As his fellow classmates grumble their way to class this morning, Jerod Mayo will have an extra spring in his step.
Tennessee’s starting middle linebacker knows for the first time in nine months, it’s game week.
“It’s a different buzz around the complex,” says Mayo. “It started (Wednesday). When those scout team guys came out in those blue jerseys, it’s like we’re practicing against Cal each and every day.”
After 23 preseason practices, No. 15 Tennessee has just four more left before it travels to Berkeley for Saturday’s season-opener against No. 12 California (TV: WATE, 8 p.m. EDT).
Saturday’s game marks just the second time since 1987-88 that Tennessee has opened against a ranked opponent in back-to-back seasons.
In 1987, UT opened with No. 16 Iowa (a victory), and faced No. 12 Georgia (a loss) in Athens to begin the 1988 season.
It’s not the easiest way to begin the year, but Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said he would rather open with a tougher opponent than a Division I-AA team like others in the SEC.
And his reasoning has a lot to do with that spring Mayo feels in his step.
“We’ve typically, more times than not, opened with tough teams,” Fulmer said. “I think it makes the summer better. I think it makes camp better because guys know they’re not going to play themselves into shape.”
The Vols have been planning for Cal since spring practice, and began working against scout-team simulations of Cal on the practice field last week.
But that only helps so much.
As with any season-opener, there’s always the unknown.
“First games are always exciting,” Fulmer said. “Got the butterflies of the unknown and the excitement of beginning play.
“Camp has gone well, and now it’s time to put it to work and see where we are.”
Tennessee has managed to stay relatively healthy through a physical fall camp.
Tight ends Brad Cottam (out 2-3 months with an injured wrist) and David Holbert (out for the season following surgery to repair a torn ACL) are the only players expected to miss more than a few weeks.
If there’s a downside to opening the season against a team like Cal, picked by the Pac-10 media to finish second in the conference behind consensus No. 1 Southern California, it’s that some reserves won’t get as much playing time early.
“If you have a couple injuries or something, you probably wish you played a I-AA team and got a chance to play more people,” Fulmer said. “We’ve taken the approach that it helps us. I think over the years it has, more times than not, and we’ve been fortunate to win a lot of those games.”
Under Fulmer, the Vols are 13-1 their first game of the season, with the only loss coming in their last trip to the West Coast at No. 14 UCLA in 1994.
Whoever the Vols play, however, Fulmer is more concerned with his own team.
“We want to first of all take care of Tennessee,” he said. “We started in spring practice and summer and all through camp being a better rushing team and a better run-defending team, things we could do something about with our attitude and our work ethic and our mindset, so to speak, is how we’ve approached it regardless of who we’re playing. That’s the way we want to play.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
andy112382#209793 writes:
Can you feel it??? GAME WEEK! I know I've got my new orange 'Power T' on my car down here in Augusta with my new flag and 'Big Orange Army' sticker - countdown til Saturday is almost over! GO VOLS!!!
bloodrunsorange writes:
andy112382 there are people just like us all over the world. It’s nice to know the elevator does go to the top. Wouldn’t it be great if they had John Ward to say when the ball is kicked off at Cal., IT’S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! Is my ole' heart going to make it?
GreerVol22 writes:
agreed guys, but can we cover a kick?
BahamaVol writes:
I started wearing my orange two days ago, but now that it is officially game week, it takes on a whole new urgency! GO VOLS!
avidvol writes:
If UT can run block and cover the deep ball we win big.
inquiry writes:
Does anyone know
1. where the team will be staying??
2. how much of the band is going.. pep band only?
3. Where you leather jackets and sweaters are? it's freezing out there, we might break a sweat during the game.. GO VOLS
utvols1 writes:
Cal opened in Vegas as a 6 1/2 point favorite. PAC 10 vs the SEC....a touchdown favorite, it's almost insulting! Typically I like being the underdog. But the Vegas bookies know a thing or two as well. Phill better have the defense shored up and find a running game or it will be a long trip home.
GO VOLS
orangebloodgmc writes:
Heard a radio news story intro about "volunteers" and I was so pumped I cranked up the volume to hear a story about our fans ... but it was about something else. FIVE more days!
rootin4volz writes:
It's ON!!!!!
