Alabama missing 4 FGs wasn't luck? Saban's dumbass decision to go for it on 4th down with 5 minutes to play & a TD lead rather than kick a chip-shot FG and put the game out of reach wasn't luck? RETURNING A MISSED FG 109 YARDS WASN'T LUCK?!?! Lol. Okay.

We blocked one FG...not luck.  Saban made a stoopid decision...not luck. We ran a missed FG back for TD - that was a smart coaching decision on our part and a bad one on Saban's part....not luck. They missed some easy FGs, yes. But I also don't consider that luck.  The way we won against UGA was luck. Bammer? No, not IMO. But I won't argue it any further.

I think the most obvious thing is that Auburn is not head-and-shoulders above the rest of the top-tier SEC teams (let's not forget that they were extremely fortunate to beat Alabama and extremely fortunate to beat Georgia and, truthfully, should've lost both those games), while Ohio State is just simply not that good, which made Michigan State look better last night.

I don't mind the 4-team playoff, but when it inevitably expands to 8 teams, it's going to start us down the road to the end of college football as we know it. I firmly believe that.

OK....I just have to ask this. I can buy we were extremely fortunate, lucky...whateve you want to call it, to beat UGA.  I agree with that sentiment. But should've lost to bammer? Fortunate to beat bammer?  Prove that one to me. We rushed almost 300 yards on their #1 D's ass. We matched their scoring. We came back from a 21-7 deficit...was that luck or good football? And the runback?  That was good coaching and great execution. I cannot understand how anyone says we should've lost that game. There was no luck or good fortune or anything else there...we flat out beat them.

Yeah, we're going to need those too.   

Curious question from this Auburn fan: are you guys even recruiting a QB?  I've heard about the various other positions that you guys are filling with 4 and 5 star recruits.  But I haven't heard any mention of a QB, which surprises me since Butch, IMO, would want to get a QB that fits his style of offense.

hell yes...Auburn wfdt   


Buck fama!

I like how you roll!

My employer will put in $1200, annually.. which must be pretty good from what I've read.

The fact that we can also invest tge money after our HSA reaches $2000 seems pretty cool too.

If I do this I just have to hope nothing big happens until I have my HSA built up to be able to cover the deductible.

My company also gives us $1200 in our HSA. And we give additional amounts per paycheck.  And it rolls over.  I like it and with three kids, we often dip into it.  Yes, the deductibles are higher.  But the $1200 is offsets those and we still have a max payout. 

I saw some of the other comments on WHAB and we have not had any issues with IRS or anything else by using the HSA.  We will continue to use it.

Don't underestimate the impact of better talent though. When you say years, I think you're right . . . about 2 years. Something like 2015.

The talent is a good point.  We had/have talent on our team; Chizik did not leave the cupboard bear.  Our coaching sucked and we had too many off-the-field issues that kept on mounting and affecting our overall team chemistry. Malzahn cleaned house as far as coaches go and brought in some good ones. Plus Malzahn recruited most of the offensive guys.   I think that is the biggest reason for the turnaround. Jones is essentially starting from scratch.

While I say overall talent is the biggest issue, I do think your DC may be shown the door. Too many defensive players out of position far too often.

BG

I watched the game with a bunch of TN fans, and they were all pointing this out as well.  Especially with Marshall's runs. 

Yep. Essentially the entire game.

TDS rulz. Comcast droolz.

To be perfectly honest, I couldn't name 5 Heisman winners since '97. That was the year I completely quit caring who won an award that is nothing but the product of media-induced hype.

Cam Newton - Auburn 

Wouldn't a double reverse mojo put it back on you guys?

I'm not one that would be called wise in the ways of mojos.  I just go with what I think I know is right. It worked pretty well for me in 2010, so I'm sticking to it.

Ok....seriously. I think this weekend's game will be close and here is why.  Dobbs may have struggled against Mizzou, but that Defense is stout.  Our Defense...not so much.  We have struggled against mobile QBs (see aTm and MSU games).  We give up huge chunks of yardage to decent RBs and those mobile QBs.  Our saving grace thus far have been good Red Zone defense.  Our offense is clicking pretty good right now, but I have the gut feeling that we will have at least one game remaining that we struggle, and this road game at UT could be it.  

Other factors: this is our 2nd road game in a row, and it is difficult for most teams to do well on the road in the SEC two weeks in a row.  We historically have not played well in early games.  UT has played pretty dang well at home this year (UGA, USCe). And I am still convinced that Jones and company can call a good game. If you guys keep it close in the first half, I think there is a 50/50 chance you guys can beat us. In my opinion, we have one quality win this year: aTm. And that was only because we were able to match their scoring and come up big on D at the end of the game.  I know that is a glass-half-empty view of our season thus far, but us Aubies don't do well in the bravado category. So I am sticking to it.

Look forward to a good game!  UT has always been one of my favorite SEC teams, in case that buys me any points.

