Starting in 1981, Tennessee has been bowling 25 of the past 27 seasons. That’s a claim no other SEC program can make in that span.
But as the 2008 season turns to November, the Vols are in serious jeopardy of spending the holidays at home.
UT is 3-5 (1-4 SEC) heading into a 7 p.m. (ESPN2) kickoff at South Carolina (5-3, 2-3) on Saturday.
After South Carolina, Tennessee has Wyoming (2-6), Vanderbilt (5-3) and Kentucky (5-3) left on the schedule.
Do the math. UT has to win its last four games to finish 7-5, which would assure a bowl bid.
A loss Saturday night would leave 6-6 as the best possible record. Last year, two SEC teams finished 6-6. Alabama went to the Independence Bowl. South Carolina sat home.
However, the odds have improved for 6-6 teams in 2008. The new Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham gives the SEC a ninth affiliation. Furthermore, the league might get two teams in BCS bowls, a possible 10th outlet.
Thus, the odds are greater that the league won’t be able to fill all its slots than of a 6-6 team with nowhere to go.
Despite all the talk swirling about the future of coach Phillip Fulmer, the Vols haven’t lost sight of the bowl chase.
“We talk about it a lot,’’ said sophomore safety Eric Berry. “You really want to get that done.
“It just shows us that we’re competitive and we want to finish the season out the right way.’’
At UT, finishing out the season almost always means a bowl game. Since earning a Garden State Bowl bid in 1981, the Vols have missed only two bowl seasons: 1988 and 2005.
No bowl means no bonus in the paychecks for the coaches. It also means no NCAA-sanctioned travel-expense money for the players, a windfall many manage to pocket.
Senior Robert Ayers is one of the veterans who experienced bowl depravation in 2005, when the Vols lost five of their final seven games, including a 28-24 upset by Vanderbilt that sealed the verdict.
“For the seniors, it hurt them a lot,’’ Ayers said. “It was the last opportunity in their college career, one more game that they missed out on.
“I don’t want to have that same feeling now that those guys did.’’
Ayers said the mindset of this team doesn’t compare to ‘05.
“In 2005,’’ he said, “a lot of guys felt we were definitely going to make one.
“This year, people are actually doing things to make one, where in ‘05, people just expected to.’’
One of the biggest things the Vols could do would be to spring at upset at South Carolina.
A win over UT would make Gamecocks bowl-eligible. A Tennessee win over Carolina would at least keep the Vols’ torch burning.
“We know what we’ve got to do,’’ said quarterback Nick Stevens. “We want to win out.
“We’re taking it one week at a time and that starts with this week.’’
Some other on-the-bowl-fence Novembers in the 27-year span:
- 1994. The Vols were 3-4 after losing to Alabama. They closed with a 4-0 run, then beat Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl.
- 1988. A 5-0 finish was one game too late to overcome an 0-6 start. No bowl.
- 1986. Sitting 2-5 on Halloween, Tennessee ran off four wins to finish 6-5. The payoff was a Liberty Bowl date with Minnesota, which UT won 21-14.
- 1982. UT was 3-3-1 entering November. The Vols won their next three before losing at Vanderbilt to finish 6-4-1. That was good enough to get to the Peach Bowl, where they lost to Iowa.
Berry’s Hero: Berry said this week his idol is another hard-hitting defensive back, the late Sean Taylor.
Taylor was an All-American at Miami in 2003, then played four years with the Washington Redskins before being murdered last November. He was once named the hardest hitter in the NFL by Sports Illustrated.
“He’s my favorite of all-time,’’ Berry said. “I look at Sean Taylor highlights (on YouTube.com) before every game.’’
Berry said his own favorite hit is the one he put on Alabama’s Marquis Maze last week.
“If you go on YouTube,’’ Berry said, “he (Taylor) had one on P.K. Sam of Florida State. The hit (on Maze) looks like that one. The hits are almost identical.’’
POSSIBLE BOWL OPTIONS
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
-Where: Shreveport, La.
- When: Dec. 28, 8 p.m.
- Opponent: Big 12
- TV: ESPN
PAPAJOHN'S.COM BOWL
- Where: Birmingham
- When: Dec 29, 3 p.m.
- Opponent: Big East
- TV: ESPN
MUSIC CITY BOWL
- Where: Nashville
- When: Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.
