But getting past the Volunteers would be only the first step
Only 10 days until Cal football's season-opening win over Tennessee. And then ... The Bears' home crowd -- including the most season-ticket holders in program history at 40,262-plus -- goes wild. And then ... A national-television audience -- a sleepy one, at that, thanks to the 5 p.m. PDT kickoff -- reclassifies Cal as a bona fide national contender. And then ... We all wonder (again) if this really is Cal's year. It sure could be.
The foundation has been set. The Bears' shock value isn't so shocking anymore. So it is today that Cal -- ranked 12th in the Associated Press' preseason poll, a ranking that would have rattled the Hayward Fault a few years ago -- dives helmet-first into its homework for 15th-ranked Tennessee. The winning game plan gets installed today and practiced tomorrow (and thereafter) until it's executed on Sept. 1. This is no back-to-school prank. This is Cal beating Tennessee, the win that paves the way to a daring, season-long run at Pac-10 nemesis USC. This isn't meant just to avenge last year's season-opening waltz Tennessee had at the Bears' expense in Knoxville, a 35-18 Vols' victory. This will be the first in a 13-step coronation to more national notoriety for the Bears. Sure, they've tasted recognition in recent years -- they finished No. 9 in the 2004 AP poll, No. 25 in 2005 and No. 14 last year -- but they're ready for another bump up the food chain.
They must take that Sept. 1 victory and build off it. Remember that 2002 win at 15th-ranked Michigan State, the one that put Cal at 3-0 in Jeff Tedford's first year? Cal lost the following week. Remember that 2003 triple-overtime triumph over USC? Cal lost the following week. A win over Tennessee won't make a season. It'll begin one. Yes, the immediate focus is now on Tennessee, but it wasn't the past few weeks at training camp. "We're not into the whole Tennessee thing. This was more about us and how we prepare," Tedford said Monday. "We feel good where we are. We're fairly healthy. We've got a lot of good work in and now it's a matter of making sure we're ready for different situations." This is Tedford's sixth season, so he's ready. And he's got a ready-made superstar tandem in wide receiver DeSean Jackson and quarterback Nate Longshore, who also can target senior wide receivers Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins. Sure, Marshawn Lynch and J.J. Arrington are off and running in the NFL, but Tedford still has a sweet stable of running backs, led by senior Justin Forsett. Tailbacks Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen are part of an eye-opening freshman class -- Tedford's best at Cal -- and if those guys pan out, they could provide the have-no-fear, we-don't-know-any-better attitude that can boost championship teams. Of all the freshmen, though, defensive end Ernest Owusu is the one I just had to talk to the other day.
Here's why: Owusu is from Nashville. That'd be Nashville, Tenn. He grew up a "UT" fan all his life. But, "when Cal began recruiting me, I've loved them ever since," said Owusu, a well-spoken 19-year-old who's practiced quite well with the second-team defense. A year ago, he was still loyal to UT, and he sheepishly admits now that he liked watching Cal lose in Knoxville. His allegiance obviously has changed, and he's reminded of that constantly. "We better not lose to UT because I'd never hear the end of it," said Owusu, who wanted to leave the South to experience the West Coast with Cal's "respected" program. "All my friends gave me a hard time for moving out to California, saying, 'Ernie, you're a traitor.'" Well, if he's a traitor, step forward Benedict Owusu, we've got more questions. Such as: How does Cal beat Tennessee?
"We need to be very physical," Owusu responded. "After watching them all these years, they've always been a very physical team and they don't quit. It's a very good program and we can't come in with our heads somewhere else. We have to be focused." OK, and what happens if -- check that -- when Cal wins? "Everyone in the South knows UT, and it'd come as a shock to everyone," Owusu said. "Any loss UT goes through, it really hits them." Tennessee has lost 10 of 24 games the past two seasons, so another loss really shouldn't be all that shocking to a program that is nine years removed from its 1998 national championship season (and 10 years removed from the Peyton Manning Era). A win by Cal shouldn't be shocking, either, and neither should a storybook season that's been in the making since Tedford's 2002 arrival.
53 comments:
this is the biggest crock of BS ive ever read. please tell me this is a 3rd grade homework assignment about wsomething unrealistic that you really really want to have happen this fall...did you watch the game last season? Cal got the most embarrassing butt kicking i have ever seenon national tv..Give me a break with this crappy excuse for an article.
new season guys but that game could have been in the 50's or 60's very easily. Lets be realistic. It will be a good game but win or lose Cal is not a national title contender.
