Wyoming memory lingers; Western Ky. assistant with Cowboys last year

Tennessee could do without any more reminders.

Western Kentucky doesn't mind them at all and will have one around every day in practice.

The Vols have turned the page and are ready to erase the memories of disasters like last year's 13-7 home loss to Wyoming, but with the Hilltoppers looking to duplicate it in the season opener Saturday, they're embracing both the underdog role and the upset.

And it doesn't hurt Western Kentucky coach David Elson to have a staff member on board who knocked off UT last November to lean on for a few tips.

"We've talked about it a little bit," Elson said. "Definitely we'll pick (quarterbacks coach Bob Cole's) brain on any intricacies of the stadium itself and those things.

"I think what we always try to do is look for examples of other people that have had a chance to be successful, not necessarily just against Tennessee, but in games like this where we're playing an upper-echelon SEC team and we're definitely the underdog. Definitely the Wyoming experience is one that we can pull from, but there's a lot of others out there as well."

Clearly the most recent and perhaps most relevant to the Hilltoppers was the stunner in Neyland Stadium which Cole helped engineer as Wyoming's offensive coordinator.

His attack might not have been that successful against UT's stingy defense and the play under center was largely forgettable, but Cole still has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to leave town with a win. And considering all the struggles Western Kentucky had in its last season before becoming a full-fledged member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, it will take any edge it can get.

"I think, first of all, we've got to be able to handle the environment," Elson said. "It's going to be loud and intense and there's going to be a lot of attention, so we've got to make sure for our guys that haven't been in that situation before that they understand what they're getting into.

"For our older guys, they kind of have to guide them and hopefully we handle it with poise and focus. I think once you do get into the game it's about the simple things - make sure you're secure handling the football, getting the football from the other team and running the football and stopping the run."

If it comes down to the last two issues, the Vols figure to have a decided advantage on both sides of the ball.

They'll have a lopsided edge historically as well against a team with none to speak of at the game's highest level. But recent history might at least provide the Hilltoppers with some hope and a rallying point.

"They're still an SEC program that has a ton of tradition and had a ton of success, and right now, really they've got a ton of momentum going for their program for what Coach (Lane) Kiffin has done since he took over," Elson said. "I don't think there's any diminishing whatsoever.

"Tennessee Volunteer football is something that is going to take a lot more than a coaching change and a bad season or two to diminish what (it) represents."

Another loss with Cole on the opposing sideline might be a start, though.

Austin Ward covers University of Tennessee football. He can be reached at 865-342-6274.