Auburn Tigers
AUBURN, Ala. - You knew this Saturday would be challenging for Tennessee and Auburn as soon as you saw the 2008 SEC schedule. But now, the challenge is magnified.
Forget the mathematical possibilities. You can't lose two SEC games in September and expect a place on the Georgia Dome marquee in December.
"They've got their backs to the wall, and so do we," said Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman in summing up the predicament of UT and Auburn prior to Saturday afternoon's game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Their shared dilemma stems from last Saturday's losses. UT lost to SEC East rival Florida in the afternoon; Auburn lost to SEC West rival LSU in the evening.
Sure, you can win the SEC with two losses. You can even win the national championship with two losses, as LSU proved last season.
But with two conference losses this early, your trip to Atlanta is more apt to be sponsored by Chick-fil-A than the SEC.
So this week is as much about selling as coaching. And UT coach Phillip Fulmer obviously has a tougher sell than Auburn's Tommy Tuberville.
Fulmer has to convince his Vols they aren't as bad as their 1-2 record, which includes a dreadful showing in a 30-6 loss to Florida last week.
That game was decided in the first quarter. Auburn's game seesawed back and forth for four quarters before falling LSU's way in the final seconds.
"We just lost to the team that won the national championship," Tuberville said at Tuesday's press conference. "(People are wondering), 'Who's going to beat them?' "
"But this a funny league. People will step up each week and play better than you thought. I tell all our players, 'Keep sawing wood.'
"I can't foresee anybody in our conference winning every game. There are too many good football teams in this league."
Those are encouraging words if you're playing catch-up after one SEC loss. They're not so encouraging if you lose two conference games before October.
Moreover, if UT loses Saturday, it will temporarily lose a huge chunk of its fan base. At 1-3, it probably could move its next game to Commonwealth Stadium and accommodate the crowd for the Northern Illinois game. Otherwise, it might consider putting a black curtain over the upper deck at Neyland Stadium.
Auburn fans aren't exactly feeling warm and fuzzy themselves. Some are concerned about the large Crimson elephant lurking nearby. Never mind that Auburn has beaten Alabama six consecutive times. The Tide is 4-0 and in the top 10. That's nightmarish stuff to some Auburn fans.
Other Auburn fans haven't forgiven Tuberville for installing a pass-oriented spread offense. Others are fuming over the decision to play quarterback Chris Todd over Kodi Burns.
Of course, Auburn's discord is a regular love fest compared to what's going on at UT. By the end of the first quarter Saturday, three fans had e-mailed me recommendations for a new UT football coach, and one of those coaches was losing to Boise State.
You don't have to be an SEC coach to understand the impact of losing. Players understand it just as well.
"Anytime you lose, that next game becomes the biggest game of the year," Auburn senior offensive tackle Jason Bosley said.
"You can either go in the tank or come out swinging."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
Tennessee 45 - Kentucky 74 SE…
Neyland Renovation nearly complete
UT vs. Ole Miss in SEC Tournament
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 47
Grim1 writes:
Loss
mdvol writes:
1-3
dvol writes:
John, I hope they don't wait till the last minute to order that curtain. The NI game is on PPV. One Question for anyone that knows. How much are they going to pay us for watching it?
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Philip Fulmer Offered New Job
It was announced today that FEMA has offered Philip Fulmer a position there. A spokesperson for FEMA stated that Fulmer was offered the position after witnessing how he could evacuate 100,000 people from a crowded facility in a fast, calm, and orderly manner on Saturday, September 20th.
volwalk writes:
"putting a black curtain over the upper deck at Neyland." Now that is funny---what is happening to our football program.
Don't be surprised-Fulmer haters--if your boy pulls one out of his arse and makes a run at the SEC East. It wouldn't surprise me..Not so sure that would be a good thing--you get embarrassed by your arch rivals two years in a row. If Fulmer makes a run; he better win the whole darn thing...SEC Championship!
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
That joke is already old.
samjrr writes:
I'm still on the bandwagon! Go Vols! Dont give up!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Your right it is old, but it still funny.
