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Let's look at 1998 Tennessee.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 10:31 am
Posted on 6/10/14 at 10:31 am
Anytime a team loses a decorated, all-timer at QB and replaces them with a new guy, that's always the comparison. So I looked into how exactly we would compare to that team. For the Jeffersons, just turn back now because this will be lengthy. First how about the rosters:
OL- They had a Sr at T,G, and C. Only one person on their whole depth chart though is anyone you'd have heard of (maybe?) in team captain mercedes hamilton. Ok unit on paper, not great
WR/TE- Senior Peerless Price is the standout. A bunch of other guys that at that point hadn't done much (a few other guys have some name recognition but were so young that I don't think they had done anything of note yet)
RB- Travis Henry and Stephens were both sophomores, who weren't counted on carrying teh load due to superstar soph jamal lewis.
DL- Lots of guys I havne't heard of really, but seemed to have a lot of upperclassmen
LB- Al Wilson and Renoch Thompson lead this group. Very solid.
DB- Dwayne Goodrich and Deon Grant were standouts. Another solid group.
QB- Tee Martin heading into his junior year. Stats prior to the 1998 season: 8 for 16, 111 yards, 1 TD/1 Int. That floored me. I had no idea he was THAT inexperienced/average before 1998. Compared to Tee, Hutson looks like an all american at this juncture. For comparison, Tee's 1998 stats: 153/267, 2164 yards, 19/6. Ok numbers, but nothing great. This goes to show that we don't NEED mason to try to be aaron murray.
Ok, so now for a rundown on the regular season schedule. If team is ranked, it's in ( ). UT started the preseason at 10th btw. They also finished the '97 season with a blowout loss in their bowl game to nebraska.
@ syracuse: 34-33. Kicked FG as time expired
UF (2): 20-17 (OT). UF missed a FG in overtime
houston: win
@AU: 17-9
@UGA (7): 22-3
bama: 35-18
@sc: 49-14
uab: win
arky (10): 28-24. Was gifted the game
kentucky: 59-21
@vandy: 41-0
UT played 3 ranked teams, 2 at home. 2 of them were in the first 5 games. The last one they should have lost until a miracle gave them the win. UT won every game that year due to a very good defense and a great running game. As of now, entering the season, we have a better QB than what they did going into 1998. We have more depth and production at WR. I don't know about their OL but if it's not a wash then theirs was only slightly better. You can call the run game a wash if you want, if not then gives ours a slight nod.
Their linebackers were stout, but I like ours better. Where they really have us is at DL and secondary. UT showed that season that you don't have to be an elite, all-timer of a team to win it all. If we can get some semblance of production from our secondary, and our DL can get pressure like we think they can, we should be alright.
Looking at our schedule, it's not the best ever but it's not the worst. We open with a ranked team at home that should get our guys some experience. With everything clemson loses we shoudl win that one. @SC is going to be the turning point, IMO. If we win that one, our defense will have 3 more games to gel even more before we play missouri. Florida will be tough just because it's florida, but if we come out of SC 2-0 there's no reason we shouldn't be undefeated going into auburn.
OL- They had a Sr at T,G, and C. Only one person on their whole depth chart though is anyone you'd have heard of (maybe?) in team captain mercedes hamilton. Ok unit on paper, not great
WR/TE- Senior Peerless Price is the standout. A bunch of other guys that at that point hadn't done much (a few other guys have some name recognition but were so young that I don't think they had done anything of note yet)
RB- Travis Henry and Stephens were both sophomores, who weren't counted on carrying teh load due to superstar soph jamal lewis.
DL- Lots of guys I havne't heard of really, but seemed to have a lot of upperclassmen
LB- Al Wilson and Renoch Thompson lead this group. Very solid.
DB- Dwayne Goodrich and Deon Grant were standouts. Another solid group.
QB- Tee Martin heading into his junior year. Stats prior to the 1998 season: 8 for 16, 111 yards, 1 TD/1 Int. That floored me. I had no idea he was THAT inexperienced/average before 1998. Compared to Tee, Hutson looks like an all american at this juncture. For comparison, Tee's 1998 stats: 153/267, 2164 yards, 19/6. Ok numbers, but nothing great. This goes to show that we don't NEED mason to try to be aaron murray.
