My good bud from Johnson City, TN just called me to ask about our QB situation and the new offense. He said everyone in Tennessee is looking forward to playing the Sooners in Knoxville because they think that how well or poorly the Vols play OU will define their season. I don't necessarily agree with that, but the game will be equally important for both schools, IMO. He rates the Vols defense very high, especially the secondary, and believes OU's QB will have to be on target for the Sooners to score a lot of points. He is also very high on Tennessee's QB, but realizes that their offense is still very young and expects a low to medium scoring game considering today's average scores. He thinks they are a year away from being really competitive in the SEC. I told him I didn't have a clue who would be the Sooner QB in Knoxville, but that whoever starts against Akron will probably have a good day, and I doubt that it will be any indication on how well he will play Tennessee with 100K screaming Vols watching in Knoxville. He is hoping for a afternoon game, and I told him that would a treat for us, but I expect it to be played at night.
Let's talk OU - Tennessee football
- Thread starter Oklabama
- Start date
I'm hearing much of the same from former coworkers in Tenn. Too many unknowns for me to have an opinion just yet, but I just wanted to say that those people love their Vols and you won't find a more rabid fanbase in CFB. Knoxville will be rockin' that night... on prime time no doubt.
I need to do some homework on the Volunteers before I get to opinionated but I'd be confident suggesting we have the edge in talent overall.
Sounds like they've got the quarterback edge on us, but who doesn't right now?!
I expect a close game with us as slight favorites even in Knoxville. I believe we'll ride Perine and a surprising defense to a W.
Sounds like they've got the quarterback edge on us, but who doesn't right now?!
I expect a close game with us as slight favorites even in Knoxville. I believe we'll ride Perine and a surprising defense to a W.
bc, my Vols buddy also believes we will be favored even with the game in Knoxville. He's normally pretty down to earth with reasonable expectations for his Tennessee teams, so even though he didn't say it, I suspect he would consider it an upset if his Vols were to win. But he is looking for it to be a very good game. If OU wins by the same margin as last year, he will be very disappointed.
Isn't it the truth! Way too many unknowns. In some ways that's exciting, but it still leaves me with an uneasy feeling for some reason. I'd like to be more confident. Regardless, I'm bound and determined to be sky high by the Akron game. Boomer!
I don't see either team having much punch that early offensively.
Turnovers will be crucial and one or two big plays will decide this game.
Turnovers will be crucial and one or two big plays will decide this game.
That's about how I feel at this point, bc. I'm hoping for some "feel good news" to come out of fall camp. But just in case, I'm going to avoid reading John Hoover's column until after the game. LOL
Is your buddy on Rivals? If so, get him over here to tell us about his team. tell him to bring some friends........Oh, and if not, get him to sign up.
Same with your friends\co-workers 22............
I'm not convinced we have an edge in talent. I'm also not convinced we have an edge in coaching, or better phrased, before recent changes to the staff were made, I'm not convinced we would have an edge in coaching staffs.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Well, I don't feel good about this one...or the next or the next.
This is the essence of a trap game.
They'll either clock us early and often and we'll look like abject fools for four hours, or we keep it respectable through halftime and come out on top, albeit barely.
Mmm, this one will be a solid gold bitch.
This is the essence of a trap game.
They'll either clock us early and often and we'll look like abject fools for four hours, or we keep it respectable through halftime and come out on top, albeit barely.
Mmm, this one will be a solid gold bitch.
But fitty, these are the type games we Sooners long for. I can't think of another out of conference that I enjoy playing more that I do the SEC. Maybe Ohio State or Nebraska is equal, but I don't care for the PAC or other conferences. If we beat TN even when they are down, its still gooood.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
I know 'bama, everything you say is a truism, and I wish your enthusiasm and confidence were contagious.
However, they, the team and coaches have left me with very little material to work with, confidence wise.
Come on, the last time OU played they got bitch slapped 40-6 by Clemson...an effing ORANGE team.
I hate that!
However, they, the team and coaches have left me with very little material to work with, confidence wise.
Come on, the last time OU played they got bitch slapped 40-6 by Clemson...an effing ORANGE team.
I hate that!
I know good buddy, but just continue to repeat...."Clemson was a bowl game. Clemson was a bowl game". I helps me cope!
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
I will grant you one thing, and that is in spite of my fretful trepidation, it wouldn't surprise me one iota if OU went to Knoxville and put a cold dog nasty on the Vols.
