College Football Top 10: No. 10 Tennessee
College Football August 13th. 2008, 1:45pm
Weird, right? There could be a QB controversy brewing (kidding!), the new offensive coordinator is installing the West Coast offense, and the Vols play in the SEC. Musings:
- RB Arian Foster (148 ypg) is probably the second best back in the SEC after Georgia’s Moreno, yet gets no pub.
- QB Jonathan Crompton takes over at QB for Danny Ainge’s nephew, and has three quality receivers returning, so the Vols should have no issues scoring.
- The season hinges on a four-week stretch bridging Sept and Oct: vs. Florida, at Auburn, win, at Georgia. They absolutely must beat Auburn, because those other two look difficult.
- Defense will determine the season: The Vols topped 30 points eight times last year (including 35 in a romp over Georgia); in the losses, they gave up 45, 51, 49 and 21 points.
- The defense lost its best player to the draft, but the secondary returns some talent. Don’t see this unit slowing Tebow’s Gators or stopping the Georgia machine, but 10-2 heading into a bowl game seems about right, but it could easily fall to 8-4 (losses at Auburn and South Carolina).
136 Responses to “College Football Top 10: No. 10 Tennessee”
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August 13th, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Tennessee #10? Did Sean Jean write this?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:46 PM
I heart the SEC.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:48 PM
SEC Rules the World.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:48 PM
you should have at least used a pic of Tee Martin…a guy that actually beat Florida…
August 13th, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Tampa Bo -
If the SEC rules the world then why is Georgia being invaded by a bunch of Commie bastards?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:51 PM
VOLS, BITCH!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Tennessee, hey they were the guys who rolled in to Berkeley last year, acted like the kings of the world and then got blowed out.
/Emmitt’d
August 13th, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Ruck Fussia!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:53 PM
If the SEC rules the world then why is Georgia being invaded by a bunch of Commie bastards?
Because it’s the only way Cal could ever be in the BCS Final?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:55 PM
i liked berry last year more than i liked mayo.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:55 PM
You can’t spell Citrus without UT
August 13th, 2008 at 1:55 PM
If the SEC rules the world then why is Georgia being invaded by a bunch of Commie bastards?
Blame that on Georgia basketball
August 13th, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Although Georgia did beat Russia in a Judo semi-final match yesterday. The Georgian went on to win gold.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Good post, TBL. I think this is a pretty accurate assessment and 10-2 would definitely be a success considering all the uncertainty. I wouldn’t have put the Vols in the top 10 to start the season though, maybe closer to 14.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:58 PM
i wonder if that picture was taken before or after the mooning incident
August 13th, 2008 at 1:58 PM
you can’t spell “retarded, jorts wearin’, gator fucking, red necked pieces of shit” without FLORIDA.
someone might want to double check that one.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Although Georgia did beat Russia in a Judo semi-final match yesterday. The Georgian went on to win gold.
That should have been a fight to the death…bad call Olympic commitee
August 13th, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Georgia also beat Russia in beach volleyball. Even though the Georgian girls were actually from Brazil. Go figure.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:59 PM
tennessee no. 10???
they’re not even no. 4 in their own conference.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Spurrier longs for the days when he could legitimately launch these witty barbs at phat phil.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Tennessee will lose at least four games. Having them in the top 10 is a joke.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Can’t help but wonder if there’s another UT in TBL’s top 10.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:01 PM
I appreciate the effort, spence. but, I can’ find an “l”.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:01 PM
side note on the vols:
o-coordinator david cutcliffe left for duke (he’ll regret that in about six weeks). anyone remember what happened the last time he left? (hint: it wasn’t pretty for vols fans or their qbs).
August 13th, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Unproven QB throwing to ‘three quality receivers’ and lost its best defensive player to the NFL…yea, I’m sold. Obvious sarcasm aside, it’s the SEC and anything can happen. FUCK THE GATORS, clap clap clap clap clap!
