How do we know get-serious time has arrived in the college football season? No, it's not because Clemson has already dumped its coach or because SEC elders Phillip Fulmer and Tommy Tuberville are both on the hot seat.
Well, it's not just because of that.
The first BCS rankings come out Sunday.
So Alabama doesn't just want to beat Ole Miss on Saturday. It wants to crush Ole Miss.
The national championship will be decided Jan. 8 in Miami. If the regular season were suspended today, Texas and Alabama would be the participants, with Penn State the odd team out.
The Longhorns and the Tide hold the top two spots, respectively, in both the coaches' and Harris Interactive polls. That's two-thirds of the BCS equation. The other component is a compilation of six computer rankings.
In Alabama's surprising emergence, coach Nick Saban has been dogged about minimizing distractions. He's about to get another one Sunday.
"What I tell (the team),'' Saban said, "is, 'Can you tell me who was ranked where on this date a year ago?' If anyone can tell me that, I guess it has some significance. Otherwise, it doesn't.''
I can tell him. (OK, I had to look it up.)
Ohio State and South Florida were 1-2 when the first 2007 BCS rankings came out. The Buckeyes ended up playing LSU (which opened at No. 4) for the championship.
What Apathy?: Fulmer said on this week's SEC teleconference he's too busy trying to fix his team to notice whether apathy has set in among the UT fan base.
"When you say apathy,'' he said, "I don't know if it's gotten to that extent or not. I've seen many people (be) very supportive. Thank goodness for that.
"I'm sure a lot of people are wondering what's going on. This is not the way we typically play here at Tennessee.''
Fulmer said he hadn't read or heard athletic director Mike Hamilton's interview with the News Sentinel in which Hamilton termed apathy "a bad place to be institutionally.''
My Kingdom For a Fumble: UT is now the only team among 119 in the Bowl Subdivision that has not recovered a fumble. LSU and Arizona State got off the goose egg last weekend.
Second-Down Vols: Tennessee was a wipe-out on second down in a 26-14 loss at Georgia. The Vols were 0-of-9 passing. Four runs netted a minus-1 yard.
"It's a lot of individual breakdowns,'' said offensive coordinator Dave Clawson. "Our first down production wasn't as good as it had been, which put us in more second-and-longs and then third-and-longs.''
Heads Up, Eric Berry: Mississippi State receiver Brandon McRae has come out of nowhere to lead the SEC with 33 catches.
Prior to this year, the junior had two career catches, both in 2007. He transferred from Morehead State, where he snagged 28 passes in 2005.
Darren Who?: Arkansas lost the two best running backs in the league when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones moved on to the NFL.
So the Razorbacks replaced them with, well, maybe the best running back in the SEC - Michael Smith.
With midseason report cards due, the 5-foot-7, 173-pound Smith leads the SEC in rushing at 119.8 yards per game and in all-purpose yardage at 166.4 per game. He's caught 20 passes and returns punts.
"If he gets in behind those big old linemen, it's hard to see him,'' said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, "and when he pops out he surprises the defense on which crease he's coming through.''
Stat of the Week: Next to Tim Tebow (35) the active SEC players with the most career touchdowns will be in Neyland Stadium on Saturday. Anthony Dixon of Mississippi State has 26 and Arian Foster 22. Foster has not scored this year.
Last Word: Auburn's Tuberville, when asked on the SEC teleconference by Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post what it's like "being passed by Alabama as the top team" in the state:
"Next question.''
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Tennessee 73, Georgia 62 men's…
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 47
bigorangeslice writes:
I have seen the future ...
UT loses a close one to MSU, Fulmer gets fired, then we beat Alabama riding on the "win one for the Gipper" scenario.
Truly the best of both worlds
Bruce_Pearl_Fan writes:
Wouldn't bother me!
We need this to go down sooner rather than later to salvage the recruiting season. I hear Lane Kiffin is pretty good at that himself.
tnpterodactyl writes:
Aalabama only needs to win. They have a better chance of running up the score a little later...when they visit the cranial paper bag kingdom of the SEC.
JMP_Vols writes:
I almost cried reading that.
Picture perfect scenerio.
someofmybestfriendsarevolsfans writes:
That good, clear mountain shine can cause hallucinations. Be careful. Perfect scenarios rarely occur. Besides, "the Gipper" was someone everyone loved and respected.
bigorangeslice writes:
If it's Fulmer, jilted and alone who has inspire the Vol-nation, then he's not afraid. Sometime, when the Vols are up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go into Neyland with all they've got and win just one for the big man. We don't know where he'll be then. But he'll know and he'll be happy.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
You guys are sissys and losers. How dare you call someone else who is a proven winner a loser, when you are scared to compete. You only want personal verification of being right. Self rightouesness stinks, boys. I love whoever wears the B ig Orange. Not my way or the highway. Grow up. Your digs are not apprecaited during a season of losing when we are trying to find ourselves. Maybe the same will happen to you in your lives, and no one will be their like me to take up for you!
tnpterodactyl writes:
Awwww....poor widdle WeLoveTennesseeVols...I hope you have your blinky and your widdle bitty Philly Teddy Bear to watch with the game with you. Maybe a lullaby or two at the conslusion of the game to send you softly to dreamland where Biggy Wiggy Philly is taking Tennessee to the play for the sears and roebuck crystal methane trophy. You'll be okay...I promise. Shhhhh...softly now...nighty night. Pooh's watching over you...it's all okay now. All the meanies at GoVolsXTRA can't get to you when Pooh and Philly the Teddy watch over you. Shhhhhh...
