Hate to see you go

[hbilskie]

Without a doubt, you are the finest visitors to ever grace our humble campus and stadium. And like I said, I've been going to games here since 1977. If we could just convince you all to move here and give up the crimson in favor of Tennessee orange, even better. hahaha

At Calhoun's this evening, I taped this little group playing a song all of the Sooners in attendance enjoyed. We loved the couple dancing to it. Win or lose, life is good on a college football Saturday.

 

[bdshull2001]

Dang, that lead guitar player could be my twin. Same gray hair and body. I could have sang the song better, though......LOL

 

[mojo1fan]

BillVol, thank you for the kind words. You guys have an tremendous stadium and football atmosphere. If one day the Sooners become part of the SEC, you won't have such nice things to say. Best of luck to your Vols this season. I'll be watching and rooting for you guys.

 

[geopass]

BillVol, thanks for the post...first of all it was a helluva game. Coach Stoops has gone on record saying this might be his favorite win (including the NC win). A testament to our players but also to a quality, worthy opponent in an absolutely great setting.
Last night I spent some time on various Vol boards after the game reviewing how the sentiment slowly turned as the game went on.
We, like everyone else, would like to beat everyone. But thankfully you folks are not Texas. There was no delusional analysis, no sense of
superiority or entitlement. Except for the usual shots at the coaches (Jones and Debord) and the gnashing of teeth about LB Colton Jumper (poor guy, NOBODY wants him to play), there was this vibe, long before the 4th quarter, of impending doom.

Knowing how the game would end, as the various posts came out I started to genuinely feel for the Vol Nation...nobody who loves the game like you guys do should come to believe that your program won't ever get back to the top...

So...as you folks have given us one of our favorite wins, this is something you can take back to your clan. [It's corny maybe, but no less true]
Here's the secret we learned from "the B's" (Bennie Owen, Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops) when it comes to the "Top"...ready?

"It's ALWAYS close"

When the fans, coaches and players truly believe that - it won't be long before trophies are raised.
It's not a delusional state of mind, it's a knowing that with a few changes and MASSIVE effort that great things will happen, because it HAS to.

Perception of reality governs all decisions in this life....think about things the right way and the right things will happen...BOOMER!

[...and for a really corny but true Finale... here's a good clip..."That's how Winning is done!"... makes me think about Baker Mayfield here]

 

[gtanduga]

Thanks Bill, my trip to Knoxville was outstanding. Great atmosphere and even greater fans. Best of luck the rest of the way. Sooners will be pulling for the Vols all season long!

 

[azjimbo]

Thanks Bill, my trip to Knoxville was outstanding. Great atmosphere and even greater fans. Best of luck the rest of the way. Sooners will be pulling for the Vols all season long!

Okies are some great fans and people...I wish you a great season.

 

[phillinois]

Okies are some great fans and people...I wish you a great season.

Funny aside Jake, you have more 'likes' on this board than you do posts.

That's like...unheard of!

 

[hbilskie]

Mark, thanks for those words. You summed up the vibe among us better than I could. The movie clip also was a good pep talk and something we all need to hear. I hope it spreads. I'm going to tweet it.

Well, we have been through this before: Lose big game, swear off the program, and then get back on bandwagon around Tuesday or so, and move on. I hope we are close! I'm not sure about our coach, but we'll see.

 

[azjimbo]

Funny aside Jake, you have more 'likes' on this board than you do posts.

That's like...unheard of!

Well I've given the likes to you guys as well. Tell you what I saw that I did like...some guy had on a "Sooner Schnooner" hat...got to get me one of those...LOL!

 

[azjimbo]

Mark, thanks for those words. You summed up the vibe among us better than I could. The movie clip also was a good pep talk and something we all need to hear. I hope it spreads. I'm going to tweet it.

Well, we have been through this before: Lose big game, swear off the program, and then get back on bandwagon around Tuesday or so, and move on. I hope we are close! I'm not sure about our coach, but we'll see.

Bill...he isn't going anywhere and I don't want him to. He wanted the job...he loves the program...he has brought in the recruits...geez dude who in the h-e- double- hockey- sticks do you want? Honestly look at the dumpster fire we had 5 years ago...3 years ago. OU would have beaten us 50 with Kiffin, Dooley and yes Fulmer running the show.