SFOrange writes:
VOLS TO CALIFORNIA
TEAM HOTEL
Claremont Resort and Spa
41 Tunnel Rd
Berkeley, CA 94705
TRAFFIC ALERT
SF BAY BRIDGE is CLOSED Labor day weekend. Anyone travelling from SF or Peninsula to Berkeley should ride BART trains from SF stations to Downtown Berkeley--exit and head up the hill to Memorial Stadium. YOU DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE TO THIS GAME.
VOLS IN BERKELEY
Fire it up for ol' UT @
JUPITER (directly across street from BART station)
http://www.jupiterbeer.com/jupiter/
FatherVol writes:
Smokey is on the church rectory lawn, the banners are flying, and the school flag is on its own pole. It's football time in Tennessee, and it's Tennessee time in California!
vol4jesus writes:
GreerVol22 can you take a pun...t? You've used that in three( I believe) separate articles. Good question and don't really want Desean Jackson stretching out an answer. GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP....ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE..WHEEEEEW!!!
GreerVol22 writes:
4jesus, yep I have resigned to the fact that if we cover kicks effectively, we win. Offense, ready, defense, ready, special teams, 0-boy.....
GreerVol22 writes:
Heck, I'll take the 35 and put money on Chief's D anyday.
Volchaz writes:
Prime Time Football. What a way to start the year, and against a ranked opponent. Crank up the Orange this week fellas, cause its about to get crazy. Longshore is in for a long day
PinHead writes:
Longshore may be in for a short day. NOBODY beats us. We don't WORRY about Ms. St or the 'ol ball coach or anybody else until we play the real USC next year. We just set 'em up and knock 'em down
Hunter writes:
Breaking news: Cal plays in the Pac-10 and is NOT names USC. Good news for Vol fans! I expect the Vols to come out hungry and focused and have the game over by the 4th quarter.
PinHead writes:
Should I bother to explain my comment? The USC reference was to South Carolina calling itself USC. The USC game next year will be played in early January. Volunteers vs. Trojans.
khawk writes:
What the heck is a Golden Bear anyway?? Check out that mascot! Smokey will have that thing treed by halftime!! GO VOLS!!
thevol writes:
Actually if you kick it out of bounds the team has the option of taking the ball at the 35 or a five yard penalty and a re-kick. With a dangerous returner it is unlikely Cal would take the ball at the 35. So really that is not a good strategy. They could squib kick or kick it high to an up man. I think Sp will be fine though. Like sjt more starters and atheletes on coverage units should help. Go Big Orange!
Sheepscape writes:
No more bloops or squibs please. Shades of 2001 Georgia all over again.
Vols will need to run to win this game.
AllVol writes:
To paraphrase Mr. Daniels: "Ain't it great to be alive and be a Tennessee Volunteer!"
GO BIG ORANGE
DaVols writes:
stj18,
The opposing team can also make you re-kick. So not a good idea
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
Again, Drew Edwards, our last trip to the West Coast was in 1997, when we beat UCLA.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
prediction: Longshore will throw 5 interceptions this saturday afternoon. So....."Hey Longshore, Throw Another One!!)
BOASoldier writes:
Prediction they have one retuning D lineman three receivers, a returning QB, one returning RB, and a freshman CB. We are faster on defense, faster as receivers (freshman), a veteran quarterback, good running backs as far as Cal goes (coker didn't play against them last year), great safeties and DB IMO and on paper Heffney and Berry, and they have 1 guy that's a big threat for big plays that we played against last year and he didn't have a big game against us then. I like our chances over there ... oh yeah and we are 5.5 to 6 point underdogs and on the road ... those are good odds ... and we have won 14 of the last 15 season openers. I think that's all I have for now... GO VOLS!!!
BOASoldier writes:
Who covered DeSean Jackson last year? from our first string that is ... I'm sure sometime in there we put in our towel boy but who was the first string against him?
inquiry writes:
Thanks on the team hotel information.
