would probably put 1. Bennett 2.Hooker 3. Bryce 4. the RB guy from Michigan, then Williams at 5. Sorry for the no train of though post :-) Good luck to all SEC teams in the Playoff and Bowl Games

Here’s how the Vols get in. All top 4 teams get blown out, and Ryan Day and Nick Saban are filmed beating up members of the committee

If UGa wins back to back, I think they could be considered great. Sure, they didn't get up for some games where they overmatched the competition, but they shut down the #1 and #4 offenses based on yards per game.

1. Coaches leave programs often, so I really didn't have a problem with anyone recruited by Pruitt wanting to leave after he was fired (or any other player that leaves their school when their coach is fired or leaves for another job. 2. I have no idea if this was in play or not, but I read somewhere that any player that may have received money from Pruitt was encouraged to go, so we wouldn't have any players left that got money. I really don't know about To'o To'o, but I've read in a few places that was why some other players left.

The DM's were an odd thing for Freeze to do. He obviously didn't know that DM's are permanent and shareable. I also think the Liberty legal staff wasn't happy that an employee of Liberty was DM'ing someone suing the university. That was poor judgment on a lot of levels. He certainly can coach. I guess he trading the good money and low pressure Liberty job to a place where he could win a title.

Considering that our secondary has struggled and we had 5 DB's our for the game for injuries, I was shocked that Vandy didn't start trying to throw the ball until well after the game was out of hand. Our run D has been pretty good, so I'm glad they decided to try to beat us almost exclusively running. It was also crazy that we averaged 11.7 yard per carry. Yes, last week's loss was crushing, but I don't think any Vol fan saw 10-2 coming. I think our over/under win total was 7.5 in Vegas before the season started.