Would a win Saturday be the biggest in 50 years?

[cc11316]

I'm not saying it will happen but I'm hard pressed to think of a bigger win with bowl eligibility on the line against a team who was the #1 team in the nation a couple of weeks ago. Oh, and they are the bitter, hated rival who happen to have the most obnoxious fans in the world.

As of now, I'm thinking since 72' the biggest wins (to date) are:

1. Tennessee 82'. 28-21 Finished 8-3 went to Hall of Fame Bowl game. First win against UT since 75'
2. Tennessee 16' 45-34. Became Bowl eligible, Kept UT out of Sugar Bowl
3. Tennessee 18' 38-13. Winner to Bowl game; Vandy got Texas Bowl against Baylor
4. Alabama 84'. 30-21. Last victory against Bama since 69'
5. Tennessee 12'. 41-18. Dominated. Fans left in 3rd Q.
6. Tennessee 05'. 28-24. First win since against UT since 82'. The Cutler-Bennett connection
7. Georgia 13'. 31-27. Big nationally televised game against ranked Georgia team
8. Tennessee 13'. 14-10 Who can forget Robinette's fake jump pass and score
9. Georgia 94'. 43-30. Ruined Georgia homecoming
10. Tennessee 17' 42-24. Unexpected big game; UT winless in conference

Bunch of honorable mentions including: UT (75'), Georgia (91'), Va Tech 82' 45-0, Florida (74', 82', 88', 13', 22'), 3 bowl wins

Thoughts??

[docdore]

can you imagine having such a dream a couple weeks ago??

[BrentVU]

I personally don't think Tennessee 1982 nor Tennessee 2005 can ever be topped.

[AuricGoldfinger]

Just my two cents' worth...

2008 Auburn has to be on the list.

The 1991 and 2006 wins against Georgia were probably "bigger" than the 1994 win, simply because Georgia was ranked at the time of the game in those two seasons.

The 2007 win at South Carolina has to be up there, as it is the highest ranked team VU has ever defeated (even though the Gamecocks went into a tailspin after that).

The 1982 win vs. Florida at home was a huge victory. Florida was ranked at the time and that game set the tone for the rest of that season.

While I enjoy beating UT anytime, I can't count the 2017 win against the Vols as one of our all-timers just because Tennessee was absolutely terrible that year.

Finally, one of the most overlooked games of the past 50 years and one of my personal favorites was the 41-7 win at Wake Forest at the end of the 2011 regular season. Vandy had just suffered a heartbreaking loss at UT the preceding week and had to win to become bowl eligible. Wake was actually decent that season (went to the Music City Bowl) and VU just destroyed them in a place where many past Commodore teams would have crumbled.

[JWCommodore]

Yes.

[coachinwaiting]

Probably so, considering the #1 ranking in the first CFP poll of the season. In terms of value to the program, and the Lea tenure as HC, definitely.

[egbertsouse]

Just my two cents' worth...

2008 Auburn has to be on the list.

^^^
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[dorelover82]

In terms of where we were two seasons ago, I would give this potential win top ranking. However, loved going down memory lane recalling all the games above. Let's put another memory in the books Saturday!

Go Dores!!!

Having been on the field when the goal post came down in '82, I am bias toward that game. However, this weekend would top all! See you there.

[charlestonalum]

Yes, a win Saturday over UT would be our best win in modern history. We were horrible last year, and after losing 26 straight conference games up until UK, it surely looked like a 3 win season this year. So ending this year 6-6 with a regular season victory over #10 UT, that would make this best win. It also would signal real progress that nobody could dispute. Will take a perfect game on our part.

[cc11316]

Just my two cents' worth...

2008 Auburn has to be on the list.

The 1991 and 2006 wins against Georgia were probably "bigger" than the 1994 win, simply because Georgia was ranked at the time of the game in those two seasons.

The 2007 win at South Carolina has to be up there, as it is the highest ranked team VU has ever defeated (even though the Gamecocks went into a tailspin after that).

The 1982 win vs. Florida at home was a huge victory. Florida was ranked at the time and that game set the tone for the rest of that season.

While I enjoy beating UT anytime, I can't count the 2017 win against the Vols as one of our all-timers just because Tennessee was absolutely terrible that year.

Finally, one of the most overlooked games of the past 50 years and one of my personal favorites was the 41-7 win at Wake Forest at the end of the 2011 regular season. Vandy had just suffered a heartbreaking loss at UT the preceding week and had to win to become bowl eligible. Wake was actually decent that season (went to the Music City Bowl) and VU just destroyed them in a place where many past Commodore teams would have crumbled.

You are correct on all counts Auric. Amazing though how many of the top wins were against Tennessee - that's the point as this game checks all the boxes.

[Mrcommodore]

2005 win over UT to break the streak.
2008 Music City Bowl after years of losing seasons.

These are clearly the top two wins in the last 40 years.

[commadore]

I'm not saying it will happen but I'm hard pressed to think of a bigger win with bowl eligibility on the line against a team who was the #1 team in the nation a couple of weeks ago. Oh, and they are the bitter, hated rival who happen to have the most obnoxious fans in the world.

As of now, I'm thinking since 72' the biggest wins (to date) are:

1. Tennessee 82'. 28-21 Finished 8-3 went to Hall of Fame Bowl game. First win against UT since 75'
2. Tennessee 16' 45-34. Became Bowl eligible, Kept UT out of Sugar Bowl
3. Tennessee 18' 38-13. Winner to Bowl game; Vandy got Texas Bowl against Baylor
4. Alabama 84'. 30-21. Last victory against Bama since 69'
5. Tennessee 12'. 41-18. Dominated. Fans left in 3rd Q.
6. Tennessee 05'. 28-24. First win since against UT since 82'. The Cutler-Bennett connection
7. Georgia 13'. 31-27. Big nationally televised game against ranked Georgia team
8. Tennessee 13'. 14-10 Who can forget Robinette's fake jump pass and score
9. Georgia 94'. 43-30. Ruined Georgia homecoming
10. Tennessee 17' 42-24. Unexpected big game; UT winless in conference

Bunch of honorable mentions including: UT (75'), Georgia (91'), Va Tech 82' 45-0, Florida (74', 82', 88', 13', 22'), 3 bowl wins

Thoughts??

A 4-1 Auburn '08, 14-13 on national TV, game day present. Propelled us into the top 15. (forget that we won only 1 more game).

Somehow missed Auric's post. Agree with him.

[cc11316]

2005 win over UT to break the streak.
2008 Music City Bowl after years of losing seasons.

These are clearly the top two wins in the last 40 years.

Both are really big wins but it's debatable to call them clearly the top two wins in the last 40 years. I doubt you would ever get a consensus of the top wins over 50 years from those of us who have watched it that long though the first game I actually remember was the opener against Maryland in 1981 (Boomer Esiason) in the renovated Dudley Field. The point is that all 8 of Vandy's victories over UT in the past 50+ years are among the biggest victories and IMO this would potentially be the biggest.

[VU1970]

In 1920, Vandy closed the season by beating arch-rival Sewanee 21-3. The Commies would not lose again until 1923, when they fell by a score of 3-0 on the road against Michigan.

[DonYates]

We had some big wins over Auburn, I think one was ESPN Gameday win at Vandy.