- Opponent: ACC
- TV: ESPN
LIBERTY BOWL
- Where: Memphis
- When: Jan. 2, 5 p.m.
- Opponent: C-USA
- TV: ESPN
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 100
blitzshoot writes:
Get in there and fight Vols!
hotrodvol writes:
I hope they get a bowl, but the coaches should donate their bonuses back to the school.
tnbigg writes:
Very...very...very...very...very...very unlikely...
blitzshoot writes:
If they get through Saturday night, that would go a long way. They need to start playing with a chip on their shoulder.
budrhon writes:
So true VOLINDOTHAN so true.
Triton1 writes:
we don't decide that until the end of the season, or after we lose our 7th game.
volbob writes:
A bowl would be huge for a team that started the season with an "experienced" QB. For all the folks who moan about Fulmer and the staff, think back on your playing days...if any and at any level. If one plans around a specific QB, who then cannot perform, then the results are horrible. Look at 'Bama last year...6-6. Anyone heard of Michigan? How about the Irish? Cornhuskers? Florida State? Miami? Don't knock the staff for player issues. A coach can't force them to play as they do in practice. Stuff happens. Fulmer and Chavis should get more credit than the locals give them.
imw8n4u writes:
Replace Playoffs w/ BOWL GAME:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BY...
Enjoy
ubershamu312 writes:
I love Eric Berry.
That is all.
HartfordCTvol writes:
I for one don't care if we make it to the fillintheblank.com bowl. (any sponsor, it makes no difference). I think the fans should boycott the bowl system until we get a plus-one or plus-two playoff.
BillsBrother writes:
The practices associated with the bowl game would be very important.
Come to think of it, CPF says we practice very well. Maybe we should quit going to games and just go watch practices! We're probably undefeated in practice!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Ok, I never ever do this because I never ever have sources, kind of hard to living in Augusta, GA!!!
But...I do have a father who is in the alumni association so he knows more people than I do, so just merely passing along what I was told from someone who covers Tennessee football pretty close. Some may have already assumed this much.
Apparently the Alabama game was indeed the 'must win' moment. With that done and gone, the big thing being worked out is preventing pushing Fulmer out like Majors, given what he has done for this program, and have him resign and somehow stay a member of the atheletic department, maybe assistant AD or something and help recruiting. If this is the case, I think that would be best case scenario, imo - given we are smart in choosing his replacement as head coach.
Alright there, I did it, I was hesistant because no one ever believes posters having inside info, and I never do, but that is what funneled down my way, take it for what its worth!
GO VOLS!!!
ORANGEAND2 writes:
i suppose for SOME of the players sake -- a decent bowl match-up would be in order -- i think IF we beat USC & win out the rest -- i could go along with that. you know it's more for the players than the fans -give the young men a chance to ENJOY going somewhere during the holidays and finish/start the season on a WINNING note, but only if we win out!! as always-- GO VOLS!!
hilltopper writes:
please do not take this sorry excuse of a team to a bowl game Let Vandy go or UAB or Memphis have the spot of a 6-6 team but Vandy or UK will beat us if SC doesnt A team that is as poorly coached as this one cant win many games No running game No passing game Poor play calling Poor coaching please bowl people dont invite them
givehim6 writes:
I can see UT winning 2 of it's last 4 games. If we could have upset bama i saw us going to a smallbowl but, we would have to do a 180 on offence and play sharp like we have been on defence. keep playing like we have been, the D will run out of gas by half time.
andy112382#209793 writes:
I really do not want Leavitt, anyway I don't see him going anywhere, he built that program from nothing, all of his family lives down there and he has pretty much indicated he wouldn't want to leave.
blitzshoot writes:
If Ihad a choice, it would be Mike Gundy, but I don't think he would ever leave Ok St. UT though needs to go after everyone. Regardless of the obvious, ask...