As if we didn't need more incentive for the crowd at Memorial Stadium, here is is quote from a Tennessee blog site regarding the game:
Tennessee going to Cal will feel like playing in a high school stadium compared to Neyland. I hope Tenn is undefeated when Darren McFadden and my Arkansas Razorbacks come to Knoxville. Woo Pig Sooie!
I can't wait for this game, a Cal win, and a demonstration of how crazy a crowd can be in the Pac 10.
Your on drugs, the Vols will pound the Bears! Have some integrity and try and represent this stuff as unbiased as possible. People might take you a little more serious! The vols won't be rattled by 50.000 bear fans. Thats a small to medium sized stadium in the SEC. We will see!!!
50,000 Wow!! Are you serious? Neyland seats over 105,000 and is packed EVERY game. I think this year will be a better game but to think that a team that realistically could have lost by more than 50 if UT doesn't put thier 2s in after half time is going to easily win is laughable.
"Tennessee has lost 10 of 24 games the past two seasons, so another loss really shouldn't be all that shocking to a program that is nine years removed from its 1998 national championship season (and 10 years removed from the Peyton Manning Era)."
How many national titles do you guys have? Shouldn't be shocking? We have had 1 bad season over the past 30 years(which of course you included in your 10 of 24). Do you think football started and ended here with Peyton. Tennessee has more wins than any other program over the past 80 years. Ever heard of guys like Reggie White? If we had your candy schedule we'd win every year also. UT plays on most years at least 6 top 25 teams with out of conference teams like Cal, Miami, Notre Dame, etc just this decade with teams like Oklahoma on future schdules. I'm glad you guys are optomistic but last year was no fluke and to be honest with you we weren't even that good last year. Here is a film to educate yourself a little.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4R2o6oljpk&mode=related&search=
In case you forgot last season 35-0 8:31 left in the 1st half. Tennessee sends in the reserves.
Guys like Reggie white, well technically thats only one guy. If you need me to tell you ex Vols footall stars I will, just ask. You would think a few of you would know one game doesnt mean much the next year. Remember the beating your vols took in 97 to Nebraska 42-17 in the orange bowl? Talk about laughable, that was HILARIOUS! Well the next year you guys won the title. One game doesnt mean anything, things can snowball out of control. For all your great history, tell me, where are all these Sec titles at in the last 10 years? I do applaud your team on a good ooc schedule, but i remember 2 losess to ND, a big blowout to miami in neyland, Well atleast you do play the big boys. Good luck... 10 more days, then we shall see who is right.
Its funny how Tennessee won last year and Cal is rated higher this year. Even a Solid favorite to win the game. I guess the media is tired of this whole SEC bias! Oh well, Tennessee will just lose to florida again in a few weeks. Time to fire fulmer and get a coach that can atleast win a conference championship once a decade. HAHA.
Scariest thing about Cal, hands down, is your teams extensive Pilates training. Oh, Jesus, UT is in trouble now. Oh Lord, not Pilates?!? What's next, Genny F'n Craig?
Remind me again why Cal has reason to be confident? I havent heard a valid argument yet. By the way, even though Memorial seats 50,000, you can pretty much count on outnumbering UT fans about 35,000 to 15,000 ... the noise ratio is 2 Pac 10 fans = 1 SEC fan. In the words of two Cal fans I spoke to after last years game "this is what we wish the environment was like at Cal ... maybe someday". The people talking trash are the ones that werent at the game last year. Real football is played in the south ... and apparently your one Nashville recruit wasnt good enough to hack it down here.
no i was at the game, it was a great atmosphere, however it was one game. Second where the hell do you get 50K from? I could care less than to argue stadium size, but if you check it holds over 73,000. Yes i suppose real footall is only played in the south, and i suppose the more south you go the better its played. Example, florida kicking your butts every year. HAHA!
Tennessee has become as relevant in sec football as vanderbilt. Last league championship was last century!
whoever brought up pilates, that was good, i like that.
Cal 28- Lady Vols 17
You little bastards! Talking all this shiat about Cal! How dare you! We're gonna kick your asses! Oh good job with Air Force and Penn St. last year! Yeah, man you guys are like the best team ever!