Now, Adams' comment about the black curtain in the upper deck of Neyland is clever because that's a trip down Memory Lane when Buzz was coaching hoops at UT.
OrangeRush writes:
Adams is jumping for joy with each UT loss.
dvols writes:
the more yall FEMALE DOG the more i love my vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bubbajim writes:
I'm looking forward to face-value tickets for SEC home games. Woo-hoo!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I am trying to figure out if the rumour is true..does anyone know if Fulmer met with Johnny Majors? There is word that they are both trying to figure out what to do..
yeavols#228407 writes:
Orange RUSH..save it..everyone at this point is hoping Fulmer loses the rest just to get rid of him..nothing against the players
ect1983 writes:
John Adams------Are you scared of something ??? Ever since February, you have turned into a relative Girly-Man. We expect a column based on Phil's press conference today regarding the ...paraphrasing...." ...I bet 95 % of the booing fans didn't play football "...........PHORMER PHUL PHILMER SUPPORTER
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Yea, but the main thing, win or lose, my ticket is punched for the Georgia dome, no matter who wins or loses. It's great being a sportswriter, isn't it.
firefulmer writes:
The Vols will struggle to score 14 points. TN will let Auburn's offense look like National Championship material.
leedsvol2007 writes:
I think its time we all chill out a little bit. I've been really upset as have a lot of my fellow Vol fans because of high expectations based on last year's finish and the returning talent.
First, Crompton is struggling adapting to the starting QB role and a new offense.
If you look at Florida they have arguably the best quarterback they have ever had, a running back for the first time since Fred Taylor was there that is as good as any in the league, and a vastly improved defense. They were better than we were and we helped them beat us. We can't help their talent but we can play better in upcoming games.
At this time Crompton needs encouragement not criticism. He reminds me a lot of Tee Martin early in his playing time. As well as Tee played as the season went on he struggled against Syracuse, Florida and Auburn early in the 98 season and against Georgia the first half of that game. And he had Jamal Lewis & Shawn Bryson followed by Travis Henry and Stephens to hand the ball off to and Peerless Price to throw to.
In fact and I was at Auburn for the game Tee was just plain awful against Auburn. If it wasn't for a great goal line stand followed later by a 30 yard run by a one legged Jamal Lewis that game would have been lost.
Against Georgia the following week David Cutcliffe challenged him at half to become the man and he responded but it was not until 4 games into the season the light bulb went on for him. And he had been running Cutcliffe's offensive system for 2 years in practice prior to that season.
Crompton has had to adapt to the loss of his QB coach and a new offensive system along with having surgery on his elbow in the spring and a sore ankle thus far this fall.
I personally had hoped he would come out and be better than Ainge and that defensively our defensive line would have been getting to the quarterback and we would have one of those special years.
The reality now this will not be a special year in terms of a national championship or top 5 finish. The goal now is to pick up the pieces, get better, try and get to a reasonably good bowl and have a great recruiting year.
And we need to back off Fulmer for now. The reality with his situation is if we end up in a bowl game he will return and based on what I can see he is building a great recruiting class.
If we have a .500 or losing season then the key contributors to our program will push for a new coach.
Its 1994 all over for Phil Fulmer and based on his body language he knows it.
In the meantime we have 85+ kids that chose him as their coach and our school and football program to bring their talents. They deserve our support.
Let's show them that we support their decision.
GoVols!
TurboFan writes:
That's the problem! Bench alkhall!
TheVolMan writes:
OrangeRush, don't redirect your anger about the football team's woes towards the messenger, JA. He's not happy with each loss. But, like many of us, he's not surprised.
Stay away from being a Weenie. Resist the stupid side.
HotlantaVol writes:
" "Anytime you lose, that next game becomes the biggest game of the year," Auburn senior offensive tackle Jason Bosley said."
Tennessee is set to have A LOT of big games this year.
HotlantaVol writes:
What I saw on Saturday was a lack of discipline and a lack of heart. I love the University of Tennessee, especially Tennessee football, and it breaks my heart to see it floundering about with no apparent sense of purpose or direction.
