Tennessee problem

[greggspacho]

I would first like to congradulate the gamecocks on a great win at Tenn. last night. In our time in the SEC, Tenn. has more or less owned the gamecocks. There has been blowouts and there has close games, but time after time the cocks have come up short. This win was a step in the right direction for our program.

As for Tenn. last night confirmed the problems i felt that they have had all season at the quaterback position. Tenn. started the game last night with Clausen and after a pick thrown on their 3rd drive he was pulled from the game like a tooth in a case of meth mouth. Interceptions happen, if you take your qb out it is hard for him(or her:[I]see ESPN artical) to correct mistakes and move on.

Tenn. then put in qb Ainge who didn't do to much right, but really didn't do to much wrong. Tenn. stuck with Ainge during the game until SC finally was able to start a drive that didn't begin behind our own 5 yard line. Once SC did score and take the lead it was back to Clausen.

Tenn. is fortunate enough to have to two good quaterbacks. Both of witch I believe should see plenty of playing time but you have to give one the opportunity to play in the game without having to look over their shoulder to see the other guy ready to come in after you have made a mistake.

Remember we scored against the defense, not the offense. Now Tenn. has blown what was thought to be a legitimate shot at the NC, but your season is far from over. I know that I am one of few but I wouldn't count out the upset next week at ND I will be backing y'all 100%. After that you end your season with 3 winable games with Memphis, Vandy, then @ Kent. You win 3 of 4, go to a bowl, and start fresh next year with a qb that shouldn't have to compete for the job.

[GamecockDieHard]

I hope Tennessee blows Notre Dame away!!! A big win in South Bend would go a long way to healing the misery of this loss. I would just say, the good news for TN: Rice ain't going to be there! AND..you didn't lose to a bad team. When/if you spank the Irish, you may agree.

[uscrebel]

There is actually a larger Tennessee problem. The West Coast Sports Talk shows are already saying that the Gamecock victory was about the SEC being down this year and not Spurrier lifting USCar to the next level. (Don't shoot the messenger here...I'm just reporting what I am hearing.) XTRA 570 is heard from Mexico to Canada and out as far as Denver and is Jim Rome's home station. They started as soon as the game was over by saying that UTK and UFL were average teams this year and wins over them did not count as quality wins. They immediately moved on to UGA and said that the close game with USCar earlier in the season was about UGA's weakness, not USCar's strength.

I have heard little bits of this before, but it was a tidal wave last night. The one quote that ended a rant was, "Notre Dame is going to put up 40 points on a Vol Team that is averaging 16 points a game against a depleted SEC. They might score 70 just to equal USC's total against Arkansas." When asked by a caller if Alabama would emerge undefeated, the answer was "Bama could barely beat a really bad Ole Miss team. What makes anybody think that they will get by LSU and Auburn. I don't think ANY SEC team will have fewer than two losses and Florida may be no better this year than they were under Ron Zook last year." He concluded by saying "The SEC is a real mess this year."

On the upside, a Bama homer from San Diego called in and gave him a whole bunch of crap and said that most conferences would love to have what the SEC considers a down year. Still, it was hard to listen to and I haven't even been able to go on to the PAC 10 board that I usually post on.

I hope that Spurrier manages to pick off two out of the last three...if not all three, but it is interesting how that is having a negative effect.

[rabidcock]

There is definitely no quality, in-depth research going into their shallow reviews. Were TN to beat Notre Dame next week, wouldn't that throw a kink into their rantings.

[Noah.Dreams]

Tennessee is a head case, and if addressed quickly they can still salvage the season. Florida's adaption of the power I seemed to give their offense what it needed. I expect Florida to play with renewed confidence and finish strong. If Alabama continues to avoid injuries they may survive this final end of season push. The Alabama offense needs to be more diverse, especially by dumping the ball off to the back and tight end and not depend on the WR to constantly make the big catch. Georgia is too injury riddled to match up with Auburn. Auburn holds the keys to the championship with the best ball control offense in the SEC and a fundamentally sound defense. With Auburn's blue chip depth and if they continue to remain injury free, I wouldn't be surprised to see Auburn playing Florida for the SEC championship.

