To visit The Swamp is to sit at the high-stakes table. Many a stirring pageant unfolded at Legion Field on the third Saturday in October.

Yet when the history of Tennessee football away from Neyland Stadium is written, Memphis must get its due.

When the Vols visit Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday, all sorts of ghosts will be rattling around. Most are friendly, a few not.

There was the time ...

A Tennessee defense hunkered down to protect an offense still regrouping from the loss of its star quarterback.

That was 1985, a 17-7 UT victory. Memphis State drove inside the UT 15 three times but the Tigers' only score came returning a blocked punt.

After which, receiver Eric Swanson said:

"If anybody deserves a game ball, give it all to the defense. They've held us together for five games.''

There was the time ...

UT players and fans celebrated the end of a statewide nightmare.

That was 1988, when the Vols opened 0-6. A Nashville deejay had climbed on a billboard. A Wartburg man had climbed on the roof of a deli-mart.

On Oct. 22, Tennessee finally won a game, beating Memphis State 38-25.

After which quarterback Jeff Francis said:

"Anybody who is on a roof anywhere can come on down now.''

There was the time ...

Stunned Tennessee players had to dodge Memphis fans tearing down the goal posts.

That was 1996, when 26-point-underdog Memphis upset No. 6 UT 21-17 on a touchdown pass with 34 seconds to play. After 15 losses to big brother, the yoke was finally broken.

After which a grim Phillip Fulmer said:

"There were a lot of different things at different times that had been ready to bite us and they got us today.''

There was the time ...

Alex Walls split the uprights with 13 seconds to play or else the goal posts would have come down again.

That was 2000, when UT escaped 19-17. Memphis had scored a late touchdown to take the lead only to see Leonard Scott's 44-yard kickoff return to midfield help set up Walls' field goal.

After which Scott said:

"I can't believe they kicked it to 2-6 (his jersey number).''

There was the time ...

Joey Clinkscales caught a fourth-quarter TD pass that made for a happy offseason.

That was 1987, a 21-14 victory over Minnesota in the Liberty Bowl. The Vols wouldn't win another game until the following October when they beat Memphis State on the same field.

There was the time ...

Floyd Miley returned a blocked Ole Miss extra-point kick for a two-point score.

That was 1990, when the Rebels played home games against UT in Memphis. No Vol has done it before or since.

There was the time ...

Peyton Manning played the game he dreaded more than any, against his parents' beloved alma mater.

That was 1996. UT crushed Ole Miss 41-3 as Manning was a cold-blooded 18-of-22 passing on a Thursday-night ESPN game.

After which Archie Manning said:

"I told my wife Ole Miss is in for a tough night because he's ready.''

There was the time ...

UT hastily called a press conference at the Wilson World Inn, of all places, the night before playing Memphis.

That was 1992, to confirm the stunning news that John Majors was out as coach after 16 years.

After which UT president Joe Johnson said it was all about:

"Relationships.''

And the next day, following UT's 26-21 victory, a little lady in an overcoat standing in an end-zone tunnel motioned to me to accept the folded piece of paper in her hand.

On it was a hand-written message:

"I feel that I have lost two sons to the University of Tennessee. Bill, while on the way to work. John, while he was working.''

She was, of course, Elizabeth Majors.

For a place the Vols visit only every few years, it all adds up to a lot of drama.

Saturday will be six seasons since Tennessee graced Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. If there's a compelling storyline, it's not yet obvious.

But if the past tells us anything, there will be one by the final horn.