Even with a win on Saturday, these are strange October days for Tennessee football.
As the blog "Third Saturday in Blogtober" notes, the "Third Saturday in October" rivalry is being played on the fourth Saturday and tickets were still available as of Monday for the storied rivalry. CBS passed on it for its afternoon game.
But come Saturday evening in Neyland Stadium, it'll still be big time football on one of the biggest stages in college sports.
Here's a look mostly toward Saturday's game, but also a quick look back at the Mississippi State win.
- The Three S’s | Volball
- Tennessee Week | Eight in the Box
- Alabama/Tennessee to Commit NCAA Violation This Saturday | Bleacher Report
- Alabama Football: Things We Learned and Monday Message Board 10/20| Bleacher Report
- Could Tennessee unleash the 'Wild Berry' on Alabama? - The Bama Beat - al.com
- GoVolsXtra - The Vol Historian | 'NEYLAND STADIUM'
- GoVolsXtra - When You're Strange | The power of a highlight clip
- The Times-Journal | Alabama tries to correct second-half struggle
- Saban on Cody: 'We can't replace him, but it's an opportunity...' - The Rap Sheet - al.com
- UT now focuses on rivalry with Alabama | The Tennessean
- UT's Moore has knack for big plays | The Tennessean
- Mondays with Saban: 'Phillip Fulmer has been a good coach for a long time' - The Bama Beat - al.com
- The Tennessee/Mississippi State Grade Book | Your Mother Slept With Wilt Chamberlain
- Embarrassing Fact of the Day: Alabama-UT Game Not a Sell-out | Bama Sports Report
- The Other Side of 30: Stranger things have happened
- SouthEastern Sports Blog: Ray of Hope vs. Oncoming Train
- ESPN - Alabama stays on top of SEC power rankings - College Football Nation
- The Pigskin Pathos: Weekend Home In and Around Neyland
- 5 Reasons why Eric Berry will touch the ball more against Alabama | Volnation.com
- Blazer Chronicles: Mississippi State - Post-Game Edition | Gate 21
- The Third Saturday in October: Vols own 1928 and 1929 |Third Saturday in Blogtober
- My chips are all in ... | Third Saturday in Blogtober
- Alabama-Tennessee Preview: 3rd and Chavis? No doubt | Loser with Socks
- News Article: Tennessee preview: Vols improving, but by enough to beat Bama? - TideFans.com
- Tennessee Football from Every Angle: Tennessee/Alabama Series History & Notes
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Comments » 47
tnbigg writes:
Afraid the Bammers will romp...
tnbigg writes:
Second ranked team in the Country vs the SEC East bottom dweller? The points are wacked.
tnbigg writes:
What do you think Arnge poster?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Tidesfan.com - good read - called Tenn a "collective head case".
blitzshoot writes:
Its up to the Tennessee defense. John Wilson Parker seems to be having a good season. Once he gets hot, he can hit any receiver. ESPN discussed how he better avoid Eric Berry
at all cost and claimed that Berry was the best in the nation. Like any other opponent, if UT gets down by 14 or more, it will be hard for them to stay in the game or have a chance to win.
agentorange writes:
"CBS passed on it for its afternoon game." Am I nuts or is the game in primtime at night?
orangebloodgmc writes:
Bama is a 7 point favorite, and they are the number 2 team in the nation. What does that say?
dirtdobber1 writes:
One thing is for sure...It's MUSTANG PACKAGE TIME in Tennessee!
dirtdobber1 writes:
its a 7:45 ESPN start. I agree, this is a lot better start time than the 3:30 CBS. Im sick of Gary Danielson...he has come down with the "Billy Packer" syndrome.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Its says "load up on Bama"/ unfortunately.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
It also says when you are a TD underdog at home, something is worng.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
"...Tickets were still available as of Monday for the storied rivalry."
Wow. This shows how low UT football has gone. UT-Bama. Neyland Stadium. Saturday Night on ESPN. Tickets can STILL be bought on gameweek.
Speechless.
djstatik writes:
Oh so dramatic......There's always tix available, but it's usually one seat here one seat there. I bet you can't get two or four together. I'm not saying UT fans are going to pack the place, I'm saying BAMA fans are coming up. The last time I tried to buy tix from scalpers for the Bama game I couldn't even get four together in the nosebleed section. Bama fans travel very well and I guarantee you they'll have at least 30% of the stadium.
That is, unless we do something about it and buy those tix up! Go Vols! Beat Bama!