Ok, so now for a rundown on the regular season schedule. If team is ranked, it's in ( ). UT started the preseason at 10th btw. They also finished the '97 season with a blowout loss in their bowl game to nebraska.
@ syracuse: 34-33. Kicked FG as time expired
UF (2): 20-17 (OT). UF missed a FG in overtime
houston: win
@AU: 17-9
@UGA (7): 22-3
bama: 35-18
@sc: 49-14
uab: win
arky (10): 28-24. Was gifted the game
kentucky: 59-21
@vandy: 41-0
UT played 3 ranked teams, 2 at home. 2 of them were in the first 5 games. The last one they should have lost until a miracle gave them the win. UT won every game that year due to a very good defense and a great running game. As of now, entering the season, we have a better QB than what they did going into 1998. We have more depth and production at WR. I don't know about their OL but if it's not a wash then theirs was only slightly better. You can call the run game a wash if you want, if not then gives ours a slight nod.
Their linebackers were stout, but I like ours better. Where they really have us is at DL and secondary. UT showed that season that you don't have to be an elite, all-timer of a team to win it all. If we can get some semblance of production from our secondary, and our DL can get pressure like we think they can, we should be alright.
Looking at our schedule, it's not the best ever but it's not the worst. We open with a ranked team at home that should get our guys some experience. With everything clemson loses we shoudl win that one. @SC is going to be the turning point, IMO. If we win that one, our defense will have 3 more games to gel even more before we play missouri. Florida will be tough just because it's florida, but if we come out of SC 2-0 there's no reason we shouldn't be undefeated going into auburn.
This post was edited on 6/10/14 at 11:12 am
7
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:03 am to WG_Dawg
I think the general scenario is that the team got better, and more confident, as the season progressed. We're gonna score lots, as we have in the past several years. Our D is the key. We won't shut down many good offenses. But if we can slow 'em down, I like our chances to have a great season.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:06 am to Cobb Dawg
quote:
I think the general scenario is that the team got better, and more confident, as the season progressed
No doubt. They barely escaped game 1 against an unranked team. Then they beat UF for the first time in years which really gave them a boost. From there they had that winner's mentality. I'm hoping that if we start 2-0 we'll see the same thing.
quote:
We won't shut down many good offenses.
Good thing is we only face one truly great offense and it's in november.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:10 am to Cobb Dawg
I hope we score more than we did against Nebraska.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:29 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
arky (10): 28-24. Was gifted the game
Can't forget that one with Stoerner stumbling and fumbling toward the end of the game. Somewhat making amends Stoerner came through the following year and they switched scores with the thought that this kept the Vols from reaching another BCS title game. LINK
But certainly winning the early games including the key match-ups and getting on a roll contributes volumes to any team having a successful season.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:30 am to WG_Dawg
How old were you in 1998?
Posted on 6/10/14 at 11:31 am to BarberitosDawg
quote:
How old were you in 1998?
How is that relevant?
Posted on 6/10/14 at 12:25 pm to Cobb Dawg
Aub is the only high powered offense we face this year, unless a few teams can pull a 180.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 12:33 pm to WG_Dawg
Peerless Price.
99 speed in Madden.
He dropped the ball. frick that dude.My bad, continue.
99 speed in Madden.
He dropped the ball. frick that dude.My bad, continue.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 12:40 pm to cantseefade1
quote:
Peerless Price.
99 speed in Madden.
They dropped his 99 speed on the 2005 edition after the first update. I remember because he was a big part of my 05 Madden offense. That drop hurt my deep ball.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:09 pm to Prettyboy Floyd
I played the tourney at underground atlanta. Made the semis running with vick, dunn and big boy. I think the guy that won won it all.
This post was edited on 6/10/14 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:10 pm to WG_Dawg
I like this thread. A lot of research went into it and, like you said, the "1998 Tennessee" discussion comes up every time somebody replaces an uber-productive QB.
Three things really stick out for me.
1st, we're pretty comparable at every position outside of DBs. I wish we had a Deon Grant in this defensive backfield, but we just don't. Pruitt will have to coach them up and really earn that paycheck.
2nd, the number 6. Tee Martin only threw 6 interceptions. Mason will have to have a similarly low number of TOs. With a potentially leaky, thin D, we can't afford to keeping putting them on the field in bad positions (See 2011 - and we even had a good D that year).