August 13th, 2008 at 2:02 PM
university of toledo lance?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:02 PM
@spence: you can put in Lizard Lovin some where
August 13th, 2008 at 2:03 PM
well, that would likely put them at #5 in the conference, at best by your calcs. my guess is that TBL has Auburn, LSU, Florida, and Georgia in his top 9.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Jesus Christ I am really starting to hate the SEC.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Mizerle – ya I agree with ya. That quote still makes me laugh though.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
@spencer- this is for you. I hate florida as much as the next guy
http://acctrash.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/gator-jorts.jpg
August 13th, 2008 at 2:05 PM
+1, irish
August 13th, 2008 at 2:06 PM
it couldn’t be texas…no fucking way…nobody could honestly expect texas to be a top 10 team, could they?
/it texas is in the top 10, but ohio state is outside the top 5, this ranking thing needs some work
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I am really starting to hate the SEC.
SEC turning into Boston/New York/USC to you?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Even if they were #5 in the SEC, that would make them #5 in the country.
/Vomiting
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Jorts pix never disappoint
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
haha irish that is gold.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Tampa…that’s a good one.
irish…fantastic pic.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
*if* i had the vols at no. 10, those four teams would have to be in my top nine. fla, auburn, georgia and lsu in order to be precise.
i’ve stated before but i just cannot see anyone in that conference this year going undefeated. i predict georgia will have two losses (one to florida).
hope i’m wrong because i’m not a florida fan.
if lsu gets any kind of decent play from its qb, they very will could be playing in atlanta come the first saturday in december.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:08 PM
@roeth – true story, I’m from a little town in upper east TN called Johnson City. this also happens to be the hometown of none other than Steve Spurrier. he was all-state in three sports at the same time in high school (basketball, baseball, and football) and to my knowledge is still the only athlete to do that. the high school football field is named Spurrier Field in Johnson City and there’s a glass case at the basketball gym with what can only be referred to as a shrine built in his honor.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:08 PM
SEC turning into Boston/New York/USC to you?
You nailed it BFFredo
August 13th, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Well then – we can put them in the BCS championship game, right? 2 losses in the SEC is about equivalent to going 12 and negative 1 in any other conference
August 13th, 2008 at 2:09 PM
texas should be as good as tenn.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:09 PM
@ mmonast: Texas
August 13th, 2008 at 2:10 PM
That’s it. I’m out.
/sincere
August 13th, 2008 at 2:11 PM
@Sparty- yanks up 1-0 The Raz is looking good for once.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:11 PM
/what’s really bothering cbh
August 13th, 2008 at 2:11 PM
and neither are top 10…but at least tennessee has some decent players on defense. berry is scary.
texas has brian orakapo? seriously, who else?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Miz, I won’t argue, Notre Dams received entirely way too much coverage last year for a shitty team.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:13 PM
But they’re going 8-4 this year!
August 13th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Tampa-but once again they are not hitting. wtf?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
@CBH- a guy in the Navy cried on my shoulder when Navy Beat ND said it was the best day of his life.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:17 PM
cedric dockery (OL)
i think mccoy will bounce back. poor kid was running for his life last year.
i actually saw a poll that had texas no. 8 (and tenn. no. 20). of course, it was on a longhorns site.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:17 PM
RB Arian Foster (148 ypg) is probably the second best back in the SEC after Georgia’s Moreno, yet gets no pub.
No offense to miz, Sean etc., but that’s more so because everybody else’s running back from last year either graduated or left for the draft, not because Foster is that awesome.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I dont know they have the bats…I had Nady on the bench last night as well. Fuck Lance Berkman
August 13th, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Tampa, it really was, that win meant a ton to them and I understand why.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:18 PM
that gets them into a BCS game according to their NBC contract, right?
/just poking you in the ribs, cbh
August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Tennessee will lose to Auburn in Auburn. Change that to 9-3 and it’s a lot more accurate but not top-10 accurate.
The pic of the Gator “fan” is a UGA student dressed up.