If Florida kicks our ass every year, explain how we lead the series against them 19-17. They won the National Championship last year (destroying Ohio State) and we only lost to them by 1 point. They picked on a corner position where a starter was lost with a season ending injury the week before the game. We also lost our best DT (an All-American) for that game. He played with one arm. Still, we sacked Leak 5 times in that game and owned a 10 point lead. If I were down 35-0 by middle of the 3rd Qtr to a team who was pulling its starters like a Homecoming Game, I'd shut the hell up. We embarrassed you guys last year on National TV.
You won't this year kid!
you lead the all time series, hmmm, ok. So tell me what has it been since Spurrier took over the reins in florida? Hmmm, not so good, ok well how have you done with the meyer guy? oops, not so good either. So florida won the championship, tennessee only lost by one point, so they must be the second best team in the country and air force lost by 1 to tennessee so they must be ranked third. HaHa, your hilarious. Thing is your team isnt even a factor in the SEC anymore, your living off history. 35-0 in the third, yup, that is true, hope you remember it well cuz this year you wont be so happy. Cal 28-Lady Vols 17. Fulmer is offically on the hot seat.
Blah blah blah, General Neyland, blah blah blah, SEC, blah blah blah, 1998, blah blah blah, Peyton Manning.
Cal 28, Vols17
Fock the VOLS!
I hope you morons post here after the game. Pilates won't help your D-Line. It’s riddled, and the best player keeps having his knee drained. Desean will have a couple of big plays, but in the end UT pound the rock so damn much your D will be crying for bubble baths. There will not be enough time left in the game for your so-called team to muster a drive. TOP will be dominated by Tennessee.
Whether or not you think we're still a relevant team, we beat you handedly and prove that you are nothing more than the media's second favorite Pansy-10 Team. Just like last year.
And your mega-phones . . . hilarious. Yeah, that should simulate the atmosphere and noise of Florida Field, LSU, hell, even sorry ass Georgia and South Carolina will be louder than you Teddy Bears.
Stick to peace movements, its all your good at.
Anyone notice the bears talk about beating UT, but with no specific reason as to why. Can you flower girls talk football, or not? Just you're going to win because . . . . the media says so? Your school rag says so? This lame site says so?
Please, give me one reason why Cal beats the Vols.
All these points being made by Cal fans about Florida beating UT. Cal isn't 1/10 the team that Florida is/was. But then I guess living vicariously through the Gators is the only real shot you guys have of real football. We could spend time talking about how many PAC-10 teams have dominated your program for decades. But I don't have to live vicariously. I will point to the ass whipping you got last year by us. Don't try and take credit for something Florida has done. Do it yourselves, or shut up.
not living through anyone. Your the great tennessee, cant take the criticism? Hell it doesnt have to be florida. How about arky, lsu, or penn state. The year before how about south carolina and vanderbilt (ya i'm sure both of those stung good). The truth be told I like Tennessee, I live in bama and drove to the game last year. However you vols fans invade our website talking smack. You want to claim your sec superiority, well here i question if it isnt you living through the greatness of the other teams in your conference. It has been almost ten years since Tennessee captured an sec title. Your a mid level program in your conference until you prove otherwise. Now you want to know why i think we will win. Tedford is going back to a larger part in the offense. He loves running the ball, not like the spread genius we had last year. He will run the ball at you, and it will open up the pass. It will make it much easier on the quarterback and the line to pass block. Key there, the line has to give longshore a non-mobile qb time to throw. What better way than running the ball. Second with the time, I believe our receivers have the edge on your secondary. The defense is a concern area, but again they have recruited well over tedfords 6 years as head coach. I dont know what happened to your team but you dont run the ball like you used to and i suppose it wont help having the one back suspended. We have inexperience in our secondary as well, however your wideouts are young and inexperienced. Your line play should be good and you have a veteran at qb. your punter vs our return man will be interesting if he has the balls to kick to jackson. Last year the stars were just alighned for an ass kicking, cal couldnt do anything right. The new offense, the new qb, the inability to tackle, one of those games. Lynch averaged over 6 yards a carry last year, problem was they only gave him the ball 12 times, instead you got 3 and 4 wide sets, and a qb that was unable to hit his receivers because of pressure/noise/confidence. This year you will get a much more ballanced attack, you will get a qb who is more seasoned with much more experience and a defense that has issues. Playing at Cal also helps. Could Tennessee win again sure, could it be a blow out again, sure but i dowbt it. But Arky didnt think they would get blownout 2 years in a row to usc either. I guess thats the other pansy pac-1o team your talking about. Win or lose I will post after the game, You tennessee fans need to as well.