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Fulmer said he hadn't read or heard athletic director Mike Hamilton's interview with the News Sentinel in which Hamilton termed apathy "a bad place to be institutionally.''
He didn't receive a subpeona in Birmingham either.
Did FOOLmer and W attend the same seminar entitled "How to Alienate and Divide Your Base"? That's about the only thing either are good at.
givehim6 writes:
It's just sad.
ozoney#235138 writes:
I'll tell you what WeLoveTennesseeVols, if you can't stare the numbers in the face and admit that our team is on a runaway train going in the wrong direction, it's nobody's fault but your own. You blindly follow and support phillip fulmer on this downward spiral and you know what?...not only is phil responsible for our poor performance, you and those like you are also. I hope your keyboard breaks so I don't mistakenly waste my time reading another of your pointless ranting posts, and subsequently, feel the need to reply because i decided i couldn't let that kind of ignorance slide. How dare you lash out at someone for posting facts on this site. it's almost pathetic the way you support bad coaching blindly. laughable.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I can say that I disagree with WeLoveTennesseVols as much as anyone on here. Truly the epitome of ignorance.
Hopson2008 writes:
WeLoveTennesseeVols is the biggest idiot that posts on this site, and that is saying something. He is completely delusional about everything, and people like him are the reason that Fulmer might be our coach next year, and the worst president in the history of the U.S. got re-elected. BAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
hewwheel writes:
What is this difference between VolStuckInIndy writing this than a reporter for the News Sentinel or on the sports animal stating it? Oh yea, they wouldn't touch it because UT athletics have them under their thumb.
shipperman#280095 writes:
His or her picture is in the dictionary under the word ignorant
SKO_Vol82 writes:
Okay folks, let's stop the in-fighting. We have more pressing issues. This is it, in terms of the future of the Vols program. Either Phil makes like Lazerus and raises this program from the dead or we go pick up some boxes from Krogers and help him pack. I know some of you hope for a loss, just so we can finally close the door on the Fulmer era. And, then there's the ones who always pull for a Vols win. Me, I'm somewhere in-between. And, nothing would be sweeter than playing spoiler and knocking Saban's crew out of the National Title hunt. I guess my feeling is this, let's pull for the Vols and hope common sense prevails regarding the future of CPF. Looking at the interviews this week with Hamilton and CPF, it looks like the writing may already be on the wall. GO VOLS!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Professor Phillip Fulmer, mentor of apathy. Meets Tues-Thur 1-3:30, labs on Sat.
Could work. Qualified.
luvorange writes:
That is awesome!!
chrisw2967 writes:
in response to WeLoveTennesseeVols
You guys are sissys and losers. How dare you call someone else who is a proven winner a loser, when you are scared to compete. You only want personal verification of being right. Self rightouesness stinks, boys. I love whoever wears the B ig Orange. Not my way or the highway. Grow up. Your digs are not apprecaited during a season of losing when we are trying to find ourselves. Maybe the same will happen to you in your lives, and no one will be their like me to take up for you!
speaking of finding yourselves , I think your the one thats lost here so the only thing you need to find is your own self and get your head out of the sand.ever post you put on here your doing nothing but making a joke of yourself. Just get back in your fetal position with your fulmer bubble head doll and go back to sleep. I know it hurts knowing that UT is getting ready to take him off life support and put this misery behind everybody and dont worry they will try to make it as painless as possible but as stubborn as Fulmer is, he will keep working like heck to keep this circus going for another year.
Colliervol writes:
Thank you for your comment Mrs. Fulmer.
Colliervol writes:
Hard to argue VolStuck. I felt Phil deserved one last shot at resurrecting the program after 2005. He didn't get it done. Hard to argue with those stats although I'm sure some will try.
As the old Vern Gosdin song goes: "That just about does it, don't it."
spvol writes:
Noticed you didn't include Majors' record pre-87. Who are you, Fox News?
fltapout writes:
You go girl and while you are at it, all of us that post on this site have pitched in to help out. Please click on this link. Good luck.
http://www.medicinenet.com/psychotic_...
