It takes a lot to overshadow a miracle. Tennessee's 2005 football season has done just that.

The Tennessee-Notre Dame game or "The Miracle at South Bend" on Nov. 9, 1991 is an all-time fan favorite. The Vols beat the Fighting Irish 35-34 after trailing 31-7.

"The Miracle", however, hasn't been a topic of conversation this week even as UT prepares for the No. 8 Irish (5-2) on Saturday. Coaches, fans and alumnus are much more concerned about a season that is slipping away.

"That's what really stinks," said former UT offensive lineman Mike Stowell, a member of the 1991 team, about the Vols' 2005 struggles. "It's taken away from all of this, the history and the tradition."

The Vols are 3-4 and unranked. There was more turmoil Monday with the resignation of offensive coordinator Randy Sanders, although Sanders will finish the season with the Vols as quarterbacks coach.

Stowell, a former captain, understands what the 2005 Vols are facing.

Stowell also went through a coaching distraction when Johnny Majors was unceremoniously fired and replaced by his assistant, Phillip Fulmer.

"It's tremendously distracting," Stowell said of coaching turmoil. "My senior year in '92, looking back it was a big distraction.

"It's a big distraction now. There are a lot of things that just aren't right in Big Orange country."

Former UT quarterback Andy Kelley remembers the comeback against Notre Dame fondly. It was a source of redemption.

He wasn't as fortunate in 1990 when Kelly threw a late interception as UT was charging back against the Fighting Irish in Neyland Stadium.

"We expected to beat Notre Dame both years," Kelly said. "In the manner that we had to do it on the road (in 1991), it was just a special day and a special feeling.

"Everybody I've talked to, they still think that's one of the most-fun days they've had as a Volunteer fan or player.

"I don't disagree."

There hasn't been much fun for the Vols this season. UT has lost three in a row for the first time since 1992, Stowell's senior year.

"It doesn't matter if they're ready for the season to be over," Stowell said of the 2005 Vols. "You're playing against Notre Dame. You circle this one years in advance.

"That's a big thing. That will get them up."

Fulmer is expected to have a heavy hand in play-calling Saturday.

Stowell remembers his days under Fulmer when he was UT's offensive coordinator.

"He liked to run the football," Stowell said. "He liked counter traps. He liked misdirection. He liked screens. He ran a lot of screens. He liked using the draw.

"Who knows? He may not throw the ball as much or - if he does - it may be different passes. There might be more screens involved."

The 2005 Vols likely can't overcome a start like 1991. The Vols are ranked 108th in the nation in scoring offense.

"This could blow up on us," Stowell said. "It could get real ugly."

Many have speculated that Sanders left his post as offensive coordinator because of rabid fan criticism levied against him and his family.

Stowell said he too has seen the dark side of fandom during this disappointing season.

"What has really been a disappointment is the fans' reactions," Stowell said. "I'm disappointed in the Big Orange nation, just the way this whole thing has all turned out.

"It gets to a point now that I kind of dread going to a football game because you've got some clown behind you smarting off, saying bad things, and they think they know everything."

Todd Kelley also played in the 1991 Notre Dame game. He was a defensive lineman from 1989-92.

Kelly was a co-chairman of the Volunteer Athletic Scholarship Fund last year. He's well aware of the negative effect that a disappointing season like 2005 can have on contributions.

"It hurts," Kelley said of dwindling fan donations. "I think they're robbing the players that can come in here and change things at the university for the better."

Stowell, from Boise, Idaho, said he was won over by UT's fans and their excitement when he signed with the Vols in 1989. Things, he said, have changed.

"If you are being recruited by the University of Tennessee and you come down to the sidelines or you listen to the radio and you witness this stuff, I sure as heck wouldn't come here," Stowell said. "The negativity - I would want nothing of that.

"Nobody is more upset than those players out there."

Barring another miracle, those players - and others - will be upset again come Saturday.