Originally Posted by
Alan Shore
Sorry, but I just can't resist...
I have to imagine that there are some Volunteer fans who have given up their season tickets because, for whatever reason, the team is not matching up to where it once was. In spite of the circumstances that cause the talent level to be where it is today, in spite of the fact that the coaches and players continue to fight as hard as they can for every yard, every first down, and every point, it's not enough.
The Volunteers used to be title contenders every year, and until they are again, for these fans it's just not worth taking part.
The team and coaching staff were under no illusion that they had a realistic chance of winning that game. Rather, they look upon it as an opportunity to move forward, to develop, to gain experience, and to build back what they've lost.
We're talking about an actual team, not their fans. If the head coach, or even any of the coaching staff, approached any game with the perspective you just suggested, I suspect that coach would be looking for a new job rather quickly. Tennessee's objective was to win that game. They gave it their best shot and I can guarantee you they wouldn't have done as well if they had approached it with the mentality that they didn't have a "realistic chance" of winning the game. Man, I'd love to be a fly on the wall if you were to say that to the coaches face!
