Vanderbilt is favored to beat Tennessee. That tells you almost everything you need to know about UT’s 3-7 season.
This tells you more: Even if the Vols win, they won’t prevent Vanderbilt from going to a bowl; even if they win, they won’t finish above the Commodores in the SEC East standings.
The good news for UT: Regardless of what happens against Vanderbilt, it could avoid a last-place finish in the East with a victory against Kentucky.
There’s also plenty to avoid this afternoon:
n The Vols already have tied the school record for most losses in a season. But with victories against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, they could avoid become the first UT team to lose eight games.
n If the Vols score in single digits against the Commodores, they would become the first UT team in 84 years to score under 10 points in four consecutive games. Even the 1964 team, which scored 80 points in 10 regular-season games, didn’t go four games without a double-digit outburst.
n UT also is trying to avoid becoming the lowest-scoring team in the country. It’s currently ahead of four teams, but all four will face weaker defenses in their remaining games.
UT 16, Vanderbilt 14: Never mind how bad UT has looked the last month. I have to pick the Vols.
Otherwise, I might never have the opportunity to write: “Tennessee will upset Vanderbilt.”
LSU 30, Ole Miss 27: Tigers quarterback Jarrett Lee is becoming the SEC equivalent of UCLA’s Kevin Craft, whose performances can range wildly from one half to the next.
A week after throwing four interceptions against Alabama, Lee rallied the Tigers to victory after they fell behind Troy 31-3.
Arkansas 23, Mississippi State 20: The Razorbacks have the good fortune of catching the Bulldogs the week after they played Alabama.
Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas all lost the week after playing Alabama. And LSU almost lost to Troy.
Florida 52, The Citadel 10: If the Gators didn’t need style points for the BCS, you probably wouldn’t see much of their starters. The Citadel will see enough to understand why Florida is in the running for a national championship.
Top 25: Texas Tech 45, Oklahoma 38; Penn State 34, Michigan State 23; Ohio State 34, Michigan 17; Utah 31, BYU 24; Cincinnati 27, Pittsburgh 24; Boise State 40, Nevada 20; Arizona 34, Oregon State 31; TCU 27, Air Force 17; Florida State 24, Maryland 23; North Carolina 27, N.C. State 16.
Record: 193-52 (.788) overall, 119-102 (.540) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 77
Diggs writes:
Holy schmoly. I'm picking the VOLS to upset the Commode Doors too.
Diggs
tnbigg writes:
A fitting ending to the guy who took us into the cellar with no regrets and total self absorbed pride...sure is dank down here...are those Vandys shoes walking' on his grave...
tnbigg writes:
ButchIsBack writes:
Yes, this has been a bad year. Virtually all "Legends of the Game" throughout history have had them. Most had more than two. This one is very easily explained. They made a horrible hire as offensive coordinator. Nothing more, nothing less. You cannot win games with only defense. Phil's legacy is not debatable. His legacy will only grow as the next coaches come and go. Looking at the truth of the 2000's decade. Looking at the decades since 1950 (prior would be pointless and an apples to bananas comparison), the 2000 decade is still the second best behind the 1990's. We have enjoyed 4 10 win seasons. We have enjoyed 3 SEC East Titles. Even this "down" period will be looked at with reverence as the parade of successors begins.
Overall Winning Percentage, 2000-2008
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.696 102 71 31
Overall Winning Percentage, 1990-1999
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.809 123 98 22 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1980-1989
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.668 119 77 37 5
Overall Winning Percentage, 1970-1979
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.654 117 75 39 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1960-1969
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.667 105 67 32 6
Overall Winning Percentage, 1950-1959
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.692 107 72 31 4
tnbigg writes:
2.
ButchIsBack writes:
Yes, this has been a bad year. Virtually all "Legends of the Game" throughout history have had them. Most had more than two. This one is very easily explained. They made a horrible hire as offensive coordinator. Nothing more, nothing less. You cannot win games with only defense. Phil's legacy is not debatable. His legacy will only grow as the next coaches come and go. Looking at the truth of the 2000's decade. Looking at the decades since 1950 (prior would be pointless and an apples to bananas comparison), the 2000 decade is still the second best behind the 1990's. We have enjoyed 4 10 win seasons. We have enjoyed 3 SEC East Titles. Even this "down" period will be looked at with reverence as the parade of successors begins.
