Griff: Vols can't show Tide too much respect

I guess so.

At least, that's the way the Vols have spun it this week.

As important as it is for Tennessee to respect each opponent, the Vols may end up respecting the Tide too much with their game plan.

Especially if UT decides to play it close to the vest on offense. The only way Alabama should be able to stay in the game is if Phillip Fulmer gets conservative and keeps the Tide in the ball game.

It's time for Tennessee to open up the offense and let the ball fly. If the Vols can built a two-score lead on Bama, this one will be over with early.

NOT SO SPECIAL
Keep an eye on UT's kick team today. Alabama has the best kick return game in the nation. If the Crimson Tide scores on a runback, plenty will be telling Fulmer they told him so, as he has been asked about poor special teams play each week by the media.

Part of the problem is that the Vols' return game has been dormant the past couple of years with Corey Larkins returning kicks. Fulmer refuses to do anything about it, instead blaming the blocking.

SOFT LINEMEN?
OK, so the Vols' offensive line is banged up. Michael Munoz has a bruised knee and bruised thigh, Jason Respert has a sore ankle, Cody Douglas has a sprained foot and Arron Sears has been playing on a foot injury.

Douglas and Sears have the most serious injuries of the men up front. Munoz and Respert are seniors and captains — it's surprising they even discuss their injuries, let alone let it limit their play.

If the Bama D-Line kicks UT up front — a distinct possibility — get ready for a flood of Vol-n-Tears.

WHERE'S THE LOVE?
So you wonder why so cynical today? Because it's the seventh game of the season and Tennessee has yet to really put an opponent away or show the dominance that it takes to win a championship.

Where to place the blame? Coaches? Players? Media? Fans? Go ahead and put it on everybody. Not that it will matter if Alabama sneaks out of Knoxville with a win. There will be plenty of blame to go around and ticket packages to the Outback Bowl.

CONCLUSION
Get ready for another game that's more exciting than it probably should be. The ball has bounced Tennessee's way all season, be it calls or just luck, so there's no reason to believe things will be any different today.

It would be nice to see the Vols play to their potential, but that won't happen until they smack down Kentucky and Vanderbilt. By then, it may not matter.