 

[azjimbo]

 

[Raysor]

It's not common, but it is so great in college football when really great fan bases have their teams play a home and home against each other. I've heard nothing but great things about UTenn fans. It's really a great experience when people with decency treat the games as a cultural opportunity, with four hours of screaming in the middle of it.

I know that Vol fans might not love hearing this, but OU had the same kind of experience with Bama a little over a decade ago, though I've heard recently that has changed a little. But I won't go there.

I wandered over to a Vol board late last night, and the young guys that often dominate were ragging on Dobbs.... and Butch ... and just about everything else orange in frustration. But when I look at all the first and second year on campus guys who didn't just play last night, but were studs, I shudder to think how good you guys are going to be going forward. Scary awesome.

We surely know that Butch can recruit. Now we'll find out how well he can coach. By mid season, the excuses will be less valid. But you guys have the potential to be a playoff team in a year. And my guess is, maybe a division champ threat this year. You'll be getting guys back in the next few weeks.

Bob Stoops got a little carried away afterward last night, and said it was maybe his team's greatest win in his time at OU. A scribe reminded him that he'd had Red October and a national title in 2000, and he calmed down a little. But last night was such a great event. It's wasn't a brilliantly played game on either side, but when the defenses are playing well, that happens some.

Last night was what college football should be. It a credit to your team and your fans and the city of Knoxville. And I'd like to think, to OUr team and OUr fans. And surely, to both coaching staffs.

 

[azjimbo]

It's not common, but it is so great in college football when really great fan bases have their teams play a home and home against each other. I've heard nothing but great things about UTenn fans. It's really a great experience when people with decency treat the games as a cultural opportunity, with four hours of screaming in the middle of it.

I know that Vol fans might not love hearing this, but OU had the same kind of experience with Bama a little over a decade ago, though I've heard recently that has changed a little. But I won't go there.

I wandered over to a Vol board late last night, and the young guys that often dominate were ragging on Dobbs.... and Butch ... and just about everything else orange in frustration. But when I look at all the first and second year on campus guys who didn't just play last night, but were studs, I shudder to think how good you guys are going to be going forward. Scary awesome.

We surely know that Butch can recruit. Now we'll find out how well he can coach. By mid season, the excuses will be less valid. But you guys have the potential to be a playoff team in a year. And my guess is, maybe a division champ threat this year. You'll be getting guys back in the next few weeks.

Bob Stoops got a little carried away afterward last night, and said it was maybe his team's greatest win in his time at OU. A scribe reminded him that he'd had Red October and a national title in 2000, and he calmed down a little. But last night was such a great event. It's wasn't a brilliantly played game on either side, but when the defenses are playing well, that happens some.

Last night was what college football should be. It a credit to your team and your fans and the city of Knoxville. And I'd like to think, to OUr team and OUr fans. And surely, to both coaching staffs.

Good words from someone who is no doubt a good man and college football fan...all of you guys have won my respect the last couple of weeks. I'll come back during Texas week and help you guys stick it to the Horns...I can't stand them. Until we meet again Boomer Sooners...

 

[phillinois]

Good words from someone who is no doubt a good man and college football fan...all of you guys have won my respect the last couple of weeks. I'll come back during Texas week and help you guys stick it to the Horns...I can't stand them. Until we meet again Boomer Sooners...

Well, clearly, if you can't stand the horns, we're making you an Honorary Sooner.
Don't worry, we won't tell anyone.

 

[hbilskie]

Jake, I said I'm not sure about him. As in the jury is still out. I don't want to get rid of him now, either. If that time ever comes, then we can worry about who we would get. People always ask, "Who would you get?" I think that is a tired argument. Eventually, coaches move on. Or retire. Or just die of old age! So at some point, you have to figure out who you would get!

 

[bdshull2001]

Jake, I said I'm not sure about him. As in the jury is still out. I don't want to get rid of him now, either. If that time ever comes, then we can worry about who we would get. People always ask, "Who would you get?" I think that is a tired argument. Eventually, coaches move on. Or retire. Or just die of old age! So at some point, you have to figure out who you would get!

Well if he stays until he dies of old age you could always go after Bill Snyder of KSU..........

 

[phillinois]

Well if he stays until he dies of old age you could always go after Bill Snyder of KSU..........