-Jason
Jason, sorry to release the hounds. That Contra Costa piece was just to precious not to link to my Rivals site. I meant no disrespect to your board. We are all a little worked up about this season/game. I wish you guys just enough luck not to get embarrased again.
Go Vols
Justin
justin,
thanks for wishing the little amount of luck you are willing to give. What i would really like is after the game win or lose, make a post a tell us what you thought. You could talk smack, make excuses or whatever. Other than that i wish just enough luck to tennessee that ainge's arms dont fall off after his 10th sack of the night.
ciao
hey, what is your site, i would like to see it if you dont mind
LOL!
Volquest on the rivals network. Not my site, but one I pay $ for. You will see me here afterward, we continue our west coast campaign the next two years vs UCLA. Maybe yall can help me make fun of them too!
Go Vols!
Justin
sorry, although i dont like ucla, when it comes to out of conference games we tend to root for our own. Dont fret, when it comes to tennessee, i root for you every year when you play bama!
-jason
And once again, its the hatered for Bama that unites us all...
Go Vols
Justin
Cal is going to make an example out of Tennessee and the larger SEC. For years the SEC has claimed dominance over the Pac 10, and for years fans have been upset about this! Well as the Cal v Tenn game is the only Pac v SEC game this year, and as Cal is assured a VICTORY! THE SEC will look like the little biatches they are! GO BEARS!
Pac-10 all time record vs the SEC.
Since 1921(the SEC's first year) the pac-10 has gone 42-103 vs sec opponents.
AZ 1-5
AZ St. 0-1
Cal 5-11
S Cal 16-10
OR 3-4
OR St 0-11
Stan 5-1
UCLA 10-12
WA 1-6
WA St 1-7
Got a lot of ground to make up in one game. But you are right, maybe a loss will make us feel like little bitachesz? You could win, but you wont.
Go Vols
Mr. Justin Carroll
very amazing there, stanford 5-1 vs sec. This record thing has been going on for awhile in various blogs, i believe from either 1980 or 1988 on head to head matchups its even or pac-10 is slightly ahead, i know since i moved to bama in 2000, i believe its 7-7 in wins for each. The comment that you mentioned about "You could win, but you wont." That is the big one, we could win but we wont. That is the one that will be answered on the field. I was pretty confident we were gonna get you last year, however this year i am very confident. Do i have some scientific equation to prove to you a cal win? No just faith. Bears 28- Vols 17.
I'm looking forward to getting this win behind us so we can get on with challenging for a pac-10 championship.
-Jason
oh wait, your that guy that was posting on this website a few months ago, now i remember, well good seeing you again
yes, you are the Vols fan that keeps posting on here. If i remember correctly you also live in bama. Hmmm, so it is evident that you like to stir up the pot by your trolling of our site. Well this is good because i think lose or lose you will be back to post after the game. Well since we have posted before i will quit with the b/s. Last year was a damn fluke! Your team went to new orleans and got some spells cast or something! This year your going down, you, tennessee and the college world will bow down to the awesome greatness of coach T and Cal!
that said, good luck on the rest of your season
GO Bears!!!
-Jason
Hey Justin,
lets just let the experts predict the game, ok?
This is from scout...
SEC Game of the Week
Tennessee at California 8:00 PM ABC Saturday, September 1st
Why to watch: The only game of the opening weekend featuring Top 25 teams is a rematch of last year’s 35-18 Tennessee win that was even worse than the score indicated. If there’s such a thing as a must-win situation in Week One, this is it for Cal, who despite blowing out Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl, is still looking for national respect, at least from the SEC folk. Even without RB Marshawn Lynch, the Bear offense will again be prolific behind big junior QB Nate Longshore and one of the most dangerous receiving corps in America. After excelling as a spare part for years, 5-8 Justin Forsett gets a grand stage to show that he’s not too small to carry the load in the running game. Cal won’t be the only team with something to prove in Berkeley as Tennessee has to start showing it’s Tennessee again. Without an SEC title since 1998 and with barely a hint of any noise in the national title race since winning it all almost a decade ago, the natives are getting restless. The Vols are light on star power in 2007, which is why plenty of first-year players will contribute and QB Erik Ainge is being counted on to have the best season of his up-and-down college career.