VolEagle writes:
Tennessee "fans" are so fickle. When we win we are "the best", when we loose we are "the worst". It is so insane to want Tennessee to loose, so the coach will be fired. What SEC team has a 150-40 record over the last 16 years, and a 82-30 record over the last 10 years, with a bowl game every year except one, several div titles, and 3 SEC titles and a national Championship? Answer- NONE! What do they want? 10 to 11 wins every year, or it's "FIRE THE COACH". If you are a "Fan" you support the TEAM, which includes the coaches and especiall these young men, who want to win as bad as the fans want them to.
shipperman#280095 writes:
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
shipperman#280095 writes:
Not everybody plays the last half schedule we do either. Phil's wins, or the majority of them, have come against the likes of the cellar dwellars and DII schools.
Praise Fulmer all you want, but all he is is Johnny Majors reinvented. Who do you think his teacher was? Johnny stayed too long and now Fulmer has also
VolEagle writes:
So, what is it you don't like about Phil? Is it coaching, his record, his attitude, or what. I am not trying to be a Fulmer supporter just wandering what it would take to make UT "fans" happy. I am not trying to be argumentative, just wondering. Also, don't other teams play "celler dwellers" and Div11 teams?
jasonn1970 writes:
It says this is a rivalry game and reguardless of the records the game is usually won in the 4th quarter.
drone#208075 writes:
The refs will carry the tide in this one.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Phil used to be more of a risk taker and more inventive. The last 8 years or so he has gone more of the way that Majors taught him. The record against top teams is reflective of that
shipperman#280095 writes:
Any team is subject to defeat on any given day. however, if Bama gets a large lead on us in the first half, it is over.
VolEagle writes:
I agree. I personally didn't like John Majors style of coaching. He always blamed the players, and it was never "his fault". I do however think Fulmer has a better attitude in that regard. If Fulmer leaves, don't we stand the risk of several more "down seasons with a new coach? Has not Joe at Penn State had his share of bad years? I guess my who point is that some people want Fulmer gone, even if we had a 12-0 season.
10ACVOL writes:
I want to know why Denarius Moore is not a starter. He's produced the 3 biggest plays on offense all season, and he doesn't start. Hell, just play him more. Sat Night, catches the bomb from Stephens, did you notice what happened? Brought to the sideline and we didn't see him again until late in the game. Same with Brandon Warren, catches a pass, comes to the sideline. Ridiculous.
bigorangeslice writes:
The Loser with Socks blog is lame, unprofessional, juvenille, and extremely vulgar. I'm surprised the KNS would associate themselves with such sensless garble.
shipperman#280095 writes:
My only problem with Fulmer are the reasons I stated above. I have no answers, if i did maybe i would have hamilton's money and wouldn't have to work so hard. Honestly, i do believe this is Phil's last year, whether it be a good or bad thing i do not know. Only time will tell i guess.
BubbaVol44 writes:
This game will be over before the end of the first quarter--and definitely by half time. Bama 56 UT 7....Maybe Fulmer will announce his retirement after the game...We can only hope!
swampbuggy writes:
Well UT, this is the week that can define the program. I live in Alabama and there is a lot of smack talk about how the only thing worse than being Ole Miss, is being Tennessee. Never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually pulling for the Vols. I believe Bama is ready for a loss. They have not played well and they are NOT a second half team. They are over confident and not a single one believes UT can win. They are ripe for picking!
BubbaVol44 writes:
Hey VolEagle,
We're 15-14 over last 29 SEC games--barely over .500! Not even Majors was outcoached that bad in his last 4 years!
Change can be for the better and not lead to the doldrums...see Richt in place of Donnan, Meyer in place of Zook...Saban in place of Shula...
Consider Ohio State under John Cooper--who had a 12 year record there of 111-43-4. His last 3 years he went 11-1, 6-6, 8-4. They fired him after an 8-4 season! Wow, I guess they were stupid according to your logic. Let's see who they hired in his place---Jim Tressel! How pathetic--they were mired in years of losing for hiring Tressel, right?--WRONG!
Tressel has a 80-17 record and won 4 Big 10 titles and played in 3 NC, winning 1 and losing big in the other 2. His 1st year, 7-5. His 4th year, 8-4. He's won at least 10 games in the other 6 seasons. Yes, I know, the Big 10 is not the SEC, and I hate Ohio State, but they had the courage to make the change and are reaping the dividends. If Ohio State wins this Saturday night they will be in the NC picture and definitely in a BCS bowl.
Now compare Fulmer! 'nuff said.
SomeGuy writes:
Bama tickets still available on Monday of game week? Florida tickets still available as of Wednesday of game week? Are you kidding me!? Thank goodness we didn't extend CPF's contract and give him a raise last year because the inability to sell out games like those months in advance are all the proof you need that CPF and Hamilton must be replaced. What a sad state of affairs we find our beloved football program in these days. I hope all you Fulmer-lovers are happy.
swampbuggy writes:
Just read these comments. Some of you people are pathetic. "Woe is me". At Florida we were mad over Zook, and I did not approve of the way he was released, but we never bad mouthed the ptogram like you people do. You call yourselves football fans? You make me sick with your public whining.