...may I start the discussion off by using my double reverse, super secret mojo on you?  We are going to get killed this weekend. We have no hope to continue our good fortunes this year.  Rocky Top will be too much at home for us poor Aubies.  Our War Eagles/Plainsmen/Tigers/Whatchamacallits are doomed.  YWFDU.  Marshall will fake passing out so he can stay off the field.  Dobbs will find a new level and be responsible for at least 10 scores, includeing the PATs and FGs.  I only hope we keep it within 100.  Whoa is us.

Butch challenging the teams manhood....

http://grantramey.blountblogs.com/2013/11/05/vols-notebook-as-promised-butch-jones-makes-practice-physical/

Well....crap. Can't you guys wait a week or so to get serious and do this?  Jones shouldn't be doing this this week, for crying out loud.  He needs to wait and evaluate another week before he gets all coachy on them.

Obama, is that you? 

Hope and change, brother.  Hope we can kick y'alls ass all over our field come 11/30 and change your path from MNC to great New Year's Day bowl 

We can still hope lsu or Auburn gets them and knocks them out. 

Yes....we can.

I guess since we don't have any trees to poison...

Well, if you are fortunate enough to beat bammer at tuscalooser, then you guys had better plan on some guards around any trees on campus. Or on anything else semi-sacred around Knoxville. I see enough scripted A's on vehicles around here to not be surprised if some, or all, of them are mentally unstable in some way.

I don't think it resembles the Power T, though it is obviously a "T". Anyhow, they're our in-state brethren so I don't care.

I really wish they had some way to work in an F before the U. sTfu would look great on helmets.

Buck fama!

Or better yet...fizzle bammer!   

I just want to say, good luck.  We are all counting on you.

I'm waiting on an email from the owners. I am worried they took him to a shelter. The local PAWS will keep them a few weeks and then theykill them. I told my friend to get him and bring him to me but I hhaven't heard from her either.

If they took him to a shelter, let me know and I can get in touch with TVGRR and have them rescue him.  Our Golden pup is right at 6 months old and, yes, he is big?  You know why? Because Goldens get big. Dumbasses.

It's fairly obvious his agent told him he could lose millions if he gets hurt.

That was my first thought on his situation as well. Though, the way he is going about it, is probably costing him millions as well as his draft status is getting worse and worse.

  GAVE THEIR ALL FOR TENNESSEE today!!! Win or lose, when you show you are putting that kind of effort to win for Tennessee I will always stand up for you! Best second half by the Vols in a long time. Good work, team!
G       

That's the best they have played in a long time.  To man up and fight from 17-3 to a high ranked team was more than impressive. You didn't have that with Dooley.  I think Jones has them at least in the right mindset.  If they keep getting better, our game with you will be interesting.

I didn't follow this show from the get-go, but reading BDV's posts roused my attention. Anyway, watched a good part of the marathon. I don't know how Aaron Paul (Jesse) didn't get an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor. He played the best suffering soul I've ever seen, period.

Great writing, great producing and great directing.

G

And perhaps the best all around acting on any cable or network drama. Of course, that is my opinion.  But I watched Breaking Bad right from the start.  The acting was good to begin with, and just kept getting better with each season. Combine that with the out-of-this-world writing and that is what makes for a great show.  I was sad to see it go, but thanks to AMC running the Breaking Bad marathon, I now have all the shows on my DVR to rewatch whenever. Or at least until I need more HD room on the DVR.

I hate to even bring this up- but even though Todd's name has never been connected with PEDs, he is guy who really changed physically from one season to the next.  Right or wrong, I'm afraid some will hold that against him.  Unfortunately, no one is above suspicion these days.

None of the recent PED talk that I have hears/read has included Helton's name, so I don't think that will even be a factor. And I do think he has HOF numbers, but may not get in on the first vote. It'll be interesting to see who is up against on the HOF ballot.

My God.  That was hard to watch.

Yep...these last few episodes are intense as any TV shows in the history of TV shows. I told my wife last night that I think the last two shows, and probably the last two, are meant to get the remaining Walt fans to realize just how far gone he really is. I was in the Walt fan club until he did what he did to Jesse, and told Jesse what he did (that's as best as I can do without completely spoiling it).  Anyway, these last two episodes are going to be intense and fun to watch. That and the last episode of Dexter will leave me feeling exhausted next Sunday night.

They predicted that the Vols would be 2-6 after the first eight games. Anybody feel any different.

Uhhh....well, I don't think y'all will have a problem with South Alabama.  And I do think you guys beat either Florida or South Carolina to be at 4-4 after the first 8 games. Additionally,  I think Butch Jones and his staff is highly underrated right now. They are the x factor for your team. And the reason I think they keep it close with Oregon than most expect. And in the next 3 years or so, I think they will be considered to be one of the top coaching staffs top to bottom in the SEC, assuming they stay in tact.

Now, go beat the hell outta those Nike sponsored mallards.