[GamecockDieHard]

There is actually a larger Tennessee problem. The West Coast Sports Talk shows are already saying that the Gamecock victory was about the SEC being down this year and not Spurrier lifting USCar to the next level. (Don't shoot the messenger here...I'm just reporting what I am hearing.) XTRA 570 is heard from Mexico to Canada and out as far as Denver and is Jim Rome's home station. They started as soon as the game was over by saying that UTK and UFL were average teams this year and wins over them did not count as quality wins. They immediately moved on to UGA and said that the close game with USCar earlier in the season was about UGA's weakness, not USCar's strength.

I have heard little bits of this before, but it was a tidal wave last night. The one quote that ended a rant was, "Notre Dame is going to put up 40 points on a Vol Team that is averaging 16 points a game against a depleted SEC. They might score 70 just to equal USC's total against Arkansas." When asked by a caller if Alabama would emerge undefeated, the answer was "Bama could barely beat a really bad Ole Miss team. What makes anybody think that they will get by LSU and Auburn. I don't think ANY SEC team will have fewer than two losses and Florida may be no better this year than they were under Ron Zook last year." He concluded by saying "The SEC is a real mess this year."

On the upside, a Bama homer from San Diego called in and gave him a whole bunch of crap and said that most conferences would love to have what the SEC considers a down year. Still, it was hard to listen to and I haven't even been able to go on to the PAC 10 board that I usually post on.

I hope that Spurrier manages to pick off two out of the last three...if not all three, but it is interesting how that is having a negative effect.


Rob Lewis at a TN website agrees with your west coast talk shows:

Saturday's 16-15 loss to a very average South Carolina football team is a low-point for the program during the Phillip Fulmer era. It's the first time that the Vols have lost three in a row under Fulmer and it was arguably the worst home loss the Vols have endured since Arkansas knocked them off in 1992, helping to derail Tennessee that year during what seemed like an assured march to an SEC title.

With Mitchell having the highest completion percentage rate, with Rice catching more TD passes than anyone else in the SEC, with our 3 losses coming to teams with the exact same 19-2 record, with our lost possessions, and poor field position? I think it's pretty amazing that these guys watched the same game that I did. However, we have never performed well enough or consistently enough to expect anyone to give us the respect we want. It will take a few years of consistent success for that to happen. But I disagree about our being very average. We're not good, but I'd say we're pretty good. :D

[GatorNation]

Tennessee is a head case, and if addressed quickly they can still salvage the season. Florida's adaption of the power I seemed to give their offense what it needed....

It wasn't the I. It was strong and weak sets....sometimes the ace with Latsko in motion.

[fernandomike]

It wasn't the I. It was strong and weak sets....sometimes the ace with Latsko in motion.

Strong and weak sets. . .That's not innovative. :D Hell, we use that stuff. Granted, not effectively, but we still use it.

[rabidcock]

Auburn holds the key to the championship with the best ball control offense in the SEC and a fundamentally sound defense. With Auburn's blue chip depth and if they continue to remain injury free, I wouldn't be surprised to see Auburn playing Florida for the SEC championship.

I quite agree; they are becoming more imposing by the week. Actually, it looks as though Bama'a stiffest tests are coming near the season's end, as things have turned out. LSU has finally tweaked their defense, as well.

[rabidcock]

With Mitchell having the highest completion percentage rate, with Rice catching more TD passes than anyone else in the SEC, with our 3 losses coming to teams with the exact same 19-2 record, with our lost possessions, and poor field position? I think it's pretty amazing that these guys watched the same game that I did. However, we have never performed well enough or consistently enough to expect anyone to give us the respect we want. It will take a few years of consistent success for that to happen. But I disagree about our being very average. We're not good, but I'd say we're pretty good. :D

You are right. Continued success by the Cocks (especially coupled with a Vol win at South Bend) should shut their yaps. Of course, the USC success must continue into succeeding seasons.

