I used to believe that Manning playing in 2012 was a given.   But now I believe it is unlikely that he will play again. 

I'm not sure what attractive TV markets FSU and Clemson would bring to the Big 12.  Greenville SC for Clem's son, and Tallahassee for FSU are the 83rd and 137th ranked MSAs.

If it goes down, it tells me that the Big 12 is trying to "buy" stability with their TV money, because Clemson and FSU won't likely be accretive to Big 12 revenues.   

Owens is a moron.  Always pointing the finger at others, never at himself.  After reading that article, and having observed his UTC and NFL career, I have no sympathy for him.

1. Finish your MBA.
2. Continue to apply for jobs outside

You don't have the leverage now to move your company to "strategic IT."  You're just getting lip service from them, now.  Further your credentials (MBA) while you have it "comfy." Then, find a better external opportunity.  Only then, when faced with losing you, will you have the leverage for your current company to possibly counteroffer in a meaningful and lasting way.   And the odds are, they will either not be in a position, or will not desire, to counteroffer in a meaningful way (their mission or culture could be ingrained).  So you will then likely choose to take the "better" external job.

Commit to a vegan diet for two months, and it will significantly change your health for the better.  Change that is measurable and objective.   And you will feel much better as well. 

Highly recommended:
1. Rent and watch the documentary movie "Forks over Knives" so you understand what and why you are committing to this diet (i.e., lifestyle). 
2. Google the "Esselstyn Diet", and commit to it for 2 months.

I've done this since Labor Day, and it is the best thing I've ever did.  My blood work results (cholesterol and glucose, etc) were average to good before the diet, but my blood results post-Esseltyn have been impressive.  This will change your life. 

Regarding Sunseri, I am sure he would be a good hire.  If you have any doubts, just remember that Saban hired him and hasn't fired  him.  That should be all of the validation that you need.  In regards of him being a position coach and not a DC already, I am confident that he fully understands why Bama does what it does defensively, contributes to the game plan weekly, and would do well in a new role of calling the D and making adjustments.  He just needs the opportunity.

CDD should go after PSU's Tom Bradley.  I think he would be a good DC for UT, and already has experience as an interim HC.   

There will be several viable candidates for UT if and when that time comes, but don't expect Gundy.  He is at his dream school, his alma mater, built them into a contender and has Picken's money to make sure his needs are satisfied (not just compensation, but program and facilities resources).  I just can't see him doing the mercenary thing at UT or any other place, unless he drives OSU into the ground and is no longer welcomed there.

UT will be better served to look at young coordinators, and take a chance on an up-and-comer who they think has the charisma and work ethic to flat-out recruit.

Where have you had the best steak you've ever had?

The best rib eye I've ever had was from home, grilled on my Big Green Egg.  

I've had excellent results when ordering from Longhorn.  Haven't visited Ruth's Chris yet.

Unfortunately,  I've been a vegan/vegetarian since September.  

It is December 2012 and the Vols have won Seven and Lost Five including an embarassing 30 point loss to Alabama when it was 6-6 at halftime. 

(1)  Is Dooley on the Chopping Block?

(2)  If Yes to question 1 who would you replace him with?

(3)  Would you hire Chief as the Head Coach?

(4)  How would you make the hire more palatable to a fanbase weary of losing?

Here is my outsider's perspective..

1.  Absolutely

2.  Jeff Fisher.  He understands that games are won/lost starting at the LOS.  His teams are always physical.  His NFL coaching connections will help fill out a staff and he can sell his pro resume to recruits.  Fisher also understands the expectations at UT, given his tenure in-state with the Titans.  His mix of age (not too old) and experience meets the profile that UT should be seeking.

3.  No.  His ties to CPF and the fact that his mustang D wasn't beloved by Vol fans would cause his honeymoon to be shorter than others.  UT needs unification, not division amongst its fan base right now.

4.  Ultimately, only winning will satisfy the fans.  But a new HC and staff will give UT fans new hope for the future, and that is what would be needed to satisfy them until the new staff produces some meaningful wins.   

Here is a link from a news website citing a source claiming the Rogers has been kicked off of UT's team: http://www.wate.com/story/16175480/source-darick-rogers-no-longer-with-vols

From the conspiracy perspective, this could be a strategic recruiting move by CDD.  Now he can truthly tell Corderelle Patterson that he is truly needed, because Rogers is not longer on the depth chart.  Then CDD gets Patterson to sign, and then reinstates Rogers just in time for spring practice. 

