I can somewhat understand where they are coming from. Their fans are living in the past. Much like beating UT is still a big win to our fans, losing to us is a devastating loss for their fans. Reality is the series is dead even since 2005. Prior to 2005, UT held a stranglehold on the series, with a 19-2-2 lead. Simply put, it was non-competitive. UT was a top tier program for much of that time. Since the Fulmer days, though, they've been up and down. Heupel has restored them to a solid program, but still not elite. They've won 7, 11, 9, 10 and 8 games under Heupel. Very good by any measure. Just not near the level UT was at in the 90s under Fulmer. They are still going to have a better record than us...probably every year...but the reality for them is that they aren't immune to losing to programs like ours any longer. We basically stood no shot against them in the 90s into the early 2000s, and that's still how most in their fan base expect it to be. But the last 20 games tell a different story. If you were born in 2005, you'd be a 21-year old who knows nothing but a competitive series. Us being a perennial doormat for UT is simply history for you. They are still the superior program, yes. They will still be a top 15 caliber team most seasons, yes. But they can be had by teams like us each year.
Off topic, I'll be interested to see how long UT sticks with Heupel. I think they know about what they have with him at this point. A solid 9-10 wins a year most years. With the advent of the 24-team CFP, maybe that's enough. Or maybe they make a run at someone like Will Stein if he keeps UK in the CFP race this season. I'm just not sure what UT is willing to accept. Given the sad state they were in after forcing Fulmer out, will they be happy being a solid 9-10 win team?
Off topic, I'll be interested to see how long UT sticks with Heupel. I think they know about what they have with him at this point. A solid 9-10 wins a year most years. With the advent of the 24-team CFP, maybe that's enough. Or maybe they make a run at someone like Will Stein if he keeps UK in the CFP race this season. I'm just not sure what UT is willing to accept. Given the sad state they were in after forcing Fulmer out, will they be happy being a solid 9-10 win team?