[Dr. Pepper]

There is actually a larger Tennessee problem. The West Coast Sports Talk shows are already saying that the Gamecock victory was about the SEC being down this year and not Spurrier lifting USCar to the next level. (Don't shoot the messenger here...I'm just reporting what I am hearing.) XTRA 570 is heard from Mexico to Canada and out as far as Denver and is Jim Rome's home station. They started as soon as the game was over by saying that UTK and UFL were average teams this year and wins over them did not count as quality wins. They immediately moved on to UGA and said that the close game with USCar earlier in the season was about UGA's weakness, not USCar's strength.

I have heard little bits of this before, but it was a tidal wave last night. The one quote that ended a rant was, "Notre Dame is going to put up 40 points on a Vol Team that is averaging 16 points a game against a depleted SEC. They might score 70 just to equal USC's total against Arkansas." When asked by a caller if Alabama would emerge undefeated, the answer was "Bama could barely beat a really bad Ole Miss team. What makes anybody think that they will get by LSU and Auburn. I don't think ANY SEC team will have fewer than two losses and Florida may be no better this year than they were under Ron Zook last year." He concluded by saying "The SEC is a real mess this year."

On the upside, a Bama homer from San Diego called in and gave him a whole bunch of crap and said that most conferences would love to have what the SEC considers a down year. Still, it was hard to listen to and I haven't even been able to go on to the PAC 10 board that I usually post on.

I hope that Spurrier manages to pick off two out of the last three...if not all three, but it is interesting how that is having a negative effect.

It does not surprise me that the talking heads from the West Coast will use anything to make the SEC seem to be weaker than we really are. They are wanting to promote their own product. We all know that those guys would not be able to stand up to the pounding week after week. Heck, even the officials are in danger over here. (I believe that our officials could line up against some of those guys in other conferences. Morales is tough!)

The only problem is that we are too deep and while we are playing king of the hill we keep throwing ourselves off the mountain. By the time the bowls come around, we are pretty dinged up. Look at the serious injuries that have taken place this year. We had two guys go out in the TENN game.

The only league that has really improved is the ACC, and they will do to themselves what we do to ourselves. The constant pounding leaves the wounded on the field and the opportunity for heroes to rise.

My suggestion: turn off the talk shows and spend time with friends and family until game time. We sit and wait for the talkers to say something nice about us and fall all over ourselves when they do and get mad when they don't. It is a total waste of time. The only thing that matters is watching the guys on the field who strap on their helmets and go after it.

[GatorNation]

Strong and weak sets. . .That's not innovative. :D Hell, we use that stuff. Granted, not effectively, but we still use it.

Nah...I just think maybe you guys go to it too much. We used it maybe 5-6 times....and I'd bet jaw-juh didn't think they'd see it half that many times. 90% of the game was still spread.....

[greggspacho]

USCrebel, I appreciate the updates on what the dumb asses on the west coast are saying, it really gets me going. I’m usually not the one to do this but I guarantee that ND will not score 70 on Tenn. I actually think Tenn. has a legitimate shot in this game considering they don’t have too much to lose. It would also be great to see ND lose after they extended Weis’s contract 10 years only after about 7 games in his first season. I expect to see a good football game.

Once again the Gamecocks receive no respect. Not that we should get a lot, but hell, throw us a freakin’ bone here. Look at it this way: Central Florida has 5 wins this season and a date with Rice on Nov. 19 should make them bowl eligible. Troy has 3 wins so far and has Florida Atlantic, @ Ark. St., & Middle Tenn. left to make a bowl. Which is truly not undoable. If Vandy had not blown it against Middle Tenn. they would be bowl bound. Arkansas and Kentucky are not going anywhere and Clempson needs to beat us and Duke to go bowling (I’m including a loss to FSU). If everything had/goes our way SC is looking at 9 of our 11 opponents playing post season ball. As for Jim (another A-hole ESPN gave a show to) Rome, he probable spends more time on his metro-sexual hair and dress then he does watching the real deal SEC football.

Dr. Pepper you are absolutely right. If I could keep from reading and listening to this rubbish I wouldn’t be such an angry Gamecock.