He said "conference schedule".

Doh!  Yep, BDV is right, UT would likely at least go bowling this year with UGA conference sked.

But, I won't apologize for UGA's conference sked, because UGA never (nor any SEC team) gets any pity when the rotation provides a hard schedule.  It comes down to timing, when a team can take advantage of an easier schedule when the opportunity comes around.

Yep.  Trade our conference schedule this year for UGA's, and where are we right now?  Not SEC champs obviously, but we're definitely going bowling- perhaps even a NYD bowl.

Let's see, UT vs UGA's 2011 schedule:

Boise - L
USCe - L
Coastal Carolina - W
Ole Miss - W
Miss St - W
UGA - L
Vandy- W
UF- L
NM St- W
AU - L
UK -L
GT - L


I wouldn't say "definitely." I still don't see UT getting to a bowl.

Come to UGA, Cordarrelle Patterson!   

Go Dawgs!

Watch Georgia get OM and MSU

UGA will get AU for sure, being its traditional West rival (ala UT/Bama).

UGA's other West opponent is not set yet, but will not likely be MSU as UGA finished its 2-year home/home with MSU on the rotation this year.  So either A&M, Bama, LSU, Ark or OM.

 

midtnvol is correct, Warn is a reptuable mfg.  So is Mile Marker.  (Never thought about reposition from front to rear, but that makes perfect sense.) 

Be sure to get a winch with a line pull of 1.5 times your truck's weight.  I.e., a 5,000lb truck would need a 7,500lb winch, etc.

A few thoughts.

1.  Carry a bag or two of sand in the back of your truck.  Comes in handy when you need just a bit of extra traction, and the extra weight will help you maintain control in ice/snow.

2. Add an electric winch to the front of your truck.  It can get you out of all sorts of predicaments if you get stuck.

 

My admittedly outsider's opinion, based on years of observing similar circumstances at other schools, is that CDD will not be fired regardless of what happens in the last two games of this season.   

However, next year, CDD will be on a hot seat, also regardless of what happens in the last two games of this season.  Next year, he will need to get that ever-elusive 1st signature win, or there will be a groundswell of discontent at all levels of the Orange Nation.  If you doubt this, just imagine feeling the same way you do now about UT's football program, but a year from now.  That would be waiting a long time for validation of your hope and optimism about the trajectory of your program.

Regarding the VU game, I think you guys do win this Saturday.  It just seems that every time VU gets barely good enough to challenge UT in your annual game with them (which isn't very often to begin with), that UT actually focuses on VU, doesn't take them for granted, and ends up playing well enough to win comfortably.   I expect the same this weekend.  I'll say 27-13, Vols.

[Go Dawgs!]

Yep, but outside of that inexcusable 4th and 19 TD pass, UGA's D clamped down on UF's O for the rest of the game.  Our O, through painful and inconsistent execution, made the clutch plays (two 4th down TD passes) when it mattered to get the W.
 
Go Dawgs!

UGA's got to get its special teams straightened out before the AU game.  With essentially two weeks to prepare, I'm hopeful that happens.

Now, if either Arkansas or UF can just knock off USCe..

The overall tone of the board sucks with regards to UT sports. Sorry if that steps on toes, but it is what it is. I'm as contributory to it as anyone. I have many friends here and don't dislike anyone that is here but that doesn't change my first sentence. After 13 years, I don't have it in me anymore to try to improve the tone or issue any edicts, so I just find other things to do. There are just too many people here who are intolerant of the discussion and let personal opinion of other posters get in the way of the purpose of the board which is to have a place to discuss UT sports. What I see more than anything is not debate or discussion but lecturing. Tony hit the right word and that is divisive.

In the past, UT fans on VTTW always had common villains to unite against.   SOS, CMR, Saban, etc - and fans of these rival programs.  It helped Vol fans that UT's football program was good enough back then to back up the banter.  UT is no longer that good.  Everyone knows it, UT and rival fans alike.  So, there isn't as much interaction between VTTW Vol fans and rival fans.  I mean, if UT is no longer relevant, what's the point?  And that leaves Vol fans on VTTW with no one else to argue with, but themselves.  Add in the misery of where UT sports is right now, and it is a vol-atile combo (pun intended, so sue me).   Now you have issues with "tone" and even brief infighting on VTTW.  What you need is (1) slight improvement in your football team, just to give you guys some hope that UT will/could return to prominance over the intermediate term, and (2) a rival to polarize and unite you guys.    I can give you the rival banter, but I can't help you with the status or progress of your team.