Why Tennessee might win: Cal can score, but can it stop a quality SEC opponent from going up and down the field? This is the Bears’ first game without defensive stars Brandon Mebane, Desmond Bishop, and Daymeion Hughes, something that won’t be lost on Ainge as he begins implementing UT’s new no-huddle offense. Cal is green at corner and suspect up front, which means lots of time for Ainge and enough running room for Arian Foster to keep the Bear offense in hibernation. This is still Tennessee, and there are still plenty of NFL caliber athletes, even if they’re not household names quite yet.
Why Cal might win: Last September, Tennessee had the dynamite receivers and Cal had the secondary that was still in diapers. This year, the roles are reversed. The Vols’ first test with three new starters in the defensive backfield comes against the quartet of Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins, Robert Jordan, and tight end Craig Stevens, which combined for 168 receptions in 2006. Tennessee is also very soft in the middle, so look for Alex Mack to create space for Forsett and James Montgomery, while displaying why he’s one of the nation’s premier centers.
Who to watch: Last September, then-freshman CB Syd’Quan Thompson became the poster boy for Cal’s loss to UT, getting burned repeatedly by Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain. Today, he’s one of the emotional leaders of the defense, who’ll be on a mission to shut down a Volunteer receiving corps that’s a far cry from last year’s group. Also worth within will be the matchup of Tennessee’s Britton Colquitt and Cal’s DeSean Jackson, the SEC’s best punter and the nation’s premier punt returner, respectively.
What will happen: After getting embarrassed and knocked down a peg a year ago, Cal will get revenge on Tennessee in one of the biggest wins of the Jeff Tedford era. The Vols will get their yards, making heavy use of TEs Chris Smith and Brad Cottam, but it won’t be enough with the Bear offense clicking. Jackson will crank out a highlight reel play that’ll ignite the home crowd and earn him some early Heisman attention in a thrilling, game that’ll be as good as advertised.
CFN Prediction: California 30 … Tennessee 24 ... Line: California -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but ...
What did the experts say last year? Experts are not very smart. They are just an elevated breed of columnist who read small snippets of pre-camp projections for many teams and regurgitate tired snippets in whatever way will get thier column posted or mag sold.
**"The Vols will get their yards, making heavy use of TEs Chris Smith and Brad Cottam, but"**
A snippet (if you will) of your expert predicting "heavy use" of two players who either are injured and out for the season or do not exist. Please, also listen as they tell you we are "soft up front" on D. Please come into this game confident that the experts know just what they are talking about. I mean, they follow our program closly, right?
Go Vols
Mr. Carroll
Jason, im sorry I thought you recognized me. I just realized I had been signing my last name and not my first. Yeah, youll be hearing from me. I read yall everyday.
Sup JC,
First let me say that this was printed before the tight end got hurt, i believe it was Brat Cottam(spelling???), and secondly regarding the soft upfront remark, your run defense was a bit soft up front last year. To take that a little farther you lost the big defensive tackle J.H. to the packers in the draft. I think your being a little hard on the columnist, who also went on to say "This is still Tennessee, and there are still plenty of NFL caliber athletes, even if they’re not household names quite yet." Another words talent is there, but it might be a little green at this point in the season. We shall see, this is one mans opinion, and we all know what opinions are like.
Cal 34- Vols 17!
Ask Nate how 'soft' we were up front last year. We lost Justin Harrell to the Air Force in week 2 forcing the move of our other DT McBride to DE (and beyond by seasons end). JT Mapu had to pick up extra DT reps after a 2 year Mormon mission and was in no shape to play. Many youngsters were thrown into the fire last year who now know what game speed is (which cannot be coached) and have responded well this fall. The D-line was the first unit to form and we are deeper this year than last. No, it is not the 2002 Vol defensive front who racked up 54(!) sacks, and we could be better. But soft? We'll see. They have to prove it this year, but if history is any indicator, dont count them out. (Or the line of backs behind them!)