3rd, the general differences in the college football landscape between then and now. On one hand, the SEC is much better. On the other hand, we don't have to be absolutely perfect to make a 4 team playoff. Depending on how things shake out around the country, and correct me if I'm wrong, but we could potentially lose 2 regular season games, but still sneak into the playoff by winning the SEC title.
Some other general thoughts on the 2014 schedule:
Beating a ranked Clemson team at home to open the year would be extremely helpful. We didn't have to schedule them OOC and we did. That would be looked upon favorably I would imagine. If Tech can somehow scrap together a decent season, beating them could only help as well.
Assuming we handle our business OOC, the season comes down to 4 games:
@ USCe: I expect this to be a bloodbath. In our favor, this is only the second time in the Richt era we have had a bye week before the USCe game. The other time? We won 13-7 @ Columbia...in 2002. Just as important, USCe doesn't have extra time to prepare either. In USCe's favor, the game is in Columbia and Columbia has been kind to them in this series of late.
@ Mizzou: I don't know what to expect. There were unique circumstances surrounding this game in both 2012 and 2013. I know we're more talented, but when has that ever mattered for us? In our favor, Pinkel has never won more than 5 conference games following a 10+ win season. I don't expect that trend to suddenly change in the SEC. Plus, I like this matchup from a talent perspective. They lost their top 3 WRs from last year. That bodes well for our secondary. On the other hand, the game is @ Mizzou and will be our first road game of the year that we don't have extra time to prepare for. Plus, their offense, regardless of talent, will inherently be a bad match up for us this year. Still, I think Maty Mauk would have to play out of his mind for them to win this one - and if he does, all you can do is tip your cap.
v. UF in Jax: If their offense is competent at all, it will of course be a bloodbath. We have a bye week, but so do they. I do not like this game. It has UT '07 written all over it IMO. I'm not suggesting it will be a 35-14 in blowout in favor of Gatah, but Fulmer and the team's back was against the wall in that '07 game. They knew it and he knew it - apparently we didn't get the memo. They came out inspired to save his job. We came out like we would rather be anywhere besides Knoxville. If UF '14 plays out similar to UT '07 and Muschamp has to save his job by winning this game, I am concerned. I would suggest pulling hard for UF to already have 3-4 losses coming into this game and for the UF players to have tuned Muschamp out.
v. AU: Since this game is so late in the year and so much could happen beforehand, it really might not be that big of a deal. We could come into this game anywhere from 6-3 to 7-2 to 8-1 to 9-0. I would imagine we will be pretty inspired regardless of our record or their record. Plus, it's the first game in Athens after two consecutive seasons in AU. AU will be coming off a 3 game stretch where they play: v USCe, @ OM, and v aTm. We're only coming off a two game stretch where we play: v UF and @ UK.
The only potential upset games that I see (aside from Clemson and Tech) are: @ Arky and @ UK. They both fall awkwardly on the schedule and I could really see UK making us their Superbowl like UT did last year.
Three things really stick out for me.
1st, we're pretty comparable at every position outside of DBs. I wish we had a Deon Grant in this defensive backfield, but we just don't. Pruitt will have to coach them up and really earn that paycheck.
2nd, the number 6. Tee Martin only threw 6 interceptions. Mason will have to have a similarly low number of TOs. With a potentially leaky, thin D, we can't afford to keeping putting them on the field in bad positions (See 2011 - and we even had a good D that year).
3rd, the general differences in the college football landscape between then and now. On one hand, the SEC is much better. On the other hand, we don't have to be absolutely perfect to make a 4 team playoff. Depending on how things shake out around the country, and correct me if I'm wrong, but we could potentially lose 2 regular season games, but still sneak into the playoff by winning the SEC title.
Some other general thoughts on the 2014 schedule:
Beating a ranked Clemson team at home to open the year would be extremely helpful. We didn't have to schedule them OOC and we did. That would be looked upon favorably I would imagine. If Tech can somehow scrap together a decent season, beating them could only help as well.
Assuming we handle our business OOC, the season comes down to 4 games:
@ USCe: I expect this to be a bloodbath. In our favor, this is only the second time in the Richt era we have had a bye week before the USCe game. The other time? We won 13-7 @ Columbia...in 2002. Just as important, USCe doesn't have extra time to prepare either. In USCe's favor, the game is in Columbia and Columbia has been kind to them in this series of late.