[JerryBeeds]

USCrebel, I appreciate the updates on what the dumb asses on the west coast are saying, it really gets me going. I’m usually not the one to do this but I guarantee that ND will not score 70 on Tenn. I actually think Tenn. has a legitimate shot in this game considering they don’t have too much to lose. It would also be great to see ND lose after they extended Weis’s contract 10 years only after about 7 games in his first season. I expect to see a good football game.

Once again the Gamecocks receive no respect. Not that we should get a lot, but hell, throw us a freakin’ bone here. Look at it this way: Central Florida has 5 wins this season and a date with Rice on Nov. 19 should make them bowl eligible. Troy has 3 wins so far and has Florida Atlantic, @ Ark. St., & Middle Tenn. left to make a bowl. Which is truly not undoable. If Vandy had not blown it against Middle Tenn. they would be bowl bound. Arkansas and Kentucky are not going anywhere and Clempson needs to beat us and Duke to go bowling (I’m including a loss to FSU). If everything had/goes our way SC is looking at 9 of our 11 opponents playing post season ball. As for Jim (another A-hole ESPN gave a show to) Rome, he probable spends more time on his metro-sexual hair and dress then he does watching the real deal SEC football.

Dr. Pepper you are absolutely right. If I could keep from reading and listening to this rubbish I wouldn’t be such an angry Gamecock.


Excellent post Spacho. I couldn't agree with you more...

[uscrebel]

Excellent post Spacho. I couldn't agree with you more...

This morning at church, I had an interesting chat with a the head coach of one of the local high school programs. His team is a middle of the pack group that wins 8 or 9 regular season games every year and then gets bumped during the play-offs. He typically sends two or three kids to Division One programs and many of the rest go D1AA or D2 or JUCO.

He knows I am a USC/Ole Miss guy and he asked about the Rebels. We talked about the SEC and he said, "Yeah, they're pretty old school. My guys don't like that all that much. I watched the FLA/UGA game and it was just boring."

He is 9-0 this season with three shut-outs, three games where the other teams scored 6 or less, and big offensive numbers. (The closest game they have had was 28-6.) I pointed out that his kids play pretty good defense and he said, that it was because at this age, when the other team gets rolling offensively, the defenses just quit.

The bottomline was that he said that his boys, whether they play offense or defense, look at teams that are putting up big numbers and that is where they want to go. Some of what he said sounded like it had come directly off of College Game Day, but he has two great D1 defensive prospects this year who are looking at USC, Texas, ND, and Cal. When I asked if they had considered SEC or Big10 teams, he just smiled and said, "I'm tellin' ya man, those conferences just don't score enough to get kids from out here."

It's one thing to not watch the Game Day Propaganda or listen to the sports talk guys, but they ARE forming opinions.

[CarolinaGrad]

I enjoyed listening to a sports tv show in Knoxville today. Of course, most of the callers were wanting Randy Sanders fired. I personally think that Fulmer should take the blame for all of his qb swapping.

Chris Lowe (originally from my hometown of Rock Hill) from The Tennessean made an interesting remark regarding the idea that Spurrier owns Fulmer. He talked about how it won't get any easier because this was the worst Spurrier team that Fulmer will face. He's right about that because you know that our team is going to get stronger each year under Spurrier.

Several of us were talking after the game last night about how Spurrier is about 2 years ahead of his original plan. Did any of us actually think we'd beat any of the usual power houses of the SEC East?

[uscrebel]

[snip]
Several of us were talking after the game last night about how Spurrier is about 2 years ahead of his original plan. Did any of us actually think we'd beat any of the usual power houses of the SEC East?

Not to knock the achievement, because I want USCar to run the table and turn things around there. I am not sure that you actually want to benchmark Spurrier against a UTK that is 3-4, with only one credible win, which was an incredible collapse by LSU.

Revel in the victory. I think that most of us enjoyed it. Don't get the cart in front of the horse. I am sure that SOS is telling the team much the same at this point. The last thing that he needs is their being emotionally drained because their season was distilled to one game.

As the Gamecocks climb out of the SEC cellar, us Rebels are hopin that you leave us a trail of bread crumbs to follow...a couple of giant bodies to crawl over as well. ;) ;)