Go Vols
Mr. Carroll
JC,
Ok here we go, excuses excuses excises. For a Johnny Chavis defense you gave up a lot of rushing yardage last year. Now what the article and I am saying is take that suspect rush defense from last year, subtract the best interior lineman (j.h. who played in the florida game) as well as 2 other graduating seniors from the line (McBride and McGlothlin) plus the middle backer Mitchell and you could be soft!
Oh JC,
I asked Longshore, and he said, "Yes pretty soft!"
Go Bears!
-Jason
(j.h. who played in the florida game)>>>>>with a torn bicept.....
Just the type of beast we produce at the real UT. Our 'softest' D is better than your toughest. No excuses here. We are famous for our defense. You? Some years we are just not up to par (which we set) and then it's "light's out" for the Vols. They are doomed. Make no mistake, missed assignments and poor pad leverage have been addressed. We wont be the most dominating d-line in UT history, or even in the SEC this year, but we'll be SEC caliber.
Worse than injuries and untested depth last season, time of possesion hurt the D. Not having an established running game had our boys out there a lot. Funny how much goes into being a winning team. Where we matched up well we won, were we didnt we lost or struggled. Cal is a good match for us and many because of the lack of physical play. Also, fast as you are, weve seen it before. You offer nothing special. We are Tennessee. A new year doesnt change that, make us worse, or make you better. It's our system that makes us great. 2005 preseason polls had us at #3. After a 5-6 season we ranked preseason #18. This year we, of course, rank #15. My point? No matter what the yankee haters write year after year, they expect UT to be in the mix. This decade and the last, and the last, etc. You? Nobody wins them all. We wont this year. But I can promise you noone coasts into a game with us and just expects to win.
I've read your blogs and coaching reports and am amused at how well everything is going. It looks like everybody on the team got a smiley sticker for camp. Beating us aint easy, and camp shouldnt be either. What about the players you lost? You wont skip a beat and UT takes two steps back?
My guess is the same team gets whomped by the same team.
GoVols
Mr.Carroll
ok let me try this another way...1st our offense is different this year, going back to how it was 02-05. It will be a west coast style attack, not like 06 with the spread, 3 and 4 wr sets. Tedford has produced 1000 rushers every year hes been here with power running, not misdirections and draws. He uses fullbacks and 2 tightend sets, again that wasnt in effect last year with the different offensive Coordinator. Believe me, the offense you will see this year will be much different. Different result? Stay tuned.
The defense is physical, ask A&M how physical it is. Again one game against tennessee and there were problems, however aside from the first touchdown, i dont remember tennessee really driving. I just remember bad tackling and breakdowns and vols players running downfield 50+ yards for scores. I say breakdowns, you say Cutcliffe is God!
AS someone who claims to be a fan off football, and must have seen countless games, why are you so quick to clutch last years game as an absolute when comparing these clubs. You probably feel florida would beat ohio state by a trillion points every time they played too right?
What about 2002 when tennessee lost 30-3 to maryland in the peach. Would they have lost by that same amount, in that same manner every time they played? Is that score still relevant today? 03 against clemson 27-14, still relevant? I'm sure you enjoyed last years game, but it is history.
Cal is not as strong as last year, the reason is the defense and a true power back. Tennessee in my opinion is about where they were last year, maybe a little less (inexperience at wr/secondary). But i felt like we were better than you last year, and I still feel that way now. 5 days will tell us who is right
Oh sorry, to answer your other question, Cal is famous for our offense. Hell that is the whole pac-10, famous for our quarterbacks. It is truly the defense that seperates the two conferences (minus usc who excells at everything).
Physical play has nothing to do with nut grabbing and coughing.
**"The defense is physical, ask A&M how physical it is. Again one game against tennessee and there were problems, I just remember bad tackling and breakdowns and vols players running downfield 50+ yards for scores."**////
**"Cal is not as strong as last year, the reason is the defense and a true power back."**////
**"It is truly the defense that seperates the two conferences (minus usc who excells at everything)."**////
So we agree afterall.