Overall Winning Percentage, 2000-2008
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.696 102 71 31
Overall Winning Percentage, 1990-1999
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.809 123 98 22 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1980-1989
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.668 119 77 37 5
Overall Winning Percentage, 1970-1979
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.654 117 75 39 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1960-1969
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.667 105 67 32 6
Overall Winning Percentage, 1950-1959
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.692 107 72 31 4
tnbigg writes:
Three
ButchIsBack writes:
Yes, this has been a bad year. Virtually all "Legends of the Game" throughout history have had them. Most had more than two. This one is very easily explained. They made a horrible hire as offensive coordinator. Nothing more, nothing less. You cannot win games with only defense. Phil's legacy is not debatable. His legacy will only grow as the next coaches come and go. Looking at the truth of the 2000's decade. Looking at the decades since 1950 (prior would be pointless and an apples to bananas comparison), the 2000 decade is still the second best behind the 1990's. We have enjoyed 4 10 win seasons. We have enjoyed 3 SEC East Titles. Even this "down" period will be looked at with reverence as the parade of successors begins.
Overall Winning Percentage, 2000-2008
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.696 102 71 31
Overall Winning Percentage, 1990-1999
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.809 123 98 22 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1980-1989
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.668 119 77 37 5
Overall Winning Percentage, 1970-1979
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.654 117 75 39 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1960-1969
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.667 105 67 32 6
Overall Winning Percentage, 1950-1959
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.692 107 72 31 4
shipperman#280095 writes:
Well, considering how they have played all year, i am picking the favorite
Vandy- 27
TN - 10
tnbigg writes:
IV.
ButchIsBack writes:
Yes, this has been a bad year. Virtually all "Legends of the Game" throughout history have had them. Most had more than two. This one is very easily explained. They made a horrible hire as offensive coordinator. Nothing more, nothing less. You cannot win games with only defense. Phil's legacy is not debatable. His legacy will only grow as the next coaches come and go. Looking at the truth of the 2000's decade. Looking at the decades since 1950 (prior would be pointless and an apples to bananas comparison), the 2000 decade is still the second best behind the 1990's. We have enjoyed 4 10 win seasons. We have enjoyed 3 SEC East Titles. Even this "down" period will be looked at with reverence as the parade of successors begins.
Overall Winning Percentage, 2000-2008
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.696 102 71 31
Overall Winning Percentage, 1990-1999
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.809 123 98 22 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1980-1989
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.668 119 77 37 5
Overall Winning Percentage, 1970-1979
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.654 117 75 39 3
Overall Winning Percentage, 1960-1969
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.667 105 67 32 6
Overall Winning Percentage, 1950-1959
Overall
Team Win% gm W L T
Tennessee
0.692 107 72 31 4
shipperman#280095 writes:
If you want to compare, look at Philly Boy's winning % in the past 10 years against top 20 teams
tnbigg writes:
He posts the most ignorant things...over...and over...and over...and over...Fulmer will NOT be remembered the way this guy fantasizes...
ncvol17 writes:
The game is being picked up on ESPN Gameplan this week. Why? I'm going to a Xmas concert instead of watching it and will be home b4 the TT vs OU game..
shipperman#280095 writes:
But that is just so ignunt and worng
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Upset Vanderbilt? ROTFLMGDMFAO!!!!! Thanks, Foolmore.
ncvol17 writes:
TN BIGG, dude Fulmer is yesterday and barely today ( 2 games ONLY) give it up. However he is remembered it is yesterday and it is History.. Look to tomorrow and the future of the program.. Do ya think some are still lamenting how Johnny was fired and have hated 1992 to today?
Still po'd about Nixon being forced out? Maybe Adams was at the Watergate, the commie.
tnbigg writes:
VERY worng!!!
tnbigg writes:
Thank ya...thank ya...thank ya vera much (best Elvis imitation)...
tnbigg writes:
Then...
TommyJack writes:
Look it. Of course I will pull for the Vols. But logically, how you one possibly pick them to win this game? Put emotion aside and tell me how one could pick UT to win. I say Vandy by 10+. Hope I'm worng.
khelton657 writes:
"Figures lie and Liars figure"..you learn in basic stat class that you can make the numbers say whatevr you want them to say...
thevoice writes:
Who needs to pay millions for a new coach? I think we may have something in John Adams: 193-52 (.788) overall.
Orange4life writes:
pierce
tnbigg writes:
Good point...
tnbigg writes:
Worng????