@ Mizzou: I don't know what to expect. There were unique circumstances surrounding this game in both 2012 and 2013. I know we're more talented, but when has that ever mattered for us? In our favor, Pinkel has never won more than 5 conference games following a 10+ win season. I don't expect that trend to suddenly change in the SEC. Plus, I like this matchup from a talent perspective. They lost their top 3 WRs from last year. That bodes well for our secondary. On the other hand, the game is @ Mizzou and will be our first road game of the year that we don't have extra time to prepare for. Plus, their offense, regardless of talent, will inherently be a bad match up for us this year. Still, I think Maty Mauk would have to play out of his mind for them to win this one - and if he does, all you can do is tip your cap.
v. UF in Jax: If their offense is competent at all, it will of course be a bloodbath. We have a bye week, but so do they. I do not like this game. It has UT '07 written all over it IMO. I'm not suggesting it will be a 35-14 in blowout in favor of Gatah, but Fulmer and the team's back was against the wall in that '07 game. They knew it and he knew it - apparently we didn't get the memo. They came out inspired to save his job. We came out like we would rather be anywhere besides Knoxville. If UF '14 plays out similar to UT '07 and Muschamp has to save his job by winning this game, I am concerned. I would suggest pulling hard for UF to already have 3-4 losses coming into this game and for the UF players to have tuned Muschamp out.
v. AU: Since this game is so late in the year and so much could happen beforehand, it really might not be that big of a deal. We could come into this game anywhere from 6-3 to 7-2 to 8-1 to 9-0. I would imagine we will be pretty inspired regardless of our record or their record. Plus, it's the first game in Athens after two consecutive seasons in AU. AU will be coming off a 3 game stretch where they play: v USCe, @ OM, and v aTm. We're only coming off a two game stretch where we play: v UF and @ UK.
The only potential upset games that I see (aside from Clemson and Tech) are: @ Arky and @ UK. They both fall awkwardly on the schedule and I could really see UK making us their Superbowl like UT did last year.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:16 pm to MenloDawg
Jesus Menlo, nice research.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:22 pm to cantseefade1
When you're studying for the Bar in solitude all summer in a town of 500 and you've sworn off drinking/smoking while doing so, this is what happens.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:28 pm to cantseefade1
quote:
I played the tourney at underground atlanta. Made the semis running with vick, dunn and big boy. I think the guy that won won it all.
What was your online handle?
Mine was NWBC Amnesia
I always went by the handle Amnesia and was one of the top players in 04/05/06 although I never went to tournaments my games online was mostly versus tournament winners and players. If you remember the show madden nation....and the guy named Chow. He locked my arse up in 05 and went on to win Nationals that year. I also played people like Big Game James, The Realist, Shaolin Thug, and a huge list of tournament players. I did play in local tournaments in Wichita Kansas but winning those was like taking candy from babies. :)
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:29 pm to MenloDawg
Without doing any research I'll go ahead and say UTs oline was better, probably significantly. During that time frame they were ALWAYS good on both lines.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 1:39 pm to Prettyboy Floyd
cantseefade. I stole it from a hbo series called banging in lttle rock. I thought it was amusing
Posted on 6/10/14 at 2:20 pm to cantseefade1
U Folk brah?
Posted on 6/10/14 at 3:28 pm to WG_Dawg
I'd say the 2001 Vols were more talented...team was LOADED.
Henderson,Haynesworth,Stallworth,Overstreet...I believe they had 11 or 12 guys drafted. Even after they lost to us they still had a shot at a MNC but lost to LSU's 3rd team QB in the SECCG.
Hell, Phil shoulda been let go after that season...not one of his better coaching jobs.
Henderson,Haynesworth,Stallworth,Overstreet...I believe they had 11 or 12 guys drafted. Even after they lost to us they still had a shot at a MNC but lost to LSU's 3rd team QB in the SECCG.
Hell, Phil shoulda been let go after that season...not one of his better coaching jobs.
Posted on 6/10/14 at 3:43 pm to RD Dawg
quote:
I'd say the 2001 Vols were more talented...team was LOADED.
Well yeah...the only reason I picked '98 is because of the QB thing.
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