Betting odds are determined soley by the "pool" of bet on each side, so therefore, the team generally with the higher volume of betting, gets the other team "points", so the betting pool will then be even in amounts on each side. The house takes 10% of the volume called the "vig" and that's essentially it. Betting odds have nothing to do with team research, "insider knowledge" or any such crazy thing as that, and anyone listening to "betting hints" is a lunatic.
Since California is closer to legalized gambling than Tennessee is, California will always end up "the favorite" no matter what actually happens later on the field that night.
This from someone in the gaming industry.
GO VOLS..
fryed004#518992 writes:
I concur with all who say they are ready for some Big Orange Football!! I'm here in Hawaii and all I get is Colt Brennan this and that...my UT flag is flying at my house and the family accross the street has a Bama flag out--it's going to be a fun season!! GO VOLS!
wuwh_08#331952 writes:
Vols, realize this, in the world of betting home team in most cases is automatically awarded 3 points for being well, the "home team". This means that in all realality CAL is favored by 3 points. In my opinion it is 3 points too many. The countdown has begun and it is almost FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!! (not as dramatic as John Ward but you get the idea)
vol4jesus writes:
OH YEAH!!! Sir do you and the lady have a color preference this evening? Yes we do. It is.......ORANGE!!!!!! Calm down sir you are scaring the bears.
BOASoldier writes:
Good one 4Jesus almost spit my coffee on the screen .. guess it just hit me funny.
BOASoldier writes:
When we win in cal ... will you guys goin over there do me a favor? Some say OVERRATED and the others say back "ONCE AGAIN!!!"
vol4jesus writes:
And in addition some of you tell them we don't all play banjos, but we sure do play smashmouth,ROCKY TOP KNOCKIN football!!! Hey hey its great to be a TENNESSEE VOL!!!
utvols1 writes:
sjt18, thanks for the betting background info. I sure thought on the pro side they looked at injury reports and such but looks like I'm a lunatic according to inquiry. I have heard the home field issue that wuwh_8 brought up as well. Regardless if we run the ball, kick and cover well it won't matter what the odds makers say...except how bout them Vols.
AllVol writes:
This is from Point "Spreads.com":
This is a team that can go places if the ground game steps up. That said, in the mean SEC it will be no easy task to win a conference title and with the suspension of Coker it will be an uphill battle for Fulmer to please the Tennessee Volunteers faithful. Expect an 7-9 win season if Ainge stays healthy.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day Tennessee Volunteers Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 60
Quarterback : 65
Backs : 60
Receivers : 55
Offensive Line : 55
Defensive Line : 55
Linebackers : 60
Secondary : 60
Special Teams : 65
Any comments? This should please CRVol
andy112382#209793 writes:
His scores My Scores
Coaching: 60................70
Quarterback : 65............75
Backs : 60..................60
Receivers : 55..............60
Offensive Line : 55.........70
Defensive Line : 55.........55
Linebackers : 60............75
Secondary : 60..............70
Explanation of my scores:
Coaching: The Fulmer/Chavis/Cutcliffe winning percentage and amount of work they put in is where I came up with my score. Chavis is consistent, Cutcliffe is, well, Cutcliffe, and Fulmer knows the clock is ticking and he is as hungry for a title as any of us, I think we forget that sometimes.
Quarterback : A senior QB. If Ainge improves on the jump he made last year, you better look out SEC. I think he is in store for a year a step up from last years performance, as long as the WRs catch the ball for him.
Backs : Talent is there, no doubt. The score could easily be 70 but the jury is out until the numbers improve. Lennon Creer is going to be our next great back.
Receivers : Once again, the score will jump to 65 or 70 when they prove they will block, catch the ball, and run the correct routes. I think they can and will, but just due to the unknown, I say 60 for now.
Offensive Line : They will be a strength of ours. The guys we have up front can block and that combined with a senior QB, we could be real dangerous.
Defensive Line : Would have given a higher score, but like the RBs, they have to show improvement. They could easily jump in their score, but I say the jury is out until after we play Florida.
Linebackers : Very solid. Another strength. Mayo, McCoy, and Karl will make people remember them with the bruises they leave.