That's right.
It's a little known fact that Bill Snyder was the chief technical adviser on the movie 'Cocoon'.

Opie, that is Ron Howard thought he'd be invaluable to the production and the authenticity of the movie.
Ole Bill, he'll see 97 or 98 before the grim reaper comes.

 

[wsmonroe]

That's right.
It's a little known fact that Bill Snyder was the chief technical adviser on the movie 'Cocoon'.

Opie, that is Ron Howard thought he'd be invaluable to the production and the authenticity of the movie.
Ole Bill, he'll see 97 or 98 before the grim reaper comes.

But why would anyone residing in Manhattan, KS want to live that long?????

 

[phillinois]

But why would anyone residing in Manhattan, KS want to live that long?????

That, is a good question.

No offense, I've been there...

 

[Dawgs11]

Most of the OU fans who attended the game commented on how pretty the stadium setting was (on a river, several said) and how Knoxville had a lot of cool restaurants to choose from. They also complimented the UT fans' behavior and good sportsmanship, with a few exceptions like you see everywhere.

I noted on the sports boards, however, that your guys seem to have something of a defeatist attitude. I probably read 30 or 40 posts that said something like, "As usual, we blew it at the end," or "I knew when we were only up by two touchdowns going into the fourth quarter that we'd lose," or words to that effect. It was like you hoped to win but expected to lose. Where did that come from?

I don't think your team blew this game: you lost a good D lineman (in addition to the one you already had missing) and your defense just got tired and couldn't hold us any longer. You guys rubbed us out for three quarters--completely outplayed us--but couldn't sustain all the way to the end. We've seen that many times at OU.

By the way, you may have noted before the game that our Sooner Scoop fans poo-pooed the idea that Neyland's noise level would bother us. However, one of our players said he'd never heard anything like it and that it was the most fun he'd ever had at a football game--that it was "really exciting." He said the noise was deafening and probably caused us a few problems on offense. It was a great experience for our team, and you guys should be proud of your fans' effort.

 

[shanehog]

Bill, I started out somewhere around you. My paternal g-g-greatgrandfather was born in Tennesee, I think somewhere around Warwick. He married my Irish g-g-greatgrandmother in Morgan County, Alabama. My g-greatgrandmother was eight when the soldiers came and forced them to pack their bags for Haskell County, Oklahoma.

I often wonder would I have been a Tide fan had President Jackson not signed the "Indian Removal Act". I'm pulling for you guys.

 

[hbilskie]

DD, there is no doubt we do have that attitude. I'm afraid it is for good reason! Choking is part of our heritage at the U. of Tennessee. In our history, we have choked away many games. I told my wife when we met in 1998 (our national champ year), enjoy this because we probably won't see it again. We have choked away three potential Rose Bowl appearances in our history. In 1950, we lost our first game to Mississippi State (some say greatest UT team ever). Our '51 team that was named national champs lost bowl to Maryland. Undefeated 1958 team lost bowl game to Baylor. It goes on and on. We lost the two Rose Bowls we did appear in. Again, I could go on. So, we do expect to lose too often. Honestly, I knew we'd lose that game around the third quarter against you all. Edit: Someone just posted this on one of our boards. These are some just since 2000.

http://www.scout.com/college/tennes...oard/14092533-last-minute-debacles-since-2000

SI: I have some Cherokee blood in me even though I'm not from Tennessee originally. Recently here in Chattanooga area, they have started putting up signs along the Trail of Tears routes. Chilling to see them. I'm glad you're not a Bama fan anyhow.

Something that is really sad to see is the back and forth about the post game activities. Are these really adults taking part in these postings? I will be pulling for you all, too.

 

[Sizmik]

Go win the SEC East, Vols. Helps our SOS and I hate the SEC. UT has some serious class compared to many other fan bases.

 

[tallahasseedawgs]

Jake, I said I'm not sure about him. As in the jury is still out. I don't want to get rid of him now, either. If that time ever comes, then we can worry about who we would get. People always ask, "Who would you get?" I think that is a tired argument. Eventually, coaches move on. Or retire. Or just die of old age! So at some point, you have to figure out who you would get!

Well, just remember. When we ( OU ) announced Coach Stoops' hire, everyone was saying: "Stoops! STOOPS? Who the hell is Bob Stoops?".

Point: Ya just never know.