Six years ago, against the same opponent and at the same venue, Tennessee suffered the most damaging loss of the Phillip Fulmer era.
The Vols were one victory away from the SEC championship and a berth in the national championship game. All they had to do was hold a first-half lead against an LSU team that had lost its starting quarterback and tailback to injury in the first half.
Since that 31-20 loss, the Vols haven’t come close to contending for a national title.
Tonight’s conference championship game in the Georgia Dome isn’t as promising as the 2001 game was for the Vols. Beating LSU won’t put them in the national championship. It might not even put them in the top 10.
But it would do wonders for their image.
The Vols haven’t won an SEC championship since 1998. They haven’t played in a BCS bowl since 1999. They haven’t finished in the top 10 since 2001.
They’re in danger of becoming Arkansas of the East. In their best years, the Razorbacks are just good enough to make it to the SEC championship, but never quite good enough to win it. They don’t play in BCS bowls and they don’t finish in the top 25.
UT can avoid that scenario tonight.
Never mind all the breaks UT needed to make the SEC championship game, or all the negativity whirling around its opponent, who coach and defensive coordinator are in the running for other jobs. No team should have to apologize for winning the SEC title. It’s the strongest conference in the country.
If the Vols win this game and a bowl, they’re back in the top 10 — back on the national stage. Moreover, with the majority of their starters returning next season, they likely would be a popular pick for the preseason top 10 in 2008.
And imagine how much a victory would mean to Fulmer, who could go from a coach on the hot seat to coach of the year in the SEC. A victory also would alter the legacy of senior quarterback Erik Ainge.
He would be remembered as the quarterback who led UT’s unexpected drive to a conference championship. He would join Peyton Manning and Tee Martin as the only quarterbacks to lead UT to a conference championship.
UT quarterback Heath Shuler was a first-round NFL draft pick but he didn’t win an SEC title. Casey Clausen was UT’s starting quarterback for four years but he didn’t win an SEC championship.
The coach and the quarterback can distinguish themselves tonight. But more importantly, so can the entire program.
Tennessee 34, LSU 27: The Vols will enter the Georgia Dome with confidence and momentum. LSU is only eight days removed from blowing a shot at the national championship.
You don’t bounce back that far that fast.
Top 25: Oklahoma 37, Missouri 31; West Virginia 48, Pittsburgh 20; Southern Cal 30, UCLA 10; Arizona State 34, Arizona 27; Virginia Tech 24, Boston College 20; Hawaii 41, Washington 37; BYU 34, San Diego State 17; Oregon 23, Oregon State 20.
Record: 193-61 (.759) overall, 117-113 (.509) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 53
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
posted here, too;
Hey, if anyone knows Erik Ainge....
whenever he points with both hands downfield, he invarialby hands off on a draw.
I think the leagues defenses have caught on.
JMHO>
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Holy Fruit!!!
Adams has us beating LSU????
Heck fire man!!! Get it done boys!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hi tngeoff,
Good to see you too. I am super busy today so can't post much. I'll try to comment a bit tonight around 11:00 which is 10:00 gameday morning for you guys.
I've got to get up at 5:00 to listen to the game. It is better than those 3:30 a.m games though... a little more sleep.
Blessings. GO VOLS
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
"If the Vols win this game and a bowl, they’re back in the top 10 — back on the national stage."
John, that sentence right there neatly sums up the reason for our (we fans') collective frustration (aka rage) these past few years.
We haven't been in the mix for a BCS or conference championship in some time. We haven't been part of the national top-10 conversation for quite a while either.
May Vol historians point to this season -- this game -- as the turnaround point for the Volunteer football program in the early 21st century.
May they win this championship, win the Sugar Bowl...
and show up in the spring mean, nasty and hungry for more.
gohawks1 writes:
Nice link, tngeoff.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
quarterback Andy Kelly won two SEC's in 90 and 89, Tony Robinson would have won one as a starter, however Darryl Dickey finished up the wonderful 1985 season, Bobby Scott in 69, need help who was quarterback in championship seasons of '67, '56, '51, '46, '40, Cafego in '39 and '38. I can remember from 69 on, what teams tennessee must have had in '67, '68, '69, '70, thank you dad for taking me to those late sixties games, comparable to the 1990's teams...GO VOLS
VolJas writes:
I don't care about the history, the emotions, or the "expert" perdictions. Thanks Vols for allowing me to enjoy another Saturday with my friends, food, drink, and hopes of a SEC Championship. I love you guys.
