I got curious about Tennessee's strength of schedule this year listening to VB

[Jethro]

and found this:

NCAA College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings

Rank   Team   Rating   High   Low   Last
1    Tennessee (4-4)    12.0    1    64    1
2    W Virginia (3-4)    10.7    2    102    6
3    Alabama (7-1)    10.6    1    20    2
4    USC (5-3)    10.5    3    74    3
5    Notre Dame (7-1)    9.3    4    45    4
6    Mississippi (7-2)    8.9    2    71    9
7    Florida (7-1)    8.9    6    96    12
8    Washington (4-4)    8.3    5    51    13
9    California (5-3)    8.2    9    89    17
10    Texas (3-5)    7.9    2    35    

Now, I'm not trying to talk about moral victories.  I don't believe in them.  But if you don't see the difference in a team that plays Alabama tough and a team that gets blown out by them before the 1st quarter even ends, I'm not sure what to tell you.  As far as the losses to Florida and Oklahoma, those hurt.  But once again, I saw tremendous progress from our game against those two teams last year.  Are we where we want to be yet?  No.  But considering where the program was when CBJ took over and where we are now is night and day.  It is not uncommon for a team/program unaccustomed to success to have trouble closing out wins.  That comes with experience.  But don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.  Be patient. We've had a bad decade but it's getting better.  Focus on direction and less on current location.  This is my advice which is worth what you paid for it.

[Stogie Vol]

*Like*

[BGHarper]

As I said in another thread, I usually have little time to debate issues here but you get none from me. Agree completely that UT is headed back to true contender status. The vast majority of the Crimson Tide fan base thinks the same. The Vols were so low on talent three years ago, and now can field a team that can compete with most any. Great job of recruiting and development by Jones and his staff.

BG

[BanditVol]

and found this:

NCAA College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings

Rank   Team   Rating   High   Low   Last
1    Tennessee (4-4)    12.0    1    64    1
2    W Virginia (3-4)    10.7    2    102    6
3    Alabama (7-1)    10.6    1    20    2
4    USC (5-3)    10.5    3    74    3
5    Notre Dame (7-1)    9.3    4    45    4
6    Mississippi (7-2)    8.9    2    71    9
7    Florida (7-1)    8.9    6    96    12
8    Washington (4-4)    8.3    5    51    13
9    California (5-3)    8.2    9    89    17
10    Texas (3-5)    7.9    2    35    

Now, I'm not trying to talk about moral victories.  I don't believe in them.  But if you don't see the difference in a team that plays Alabama tough and a team that gets blown out by them before the 1st quarter even ends, I'm not sure what to tell you.  As far as the losses to Florida and Oklahoma, those hurt.  But once again, I saw tremendous progress from our game against those two teams last year.  Are we where we want to be yet?  No.  But considering where the program was when CBJ took over and where we are now is night and day.  It is not uncommon for a team/program unaccustomed to success to have trouble closing out wins.  That comes with experience.  But don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.  Be patient. We've had a bad decade but it's getting better.  Focus on direction and less on current location.  This is my advice which is worth what you paid for it.

Pretty much what my opinion has been all along.  I do have some concern about coaching in the early games, but it at least appears that the staff has learned and is adapting.

But yes...definitely the team is not used to winning and that has factored into those losses.  The good news is, IMO UF was a better effort than OU and UA was a better effort than UF.  Just a little more effort and we are all the way back.