"11 Tennessee players with scholarships have left"

[Herm]

Ok let's start with the 13 yo. So he said he commited, but did Kiffin say he was recruiting him, or that he's been offered a scholarship? Now that reality has set in for most of you, let's talk about band wagons.

Is there any true fans talking on here? I mean true fans that support their team whether they win or lose. I'm talking about most all of the Gator "fans" out there.

Lastly FYI: B.J. Coleman went back home to Chattanooga to play for the UTC Mocs.

I'd call myself a true fan. Im a diehard Kentucky fan living in TN. I was born in Louisville. You know how much shit i've took from UT fans over the years. You have to be a real fan to support Kentucky over the last 27 years.

Its just crazy to me though, even in UT's down years when they are losing to Vandy and UK is making bowls the Cats still havent been able to beat the Big Orange in my lifetime.

[Herm]

I'll give you UT fans one thing though, the majority of them i've met care about UT football more than every other team & sport combined. talk about die hard


They act like pro sports dont exist.

[Bear Pand]

OMG, players leaving because they don't like the new coach. That's never happened.

Agreed.

This is a shock story and poor journalism.

[young2rice]

I'm an alumni so therefore....

GO GATORS

[ram29jackson]

No matter what he would have done, he would have alienated players. The Juniors and Seniors are very stubborn and don't like change. It happens to every team with a new coach.

thats beside the point.

he is just another stereotypical football coach ie - like a 6th grade PE coach.

the players didnt leave because they dont like change- although that is a factor- they left because this coach is controll freak/ dumb ass. he is too young and not ready to run a program.

[riley420]

Mighty big words from a man who's team only plays lo-rate high school teams when playing outside the conference. Tennessee has sucked for a few years and have a lot of work to go, but if Florida underestimates them like you do we will drain that shit filled swamp once again.

As far as your support for the Gators, going there qualifies you to be a fan. But, who was your favorite team when Ron Zook took them down the shitter?

Yeah...OK. If UF fails to score 50+ on Tennessee, I will be disappointed. Is it jealousy that makes you talk shit? Just because Philly Fulmer flushed your shit program down the toilet and you have a great (read: talks a big talk) coach, doesn't mean you have to covet the SEC East crown that has been so far out of your grasp for the last 10 years. How does it feel to lose to the same "rival" year in and out? It's ceased to be a rivalry to me, since UT faded into obscurity...hell, Vandy has put up better efforts to us since Zook left.

The Gators have always been, and will always be, my favorite team in any sport. Yea, Zook sucked, and I refuse to accept his reign as coach as reality...but he still beat UT's ass 50% of the time. How does that make you feel that a half rate high school coach beat your ass twice? Don't even get me started on what Spurrier used to do to you, or how hapless Peyton Manning was against the Gators. NFL MVP, absolutely...beat the Gators...0-3

Don't try to get on me about being a bandwagon fan, because even though I don't know how old you are I bet I'm older than you...and that means I've been a Gator fan longer than you've been alive.

[ram29jackson]

I never called Fulmer a god, and never claimed football holyness on Tennesse's behalf. As far as you the person goes you may be a die hard fan, I didn't recall in my initial statement as calling you out as an idividual for being on a bandwagon, I just find it funny that Florida didn't become as popular as they are until they started winning. Do you really think that when Meyer starts sucking, as bad as Spurrier did in his last few years, that there will be as many fans as there are now? We just came off the worst season in the history of our school, but we still managed to fill the 100,000+ seats in our stadium. The rivalry is tied, finally, after Tennessee lead for so many years, and it will be a good game as always.

But, if you think for one second that Florida will run over Tennessee like they did the first 2 high school teams they played, you need to drop your crack pipe.

Florida may have a better team, for now, but Tennessee has the best fan base hands down! Also keep in mind, all those guys you have now, will be gone soon...... Then what will happen?

with all do respect to fan of a team. -T- lost to UCLA. I dont think they can hang with Florida this year. Just a sports opinion-

[riley420]

I never called Fulmer a god, and never claimed football holyness on Tennesse's behalf. As far as you the person goes you may be a die hard fan, I didn't recall in my initial statement as calling you out as an idividual for being on a bandwagon, I just find it funny that Florida didn't become as popular as they are until they started winning. Do you really think that when Meyer starts sucking, as bad as Spurrier did in his last few years, that there will be as many fans as there are now?

Yes, I do. Spurrier never lost popularity in Gainesville, even when he went to the NFL. There were serious talks to bring him back before they started courting Meyer.

We just came off the worst season in the history of our school, but we still managed to fill the 100,000+ seats in our stadium.

Florida has sold out Ben Hill Griffin stadium 124 consecutive games, so I don't think the fan base is going anywhere.

The rivalry is tied, finally, after Tennessee lead for so many years, and it will be a good game as always.

You call last years game...on your home field...a good game? I don't think so.

But, if you think for one second that Florida will run over Tennessee like they did the first 2 high school teams they played, you need to drop your crack pipe.

Last year, at Neyland stadium...30-6. Against a coach that didn't give any bulletin board material.

This year...55-14. With 2 timeouts called in the last minute...just like UGa last year (49-10), who were a MUCH better team than UT is this year....and that was on a neutral site.

Florida may have a better team, for now, but Tennessee has the best fan base hands down! Also keep in mind, all those guys you have now, will be gone soon...... Then what will happen?

Then all the 5 star recruits that Meyer has been hand picking over the last 4 years will be given their chance to shine. The defense doesn't lose that many players, especially out of the secondary. The offense will miss Tebow, for sure, but Brantley is coming on strong and the receiver corps and running backs are all underclassmen, except for one or two guys.

Then the Gators will still dominate the East like they've done for the last 2 years.

They did lose, and I'm not promising a win against Florida. Even though Tennesse's offense has no leadership in the QB, the still have the best defense in the SEC. Florida may win, if they don't go in the game looking to next week, but it won't be the "ass whoopin" everyboby thinks. IF they win, they won't come close to the spread. (28)

LOL at "Best Defense in the SEC". Why? Because you have Eric Barry? Yea, he's good...but he's one player. Florida is STACKED on defense...at every position.

And I HIGHLY doubt that UF is overlooking this game, considering it's been circled on the calender since asshat Kiffin took over. Prepare yourself for a little bit of embarrassment....again.

WHEN they win, it will be by at least 5 TDs. 55-14...and that 14 will be garbage time.

[riley420]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/gators/2009/09/gators-expect-intense-challenge-from-monte-kiffins-tennessee-defense.html

"That’s not what they play - cover 2,'' Meyer said. "They are a fire-zone, blitzing group. The one thing about Tennessee’s defense is they were No. 3 a year ago. There is scheme involved, but it’s a personnel issue too. They are an excellent defensive football team. They were last year, they were the year before and they have very good players. But when you hear Tampa cover 2, in passing they’ll play that, but not to stop the run. What makes them difficult, the scheme we’re going to face this week is a lot of pressures, edge pressures that we have to be ready for.''

http://www.scoresreport.com/2009/08/31/2009-cbf-preview-florida-gators/

The unit returns all 11 starters, including stud linebacker Brandon Spikes, who decided to return for his senior season. The Gators finished fourth in the nation last year in scoring defense and ninth in total defense and there’s no reason to believe that they’ll take a step back in ’09.

BTW, this is the exact same Gator defense that held the all time best offense (Oklahoma) to 14 points.

Tennessee may have a good defense, but so does Florida. What UT doesn't have is a good offense. And that's the difference in the game.