Go Vols!
Jas
TommyJack writes:
I'm thinking Charlie Fulton, QB in '67.
TommyJack writes:
or Bubba Wyche. Bubba took over when someone (Fulton?) was injured.
vol52 writes:
-Dewy Warren was the QB in 67. FUlton did play some and Bubba won the 67 bama game when they both went down in the Georgia Tech game the week before.
DennisVols writes:
LSU's Flynn game-time decision for SEC title game
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/...
Well LSU could not stop McFadden from running away from them and now they can't stop their coaches from running away from them
DennisVols writes:
Nebraska picks Pelini as its coach
TommyJack writes:
vol52: Right you are...the years get hazy!
TommyJack writes:
TDTN: 200 el bees may be a bit harsh. How much do you think the lad weighs these days?
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
thanks for all the info....i hope i stirred some memories!! :) :)
TommyJack writes:
tnmantravel: You did. Thanks. Can't believe I forgot the old SwampFox..Dewey Warren...what a character...great arm he had. Was not Mr. Mobility, but the boy could throw.
vol52 writes:
TommyJack he was the swamp rat.
vol52 writes:
Yes Dewy Warren did murder grass when he ran. But a good QB and he was also a good OC at BYU a long time ago.
vol52 writes:
GO VOLS!
gohawks1 writes:
TDTN - What is a mosquito woman? Inquiring minds want to know.....
DennisVols writes:
What do you call 75 men wearing a special black jersey, sitting around a TV watching the SEC Championship game?
Answer: The GA Bulldogs
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
mparker is on everyone's d-coordinators short list
DennisVols writes:
In the final 7 games of the season this is what happened.
SEC Ranking:
OFFENSE
(1)LSU Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.57
(2) UT Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.14
DEFENSE
(1) UT Average Points Per Game Allowed: 24.25
(2) LSU Average Points Per Game Allowed: 30
If you discount the LA Tech cupcake for LSU they gave up an average of 36 points per game.
LSU could not stop McFadden from running away from them. UT held him to 177 yards.
For the season here are some more interesting FACTS!!!
If everything evens out and it comes down to special teams then UT has the advantage.
KICKOFF RETURNS G Ret Yds TD Avg
------------------------------------------------
1. Tennessee........... 12 54 1313 0 24.3
10.LSU................. 12 37 741 1 20.0
PUNTING G No. Yards Avg/P PR Avg TB Net/P
---------------------------------------------------------------
4. Tennessee........... 12 53 2226 42.0 214 4.0 4 36.5
5. LSU..................... 12 54 2339 43.3 188 3.5 13 35.0
PUNT RETURN AVG G Ret Yds TD Avg
------------------------------------------------
5. Tennessee........... 12 28 265 1 9.5
12.LSU................. 12 21 127 0 6.0
PENALTIES G No Yds Avg/G
------------------------------------------
6. Tennessee........... 12 69 581 48.4
12.LSU..........m....... 12 104 800 66.7
RED ZONE OFFENSE G RedZone Percent TDs R/P FG-AT Fumb/Int/Downs/Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Tennessee........... 12 51-54 94.4 37 15/22 14-15 0/ 1/ 1/ 0
2. LSU................. 12 61-65 93.8 43 28/15 18-20 0/ 0/ 2/ 0
FIELD GOALS G Made Att Pct
--------------------------------------------
2. Tennessee........... 12 21 26 .808
3. LSU................. ....12 23 29 .793ts
The stats for special teams an some important offense cat. clearly favor UT. It will be hard fought and even if one team builds an early lead I believe it will come down to the final minutes of the game.
dfreeman writes:
I can't wait to have those Hurricanes on Bourbon St. Also, guys tip the blues/jazz guy that performs in Jackson square he is the bomb!! Well.. if it's the same old man that had been doing it for the last 10 years!! Guys my little one learned how to crawl today... made mush out of me!!! Go Vols!!
dfreeman writes:
Oh and before I get too carried away.... let's beat those Tigers tomorrow!!! Go Vols!!