No...
Rihgt...
Saldy...
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I respect the question, and I would agree that Majors was overseeing a better program as far as competitiveness in 1992 than UT currently has. No question. But the trouble with this line of reasoning or the expectation it conjures is that one must believe that a football program is by nature supposed to get better every year in a linear fashion. That the current or future coach has to meet or exceed his previous standard and the standards of the coaches before him. if that is the case, Tennessee football has been in a shambles since Robert Neyland retired. Would that be a fair statement?
Also, is the program only to be measured by wins and losses? What about graduation rates? What about facility improvements and donations? What about television exposure and money and booster support? What about budgets and revenues?
If all of those things are to be considered, while 2008 has seen a nosedive, Fulmer brought UT to a status no other coach ever has and kept it there until the past couple of years.
But back to the original thought. I'm interested. I think we can all agree that Fulmer brought Tennessee to a level never achieved by Majors by 1998. Some say Majors woulda done it too. I wholeheartedly disagree. Fulmer recruited Manning and Manning brought the star power to build a championship team around. Martin was great as well and managed an offense with a great supporting cast. Majors didn't recruit Manning OR Martin. And no line of reasoning puts Peyton at Tennessee without Fulmer's coaxing. He woulda gone to Ole Miss otherwise or probably Florida. Fulmer's efforts in recruiting got us to the very apex, the pinnacle of CF. Once that is achieved, there is only one way to go and that is down. Nobody in their right mind could expect that level of success to be maintained indefinately. Did anyone foresee it hitting rock bottom? No. But coach long enough, it will happen. Fulmer was overdue a losing season or two and the repear finally got him.
Say what you want, the fact is no coach has done better since Neyland at winning more than losing.
gohawks1 writes:
From the article: "The Vols already have tied the school record for most losses in a season."
Some people will do almost anything to get into the record books.
tnbigg writes:
Isn't that the truth!!!
rusty_shackleford writes:
tuscaloosa john "Never expected to write UT will upset Vanderbilt." But it gives you the warm fuzzies, doesn't it tuscaloosa?
tnbigg writes:
One of the great things about your plan is related to how pathetic we are. If we still had expectations of great performance...too much juice to soon blended with poor performance under great expectations = Television and furniture breakage...however...when you are arguably THE WORST TEAM IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL...you know its okay to laugh at idiotic and pathetic performance...just like the players, coach and coachs wife do...it's almost laughable...oh wait...actually...it ris absolutely laughable now...on the bottom of the SEC..whoo hoo...yippee...hooray...we are...E E S S E N N E T...
TommyJack writes:
No TV where I am. Will have to Kesling the game, unless I can get the Vandy announcer streamed. Listening to Kesling is like listening to fingernails on a blackboard.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I'm sitting in 40* weather to watch Phixable send his charges vs the team Neyland said no coach should ever lose to while at Tenn.
At least row 50 will be in the sun across from the press box.
Probably the most neutral feeling I've ever had afore a Vol outing. Maybe we'll dig down and won't get embarrassed.
Clap-clap-clap...
ect1983 writes:
But you and other JA haters continue to love to read him don't you ???....silly masochist. What gives JA the warm fuzzies is the # of posts,critical or not....thanks for contributing Rusty.It helps keep KNS's award-winning columnist's salary up. PS---In case you didn't read the Fire Fulmer column, read it again....too bad for you that JA was right.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good plan, I may need a eye-opener before the scenic trip from the mountains to Music City.
After Clifty Farms country ham, red eye gravy and homemade biscuits of course.
Along with two easy over cackle berries for added cloggage.
May have another adult beverage as son handles last 23 miles.
All to watch Phixable weave his magic over Johnson.
Volalumnus writes:
It is in much worse shape now.
