I feel a bit like a New York Post headline writer seeking page clicks with the sensational title of this blog post. On the surface, the title/headline of "It's time for Butch Jones to pull a Derek Dooley" makes absolutely no sense, but it has an element of truth and validity that I plan on justifying in the next few paragraphs.
All University of Tennessee Volunteer fans know that the Derek Dooley era was an unmitigated disaster. In fact, it has been mused by many pundits, fans and talking heads that Derek Dooley was perhaps the worst SEC head coaching hire in the history of the storied conference. That notwithstanding, there were a handful of positive blips within the otherwise dreadful Dooley era.
Dooley's first season in 2010 was a tale of ebbs and flows within the season. The Vols opened the season with a 50-0 blanking of the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks before before losing two games in Neyland to Oregon and Florida. The Vols then defeated UAB before dropping four straight at LSU, at Georgia, home versus Alabama and at South Carolina. Those four games, three of which were on the road, were quite the gauntlet. I don't need to remind any Volunteer fans about the misery of the chaotic ending in Baton Rouge; it was what would come to be known as "Dooley-esque."
After the gauntlet of four oppressive games, the Vols stood at 2-6 going into the stretch run of the season. The University of Tennessee HAS NEVER won fewer than five football games in a season so obviously that streak was in jeopardy. The final four games of at Memphis, home versus Ole Miss, at Vanderbilt and home versus Kentucky were just what the doctor ordered. UT blasted a pitiful Memphis bunch 50-14 before defeating Ole Miss 52-14. The Vols then won two competitive games against Vandy and Kentucky to reach 6-6 and a Music City Bowl berth. I was at that Music City Bowl game with my lovely wife and a buddy. I need not remind them or any Volunteer fan reading this post that the ending was reminiscent of the LSU game - very "Dooley-esque."
Even though the Dooley era was a horrendous period in Volunteer football history, those four games against Memphis, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky were a bright spot. Obviously, all four Volunteer opponents were bottom-feeder type teams and programs (at the time), but when a football team is 2-6, four wins in succession are impressive and inspiring no matter the opponents.
That leads me to the 2014 Butch Jones led University of Tennessee Volunteers who currently sit at 3-5 on the season (winless in SEC play). Just like the 2010 Vols, the 2014 Vols have played a tremendously challenging schedule versus stalwarts teams such as Oklahoma, Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama. That being said, the gauntlet is over. The Vols next four games are at South Carolina, home versus Kentucky and Missouri and at Vanderbilt which will be a virtual home game with more orange and white in the stands than black and gold. Butch Jones needs to pull a 2010 Derek Dooley by winning the last four games of the regular season to springboard into a bowl game. The Vols have not played in a bowl game since that Music City Bowl against North Carolina. Thus, virtually this entire roster has never been to a bowl game. Think about that; there's a possibility that A.J. Johnson may never play in a bowl game while donning the Big Orange. For such an elite defensive talent, that is a sad possibility to consider.
If the Vols can win the next four, they will ASSURE themselves a winning record of at least 7-6 with a bowl loss or 8-5 with a bowl win. That would be huge for recruiting and huge for this current group of Vols with the extra weeks of bowl practice and camaraderie that comes from the bonding experience of a bowl game. Also, as I have gotten older and more seasoned in life experiences, I have learned that finishing strong is the lifeblood of success. For instance, August college classes are brimming with eager students with visions of 4.0 GPAs dancing in their heads. However, as the semester begins to age, the days become colder and those initial feelings of excitement subside, class attendance begins to suffer. Those who fall to the wayside either drop classes or simply fail them. However, those who are steadfast and "work like heck" (Fulmer-ism) are the ones who taste the glory of good grades in the end. Another example is the Atlanta Braves during their 14 division title run. They only finished strong ONCE during that 14 division title run; thus, they only nabbed a single WS title during that time period. The Yankees were the ones who finished strong during that era, and they have the WS rings to show for it. This is not the first time I have written about the virtues and positive effects of "finishing strong." (I would link one of those old stories, but the old Checkerboard Chatter links are hard to find). Finishing strong is what the 2014 Vols need to do!
There are differences between the 2010 stretch run and the 2014 stretch run. For openers, the final four teams are more quality opponents than the final four from 2010. South Carolina has had a very disappointing 2014, but they are capable of playing a great ballgame. Missouri is not an excellent team, but they are capable of winning ballgames; just ask the Gators. Kentucky is much improved as well. Hence, these four games are not automatic (other than Vanderbilt; they suck). All of this being said, if Butch Jones is the real deal (as I believe him to be), the Vols must win all four of these games or at a bare minimum three of four. Anything less is unacceptable at this point. The Vols have heavily documented depth problems, but they also have a hard-nosed, athletic defense; great crop of skill guys and an emerging dual-threat quarterback in Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs provided a spark against the Crimson Tide, and I personally believe he HAS to be the guy in these last four games, no matter Worley's health situation. I am eager to watch the Vols play against opponents that aren't world beaters to see how they respond. While the 4-0 stretch run in 2010 under Dooley did not lead to bigger and better things under his watch, I truly believe a 4-0 run under Jones in 2014 would catapult the Vols to much more than a winning overall record in 2014, it would springboard them into being in the mix for the SEC East in 2015. After the last few years of wandering in the wilderness like the Israelites, I believe all UT fans would welcome being relevant as a SEC contender. So here's to Butch Jones pulling a Derek Dooley and winning these next four games.
Go Vols!
- Eric L. Taylor
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