TommyJack writes:
SloFog: Wow, you really got me there. Moron.
volstout writes:
Who gives a phooey about all of this stuff..........................................................................................................................................................................UT is on the UP ..TN 28 LSU 24.....................
dfreeman writes:
Wow, TouchdownTN are you sure YOUR blood pressure is straight?? Kinda unloaded on Skaggs didn't you?? what's the "d#$% licking skagg breath" comment about?? That was kinda personal wasn't it??
FWBVol writes:
TouchdownTN, I think most of us would agree the second best thing about a Volunteer win would be you finally getting off your negative high horse. I think everyone on this site, and probably your neighborhood, co-workers, the register lady at the grocery store and whoever else you come in contact with know you have a seething hatered for Phillip Fulmer. My only logical answer is you must have dropped some big bills on the Vols and didn't make the point spread, and blame it on CPF.
I believe the Vols win this game big. I'll watch the first half at home before going to work. Fortunately we have a TV in my office area and it will be a slow day so I'll be able to see the second half. Beating LSU will be even sweeter because one of the guys in my department is a Lousy-Annie State grad.
GO BIG ORANGE.
UT 34-LSU 28
doegem writes:
It's time for LSU to once again take its rightful position as a turning point for the Vols. A tie with a favored LSU was the beginning of Majors' teams rise to respectability -- the loss to LSU in the SEC title game was the beginning of a long slide downward for Fulmer's teams. Time for another reversal of mediocrity and a long, long awaited SEC Championship.
UTvols12342000 writes:
I am freaking out guys! HELP! I live in Holland and cant figure out how to watch the game.
anyone know if the game is gonna be broadcast on the web via ESPN360 or yahoo sports like other games this year??
the utsports website says it only has the audio.
UT 31
LSU 24
we take a big lead early, they almost come back, but NO, they dont!
Tennessee Football is turning the corner in this game for a better season next year.
RTYAB
jawjavol writes:
McFadden had 118 rushing yards against UT this year. All but 35 after the half!!
Mr_Brownstone writes:
My most painful loss ever. Won't be quite the same for LSU since their bubble was popped last week, but come on Vols lets return the favor and add some more misery to them and their fans.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
It is TIME. Play your best and return the Grail to Knoxville. It has been gone WAY too long. This would rank in my top ten feats of Vol football lore. Snagged and torn but with the Grail highyl borne! Oh, the glory.
D_in_Iraq writes:
TD TN: Not sure what your problem is, but your comments are ridiculous, not so much your comments, but the manner in which present them! Why don't you stick to the topic and discuss football without all the personal attacks. I have just started reading again over the last few days while deployed, and You never provide positive input and only try to tear down the program. It's a game my man, and not real life!
Grant you, I love UT Football as much as anyone, and get annoyed at certain tendancies. But regardless of how the Vols fair, I will never stoop to the levels you've shown by personally attacking coaches, players, and others on this board. Somewhat petty hiding from behind a computer if you asked me, but that is just my humbled opinion.
Do I think the staff needs to make adjustments, absolutely! However, I am not going to submit to name calling just to make My School and it's Representatives look bad. I have nothing against you, and am only suggesting you rethink your writing style and when you get angry about things (team sports/A Game), focus on true life and death situations such as what our troops face daily. Then again, you might not care about that either...?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
UTvols12342000:
ALL INTERNATIONAL VOL FANS: I've been at work again and have found the game at cstv.com.
It is a bit tricky to figure out the site and it will only work through internet explorer, but I just paid for the game for $10 USD.
Not bad. Now, wake up at 5:00 am for the game.
gohawks1 writes:
D_in_Iraq - thanks for all you do, bro. Git R Done, stay safe, and come home soon.
May the VOLS win this one for all the men and women over there who put their hearts and souls on the line each day for the good ole USA. HOORAH!