Unfortunately, but it is.
tnbigg writes:
Be sure to syop in at Mama Kerns filler'up and keep on truckin' cafe...get your Son one them thar honey buns that made Mama Kerns so famous...or...if you pass Snuffys over there in Jimtown...or Birdtown...git you one of them thar big orange dokes...this here's been me for Snuffy's and I'll see ya' next time...
gslaton#227127 writes:
I respect your logic. Awhile back, I looked at Joe Paterno's record from 2000-2007 compared to PF. Joe had four losing seasons and a 57% win record. He's now back on the winning track. PF has a 70% win record and one losing season during that same time. I think history will show he was a very good coach. To those who think Cutcliff carried him, I would say congrats to PF for hiring a great coach. If Clawson was a bad hire, he gets the blame for that. It's all a moot point now. In the end, you have to beat Florida, Bama, and Georgia or you're gone! Paterno is an institution, Phil was not. Right now, I'll take a win over Vandy.
b.skelton#207404 writes:
So $250 has quadrupled in 16 years? Let me know where to invest.....
rusty_shackleford writes:
It seems that you apparently wish to draw me into yet another silly back-and-forth banter about your secret love daddy, tuscaloosa john. Sorry to disappoint, sporto, but:
a) You got spanked pretty good last week on the same topic so you obviously don't learn,
b) It's 7:30 on a Friday night and I've got better things to do, and
c) I never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man.
TheVolMan writes:
tnbigg is an idiot. Fulmer had a great run followed by an embarrassing collapse. If Fulmer is so great then I can't wait to see the massive success at another major program. Oh, ooops, no one wants tnbigg's legendary coach. Wonder why? Because they know he can't win unless he has an overwhelming talent advantage.
tnbigg, let us all know which programs will clamor for your legendary coach's services. LOL...
ect1983 writes:
You ALWAYS take the bait, Rusty. And, you obviously didn't have better things to do @ 7:30 on a Friday night. In re spanking....I dont think so..unless you are talking about you and your monkey..you continue to prove my point by whining about every JA column...like a moth to the flame, you just have this compulsion to read every cottin' pickin one of em. Just change the channel like I do when Katie Couric, Oprah , or Dan Rather comes on. Everytime you write your sophomoric little "Tuscaloosa John" comments, you just prove those 3 brain cells don't work. Sporto.
gohawks1 writes:
VolMan, you're not paying attention. tnbigg is no CPF fan. Turn up the volume on your sarcasm detector.
shipperman#280095 writes:
YOU ARE SO WORNG ABOUT TNBIGG...HE IS NOT A FULMER MAN AT ALL
TommyJack writes:
How does that Gameplan deal work...you gotta buy several games or can you buy only one? Someone will know.
PRNDL writes:
Now, now Mrs. Hackelford…there’s nothing more demeaning than to see an old woman cry. You act like a woman scorned…maybe even jilted. Leave little Johnny alone. After all, if you don’t like what the mean ol man writes, simply just don’t read it. You have gone from criticizing his writing to making fun of his “pasty skin and his $10 haircut”. Not everyone can have your buff, tan body with the $200 cut, color, and curl.
But, Dusty you seem to have moved on and found a new love with Chris and with any luck at all, your crush will be returned. Now, as you said, you have better things to do on a Friday night, so you and Aunt Mildred get going or you’re going to be late for your pedicures.
Sporto? Love daddy? Mrs. Hackelford….what are you, like 80? LMAO!
tnbigg writes:
Whoah...an attacker throwing me in the Phil-Osophy camp...have mercy...
tnbigg writes:
How worng he is...
tnbigg writes:
And then there's good old 55Vol...I don't know how it happened exactly...but he and I actually had a civil exchange a few days back...but now...now he's back in form. It is interesting how folks would say Majors wins were due to his assistants and then in the breath claim that Phulmers losses were due to his assistants...hmmm...odd...actually rather oggish...odd? Ogg? That's it! Odd Ogg! Half turtle and half frog...that explains it...
Imagine_this writes:
Adams: 1) No way Citadel will score 10 points against
Florida.
2) You made no mention of Ball State;
undefeated and 10 and 0.
3) You are dead wrong about UT vs. Vandy.
Vandy will be victorious, period.
pdhuff#552644
1) Neyland never met Coach Johnson, and Neyland
did not know everything.
I have said it all season long. You will get to watch a Tennessee team in a bowl game, just not the one you wished for.
Go Vandy!!!! Go 'Dores!!!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Like Fulmer's record wasn't made by his assistants? Without Cutcliff, Fulmer was nothing. I am Fred DeLucky, and I sign my posts
CoverOrange writes:
You can buy individual games or the whole season (or half season when it gets beyond that point). Break even point is about 4 games. Might have to do that next year.
murrayvol writes:
That's not the point biggie. HE will remember Fulmer the way he fantasizes. Tell a lie often enough and you will believe it.
murrayvol writes:
I was in better shape when Fulmer did the snagging. Much like the football program, I've been a mess these past 3 months.
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