Ironcity writes:
Other then Berry, and Morley, I don't think anyone hits hard enough to cause a fumble. I am really disappointed in McCoy. He has shown me nothing this year. I wonder of he has a hidden injury?
invisiblekid writes:
Whatever, I feel apathetic.
invisiblekid writes:
Word is that people have been skipping the labs.
turningsummer writes:
Lane Kiffin, what a joke, since he's really proven himself to be a good coach. Glad you HEARD he was a good recruiter. I know USC had trouble recruiting before he came.
TommyJack writes:
PD: That sounded pretty insulting to me, pal. lol
powtuck writes:
I remember the 1958 season--four wins; one game with no first downs--My grandfather said, "This is the lowest point in Tennessee football history." Does this thing run in 50 year cycles? But we did upset a highly favored Ole Miss team that year. So miracles can still happen this year.
fltapout writes:
You tell'em girlfriend.
http://www.medicinenet.com/psychotic_...
westennvol writes:
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. UT is what needs a CHANGE, GO BIG ORANGE! Making the trip from WEST TN to EAST TN tonite!
murrayvol writes:
Not this time country. And not this team. This is a different kind of quagmire with no good way out.
murrayvol writes:
That, givehim6, is one thing we can all agree on.
murrayvol writes:
Hard though it may be, this is exactly the kind of ignorance you have to let slide.
murrayvol writes:
You're getting better with age pd. Keep hope alive.
rickhillal#577233 writes:
Good or bad, the players have to live with this record the rest of their lives. Is there anyone out there who can turn UT football players into a team BEFORE the season starts? Don't know why it has not worked for the Vols the past few seasons but it isn't magic.
Anyone have an inside view of the pre- and post-season preparation by the players? Seems like there's not the level of professionalism anymore that existed in players like Reggie White and Peyton Manning. We can't blame this on the high schools because plenty of college teams win games from the outset of the season and they do it on a regular basis, too.
I'm not a Fulmer hater but I sure don't like what I've seen the past few years. Has Fulmer gotten complacent in a subtle sense that rubs off on the coaches/recruiters and players?
Having lived in Alabama the past 22 years, I've gotten used to the hype surrounding the Bama football team but I sure would like to see UT win, even if it means UT sticks with the same ol' coaching style next year that's got us in a rut right now.
Let's beat Bama (even if we lose to Miss. State) and start fixing the rest of the problems later.
tnpterodactyl writes:
Alls that we're saying...is give peace a chance...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-NRri...
May all of the anti-Phil-Osophers one day enjoy the peace and quiet of a day with no Phil-Osophy of which makes us gag as though eating maggots.
invisiblekid writes:
Just tell those cocky fans that beating UT isn't much of an accomplishment this year if UCLA can do it.
tnbanker_govols writes:
welovetennesseevols....
I want to make a comment about your post. You stated that we're in the middle of a losing season trying to FIND ourselves.
Isn't that what spring practice is for. You see, quality football programs use Spring Practice to FIND themselves. When you fail to identify your players and define their roles prior to the season, you get TENNESSEE FOOTBALL and a friggin 2-4 record, 0-3 SEC record. Put down the Kool-Aid long enough to read the stats and find out what's really going on here.
tnbanker_govols writes:
I don't understand people on here that are still defending Fulmer. He may be a great guy but bottom line.....he is failing UT Football. How can I say that??? Look at the stats.....look at our record....look at the results so far this year. Everyone on this site has a job or has once had a job. Every day, I am gauged by how well I do my job by the results I yield on a daily basis. Hey, If I quit performing my duties on the job, sooner or later, I won't produce the right kind of results....and you know what happens then???? FIRED!!!
Phil Fulmer is paid (VERY WELL MIGHT I ADD) to do a job in which he is failing to do. Nothing personal to Phil, but I believe that the RESULTS speak for themselves.
fltapout writes:
Drive safely. Hope the Vols win big.
jeremyinitalia writes:
BYU's coach following the TCU thrashing:
"I was very impressed with TCU tonight," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. "Coach Patterson had his team more prepared than I had our team. They were sharper in every phase of the game and executed at a higher level from beginning to end. That comes down to simply coaching and preparation. We're looking forward to learning a lot from this game. There are many things to learn. I don't think we played to our potential in any phase of the game."
This sounds like the last few years on Rocky Top...it was one game for BYU.
imw8n4u writes:
While I'm sure most if these numbers are accurate, I know that in 2001 we did not have a double digit bowl loss, unless you are counting the SEC Championship game as "post season".
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Certainly hope so,
old gnarly.
stormblast writes:
If Fulmer is apathetic (either acting or saying anything of anykind)...then he needs to be fired immediately. The season is shot. We all know it pretty much is. But no parent will take their kid(s) to see an apathetic coach lead a bad team. It makes the atmosphere even worse. He pretty much knows he's gone. Fulmer played at UT, was an assistant coach here, and has been head coach since 93...if he can't stay a "true" volunteer as head coach, even when he knows what could happen, then get rid of him now.
bigdaddyvolfan writes:
I hear Brian Billick is looking for a job!
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