Titan writes:
D_in_Iraq - thank you for your service. At one of the last home games this year, they did a tribute to the troops and showed a lot of slides of Vol fans stationed in Iraq. I really like the water tank in Iraq with the Power T on it. (Capt?) Greg Johnson who is a former Vol and who has done multiple tours in Iraq gave Coach Fulmer a flag that has flown in Iraq - it now flies over the practice field. Here's hoping that the Vols win this one today for all of you over there.
gohawks1 writes:
grvol - thanks for that comparison; it makes me thankful that we have a coach with his priorities in the right order - teaching, nurturing, and supporting the young men on the team comes first, while a game comes second.
I realize you are taking a different view, but what could be more important than preparing these young men to become better individuals? Also, he wasn't abandoning the gameplan and preparation. At that point in the year, the assistant coaches were capable of working with the rest of the team on defense, offense, special teams, etc. That's what they do anyway.
Just my opinion, but I believe that's what is wrong wiht society today - not enough of this kind of positive support and caring. Thanks, coach Fulmer, for being a great role model!
RemembertheAlamo writes:
McFad against Tn this year 174 yards
118 rushing
17 receiving
39 returns
RemembertheAlamo writes:
Old Swamp Fox (Francis Marion) played for UT? Wow! ...What year did he play? I didn't know we had a football team in the late 1700s!
gohawks1 writes:
grvol - yeah, I don't mean to minimize the importance of the game, and you're right on that point. My viewpoint may also be tainted, because I have been in public education for many years and I see how our priorities have changed. We as a society do not rank family values as high as we used to. It's just a breath of fresh air to see a coach with those good qualities.
gohawks1 writes:
TDTN - thanks for the clarification on what a mosquito woman is. I am planning a trip to Alaska soon, and I'll be on my guard. What do I do if I come face to face sith such a creature?
DennisVols writes:
TDTN likes to point out how stupid he really is by trying to ignore the facts that he was wrong about how this season would end, wrong about the outcomes to the GA, AR, USC, Vandy and UK games, wrong about Fulmer getting fired.
You are a sad excuse for a fan and if you would take you pitiful little life and go somewhere else the majority of the people on here would be happy. You are a #1 classless idiot. You can only dwell on the losses. Idiots look at the bad things in life and try and give excuses for why things might have turned out different when it went good.
If you refuse to look at the facts it only proves my point.
The only loser UT has is you as a fan.
DennisVols writes:
PS: TDTN If you are here in the ATL this is my town so if you would like I'll come down to the dome and kick you puny a$$. You don't want to call me out boy. You heard me boy. Be a man and I'll whip your butt up and down P.Tree street like a pice of trash in a wind storm.
murrayvol writes:
dlskaggs: Interesting & informative post with a lot of good research. Thanks! And what will it all mean this afternoon? About as much as the aggregate score in the Cal, UF, & Bama games which is zero.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
if Flynn doesn't play it could be bad for US....the last time they put in their Second String Quarterback......well we all know what happen.....
TommyJack writes:
IPO: On CPF's dignity/loyalty...I quite agree.
DennisVols writes:
We could talk about the stats that clearly show how UT is playing better than LSU right now, but the whiners would just point out the scores of the 3 losses UT had. We could talk about how scores really don’t matter only wins and losses, but the whiners would point out the lack of an SEC title since ’98. We could talk about how UT had just 12 starters returning, was replacing all 5 DB’s and yet managed to be the best team in the SEC East this year, but the whiners would point out how we almost lost to Vandy. We could talk about how LSU is going to lose Miles and Pelini following this game but that will only give the whiners an excuse for why UT actually won its first SEC title since ’98.
Facts:
1) UT has the best conference record in the SEC, yes LSU and GA have the same record but there are none better.
2) This team is better than most of us thought possible, including myself, following a 1-2 start.
3) Getting into the SEC Championship game had nothing to do with the scores of the Cal, Florida or Bama games. Only wins and losses count and UT won the games they had to win. The 9 is why we are in Atlanta, not the 3.
SavDawg writes:
What do ya call 75 orange clad boys and a 475lb tub of orange dough watching the Dawgs in a BCS bowl and starting in the top 3, pre-season next year? Take a stab at it, even a Vol fan can figure that one out. I had to rebutt the above post, in all seriousness, Good luck, and represent the east.
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