So, am I seeing this correctly? In a class of 26 current commits, we only have (1) 3-star OL recruit? We also only brought in (1) 3-star OL recruit in this past class (compare that to Bama's current class with (5) OL commits (3 of them 5-star) and UGA's (4) OL commits). So what's going on, are we just striking out in this area or is there a lack of needed emphasis? Whatever the case, I've watched marginal or worse OL play for a long time now and I don't think we are going to take that next step until this issue is corrected.

IMO, neither Butch nor the program can afford to lose to Kentucky this season. I'll accept a loss to Mizzou if it means beating UK. But 7-5 would be nice.

Definitely don't want to lose to UK (talk about throwing a stick in the spokes) but IMO, this team really needs the Mizzou win too if for no other reason than to demonstrate that we can beat a quality opponent other that S. Carolina. I kind of see Mizzou as this season's bench mark game. 

performance of the D. I'm hoping that the decrease in effectiveness was due to exhaustion and if so this off date should remedy that....come back with fresh legs, fresh minds and the exhilaration of a big win on the road. As long as Josh can maintain, or improve, his performance and the D returns to former effectiveness, I don't see why we would lose any of the remaining games...barring turnovers etc.           

Yes, the D needs to get back on track and Dobbs needs to continue to play well. Part of the optimism is believing both will happen.

I realize there are still lots of questions about this team and the consensus seems to be that we should be happy with a 6-6 record and a bowl game. However, I really think this team is better than that, and I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that we win out and win the bowl game, ending the season with 8 wins, a 5-game winning streak, and possibly even a top 25 ranking.

Yes, UK is improved and Mizz is still a good team (although not as good as last year), and Vandy… well, they’re Vandy. I know we’re young and lacking in depth but we should still have more talent than UK or Vandy, and I don’t think the talent at Mizzou is as good as UGA, UF, and maybe even S.Carolina. And truthfully, I think we may have more playmakers. Say what you will but there is no reason to think we cannot end the season with some real momentum. So, am I being overly optimistic, am I setting the bar too high, or is this a realistic expectation?

I would agree that the lack of pressure has helped the OL, but another thing that has helped them as much as anything is the front 7 now have to be a bit more cautious in their play or they will give Dobbs rush lanes. It helps give them just that little bit of an edge they did not have earlier and as we can see it makes a huge difference especially on the road when noise keeps the ol from hearing the qb much of the time.

Hubbs talked about this on the Zone this morning. Dobb's run threat actually causes the D to hesitate a little. They're waiting to see what Dobbs will do. This has to make it easier for the O-line... 

UK is clearly an improved team. Mizzou is not as good as last year. I like our chances in both games. I don’t want to read too much into a single win but we’re seeing some promising things from this team. They are starting to look as if they are putting things together offensively and as you point out, they’re playing with a lot mental toughness and fire (they’ve done so all season long). These next two games will tell the story of whether or not this team is really turning the corner. IMO, they are games we should reasonably expect to win. 

In light of post-game conference blow off, article at Bleacher Report asks the question, "Is the end for Steve Spurrier?" Perhaps the question is typical of the media/fan overreaction we often see following a bad loss, but I do recall him remarking in the past that ten years is long enough for a coach to stay at a school.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2254960-is-this-the-end-for-steve-spurrier

Well, I’m glad it did not get called but seeing how things turned out, it actually bothers me even more. I like a little attitude and aggression but it doesn’t have to lead to stupid penalties. Stupid penalties are always bad and a stupid penalty in that situation is inexcusable. Yes, they need to play with some nastiness but they have to be more disciplined! I don’t know how effective it will be but I hope Jones drives home the fact that that one little moment could’ve cost the team not only the ball game, but a chance at a winning season, a bowl, etc.

Yep. I'm sorta indifferent to it, because while I would love to have some former Vols on staff I'm far from sold on his coaching abilities. But it's just part of it. If Tee worked for anyone other than Kiffin, it wouldn't be a big deal. But when your national championship quarterback turns you down to stay with the coach who you still despise for his midnight flight to Southern Cal . . . yeah, there's gonna be some resentment there.