Furthermore, I'm disgusted by the homoerotic USC references on this site. You are relentless in pointing out our struggles with FL, as if there is some shame involved in a rivalry with great parady. The series is much closer than we are credited for because of what those losses meant. USC on the other hand beats you like a drum year after year and yall just sing along. I'm not saying that there is anything yall can do about it, but I would start by laying off the knee-buckling humfests. In the least, ditch the irrelevent heartless bowl losses our players put us through, opting not to hurt themselves at the Corn Flake bowl on thier way to the NFL. Peyton also lost to Memphis, we almost got beat by UAB. We lost to Vandy one year and Southern Miss another. Distant history IS irrelevant. Last year is not. We controled the lines and will again. We run a twin TE set and a no huddle, so again, nothing we havent seen before. Your thousand yrd rushers dont rush in the SEC. It matters who you line up against, it matters when there isnt a hole.
I will give you all this, it wont be a blow out. 24-17 Vols. We rush for 130 yds and throw for 160. That is all we'll need. Our secondary will suprise some folks, and give us the ball twice. Please throw to our frosh CB, he is an absolute freak. Cals improved passing effort and special teams will keep this one close. With as much running as we are likly to see, its going to be a short game.
GoVols
Mr. Carroll
USC references have become homoerotic??? I fail to see where these are homoerotic, but i will explain my reference to them. USC has been a sleeping giant, but they are awake now with full fury. They recruit the best football specimens on the planet where ever they want them. They took turner away from you, the running back away from lsu, it doesnt matter. Then they line up and crush whoever is in there way. An out of conference schedule of arkansas, notre dame and nebraska, not too bad when you win by an average score of 41-16 in a "rebuilding year". They are the pac-10's version of alabama, so you an SEC'r can relate. Now to Cal, Cal has been mildly entertaining through the years with a whole hell of a lot of mediocrity, and some poor years as well. Then we get a new coach and start recruiting better and winning. A college known for demonstration and academics is now on the verge of becoming a football power. Simply put, we are on an upward swing. Imagine Vanderbilt with the same 5 year run. At Cal we know we are getting better every year, we are trending upward. The problem is that so is usc. As far as beating us like a drum, i suspect not. We beat them in 98, 99, 2000 and 2003. They only smacked us in 2005. In 2004 we gave them everything they wanted on their field, they were lucky to have escaped.
Tennessee to me is like old money. Sure you have generations of wins and tradition, but do you lack the basic creativity to win today. Sure you stung us last year, but will you beat us again, because you need to beat us badly. You claim your rich tradition and your robust conference with pride, but recently (9 years) you are without SEC title and you are middle of the road in your conference. You needed to beat us last year to show that your team was still viable as a power in football. A split with us, which it will be, will do nothing but continue to show that your team is fading, and you need new blood running the show. In comes meyer, back comes Saban, now Fulmer certainly looks long in the tooth. In our case a loss to USC hurts but we know next year our chances are that much better. Between you and florida, you are already established and you cant do anything to stop florida from owning you. Then you throw in the fact that they are still recruiting the type of players that meyer likes to run his offense, they are only going to get better.
Like I said, I like and respect Tennessee. It is ok that you dont respect my team. Most people that are established are slow to change. Your team will not leave california with a win, and i am interested to read what you write when that happens.
-Jason
on a side note, my wife just looked at some of the things we have posted and declared we're both nuts. Woman dont understand football!!! I think i made her nervous at last years game, we were both wearing blue in a sea of orange. I think she thought we werent going to make it out alive.
-Jason
Jason, I hate that you think I do not respect your team. I just don’t think they will win and feel I know just why they wont. Big diff.
FL and USC can rot in hell(with Bama). They have no bearing on who will win in Berkley. A TN loss is possible. If you don’t mind me restating, its just unlikely.
Nobody seems to recognize that we lost Ainge for the LSU and ARK losses. He still threw for 3000 yrds missing two games. Other injuries (no excuse, just part of football) exposed a lack of depth in key positions. Ad a one point loss to the NC's and a momentum killing fumble in the Outback bowl and you see how close we were. I know, horseshoes and hand grenades. But the point is that we are far ahead of where we were this time last year and deeper too. Injuries on the DL could spell disaster in the SEC this year, but all other units are deep and very talented. Fulmer averages an SEC East title every two years. Discipline problems and Fulmers admitted coasting gave us 2005. He is totally reanimated and refocused and nearly pulled of a tremendous season last year. Can I add, we are still hungry? I haven’t seen a team attitude this good since the mid 90's. Funny how easy it is to write that Fulmer is washed up considering his record. You know, the fact portion of sports writing. Since Fulmer apparently started sucking (2000), we are a close 4th in wins in the SEC. Yeah baby! Top third! Not middle of the road. (lol! This is ridiculous, but necessary) This is just the type of season sports writers should be hyping TN.