If you ladies are so down on UT sports right now that you are losing interest, just let me know and I will provide you with an application to be a temporary UGA fan. Just so you  know what its like to identify with a winner again.    Might as well cheer for a team that you can be proud of.  Go Dawgs!! 

Sorry that I am late to the party.  Here is my annual UT smack for this year's game:

* Are the Vols prepared for another 4-TD loss this year?  Just like last year, right? 
* Enjoy the remainder of the Dooley honeymoon this year.  Next year Dooley will be on the hotseat, if UT doesn't start beating some upper-tier teams.  (Who has he actually beaten? Even beating UGA isn't exactly validation.) 
* Da'Rick, we've had this game circled for a long time.     Let's see what ya got Saturday night.
* Honestly, Bray is probably the best QB in the SEC right now.  It's the rest of the UT team that is the problem. 
* Football is cyclical.  It's unfortunate that UGA is "down" at the same time that UT and UF are.  It's even more unfortunate that UGA has a jekyl-and-hide team right now, and not knowing which team will show up at Neyland this Saturday.  Hopefully UGA will play well enough to cash the checks that my mouth is writing.
* Prediction:  UGA 34, UT 13.  UT can't run, and Bray can't hide (i.e, statue in the pocket).  UGA will bracket Rogers and watch Bray play small ball (dink/dunk) to the rest of the UT receivers and RBs.  UGA will be balanced enough on O to convert on UT's numerous and inevitable mistakes.  Maybe next year, Vol fans! 

Agree, that was a CYA response from Slive.  That said, while an even number (e.g., 14) of teams makes perfect sense in the intermediate to long term, it is more important that the right team be added, after A&M.   If the SEC rushes to add another team, its risks being stuck with a team that it realistically can't get rid of.  So, it is more important that the right school be added as #14, even if that takes 2-3 years from now to accomplish the due dilligence and strike the deal.

Would Ga Tech be a good fit?

GT will not be invited.  The most obvious reason is to understand why the SEC has already looked at Texas A&M and perhaps Missouri.  It is all about TV markets those schools would bring to the SEC, and the TV money that would result from SEC's future contracts with its TV partners (CBS, ESPN, etc).  A&M brings the Houston and Dallas DMAs (DMA = measure of TV market size) to the SEC, while Mizzou brings St. Louis and perhaps Kansas City DMAs. 

But the Atlanta DMA is already delivered to the SEC, mostly via UGA and AU and to some extent Bama, UT, UF, etc.  Atlanta is already SEC country, so GT isn't needed.

The bottom line is that any new SEC school will have to be accretive to the SEC's revenues in order to be considered.  That means the revenues that the new school brings to the SEC will have to be greater than the slice of the SEC's earnings pie that they get in return. This will be the driving consideration, even though it is a given that other factors will be considered to a lesser extent (tradition, lack of probation, cultural and academic fit, existing grudges from other SEC schools, etc).

Finally, just to put the final nail in GT as a SEC candidate, a previous post referenced that GT already left the SEC once.  True, and that will indeed be held against them.

Just FYI, his son is UTC's AD Rick Hart.  Keeping it all within the family within the UT system, I guess. 

Good topic.  From a Dawg and Steeler fan's perspective:

1.  Counting down the final seconds of UGA's MNC win over Notre Dame, 1980.
2.  Big Ben's pass to Holmes to beat the Cards in Super Bowl XLIII
3.  James Harrison's 100-yd interception return for a TD Super Bowl XLIII
3.  Run Lindsay Run
4.  HobNail Boot
5.  Bradshaw's 18-yard touchdown pass to Swann in Super Bowl XIII to beat Cowboys.
6.  David Green's game-winning TD to Michael Johnson against AU in 2002.
7.  DJ Shockley's 2nd TD pass to Sean Bailey against LSU in 2005 SECC game.
8.  Big Ben's comeback performance at Baltimore last year.
9.  Stafford's winning TD pass in OT against Bama in 2007.
10a. Sean Jone's 96-yd fumble return against UT in 2003, last play before halftime.
10b. David Pollack's strip sack/pick/game-winning TD against USC QB Corey Jenkins in 2002.