I think that when we did not get Gruden and had to settle for Jones, many folks rallied behind the possibility of (at least) getting Tee back at UT. Whatever his on field coaching abilities, there is a perception that he would be good for recruiting. So I think his rejection would have wounded no matter where he was coaching. However, for some, the fact that he is with Kiffin rubs salt into this wound.  

I certainly do not resent Tee for his decision. However, we have been through a long stretch of bad play on the field, poor coaching, and rejection. Both the program and fan base are in a very fragile state right now, so I understand the frustration some folks feel when one of our own turns us down.

I like the guy as well but I've never really seen a coach lose the press conference.

Jones walked into a hornet's nest so-to-speak and will be critiqued (at least by the fans) more harshly than he probably deserves. However, as pointed out, he is not walking into a dire situation. If the guy can coach at the competitive level we should expect at UT, he has a foundation and every needed resource to get the program turned around.

So, I hope he turns out to be a great coach but if he is not, if it is evident that our program is not making the strides it needs to make in order to be competitive, I hope we do not drag this out longer than needed, like we did with Dooley.

VOLS!

Zaxby's - The music is annoying and the scripts are just kind of weird. But those chicken fingers are good!

And people wonder why we cannot attract a big name coach?

I don’t know his qualifications or if he is was ever truly interested but I heard some guy on the radio last week say that Charles Davis, at one point, wanted the AD job. It would be good to see a UT guy or at least someone who has a genuine love for the school at the helm. 

I’d be happy with Peterson but with the way Hart has responded to Gruden-Mania, I don’t think Peterson-Mania is going to accomplish much. And I do not see the allure of Jimbo (although he may very well be Hart’s guy).

Sigh...

[soap opera]

This has been a huge coaching search soap opera (a combo of internet/rumor mill journalism, conflicting media reports, and silence from the AD). I cannot speak to all the conspiracy theories, etc. that some people are proposing, but the misinformation is staggering and I’ll be glad when it’s all said and done.

Droner, I saw this as well but it looks as if it was removed. I hope it isn't another case of a news organization using VN as a resource.

For those hoping for Gruden, I thought this post from Tom Mattingly was interesting.

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/mattingly/2012/11/the-word-for-today.html

Fedora is no great shakes at UNC(His team lost 68-50 to Georgia Tech),Tennessee ca do better!

I agree. This is the University of Tennessee (currently the best open coaching job in college football)! Why would we settle for Fedora?

Going back to the story from WREG, the guy who put this out there appears to be a pretty well respected media figure. I wonder where he got his info. Lots of unconnected, regular folks like myself had some serious doubts about this story when we saw it (it just didn’t add up), so how does it get past a guy who has been in the sports biz for years?

Also, I do not know exactly how things work in the media but I would think they would have some sort of fact check/editorial/quality control process to keep things like this from happening.

What if that theory is right on, and the question on Mike and Mike was staged to thwart Sexton's ploy.  Just a thought.

This sounds like something you might hear on VN 

Found this take from VN interesting: (fyi Sexton is Jimbo Fisher's agent)

Hint: A certain super coaching agent may or may not live and work in memphis...

Hint: This super coaching agent may or may not represent other candidates not named john gruden who are interested in the tennessee job...

Hint: This super agent may or may not have leaked this story to the same news station the lane kiffin news broke on hoping it would put pressure on hart and gruden to make this decision one way or the other sooner and more public than previously anticipated.

I saw this too but I'm not buying it.

I'm sure i'm not the only one who'd be thrilled to never hear Jimmy Sexton's name associated with UT coaches again.

Agreed...

Gruden and the Browns are denying this rumor. It looks as if WREG and VN have the same source afterall.

http://m.knoxnews.com/news/2012/nov/28/memphis-report-says-gruden-ut-stake-browns/

I was getting ready to post this. Earlier today, someone (with alleged insider info) on VN essentially said the same thing the news story is reporting and I thought it was a bunch of bull... Maybe I was wrong... I just hope WREG is not getting their info from VN...

Here is another interesting link on the Gruden possibilities

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/11/21/jon-gruden-to-tennessee-what-are-the-vols-message-boards-saying/