DennisVols writes:
One more:
The Toliet Bowl
Opponent: Charmin/A soft game
With the drop in fan support going on at UT, if it comes down to a choice between 2 teams with equal records UT will be watching the bowl season instead of playing in it.
stevefrommemphis writes:
If the only choice is going to Birmingham, I'd tell the SEC to find somebody else to take Tennessee's place. No way I'd support those Alabamans.
budrhon writes:
As the little old Lady said,"It'll never happen". At least not this season. There are potentially 2 or more losses in wait. Instead of going to the bowl lets start reviewing some film and determine how we can get this offense going. Surely there has got to be one explosive game from this team. Miss State game doesn't count.
raoucubs writes:
We are Tennessee. I am not satisfied with just a bowl. Who cares about a bowl, if we go 6-6. That is a load of phooey. We have been embarrassed all year. If we go to a bowl, at all, we will be playing a team such a Central Michigan. Who cares if we can beat a team like that. The players as well as the coaches need to go home and look back at the way they played this year and have inspiration to come back next year with a chip on their shoulder. I say lets skip a bowl if we are even able to get one and Let CPF resign and start the coaching hunt early. We are a huge program with lots of history. We need to get in the coaching hunt, as soon as possible, so we can keep the recruiting class we have and make sure nobody leaves this poorly coached team. The earlier we show our hand the better off we will be in the near future and sooner we can get down to business. Go Vols!!!!!
Volomatic writes:
I have never seen so many fans (or so you call yourselves that) Be so unsupportive. Sure, I want CPF gone just as much as the next. But for the recruits who are watching, They would like to see a team that pulled it together at seasons end and made it to a bowl.(wether it is possible is not the point). You should want YOUR team to go to a bowl for the sake of what it can produce for the following season.
I know I'm going to hear phooey for it but hey I bleed orange and will always bleed orange.
a10acfan1 writes:
I agree 100%
BillsBrother writes:
While a lower bowl is not important to us, any bowl is extremely important to the players and to future recruiting.
None of the kids want to stay home over the break and the travel money helps them out. it would be nice to point out to recruits that UT goes to a bowl even during a "bad" season.
BillsBrother writes:
Who thought Rich Rodriguez would leave West Virginia after he turned down Bama? But he did.
You are right, you have to ask.
mlbrown5454 writes:
a bowl is bowl is bowl.
i would like one (excuse for one), but new year's eve plans will not be curtailed this year.
4 wins in 4 games to make one.
6-6 should not qualify.
i will continue to wear the orange.
sigh.
Volomatic writes:
4 wins would make us 7-5
Volomatic writes:
nevrmind last post to much kool-aid read your post wrong brown
newtonrail writes:
Pardon me sir, but that's nuts. 3 weeks extra practice time is good for team, no matter who the coach is next year. As far as "working on coach", aren't they all going to be working in bowls, NFL playoffs, etc.? Some poster said we could fire Fulmer immediately, hire a new coach at the end of season, and " use the time to practice for next year instead of bowl". Slight NCAA violation there. I keep promising myself I'll quit reading this trash, and for the most part I have. Too hard on my BP.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
I 'd like to see a Heisman Trophy candidate at the University of Tennessee before Fulmer leaves. And another National Championship. You've got to get hungry and suffer lose to get to the next level. Things are working out fine actually for the long haul. And it's so much fun watching you little mice fuss and fret over each and every game, and Fulmer this, and Fulmer that. He's really got you boys by the balls doesn't he!
FedUpVolFan writes:
He's alive!
Gosh you had us worried.
Welcome home loser!
kabul_vol writes:
You are probably correct about fans not wanting to travel to support the team after this year. Especially with the economic woes that apparently has everyone ready to vote to give the Democrats control over every part of our government - sorry, that's a post for another day/time/place.
But, getting back to bowl game possibilities - I think the Music City Bowl would like to have UT. It would probably sell out and give many folks a chance to attend a UT bowl game.
Of course, that's all IF, and its a BIG "if", UT can win out. Or at least finish 6-6.
Don't think for a minute that UT will volunteer to sit at home if they are 6-6 and offered a bowl game. It gives you a ton of extra practices to set up for 2009.
surfing_vol writes:
Wow...
Joe Pa has certainly turned Penn State around, so anything is possible with respect to the program.
Heisman candidate? Man, we're Tennessee and "don't get no respect." If Peyton couldn't win, who could? Also, are you even suggesting that any of the current players would EVER be considered?
cgbtn writes:
When I first started watching the Vols, centuries ago, there were really only five bowls: Rose, Cotton, Sugar, Orange, and Gator. The Sun Bowl was around, but teams like Tennessee didn't go there. Back then, going to a bowl was a really big deal. The fact that a team as pitiful a the current Vols could even be talked about going to a bowl testifies to how meaningless going to a bowl has become. The only reason for going to a bowl with this team would be an attempt to convince people Fulmer has turned things around. If this team goes to Shreveport, any Vol fan should be ashamed to be seen in the stands.