CheckerboardPhilosopher writes:
TAKE SOME OF YOUR BAMA HATE OVER TO 3rd Saturday in Blogtober. It's RIPE over there.
http://3rdsaturdayinblogtober.wordpre...
lail#204076 writes:
BP Syndrome. That's a good one. The 7:45 start may be better than the 3:30, but CBS had the first choice.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/o...
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Bubba said,
"Change can be for the better and not lead to the doldrums...see Richt in place of Donnan, Meyer in place of Zook...Saban in place of Shula..."
Uh, Bubba, Tressel is the only example that supports your argument. All the examples above are the 2nd, 3rd or more options after the original coach was replaced and furthermore in each of these examples the original coach was replaced because he retired or left for another job (Dooley, Bryant, Spurrier). I'm not saying it's not time for a change, just that your examples don't support that argument. Your examples actually point to the high risk of making a change. Also your examples are for programs that exist in a much better recruiting environment than Tennessee thus inherintly lower risk and they still didn't get it right the first time.
blitzshoot writes:
I hope you are worng
stormblast writes:
I will always think of BAMA as the standard of all of college football, not just the SEC. The Third Saturday of October, in my opinion, is the best rivalry in the SEC (not the Iron Bowl) or the Puppy Roast in Jacksonville. Even Bear Bryant said that he always knew what kind of team he has once he played Tennessee.
I hear people murmering that we can pull an upset against Alabama this weekend. Personally, I don't think that the Miss State win is going to be a barometer of how many more wins we'll have this year. I still think we have problems on offense. I believe last Saturday is a step in the right direction...but not a solution. I don't think we'll beat Alabama. I think it will be close. Our defense is too good to get blown out. Even the Florida game wasn't a blow out due to our defense (special teams meltdown and inept offense with turnovers contributed to 30-6). I want us to win...but, I don't think we're at that point yet.
98reax writes:
shipperman, nice tune.
murrayvol writes:
It says that's where the betting is balanced. It's also a road game in the SEC.
murrayvol writes:
This is Sabans second season at Bama and he's playing a boatload of freshmen. Would you consider 7-0 and a #2 ranking a down year?
murrayvol writes:
We live to make people sick. Gives us a sense of accomplishment in a sea of failure.
DieHardVolsFan writes:
Tennessee hasn't been the greatest this year everyone admits, but you folks have to remember that everyone on the field(s) are only human and you can only do so many things at a time. The vols have been impressive at times and looked like hell earlier or later that game or even in a previous game,but the critics need to stop disrespecting the effort of any team ,but for now I say the vols. O.k your a fan good for you join the club but I don't see your azz out on the field so why disrespect anyone especially when they are trying their best because everybody out there on the field is giving it 100%. All vols fan wanna see the vols win, but in life you should know that you don't get everything that you want. Tennessee has the talent to be the best team in the nation. And they maybe they are, but that don't mean u win all the time.Truthfully they have all the talent they need, but when you get to the coaching staff that is a different story. Losing their offensive coordinator can throw a team off track, but then Phil gets the bright idea to try and work in a new offense??? I question the judgement there. Tennessee is Tennessee and I'm not saying that Phil isn't coaching right or trying his best, but when you throw money into a team sport you won't get the best results. Remember it's all for fun. Don't forget that. So before you want to throw a finger at Phil think about it. Is it his fault the receiver drop the game winning pass? Is it Phil's fault the offensive line crumbled and Crompton/Stephens got sacked? Is it Fulmers Fault the quaterback threw 3 interceptions? I think you get the point now so remember Phil don't play on the team he gets the ready to play. You can take the best players in football and give them a bad coach,but if the players play to their full potential they can win. Most players have high school expeirence. Once again look at the Vol`s talent. The best players in the nation don't play worse becuase they didn't get pampered in practice. Guys get recruited every year from teams that didn't even win a game. So u think about who you blame for your team losing.
DieHardVolsFan writes:
Tennessee hasn't been the greatest this year everyone admits, but you folks have to remember that everyone on the field(s) are only human and you can only do so many things at a time. The vols have been impressive at times and looked like hell earlier or later that game or even in a previous game,but the critics need to stop disrespecting the effort of any team ,but for now I say the vols. O.k your a fan good for you join the club but I don't see your azz out on the field so why disrespect anyone especially when they are trying their best because everybody out there on the field is giving it 100%. All vols fan wanna see the vols win, but in life you should know that you don't get everything that you want. Tennessee has the talent to be the best team in the nation. And they maybe they are, but that don't mean u win all the time.Truthfully they have all the talent they need.Remember it's all for fun. Don't forget that. So before you want to throw a finger at Phil think about it. Is it his fault the receiver drop the game winning pass? Is it Phil's fault the offensive line crumbled and Crompton or Stephens got sacked? Is it Phil's fault Crompton or Stephens threw a bad pass or and interception, witch can change the whole outcome of the game. Is it Phil's fault Eric Berry dropped a interception that could have won the game? Is it Phil's fault that Special Teams or the Defense missed too many tackles? Is it Phil's fault the wide receiver dropped a pass when he was wide open or the QB overthrew him? Remember Phil don't play on the team he gets the ready to play. You can take the best players in football and give them the worst coach possible,but if the players play to their full potential they can win. I don't think any coach is not going to put their best talent on the field at any time otherwise he wouldn't be on the starting lineup just because he hasn't done as well as another player everyone has their chance to shine and be a star. Most players have high school experience. Once again look at the Vol`s talent. The best players in the nation don't play bad because they didn't get pampered in practice. Guys get recruited every year from teams that only won 2 or 3 games that season. Its all about effort. So u think about who you blame for your team losing.