It's time for someone to step up. A player to get our offense back on track and in the end zone. A coach to get rid of the stupid mistakes and to realize that special teams is not a JV proving ground (I understand the risk of injury increases due to the collision nature of special teams, but how many special teams injuries have we had this year? How many special teams points have we given up this year?).
The fans need to decide to agree to disagree with Fulmer and Hamilton and get behind the Vols. I no longer feel like Fulmer is the right person to lead the Vols, but you will not hear me Boo the players or coaches. I will express my opinion through e-mails and through not making my usual donation to the athletic department.
Waldorf writes:
No way in the world we score 13 against Auburn's D, but the 33 might happen.
Bench Crompton.
Fire Fulmer.
Fire Hamilton.
Waldorf writes:
Thought you didn't read the newspapers Phil?
Or is this Vicki.
Give me a break.
Bench Crompton.
Fire Fulmer.
Fire Hamilton.
imnotwithphil writes:
This one will be close - but Phil and the boys will figure out a way to blow it.
Even if we do eek out a win... consider that AU will probably finish 3rd of 4th in the SEC West... not exactly a great measuring stick for our program.
dirtywhiteboy writes:
i never thought in my wildest nightmare that i would say what i'm about to say....BRING BACK JOHNNY BALL!!!!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"A black curtain across the upper deck of Neyland".
Hmmmm, maybe they could use part of the one that surounds our outlook and save some money for Mikey the H.
dirtywhiteboy writes:
it would probably be a good idea to close off the upper deck for a while. fans are gonna get to the point they can't take it anymore and start jumping over the top. i haven't been up there in a few years but seems like it's a long way to the ground, especially down on the south end.
vance2002#327500 writes:
Since I did not play football on the college or professional level this disqualifies me from boo-ing poor decision making during the game - according to some on the UT Football Team.
As someone who has been around the program for decades and even had a family member as a head coach at UT in the history of UT Football - and - as someone who has been a fan and a hobby to study the game then I ask:
Does this also disqualify me from coming to the games and cheering?
"You cannot have it both ways."
rockytop4ever writes:
1-3? I never thought I would see this program where it is. Its a sad day for UT football.
Striker writes:
True Vance2002, i would like to appoligize for booing, since i do not meeting the coaches and players qualifications. I would ask these fine men to please only discuss football and never give their opinion if it is negative towards anything other than football, they most likely do not meet those qualifications.
I think i have this being a football fan and modern American thing figured out.
Football:
-sit quietly, and only cheer and use positive comments towards the players as they are only "kids" not adults. Regardless of what they may be doing on the field.
-NEVER stand and upset the wealthy, that is "classless, redneck behavior
-Purchase as much merchandise as possible, and agree with every decision the administration, coaches, and even players make. They are the ones with experience, and knowledge
Life-
Always agree with your leaders, never disagree, that is unpatriotic.
I think we should all Bah, and not boo......
givehim6 writes:
The perfect cure for Alburns headack UT. I think this one might be close. UT will come out strong, mainly out offrustration but will slow in the 2nd quater. 3ed quarter UT still slow but starts playing dume turns the ball over gives Auburn a td or two. By 4th quarter UT is so out of sorts thay can't hold a drive together. Auburn has it's confidence and makes a TD of it's own. end UT 10 Aurburn 17.
jwright13#576991 writes:
Yeah.
You're literate....
jobrando#216494 writes:
Yes ,,single wing with Jones playing Majors..and his trademark jump pass..dont laugh jump pass worked good for tebow.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
lol Hot!
It's been a while since someone put the "UT 0" below the "I 40" sign.
That was '88 - when the DJ moved onto the roof on Cumberland Ave until the Vols won. By the 6th game versus Alabama orange bags with 'eye holes' where being sold outside the stadium. Tennessee played well but lost to a top-10 Alabama team to start 0-6.
Of course that team won there final 5 and went 11-1 next year.
After JM lost to Alabama for something like the 11th time in a row - Fulmer pulled his coup d'etat.
