ATHENS, Ga. — If Tennessee hopes to right a season that has gone all wrong, it has come to the right place. Georgia’s Sanford Stadium invariably has brought out the best in coach Phillip Fulmer’s teams.
It’s where he won his first big game as an interim head coach.
It’s where first-year starting quarterback Tee Martin found his passing touch en route to UT’s unbeaten season in 1998.
It’s where the Vols bounced back from a 24-point loss to Auburn to stun the third-ranked Bulldogs behind true-freshman quarterback Erik Ainge in 2004.
It’s where the Vols rallied in the second half for a runaway 51-33 victory in 2006.
And it’s where this team could …
Georgia 20, Tennessee 10: … continue its downward spiral.
The UT teams that played so exceptionally against the Bulldogs had at least flashed potential pre-Georgia. This team has provided few hints of better things to come.
LSU 27, Florida 20: The Gators might have the home-field advantage, but the Tigers have had two weeks to get ready. And offensive coordinator Gary Crowton will make the most of it.
If Tim Tebow has time to throw, he could exploit a vulnerable LSU secondary. That’s a Ricky Jean-Francois-size “if.”
LSU’s defensive front should overwhelm Florida’s offensive line. And its offensive line also will get the better of Florida’s defensive front.
Mississippi State 23, Vanderbilt 20: The Commodores might be the feel-good story of college football, but a program as historically bad as this one can stand only so much success.
By upsetting South Carolina, Ole Miss and Auburn, Vanderbilt is assured of not finishing last in the SEC East. That’s more winning than it can handle.
South Carolina 24, Kentucky 17: Look whose passing attack is finally coming around. South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley ranks fifth in the SEC in passing yardage per game, and nine different Gamecocks have caught passes in each of the last two games.
That doesn’t bode well for the Wildcats, who are 0-15 against coach Steve Spurrier.
Auburn 27, Arkansas 13: UT first-year offensive coordinator Dave Clawson could have made a worse career move. He could have signed on with Auburn to implement the spread offense.
Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was fired Wednesday, was the fall guy for an offense sadly lacking in both quarterbacks and receivers.
When one quarterback (Chris Todd) is throwing as though his shoulder is still injured and the other quarterback (Kodi Burns) is throwing even worse, what could possibly make Auburn’s offense successful?
Answer: Arkansas’ defense.
Top 25: Oklahoma 37, Texas 27; Missouri 52, Oklahoma State 37; Penn State 30, Wisconsin 23; Texas Tech 45, Nebraska 27; Brigham Young 37, New Mexico 20; Southern Cal 34, Arizona State 13; Ohio State 30, Purdue 20; Utah 34, Wyoming 14; Kansas 38, Colorado 31; Boise State 34, Southern Mississippi 23; North Carolina 27, Notre Dame 24; Michigan State 27, Northwestern 23; Ball State 34, Western Kentucky 13.
Record: 104-22 (.826) overall, 49-55 (.471) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 36
tenuscvol writes:
Come on John. Give them a chance.
I do beleive Tennessee will score more than 10.
Not sure if they'll win but I do expect some improvment from what we've experienced todate.
Get Excited!!! GoVols!
Also, Beat Bama!
Hydra writes:
TN scored 13 on Northern Illinois (ranked 24th in defense, GA ranks 22nd). We will be lucky if TN scores 10 and we will be lucky if GA decides to stop scoring at 20.
Hunter writes:
If we score 10 it's because of an Eric Berry TD and a chip-shot field goal. Our offense is "offensive."
TheVolMan writes:
This is a preemptive strike against the moronic Weenies who post their anti-Adams drivel. The first one who posts to this thread is... Lord ot the Weenies.
BTW, I wish UT would score more than ten. Past performance doesn't inspire confidence, but you never know. Fulmer's teams tend to use UGA as a life-ring against unemployment.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
What's the trend this season? Big names getting beat! Top teams going down. Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama will, LSU? USC. Our defense against their offense. They should score 3 or 4 times max. And then our offense should be getting better. Maybe we score more than they will.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Georgia is better than us. Fulmer has their number though. TN plays conservative, but still makes big plays through broken assignments and shoddy tackling.
TN 24
GA 20
I need this.
Volomatic writes:
would love to see a score like last year but i dont think it will happen
UT 23
uga 17 3 ot
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
we will get so whipped. and i mean we. i love the vols but face it-we are not very good this year. if they turn the offense around in one week give fulmer another raise.
i wont happen.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I don't know what you are drinking but you are in for a very rude awakening. No way in you know where TN will score 35 points.
GA-28 UT-13
shipperman#280095 writes:
And I am going to buy something from all the above sponsors. Good article John.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Keep dreaming my friend. Here is a song for you:
Rocky Top (2008 Version)
Wish that Phil was gone from Rocky Top Sent away from the Tennessee hills, Aint' no wins or fans on Rocky Top Ain't no SEC thrills
Once we had a team on Rocky Top, Half run, the other half pass. Quick as a mink,but strong as mountain men We still dream about that.