Secondary : I know everyone thought this would be a weakness, but I say it will be a very exciting group. You have two JUCO guys on second string, that should tell you something about the guys stepping up ahead of them. Eric Berry will have at aleast one INT against Cal.
Tell me what you think of my scores. GO VOLS!!!
mdvol writes:
Stats, spreads nor CRVol can stop us now.....WE ARE GOING TO FREAKIN' KILL CAL! Vols 34-Cal 17. Cal has ZERO tradition, can't fill a 55,000 seat stadium, loses every big game and other than USC, plays in a flag-football conference. Revenge? Bull S$%#. They have no tradition that cares and all their big name players who might have cared either graduated or went pro.
misterorange writes:
I agree that it helps the team to play a quality opponent in the opener. I wish that our schedule were more balanced out though. I woul rather play 4 midgrade teams as opposed to a really good one, a good one, and two terrible ones. Our home schedule is very disappointing this year. I know that it is hard to predict how good some teams are going to be six years in the future, but how much better would it have been to play a non-conference schedule like this.
1) Opener at Stanford. Same California exposure, less likelyhood of a loss.
2) Southern Miss at home. Actually a pretty good team that will only help BCS rating and probably can't beat us.
3) At North Carolina/N.C. State/Virginia. All would be good for exposure in crucial recruiting areas, while we would have an excellent chance at a win.
4) Notre Dame at home. We should try to play them every year with a continuing home and home series. It would allways be televised. We would win this game more than we would lose(my opinion). And hopefully this would prevent Notre Dame from their gauranteed BCS bowl after their annual loss to USC and split against Michigan.
Most importantly the ticket office wouldn't still have tickets to give to the athletic departments favorite charity two days before the Arkansas State game.
DaveVol writes:
Any reports on Mapu?
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
You know, I just love the fact that most of the practice reps were given to second and third teamers. To me, it sounds like the first team is a well-oiled machine.
I think our linebackers are going to be amazing...simply amazing. Watch them have a big game. Hefney INT for TD and/or PR for TD.
We'll find out for sure on Saturday! Go Vols!
volgrog#210164 writes:
My prediction: We have at least 25,000 of the 55,000 in the stadium. I also predict that Cal will have more trouble hearing than will TN due to our fired up, focused, and prepared travelling Vols. And Brdteton, you'd better hold up the family tradition in going crazy at the game and keeping the TN crowd in it.
thevol writes:
I was devestated by the injury to Jerry Colquitt. I grew up with and played ball with Jerry in Oak Ridge. He was poised to have a great senior year. We would have destroyed UCLA. Even without hardly ever playing college ball, Jerry was still a 6th round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers. That really showed his potential. Just a shame he never got to show his talents for the Vols. Go Vols and ORHS!
CoverOrange writes:
Thevol, as a fellow ORHSer I was also supremely disappointed in the lack of opportunity for Jerry. The list of Oak Ridgers playing for the Vols is short despite the almost routine success the Wildcats have enjoyed in HS football. I had graduated from both ORHS and UT before Jerry stepped on the field either at Blankenship or Shields-Watkins so the only time I ever saw him were the five plays in LA. Where is he now?
thevol writes:
Not sure what Jerry is doing now. He was an offensive coach and scout for Mike Holgrem and the Seattle Seahawks after a brief stint in NFL Europe. He might still be with Seattle.
Only other ORHS player I remember with the Vols was Shawn Summers. He was an incredible running back at OR and had a decent career with UT as a safety and returner.
fryed004#518992 writes:
thevol...WD40, good to see some ORHS on here...class of 81 here down in Hawaii!!
Go Vols!
CoverOrange writes:
fryed, class of 82, we probably passed each other in the hall once or twice. Thevol, was Shawn the kid that went to Bama first then transferred back to UT? Can't remember rightly. Old age, 25 year reunion this weekend and I'm not going to be there. They scheduled the get together during the game!
fryed004#518992 writes:
WD...my wife is from class of 82, Melissa Price
Calbears40 writes:
"IF" we had scored another 18 points we would have won!
Just to let yall know, the stadium is not 55,000 seats, i suppose that is some bogus website info you guys came up with but more like 74,000.
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