re: Throwback What-if: 2001 SECCG

quote:

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I don't know. If UT wins another NC in '01, does LSU and UGA still out-recruit them? The 02-05 recruiting period is what weakened UT. Hiring Kiffin and Dooley is what knocked them the F out.

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This is 100% spot on. Tennessee was viewed as a powerhouse machine in 2001 and with Spurrier leaving UF, we were in perfect position to have a stranglehold on the SEC. UGA was still down but had just hired Richt, Bama was in disarray, LSU was up and coming but not nearly the powerhouse they are today, Zook was obviously nothing close to Spurrier.

The loss in the SECCG couldn't have happened at a worse time for Tennessee.