They have surprised me too many times in the past to think that isn't just remotely possible.
They have surprised me too many times in the past to think that isn't just remotely possible.
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fitty, perhaps it wasn't your intention, but I think you just correctly made the point that today's Sooners are a mystery and will surprise whether it be as what happened against Alabama or against Clemson. Flip a coin and see what happens when OU is in a bowl game. Regular season is more predictable. Bob is better than 80% in the regular season isn't he? I am going with the percentages and predict an OU victory over the SEC Tennessee Volunteers......and I don't have a clue who our QB is going to be. Yes, I am a homer!
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The Vol fans I've spoken with are incredibly excited about what Butch Jones has got going on in Knoxville, but they think they're still a year or two away from playing with and beating the top tier teams. Most have been pretty respectful, but I can imagine they think they'll have a good chance since the game is in Knoxville and we failed to live up to expectations last year. Not to mention the question marks we have at QB, O-line and how poorly our defense played the last half of the season.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Well hell, thanks Schoonerman...now I'm all a fluster about the game again.
Gawd, I'm clinically vulnerable, it's my fault...not yours.
Gawd, I'm clinically vulnerable, it's my fault...not yours.
Could be wrong but I really don't see OU beating UT in Knoxville. Very torn on this one because how can you pull for an SEC team over any team from the Big 12.
Texas fans have to put up with Aggies always thumping their chest about the SEC when in fact they never did squat in the Big 12 and haven't done diddly in the SEC.
IMO, Stoops is headed down the same path as Mack, 16 years is just to long. Stoops seems like he has lost his fire. Really a difficult situation with a long tenure coach. You can't fire them on a whim yet you can't die of a slow death.
Texas fans have to put up with Aggies always thumping their chest about the SEC when in fact they never did squat in the Big 12 and haven't done diddly in the SEC.
IMO, Stoops is headed down the same path as Mack, 16 years is just to long. Stoops seems like he has lost his fire. Really a difficult situation with a long tenure coach. You can't fire them on a whim yet you can't die of a slow death.
Exactly what I am hearing from my Vols buddy. He is really high on Butch Jones, but he was equally excited when Tennessee announced Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley as head coaches. He use to bitch about Phillip Fulmer to me all the time, but if I ever say anything negative about Bob he quickly reminds me that he was too hard on Fulmer and tells me that I should be damn happy to have Stoops as a coach. Sometimes its better hearing that from someone outside the OU fan base. Kinda brings you back down to earth. We fans are a hard bunch to please. Bottom line, I like Bob's team against Butch's team in Knoxville. BOOMER!
The Vols offense is the type that Mike's defense can have success against, especially if they lack an explosive receiver. Flat footed QBs in a pro set will be eaten up by Striker.
I really think the defense is going to be a pleasant surprise. There's plenty of talent and I can't imagine those guys have enjoyed the criticism they've been getting.
Offensively, Perine is what we experts would call an "ass saver". Sterling should be in for a big year with the passing games focus on working guys into spaces.
I really think the defense is going to be a pleasant surprise. There's plenty of talent and I can't imagine those guys have enjoyed the criticism they've been getting.
Offensively, Perine is what we experts would call an "ass saver". Sterling should be in for a big year with the passing games focus on working guys into spaces.
If I were a Vol fan, I would be incredibly excited by what Butch Jones has done so far, and the framework he has built...and he is an outstanding recruiter. I was very impressed with him an dhis staff last year - it seems as if they've finally got the boulder to the crest of the hill, and it's beginning to roll down hill now, picking up speed as it goes.
Worley's not there anymore. Josh Dobbs took over for him last year & he's anything but flat-footed. He was their 2nd leading rusher despite playing less than half the year, & is exactly the type of QB that's given Mike fits over the years.
OU was in a major cluster#%^@ at the bowl game w/ regards to Coaching. Huepel was on his way out. Mike Stoops was shopping his services. They could have had twice the talent and they wouldn't have won that game.
I think this will be one of those games that the Sooners lose but keep it respectable and fly home thinking they 'survived' but should've won. Turnovers will be the key in this game. Whoever has the fewest will own the scoreboard. I also think OU will see a steady improvement as the season rolls out and the players execute better as they learn the new offense.
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Thanks Salt City, i haven't done my homework yet on our competion so i'm really guessing based of our team and what i knew of UT last year.
