Comments on: Cutcliffe, Spurrier Not Interested In Vols

By: GoPurple

GoPurple — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:30:07 +0000

Oh good grief. Now that his fat lip has healed up, you could ask Colt McCoy about Big 12 defenses. Compared to say, Arkansas, whose SEC defense held the Longhorns to, oh, about 52 earlier this season. Now Nebraska has serious work to do on defense; holding Oklahoma to only 49 at the half isn’t up to their usual standards.
You really think the talent level on offense in the SEC THIS YEAR is equal to the Big 12? I’m sure you’ve *watched* the QBs in the SEC????? Off-target throws, bad decisions, the works. The Big 12 is absolutely sick at QB, the SEC has Tim Tebow, ranked #11 in the country in pass efficiency – behind five Big 12 QBs. The second-best in the league? Matt Stafford, ranked #29, behind *ten* Big 12 QBs (including one who is a true freshman and another whose head coach just got fired). The SEC defenses have put up good stats against offenses that couldn’t score in a women’s prison with a fistful of pardons (two fistfuls in the case of the Vols, but you knew that). You aren’t going to see 3-2 as a final score in the Big 12. Or 13-9 against a MAC team.

By: MoonDog

MoonDog — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:48:09 +0000

Oh Lord, here we go. I have to explain things. Are you seriously suggesting the Big 12 plays defense?

The last time I checked, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech Kansas and Oklahoma State have all played games that routinely end up in the 30′s for both teams.

Sure, the offenses are good, but the level of talent is no better than the SEC’s. Therefore, the defenses who look lost while giving up 30+ every week must be the answer.

Look at the defensive stats from both conferences and it’s not even close. The SEC plays much better D than the Big 12.

By: GoPurple

GoPurple — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:28:55 +0000

Funny you should mention a D-coord from a conference that doesn’t play defense.
Seriously, you might want to put on some game tape and re-evaluate that statement. I’m well aware that the SEC plays defense; just not always well. Witness LSU getting 50 hung on them – twice.

By: MoonDog

MoonDog — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:32:19 +0000

I agree about Spurrier, but I wouldn’t want him anyway. Cutcliffe probably wouldn’t take the job because of his past relationship with Fulmer.

Kiffin I’m not crazy about but I believe he’s on the list of coaches Hamilton will speak with. Brina Kelly has been mentioned and I’m sure he’d have some interest, but I’d rather see a coach with some big time experience, not Big East experience.

Pinkel = spread option and that won’t work at UT, at least not for the first few years. We don’t have the players to run the offense.

Todd Graham – same as Kelly. Brewster = WHO? That won’t work with Vol fans. Leach, I like. But he’d have to get a batter D Coordinator than the one he has. The SEC plays defense, unlike the Big 12.

For me, it’s Will Muschamp, Bob Stoops (unlikely) and Jim Leavitt.

By: GoPurple

GoPurple — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:18:26 +0000

OF COURSE anyone and everyone currently employed elsewhere is going to deny interest in going to Knoxville. They have games to win and recruits to sway, after all. Nobody wants the sort of fiasco that enveloped Les Miles last year, so expect strong denials even from people who would be interested. At this stage any discussions about coaches will be with their agents, behind the scenes, with public denials all around. That said, I think Spurrier is speaking honestly; at his age the last thing he wants is another rebuilding project.
I think UT is the premiere job opening right now, with Washington coming in second. With all due respect to Clemson fans, they are a distant third at best. There is no reason UT cannot land an outstanding coach, an up-and-comer ready to work for the brass ring and the crystal football in the national limelight. I think you talk to Gary Pinkel and take a good look at Brian Kelly. Lane Kiffin seems to be the hot name at the moment and may have interest as long as Mike Hamilton promises never to show up at a game in a white jumpsuit or phone plays down to the sideline. :-/ I think he is more likely to stay on the west coast though. Cutcliffe deserves to be in the discussion as well (through back channels); his loyalty to Fulmer may be an issue to overcome. Tim Brewster of Minnesota and Todd Graham of Tulsa should be on the list as well. I think the Mad Scientist of West Texas (whose team is currently #2 in the BCS!!) deserves a long look and would have interest; whether Knoxville, Tennessee is ready for the wackiness that is Mike Leach is an entirely separate discussion. And the Big 12 would really miss him…