Rocky Top come back to me,The best in the SEC Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee , Rocky Top Tennessee
Once some Vols fans climbed ol' Rocky Top Lookin' for a Gator kill, Phil got out-coached on ole Rocky Top And Phil always will
Rocky Top come back to me On top of the SEC Good ol' Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee , Rocky Top Tennessee
Phil can't coach no more on Rocky Top, The game has passed him by. That's why all the fans on Rocky Top Are singing Me Oh My
Rocky Top come back to me On top of the SEC Good ol' Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee , Rocky Top Tennessee
I've had years of cramped-up Neyland life Hoping for a simple win. All I know is it's a pity if Phil Will be our coach again
Rocky Top come back to me On top of the SEC Good ol'Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee ,Rocky Top Tennessee
yeavols#228407 writes:
Everyone watch the Texas Oklahoma game today. Imagine Wil Muschamp in a ligher orange- your next coach at the real UT.
Knoxobserver writes:
I think Adams is right on with his pick today. The only way UGA is going to score more than 20 is if we give them the short field - yea, I know :(
But he is right about us only scoring 10 and those are probably defensive points.
Don't agree with the Vandy call. I think they deserve a little more respect than dropping to Miss St.
Well, we'll know at the end of the day.
1982_35_28 writes:
The dawgs are going down. They have no reason to get pumped up for this game. Last year's loss is not enough.
fedupvol writes:
An UGA-ly game for vols and philly cheese.....will be over at half...but with dawgs on the up side...something like 31-7 maybe....uga 38-10....af gets 20 yards or so and fumbles yet again...ns pressured umercifully and moreno/stafford /green go wild in 2nd quarter...3 td's...Philly Film Fully will have to watch the film to figure out what happened as usual...
shipperman#280095 writes:
No, I work in the shipping business. I was never in the military because of vision problems, but I honor those who were. You should be very proud of your dad.
GA: 30 TN 13
WhitePineVol77 writes:
We'll be watching today with other TN fans at Average Joe's Pub here in Columbus, Ohio...lets hope TN does not continue their very "below average Joe year". I look for 2 mules to fight over the turnip. Vols by a field goal 17-14 final
yeavols#228407 writes:
Knoxville(Oct 11)-AP Imagine if you Wil, Muschamp that is, coaching on the sidelines at Neyland Stadium decked out in a shade lighter than burnt orange. Seemingly far fetched, the buzz has already started in the search for a new coach in the VOL nation. Growing weary for several years, fans are already tossing around a few names for the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee. Phil Fulmer's tenure has been on a slide producing zero SEC championships or BCS bids since his renown National Championship in 1998. Though fans believe he is impervious to a firing, especially with a 7 year contract extension, many have written the Atheletic Director expressing their discontent while pleading for a coaching change. If Tennessee has a losing season, which VOL fans are not accustomed to, look for more rumblings and Fulmer getting scortched on the hot seat. Fans can however get a sneak preview of Wil Muschamp today when Texas meets Oklahoma. With Vanderbilt leading the SEC 5-0, it's more than any VOL can stomach where Tennessee has always been number one at least in their own state if not in the SEC.
TommyJack writes:
Geez, Geoff.
davidray31#232814 writes:
I hope and pray that the complaint tomorrow will be,why didn't Fulmer start Stephens before now? If we can hold on to the ball we have a chance. Vols 24 Dogs 21.
ect1983 writes:
Continuing to reaffirm that those with IQs 2 points below the village idiot can post
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ol' tngeoff letting a little steam out of the radiator this AM.
It there a possibilty of rain in Athens this afternoon?
Not that it should matter.
What's the over/under on Foster getting carries?
Straneg things happen,
but not always....
Go4Two writes:
H1gator
Urban 7-5 in he last 12 SEC games after tonight.
beachvol1 writes:
Dogs 38 Vols 13
TommyJack writes:
A big salute to Rich Rollins' Dad.
littleorange writes:
Another useless article by Love LSU hate Tn John......
99gator writes:
georgia big
lsu small
hope i am wrong both ways.
go vols. may the td's be many and the injuries be few.
trl_x writes:
The Vols will need to make this game ugly to win. And their O is all that. I do think Tennessee's D will keep it close but in the end:
UGA 17 UT 13.
DennisVols writes:
Watching the TX-OU game makes you remember when UT could moved the ball at will down the field, eating up 10, 15 20, 25 yards at a time.
leepevey writes:
UT will make it a game because they have nothing to lose. Fulmer is too conservative when the pressure is on for him to win. Now that nobody expects us to win, he will have the team loose and playing much better. I only wish that in the position we are in with our QB inexperience that we had a stronger kicking game to complement the defense. UT 6 UGA 3
pms151 writes:
If we can only ply like the other UT in Austin we will be OK>
TommyJack writes:
Or get the calls like they do. The officials are working OK over.
shipperman#280095 writes:
HA HA HA If you think the score will be 6-3, you are sadly mistaken. TN might score 3 but GA will score many more
leepevey writes:
I was being nice. Deep down I'm depressed.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I understand that one my friend, arent we all. If Muschamp's defense can stop Oklahoma for a chance, Texas can win. They lead 38-35. About 6 minutes left. I am not as impressed by Mr Muschamp as some on here.
DennisVols writes:
If this is the best we can play after 5 games we are doomed. Maybe we beat Wyoming but nobody in this conference os concerned.
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