(07-15-2013 03:59 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 03:40 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 03:31 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:16 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(07-14-2013 01:08 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  New markets for the SEC and ESPN to show the conference in. A new strong regional rival for Tennessee. The Tennessee Brand seriously needs some help. It would be so awesome for the hilltoppers if you guys could land both VT and WVU.

A lot of talk from Tennessee is that they dont like to play VT due to recruiting competition but if the SEC moves to four divisions and those schools are all in the same division then that helps Tennessee rebuild it's program back to what it was. Strong rivalries in division that Tennessee can actually win on a regular basis.

Tennessee is one of the schools that really needs to look to the future and the changing atmosphere. Holding back progress and protecting the Alabama and Florida rivalries at the cost of continuing to slide downwards as a program, that is just not a winning scenario for the Volunteers.

He1nous,

Are you suggesting that UT can't win b/c of the ascension of other SEC programs? If that's the case then it won't matter what divisions/teams the Vols end up in. The reason things are terrible in Knoxville is b/c of former AD Mike Hamilton and his coaching decisions after firing Phil Fulmer. UT play in the SEC championship game as recently as 2007.

I'm not really sure how UT's position is that dissimilar from Auburn's. But schools rely heavily on out of state talent and are other overshadowed by more prominent programs. Both have endured a spat of terrible coaching hires which have knee-capped overall performance.

Bit,

Maybe it's b/c I was a Midshipman at the time, but during Navy's visit to Morgantown in 1999, I had a great experience. It was a competitive game and the fans were very generous and helpful (we did have to wear our SDB's to the game) and I don't recall one instance of couch-burning during my visit.

You may be right, I may be wrong but the damage is done and it is very obvious. Perhaps my perspective from the outside does not allow me to see enough to know what I am talking about, or perhaps my perspective from the outside allows me to provide unbiased judgement on the situation.

It doesn't look good for Tennessee at all. They couldn't lure away Louisville's Head Coach. With his contacts down in Florida that would have been awesome for Tennessee yet...they didn't have the clout to pull him away from Louisville. That does not speak highly for what is going on at Tennessee and their viewed potential with those in the know. Top coaches are not jumping to go there because of their situation.

If the SEC gave Tennessee a new division, then that massive brand with it's massive following could once again fluorish. Why? Because they wont continuously be beat down out of the running for the conference championship or tournament. If they are competing in a division that is more equal for them then they immediately become the perceived dominant power in that conference and recruits are going to like that. Tennessee will be seen as the favorite to make it to any future SEC Tournament from their "Northern Border" division. That is not just a positive thing for Tennesse, in my opinion, it is necessary.

I guess the fans will decide this in the end...

No they won't. Tennessee fans will support the Vols regardless and they have never waivered. If the fans mattered in this, Tennessee wouldn't be in such a dire situation when it comes to luring a top notch coach to lead the program.

All that matters is on the field performance for Tennessee. All those close games won't matter in the end. In the record books all that matters is the W's and L's and that is what matters when it comes to earning post season play. That is what is going to cause top notch recruits to pick other places in the SEC first. Tennessee has a Great Stadium but so do most other programs in the SEC. Sure there are a couple that are definitely lacking but they are not causing recruiting problems for Tennessee.

The SEC needs to stabilize that Elite Brand if the conference ever expands again. It would be silly to not "artificially" boost Tennessee back up to where it traditionally stands in the SEC hierarchy.

Not too many years ago Tennessee was a super power. I believe this is an up and down thing. JMHO.