There are too many teams in the SEC and too much diversity among fans to get into the Boston/NY argument. It’s not like it’s the same 2 teams every year. i.e. this year people are predicting UGA to stomp the shit out of Ohio St.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 PM
@ jimmy: I had season tix last year (and this year) and saw Colt throw one too many passes (and touchdowns) for the visiting teams. I seriously hope he bounces back. Shipley is the secret weapon in that offense, keep an eye on him during 3rd down passing situations.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Foster is quite solid, don’t get me wrong, but i’d much rather have keiland williams.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:20 PM
no offense taken at all. foster is a very servicable back but the only reason he’s getting close to being the all-time leading rusher for UT is because he’s never been good enough to leave early for the draft.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:20 PM
beware the curse of the underdog.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:21 PM
It’s the superiority complex of the SEC fans that is starting to grate me.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:21 PM
@Sparty- Delmen Young strikes again 3-1 Twins. Spoke too soon about the Raz.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 PM
I don’t think you can call either of two preseason top-5 teams “underdogs.”
August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 PM
it wouldn’t be that bad, but again, they cannot hit.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 PM
cbh…believe me, that superiority complex is a pain in the ass. but at the same time, they fuckin’ deserve it.
/until OSU smokeds Georgia/florida/auburn in the NC game
August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 PM
this year people are predicting UGA to stomp the shit out of Ohio St.
Will Ohio St. even make it that far?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
I hope Delmon is starting to come around. He just may turn into Albert Belle yet.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Where was this Delmon Young when I drafted him in April?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
The superiority of SEC fans…we’re still trying to make up for 2004.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Tennessee will finish 4th in the East behind Florida, Georgia and South Carolina (not necessarily that order). Phat Phil got his contract extension and they will continue on their downward spiral now.
Howeva! The way Florida and Georgia have been losing players to injuries and arrests it could be S. Carolina and UT battling it out for the East, in which case S. Carolina would be going to it’s first SEC Championship Game!
/wakes up
August 13th, 2008 at 2:24 PM
i gotta get down to a texas-oklahoma game at the cotton bowl. i hear that’s an absolute blast.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:24 PM
don’t go this year, go next year when it moves to “JERRY WORLD” (new Texas Stadium). The Cotton Bowl is in a rough area.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Ritty, you might know this, why has Terry Bowden never gotten another job since Auburn?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:25 PM
robinson cano needs to get his head out of his ass…his lethargic attitude is pissing me off.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Lance, my Mom and Step Dad live out in Texas, I am begging them to somehow get tickets to Jerry’s World so I can see that stadium.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:26 PM
robinson can tear it up just not consistent
August 13th, 2008 at 2:27 PM
to this day most sec people loathe old man bowden. before he turned senile, he’d go to the sec’s back yards and hand them their hats. florida, lsu, auburn… didn’t matter.
hell even senile this team was able to beat bama.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:27 PM
it’s fantastic, highly recommend. it’s even more fun if you try and start an O! H! I! O! chant.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Being accepted by you folks is a good feeling.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:28 PM
CBH – I’m not really sure. He was before my time at Auburn so I never really cared. Apparently he left the program in shambles and had some personality issues. I think people realized he was riding various coat tails and hit his ceiling around 1993-94.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:29 PM
it isn’t so much about the conference, but the schedule. UF, GA and LSU are in the top 10. they’re all very good. What’s your 10?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:29 PM
don’t go this year, go next year when it moves to “JERRY WORLD†(new Texas Stadium). The Cotton Bowl is in a rough area.
Ive been there that shit is fun same weekend as the state fair…your just a pussy.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I just know he went undefeated his first year, and his overall record was very good, just seems odd to me he never got another shot and instead made my ears bleed for years on ABC.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I say it’s an inferiority complex.. why be so loud about something, are they worried it’s not true if everyone doesn’t believe it?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:30 PM
As for the Cotton Bowl, you need to go while it is still there. Plus it’s right next to the fairgrounds which is part of the allure. Yeah the neighborhood or area is kind of run down but you aren’t going to get stabbed.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I didn’t know that a consistently mediocre team could be considered on a downward spiral.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Yeah CBH – I bet he’s just a terrible interview. He doesn’t seem like a leader to me.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:31 PM
why, thanks for asking (even tho you didn’t)
1. Florida
2. USC
3. Ohio State
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. Auburn
7. WVU
8. who cares
9. does it matter at this point
10. not michigan
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Um…is that David Arquette and Roger Federer in the bottom of the pic next to the left leg of that ladder?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
robinson cano needs to get his head out of his ass…his lethargic attitude is pissing me off.
isn’t that his style? I’ve never seen him do anything else.. just think if he busted his ass, he’d be a gold glover and hit .330 every year
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
you mean like yelling “roll tide” at an auburn fraternity party?