TO SUM IT ALL UP ITS NOT ONLY PHIL'S FAULT, ITS EVERYONES.
Wrote By Antonio Austin
JKW50 writes:
Bama has gotten a lead on everybody this yr(except for about 3 minutes against Ole Miss). if they get a lead its not a big deal, they have shown time and time again this season that they crumble in the second half. we just need to keep it close in the beginning and then take them out at the end. play our playmakers and we will be smoking cigars at the end. GO VOLS!!!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Very original, the opposite of a patriot is ? Yes a COWARD!!! Yes Biden said I was make of steel? How can there be a crisis when I am president? Sad isn't it. Who are our heroes?? Sara Pallin? Good place to start. By being Patriots!! And Fans also!
BubbaVol44 writes:
I think living down in puppyland has shrunk your brain.
IF you were following VolEagle's thread--he complained about UT fans that gripe every time Fulmer doesn't have 10 win seasons. He apparently thinks Fulmer is being unfairly criticized about his SUBPAR COACHING over the past few years--and he listed Joe Pa as an example of a long-time coach who had bad years during his coaching tenure in an effort to justify keeping Fulmer.
My response was to give examples of programs that fired coaches for SUBPAR PERFORMANCE, not longevity! And ALL of the examples I gave DO support my arguments--I can't help it if you don't get it.
Let me explain: Donnan went 40-19 over 5 years and had consecutive 8-3 seasons before he was fired--not bad when you consider competition in the SEC--but UGA knew their program was not headed to the next level under him so he had to go! Enter Mark Richt--who may encounter the same scrutiny when the puppies lose to LSU and the Gators this year for subpar performance.
Same for Zook...He went 8-3, 8-3, and 7-4 at Florida. Not bad, but SUBPAR COACHING PERFORMANCE FOR FLORIDA! They didn't wait to fire him and rightly so because the program was falling from the SEC elite under his leadership.
Shula is another example of SUBPAR COACHING PERFORMANCE, even though He was a replacement for Price, constrained by sanctions, and inherited a program in ruins--Bama knew he wasn't the guy to get them to the next level--enter Saban (We'll never know what Price would have done). By the way, Saban finally rights a ship that went awry after STALLINGS LEFT following the 1996 season.
Ohio State replaced John Cooper, a 12 year veteran, after he went 11-1, 6-6, and 8-4 his last 3 years! They'd seen enough and made a necessary change. We should have gotten rid of Phil after that uninspired and pathetic display in the Outback Bowl loss to Penn State!
My arguments don't point to a higher risk--EVERY program that made the right decision and hired the right man improved! Good grief, man, can't you look up their records before and after the coaching changes?
Finally, how did we recruit all of those players we have put into the NFL? You do the research. UT currently has more players in the NFL (data from 2007 opening day rosters)than any other school in the SEC except UGA, which has 37 to our 36. Nationally, Miami has 46, Ohio State 44, UGA 37, and UT 36. We are 4th nationally! So much for your argument concerning recruiting--EXCEPT--Fulmer hasn't signed that caliber of talent in the last 2-3 years--another reason to get rid of him!
chrisw2967 writes:
In responce to voleagle:
So, what is it you don't like about Phil? Is it coaching, his record, his attitude, or what. I am not trying to be a Fulmer supporter just wandering what it would take to make UT "fans" happy. I am not trying to be argumentative, just wondering. Also, don't other teams play "celler dwellers" and Div11 teams?
well its all the above about Fulmer , he has no fight in him anymore , that shows on Saturdays.
about the other teams against the "celler dwellers" the other top teams usually wins against those "celler dwellers"also but Tn cant beat the top teams and thats where
the problem is. thats why Tn is in last place cause right now we dont have the coach to coach these kids.
tnbigg writes:
You are the weirdest poster I have ever seen. Your universe must be really great for you...safe and secure in your odd views with no challengers worthy of your "enlightened" status. Please...keep enlightening everyone with your zen like mantras!
BlountVol writes:
The Third Saturday in October....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IOS4x...
Go Vols
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