I think everyone thought it was a crummy thing to do - but in the interim Fulmer coached a young team extremely well against heavily favored Georgia and Florida while JM was undergoing surgery - Majors returns and loses 3 games 1 being Alabama - 2 others in which the Vols were favored - and it was all for JM.
I do think people have been too hard over Fulmer during the years - but he took over in ruthless fashion - and now he's not winning. Better or worse, I think his time is done. Hamilton is definitely his biggest ally.
Now, I wouldn't be shocked if Tennessee wins (surprised maybe) if we go 7-2 or 8-1 the rest of the way (though 6-3 is more probable). But it's not were the program needs to be.
joesbuttoni#220832 writes:
The Florida game was a debacle. Horrible game plan, no discipline, horrible in-game decisions, including some of the worst play-calling and time management at the end of the 1st half that I have ever seen. Let the clock run down to 16 seconds before calling FINAl timeout. Fla could drop into coverage with no threat of UT running on 3rd down. Decision to go for it on 4th down was even worse. Oh well.
When Fulmer was trying out for the job of HC, he was aggressive and ruthless. He is now just fat and toothless. 0-4 vs. Florida (0-5 after next year) is just not acceptable.
wyomingvol writes:
Hey Phil,
After you tank the Auburn game,,, Just call the fans (that pay your salary) a bunch on no talent idiots that don't recognize what good football play is.
Way to show that big potato holder arse.
Truevol writes:
Who cares...who do we open up with in basketball???
pdhuff#552644 writes:
What's your predict, Kingsport?
At the Village on the Plains....
invisiblekid writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7ljM...
A little rough on the delivery, but he gets points for creativity IMO.
VOLstuckINky writes:
Atlanta .... I only assume jack@ss Adams is mocking.
1-3
UT 9
AU 33
"it's time"
volsbandit writes:
Sorry buddy, won't be close. Repeat of last Saturday. Auburn will score a quick 14 points before we eat our 5th hot wing. Another beatdown is in store... just wait and see.
rocky_topper writes:
I'll bet a hundred dollars we will beat Auburn this Saturday.... LOL, just kidding!
rockytoptilidie writes:
Fulmer just got murdered on "The Herd". Damn.
mjaichele#464960 writes:
Man, I need a Vol Burger bad.....
gillblog writes:
So, about that now old joke (Fulmer resigning to go to FEMA). I'd like to know if anybody who heard that joke and didn't hear the punchline or didn't know it was a joke for a while would tell us their immediate feelings when you heard Fulmer was resigning?Exactly what did you think about first? What were your very first emotions?
Were you glad but sort of sad ( I know I was)?
Were you a little scared that this would make things even worse or that maybe deep down inside you believed Fulmer actually WAS doing a good job and maybe it was a mistake for him to leave?
Or,did you jump for joy and shout "FINALLY HE's GONE!"?
Anybody care to open up?
markc2 writes:
Let's face it. Auburn has a better defense that Florida. UT doesn't have a QB, an offensive coordinator or a head coach. UT won't even score on Auburn. Auburn 20, UT 0. Sad days.....
kbart4033#247331 writes:
Okay, Non-Qualifiers, enjoy this:
--from gotrojansxtra.com, KingsportTrojan spews: "Pete Carroll is an idiot; his hair is too gray, he's too skinny;
he hasn't coached-up all those Parade All-Americans. I'm
thru with the friggin' spoiled brats the Trojans call
football players!"
--from gogamecocksxtra.com, ThrowinLikeHeck pecks: "Steve Spurrier is the most over-paid, over-rated, stubborn,
ego-maniac idiot to ever collect a check in the SEC...
the game has passed him by!"
--from gopatriotsxtra.com, TouchdownMASS whines: "That idiot Bill
Belichek has no clue when it comes to making in-game
adjustments...That single-wing stuff Miami ran down
the Patriots' throats was the same offense we ran
in the Twenties!"
Repeat after me: "It is a game. It is entertainment.
I am gonna give my tickets to some kids. They get it!"
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.