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121810052579450.xml&coll=3
August 13th, 2008 at 2:34 PM
jimmy…yea, except the people around you laugh instead of run for their lives because they’re about to get stabbed.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:35 PM
who are you referring to? you quoted me, but my pithy comment was a response to jimmy at comment #19. I would probably have UF, UGA, LSU, and Auburn in the top 10 from the SEC, along with USC, OSU, Oklahoma, Texas, WVU, and maybe Mizzou or Clemson.
/not in that order of course
August 13th, 2008 at 2:35 PM
the jimmy preseason top 10:
georgia
ohio state
usc
florida
oklahoma
west virginia
missouri
clemson
auburn
texas
August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Frat Row (both of them) for Iron Bowl week/weekend is pretty comical. This obviously went over the line. I saw the greatest AU vs. UA frat fight in a front yard one year. .
August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 PM
/made true for Bammer fans
August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Spence I have a buddy Im going to get to start commenting. He is as hardcore as you he dresses up as Tressell for holloween(Sweatervest and all), we go out to places and he tries to start random chants of O!H!I!O! its pretty pathetic you would probably make love to each other.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 PM
i believe the bsc title game will be usc/ohio state winner vs. oklahoma.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Not seeing it with West Virginia, their coach blows.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Tampa…he sounds like a good, decent human being. unlike you and your pear shaped, key shaking, lax cheering, non-buckstachiod bretheren.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I’m making no predictions or a top-10 but I don’t see an SEC team making it out alive this year. SEC team fill in the blank is going to have one loss (maybe two) heading into the SEC Champ. game and lose and that’s going to end it. So then what? Oh, what’s that you say, the Pac-10 and Big-10 don’t play a conference championship game? I’ll be.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:41 PM
“bammer” fans are crazy. i was at the fsu-bama game in jacksonville and there was this bama fan, maybe pushing 50 sitting next to me. stood up the whole time he was there (even though it was an awesome seat).
he was so pissed off he left early in the third quarter and drove back home to birmingham… from jacksonville!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 2:42 PM
agred.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:43 PM
My preseason top 10 is the entire SEC sans Ole Miss and Mississippi State because no other schools can keep up with that SSPPPEEEEEDDDD!!!!!
/sincere
August 13th, 2008 at 2:44 PM
The only people who resort to the SEC Speed argument are rednecks and Kirk Herbstreit.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I must be missing something; does this statement have a negative connotation associated with it?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:47 PM
why auburn over tenn? because usa today said so? because the tigers get the vols at home?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I must be missing something; does this statement have a sarcastic connotation associated with it?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:49 PM
1. Florida
2. Oklahoma
3. USC
4. Georgia
5. Auburn
6. Missouri
7. West Virginia
8. Ohio State
9. South Florida
10. Illinois
/completely guessing after #6
August 13th, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Because Auburn is going to beat UT (at home) and win 9-10 games this year.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:50 PM
why yes, yes it does.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Auburn gets UT at home and Tuberville is a better game coach than Fulmer. thus, the justified higher ranking.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:54 PM
RANKING NCAA FOOTBALL TEAMS BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTS IS REDICULOUS AND SHOULDN’T BE CONTINUED. IT MEANS NOTHING.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:54 PM
When this top-10 list gets to Ohio St., I’m setting the over/under on Spencer comments at 56 for the post.
/s/ one to talk if AU is on here
August 13th, 2008 at 2:55 PM
“OOOOOO A SARCASM DETECTOR!!! That’s a REALLY GOOD idea!!!”
/Gotta love Comic Book Guy
August 13th, 2008 at 2:55 PM
RANKING NCAA FOOTBALL TEAMS BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTS IS REDICULOUS AND SHOULDN’T BE CONTINUED. IT MEANS NOTHING.
