COLUMBIA, S.C. —After each defeat, Tennessee players have had to readjust their goals.
The loss to UCLA in the season opener ended the Vols’ chances for an unbeaten season. The loss to Florida ended killed their hopes of a national championship. The loss to Georgia meant they wouldn’t win the SEC. And last Saturday’s loss foiled their bid to ruin archrival Alabama’s unbeaten season.
But the Vols can have a winning season. If that doesn’t get the players’ competitive juices flowing, I advise them to consider the alternative.
The alternative should be especially abhorrent to the seniors. This senior class could be the first one since 1980 to have two non-winning seasons.
South Carolina 20, Tennessee 10: UT’s offense continues to draw historical comparisons.
The 1988 team, which finished with 212 points, had scored three more points through eight games. The 1974 team, which totaled 211, had scored nine more.
Not since 1964 has a UT team scored fewer than 211 points.
Florida 34, Georgia 27: It’s the Stompers vs. the Chompers in Jacksonville.
Last season, the Gators chomp was overshadowed by the Bulldogs stomp during their bench-clearing touchdown celebration. Afterwards, the Gators seemed more upset about the celebration than the defeat.
It’s payback time.
Ole Miss 20, Auburn 17: Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has been fired, head coach Tommy Tuberville is under fire, quarterback Chris Todd has lost his starting job, the defense just gave up 445 yards to West Virginia, and Wes Byrum has repeatedly missed crucial field-goal tries.
If the Tigers are building toward a strong finish, they’re being really discreet about it.
Tulsa 34, Arkansas 31: It’s Homecoming Week II in Fayetteville.
Last week, the Razorbacks faced their former coach, Houston Nutt, who made a triumphant return to Fayetteville at the Hogs’ expense. Up next is Gus Malzahn, not-so-affectionately known as “High School” by Nutt and his other Arkansas assistants when Malzahn was on their staff.
“High School,” who now directs Tulsa’s No. 1-ranked offense, will look like a pro against Arkansas.
Mississippi State 9, Kentucky 5: Does anyone remember when the Wildcats were 4-0? I didn’t think so.
In fact, the Wildcats looked so incompetent in last week’s 63-5 loss to Florida, I thought Bill Curry had returned as head coach.
Alabama 31, Arkansas State 10: Playing the No. 2-ranked Tide offers advantages that don’t necessarily show up on the scoreboard.
It’s called “exposure.”
This week, Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts was on a national radio show. And last week, UT received national television exposure against Alabama.
LSU 44, Tulane 20: LSU has co-defensive coordinators. I recommend that one of them start counting their change.
Their nickel package looks a couple of cents short.
Top 25: Texas 38, Texas Tech 37; Oklahoma 45, Nebraska 20; Southern Cal 48, Washington 7; Oklahoma State 41, Iowa State 10; Utah 41, New Mexico 24; Boise State 37, New Mexico State 13; TCU 37, UNLV 17; Missouri 48, Baylor 17; Florida State 27, Georgia Tech 20; BYU 37, Colorado State 24; Minnesota 28, Northwestern 20; Michigan State 27, Wisconsin 24; Cal 30, Oregon 27.
Record: 146-38 (.793) overall, 85-76 (.528) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 13
Smokey91 writes:
Here's a goal for the Vols. Don't get your butt handed to you on National TV again in Columbia. This season has been almost as tedious as watching the election coverage. At least that will end next Tuesday. Our season of horrors has a few weeks to go yet. Sad when you find yourself longing for the days of Steve Alatorre (mediocre QB in Major's early years; would fit right in with this bunch).
TheVolMan writes:
Vols0075 = Big Dumb Weenie
littleorange writes:
John.....your act is making me weary!
tnbigg writes:
Sadly...the Vols act is making us all weary...no goals...and this is the all new Tennessee football...hooray...slow golf clap...head shaking slowly back and forth...lips curled in disbelief...we are the bottom feeder of the SEC East...yeah...how exciting can it get...
WYLOVER writes:
what act? calling out people for non-performance?
blitzshoot writes:
UT GOAL...get the da#n thing out of the ditch. Hard to worry about the road when you're in a ditch!
FlaVol2 writes:
John Adams, go toot your horn somewhere else.
FlaVol2 writes:
Good idea: When you're in a hole, don't dig!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
After every loss, I just dig my heels down further on Fulmer's face. I make the team feel guilty, I make fun of them, I critisize their coach. And you know what, I've been getting away with this for 20 some years. You'd think these dooks would wake up ....Ha Ha Ha!!! Some call them trailer trash, i call them 10's 20's and 50's(dollar bills you know). And a ticket for every game, and of course MY Heisman Trophy vote. And Fulmer thinks he's a better man than I am. What really gets me about Fulmer is his gosh darns, hecks, shoot fires, and his football terms he uses on his Sunday shows. And the faces he makes while talking to Queisling. That's what really gets me, and I cannot ever make an error in print. No wonder Im mad. I wonder if I should reschedule my meeting with my therapist. Every time I think of that 9 4 season when they almost beat LSU. I thought I'd die over that one. Well anyway, glad these yahoooooooooos don't know what i'm thinking and especially what i think of them.... No wonder I'm losing my mind. yours truly John Adams
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Does Saban clap when they drop a pass?
ThurmondEppy writes:
YAWN
BigVolOnBoard writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Where have you gone, Kiner, Rotella and Walker?
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.