If you could only have 1 Manning brother and could change UT Football History, would you rather have Peyton taking snaps (1994-1997) or Eli taking snaps (2000-2003)?
And he would have also played under Sanders. And I would also argue Tennessee football never takes off like it did in the 90s without Peyton, regardless of how he fared against Spurrier.
John Adams (I know, I know) had a great article one time linking UT's success on and off field to Peyton's years here, primarily through the recruiting classes of when he was being recruited and on campus. There is a strong correlation between the two.
Also worth noting that Eli redshirted in 1999 too. Does that happen if he comes here? Would he have made that much of a difference over Clausen here at the QB position given the other circumstances at the time?
1998 doesn't happen w/o Peyton. I have friends who ask me why I like Peyton better than Tee. I tell them for one that he had more to do with the '98 championship than Tee. They scoff, but it's true. Philip Fulmer showed what he was the longer he was removed from the influences of Peyton Manning and David Cutcliffe. Kudos to Phil for promoting Cutcliffe in 93. Best thing he ever did here.
I tend to think that Clausen was pretty underrated. I think he gets more blame than he ever deserved.
And it's not as if he was working with much at receiver in '02 or '03. Nothing special about CJ Fayton, Tony Brown, Jomo Fagan, Chris Hannon, and Montrell Jones
If you really think about it in hindsight, it's fairly ridiculous we won 10 games in 2003. Should have won 11 too.
If they'd let Casey throw it prior to th fourth quarter we beat Aubie despite our defense not showing up.