Says the man whose team is not ranked
August 13th, 2008 at 2:59 PM
@supervisor
check again… #24, not that it matters because what are you ranking the teams by? last year? schedule? returning players?
August 13th, 2008 at 3:03 PM
two reasons i believe:
1) whenever a new offensive coordinator comes in, it generally takes a year for the players to catch on. this is not an absolute but seems to be the norm.
2) cutcliffe is one of the best offensive coaches in the game. chaz weis wanted him at notre dame but if i recall correctly he had heart problems and had to take off a year. i think the vols will miss him.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:03 PM
TBL…because when was the last time Auburn had a bad D, and this year, they may have the best D-line in college football, even with the departures. and i like the way their schedule lines up.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:05 PM
ritty…you should amend that to when ANY college football team is talked about my comments will be around 56.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Phew. I’m way late to this party. Didn’t read all the comments, but here are my thoughts.
I do think #10 is a bit high for a team with this much uncertainty, but I certainly think they have the potential to be a top 10 team. Like miz said, I’d put them more around 15, and where they are at 18 actually isn’t too ridiculous given the new Offensive coaches and QB.
The claim that Berry was better than Mayo last year is silly. Berry is going to be great, no doubt, but Mayo was absolutely great last year. He was the defense, and played like a stud every game he was ever in. Dude was one of the best UT linebackers we ever had, but never got any pub.
Our secondary has to be one of, if not the best in the nation. We are absolutely loaded with talent. Our safeties are without question the two best in the country imo (Morley and Berry), and the CB’s are very talented if a bit green. I’m really excited for Dennis Rogan to see the field as much as possible.
We have a lot of very young playmakers. Berry, Rogan, G. Jones, etc. These are gamebreaker type players, and to see that the coaches are making a concerted effort to get them the ball is very exciting. This NEVER happens at UT, and could really be the difference.
Also, as for the rest of the SEC, I don’t know why everyone sees Florida and Georgia as these otherwordly teams. Tennessee worked Georgia last year. Probably the easiest game they played all year. Florida killed us, yes, but I don’t think the talent gap was as big as the score indicated. I think all three of those teams are on the same level talent wise. Also, I agree, no one is going undefeated in the conference. That hardly ever happens. Doesn’t mean we won’t be a top 10 team though.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Fuck Rocky Top! Go Dawgs!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:13 PM
silly you say? well, i say fie…fie on you.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Spence: I agree, Berry is going to be a special player, but he didn’t really have anywhere near the impact Mayo did on the team last year. This year I couldn’t be more excited about him, but last year he was still learning the position and while making some big plays, gave up quite a few as well. Mayo was solid as a rock. He’ll be a pro bowler in the NFL.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:15 PM
didn’t one of those drooling mongrels go after an auburn player last year?
August 13th, 2008 at 3:17 PM
@Sean Jean – shhhhhhhh. not so loud. nobody is supposed to know about this but us Vols.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Sean…that’s cool, you
probablyknow a shitload more about UT football than i do, so i’ll take your word for it.but yea, berry is going to be unstoppable this year.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Right on miz. I love that we are under the radar (at least until this post by TBL). I think we have as much talent as we’ve had in quite a few years, a lot of it young. I’m as excited about this team as I have been since 2005. Let’s hope this year turns out a little better than that one did.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:24 PM
jimmy – you are probably thinking of this picture from back in the 90’s (I think): http://students.kennesaw.edu/~mlh5094/UGA%20attacking%20Auburn.jpg
Though last year a police dog did bite Jerraud Powers in the hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSpfyIaS6wE
August 13th, 2008 at 3:25 PM
I hear you, Sean Jean. I always like UT as an underdog or at least under the radar. I can’t explain it but it seems like UT generally performs better when not in the spotlight.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:31 PM
I can explain it: Shitty coach.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:34 PM
very concise…and likely correct.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:41 PM
that’s what i’m thinking of. i saw the video. the dog nearly got the guy’s package.
i was also very fond of this dog incident. :^)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZT7nYmvp-U&feature=related
August 13th, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Tenn is going to miss the second coming of the Visor…I predict a 6-6 year for Duke
/delirious