My wife too, by the way. I told her that demoralizing your opponents fans is really the only thing a man can do without a football in his hands. Honestly though, it has helped with my pre-season nerves. I just hope my boys understand what I've put them up to!
GoVols
Mr. Carroll
Justin,
I enjoy posting and i enjoy reading your responses. Tennessee is obviously a great team with a strong tradition. That's why we want to beat them, so we can ultimately be a member of the club(elite teams). I enjoyed knoxville and the campus. We have a 2 year old daughter and another on the way(not sure the sex yet). while at the game last year i looked around and thought maybe our daughter could one day go to this school (although it is my biggest dream that she will goto berkeley). I would never pay for her to goto bama nor auburn!
I was not sold on ainge after the cal game but he really did have a good year. Lets hope he plays this year or atleast this game like a sophomore!
As far as Fulmer, I became enraged looking out onto the field in the third quarter watching this heavy set man jumping up and down high fiving his players after every big play. He has had a great run, but i wouldnt mind adding an "L" to his loss column this saturday.
I would recommend to you the site: cfn.scout.com they have forums there where you can post. Its free to register and post. They have different forums for every conference. It is another way to do some smack talking. I will tell you though that alot of arky fans are talking smack to tennessee fans there so beware!
take care
-Jason
oh one more thing...
As i told you I live in mobile. I work in aviation and there is a repair station out in nashville, tn. Do you know much about nashville or its surrounding areas. I dont want to stay in mobile forever, and am scouting out places to live. We are looking into dallas, san antonio, pensacola, fl, and nashville areas. Next week I'm going to little rock for a few months to work on a temporary contract and I going to check out memphis which is like 2 hours away and nashville which is 5 away. Maybe I will one day live in nashville and become a Vanderbilt fan!
take care
-Jason
oh yea, GO BEARS!!!
damn another response came to me...
"Your thousand yrd rushers dont rush in the SEC. It matters who you line up against, it matters when there isnt a hole." This is very true, but here are the runners who have went for 1000 yards in the tedford era...
2002 Igber 1189 yrds 7 tds (not drafted, turned down offer to nfl camps to attend grad school)
2003 Echemandu 1195 yrds 13 tds plays in the NFL (Raiders)
2004 Arrington 2018 yrs 15 tds plays in the NFL (Cardinals)
2005 Lynch 1246 yrds 10 tds (Soph)
Forsett 999 yrds 6 tds
2006 Lynch 1356 yrds 11 tds plays in the nfl (Bills)
While they may not run in the SEC, 3 out of 4 run in the nfl with one pending ; )
That wasn't an indictment of your backs, just the defenses they plow through. In California, scouts look at those fast nasty freak athletes and think offense. In the SEC its defense first. Even in coaching much more emphasis is put toward defense. Not unassailable. Just damn good D.
Nashville is happening. I dont like Memphis. Nashville is cleaner and safer. There are the Preds and Titans, Nashville loves their pro teams. TN has an education lottery too. Taxes, tourist's, and hurricanes make FL suck(not to mention seminoles and gayters)! You might think about San Antonio too though. They love Tennessee volunteers there! (alamo) haha(booo...) Lot of violent crime, though, and I think Santa Anna is still invading. (boo...)
GOVOLS
Mr. Carroll
4. Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee:
Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton is already on the record saying Fulmer's job is not in jeopardy - and it shouldn't be. In 14 seasons, Fulmer has a national championship (1998), eight seasons of double-digit victories and just one losing record. But he may be a victim of his own success. The populace of Rocky Top is very demanding, and hasn't forgotten a 5-6 stumble two years ago. Will Hamilton still be a staunch supporter in the unlikely event the Vols endure another losing season?
Go Bears
-jason
?
GoVols
Mr. Carroll
He is the fourth highest rated coach for being on the verge of the hot seat. Yes I know. They had the 10 hottest coaching seats in the land, and then the guys who better win to stay off the hot seat, fulmer is fourth on that list.
-jason
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