KennesawVol writes:
Unfortunately, ole Mikey boy is all about money, as most prostitutes are, and will grab ANY bowl that'll pay him ANY amount of money for the Vols to play in.
piledriver writes:
NOT THIS YEAR. Besides, who would go?
invisiblekid writes:
I wonder if they could break the 100 yard rushing plateau in that game?
tennecwingrider writes:
I would love to see us go to a bowl game. Any bowl. I look forward to that time of year and missing out in 2005 was just depressing. By the way, any of you from here in Atlanta see the interview with Eric Berry in the AJC? Read it and see if you aren't proud of being a Vol. This guy deserves every good thing that life can give someone.
invisiblekid writes:
I hope they get to a bowl for the additional practice time as it's obvious they could use it. However, most of these bowl discussions will end after this weekend.
On second thought, if the light hasn't clicked on by now with all the hard work and fixin' in practice, why should we think another 3 weeks of doing the same is going to help?
For no other reason, I hope they get to one for some sense of redemption, as shallow as it may be.
invisiblekid writes:
It was a good story. The one thing I see as a marked improvement over 2005 is that they have some leaders on this team like Berry and Ayers. I also will give credit to Nick Stephens, who is doing about as well as could be expected given the circumstances.
blitzshoot writes:
WeLove, keep that ankle bracelet on.
invisiblekid writes:
I think he/she/it somehow managed to get the bracelet around it's neck and then snuck out of the yard. Thus, the damage and what you see here before us today.
Knoxobserver writes:
I love some of the players on this team - Berry, Rogan, Ayers, Wilson and I even have a soft spot for Foster who has played hard for UT for 4 years - and it kills me to say this, but just like in 05 I hope we don't become bowl eligible this year. A bowl should validate the success of a season not just hard work. This season is not going to be a success no matter how you look at it. This program (coaches, staff, AD, etc.) does not deserve to go to a bowl this year. I do hurt for the seniors who have dedicated themselves to the program for their college careers, but it's not just about dedication and hard work, it's also about delivering on the field. This team has not done that this year. They don't deserve to go anywhere but home for the holidays. Sorry guys, that's how I feel.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Bobby, look at Philly's record over the last 10 years and rethink that last post. Steve Spurrier knows TN inside and out, and if you don't think he will take advantage of TN's 10 yard defensive cushion late in the game, think again. You saw how our offense played against a good defense in Alabama, and SC defense is number 1 in the SEC. And who recruited said QB that can't play? Your friend Fulmer. He is totally to blame for our downfall over the past few years. 1-9 vs top ten in Neyland. That is a disgrace
blitzshoot writes:
Good article on Berry from THE STATE. The newspaper in Columbia, SC.
http://www.thestate.com/gogamecocks/s...
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
bowls , what the ---- kind of question is that .thats what wrong with the vols .theres too much stupid talk , if you hear the word respect ,they want it but can't earn it .
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
if he don't hurry , he won't be around to make the decesion .
99gator writes:
your looking at the papajohn's.com bowl, petro sun independence bowl, autozone liberty bowl.....if you make a bowl.
going to one of those bowls may inspire a better season next year.
but, if fulmer is fired....the extra practice time means nothing. however, the extra practice time may not matter anyway due to his coaching brilliance.
the excuses for the season's results are laughable. if it's the coaching.....it's the coach's fault. if it's the players.....it's the coach's fault because they recruited them.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I kinda like the idea of a tour of beautiful downtown Shreveport with my Phil sweatshirt on.
Freindly banter with the other fans from Wake Forrest or Marshall or some other powerhouse.
And what about seeing Chief in the peel and eat contest!
Get one ready for the doldrums, I tell you.
Feather in our cap.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Look, i know our team is phooey, and so is the coaching. But the T stands for Tennessee, always has and always will. I look forward to a new era and a new coach, but Sanders ain't it. I believe Florida held his offense to 3 points as they were scoring 60 plus.
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