Last year at this time, Tennessee fans were wondering if Monte Kiffin would leave Tampa. Now, you might wonder if he could go back to Tampa.
I'm not referring to the Tampa Bay Bucs, where he gained NFL fame as an innovative defensive coordinator. I'm talking about a bowl trip.
If you want to speculate on UT's bowl possibilities, you have to start with the Outback Bowl in Tampa. That's not just because its defensive coordinator has a fan base there.
It's the only bowl any player on this team can discuss with firsthand knowledge. That includes fifth-year seniors.
The Vols didn't qualify for a bowl in 2005 or 2008. In between, they played in two Outback Bowls.
Based on that, you might think the Outback Bowl would dismiss the Vols on familiarity alone. "Not at all," said Mike Schulze, the Outback Bowl's director of communications and sponsorships. "We took them in back-to-back years, so that's not an issue."
The Outback Bowl has had representatives at UT's last two games, a last-second loss to Alabama and a 31-13 victory over nationally ranked South Carolina.
"We're excited about the way they're doing," Schulze said. "We'll wait to see how the season plays out."
That bowl might have been a letdown a couple of years ago when UT almost upset LSU in the SEC championship game. It might be a best-case scenario now.
It's a New Year's Day bowl. It offers warm weather and a beach in the middle of winter. Moreover, the state is a home away from home for UT recruiters.
And they've got the billboards to prove it.
Getting back to Tampa won't be easy. But if the Vols can win their last four games, they would end the regular season on a five-game winning streak.
The SEC East couldn't offer a hotter team.
Florida, Alabama and LSU likely will qualify for the SEC's three best bowls, including two in the BCS and the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.
A scramble is shaping up behind the SEC's big three. And the Vols are right in the middle of it.
The Outback and Cotton bowls are on equal footing in the SEC pecking order - behind the BCS bowls and the Capital One, but ahead of every other bowl with SEC tie-ins.
The Outback has the option of taking the top remaining team from the East. The Cotton gets the best of what's left from the West.
The Cotton Bowl, scheduled for the afternoon of Jan. 2, also would be a great option for UT. Dallas might be farther and colder, but the bowl offers more tradition and the spectacular new home of the Dallas Cowboys, who will be playing in the same stadium the next day.
But the Outback might not pass on an 8-4 UT team, which would finish second in the East by winning out. Georgia already has four losses and is stumbling toward the finish line. South Carolina has three losses but still has to play Florida, Clemson, and Arkansas on the road.
The Vols also could find themselves competing with Auburn and Ole Miss, both with three losses.
Auburn, which defeated the Vols by four points last month, might get by Georgia in Athens. But it also might get embarrassed in the final game against Alabama.
Ole Miss will provide bowl competition and an on-the-field challenge as well. It's the best team the Vols will play in the last month of the season.
If UT beats Ole Miss in Oxford (Nov. 14), it will be a solid favorite to defeat both Vanderbilt and Kentucky the last two weeks. If it pulls that off, a bowl trip to Tampa or Dallas could be its reward.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
Neyland Renovation nearly complete
Derek Dooley talks to Bi…
NCAA selection process for th…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 29
mdvol writes:
Given the empty seats in Neyland, there's no way a bowl that far away will invite the Vols. Can't say I blame them. We will deserve Tampa or Dallas, but we will play in Nashville, Memphis or Atlanta.
CrankE writes:
One at a time, please. Let's talk bowls when all 12 games are in the books.
DennisVols writes:
This time last season the talk was about Fulmer getting fired and could UT win enough games to even become bowl eligible.
One year later and we're talking about a New Year's day bowl.
Any question about if this team is better?
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Huttdawg100 writes:
Kiffin was on Sports 560 AM in Memphis today, and he said something extremely positive. The commentator said, "Kirk Herbstreit said that Tennessee's stock was rising. What does that mean to you after a year as the head coach?" Kiffin responded, "Well, that stuff comes and goes. If we lose, all the praise and stuff will go away. We just have to keep getting better and keep practicing hard." That tells me that Kiffin is only focused on whats going on right now.
Furthermore, with Kiffin opening up competition at some positions, he's keeping the pressure on the team so there won't be a let down. After that interview, I have no doubt that we hired the right guy to coach this team.
senracjr writes:
Were you born stupid or did it just kinda creep up on you?
elbtenn#502977 writes:
At this point, a bowl trip means xtra practice time.
VolFanFtl writes:
Personally, I would love to see the Vols play again in Tampa for two reasons. First, it puts us front and center with all the recruiting we are doing in Florida. Second, gator nation would be crazy having to see/hear Kiffin in Florida that whole bowl week.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor giddy!
Bones never lie!
GBO!
TommyJack writes:
Better than last year's Un-bowl.
HallowedHill writes:
Beat Ole Miss first, worry about Bowling later.
Pullingguard writes:
It's called Creepy-Kritters and affects people in weird sort of ways...l
VOLHolla writes:
Hey Doc,
Where do the bones say we will be when the invites are handed out?
Couchdummy writes:
I believe that CLK just simply loves the game of football. He speaks directly, and there is no filter for political correctness! He is learning the PC on the job. I am refreshed by his candor and single-minded focus on winning and his player/coach honesty. That is so different from what we were used to in recent years from Fulmer and crew.
chestnutglade writes:
The editor need a editor.To early for this talk.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say Bones not work on sports...dang. Witch Doctor he be on couch smoking big ole "tater" watching Vols. Witch Doctor say hell ya!
Bones never lie
JBVol writes:
Hey WD, if you are smoking a "tater" would others in village of lessor status be smokin' "tator-tots"? Just asking, keep up the great posts!
VOLinNYC writes:
If you were talking about the South Carolina game, I noticed a large swath of empty seats at the top, too. But, it was because USC returned 3,500 tickets at the last minute and UT probably couldn't sell them in time (the empty seats were near other scarlet and black clad fans). There was speculation that USC returned them because fans were worried about the rock slides in the mountains (or Eric Berry).
InTheShadows writes:
yeah i noticed plenty of empty seats..but a good majority were the away fans seating..plus only the strong and loud come to play on rainy gamedays!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
If I had my druthers, I would pick Tampa. Shorter trip, better weather, more to do outside, easier to get around locally, and right in the middle of prime recruiting territory. I would like to see the "Jones-Mahal" some day, but that is about the only reason for me to go there. HOWEVER, the Vols still have a LOT of good football to play before we make plans.
seventysevenvol writes:
Well said...
orangeluvr writes:
Kiffin is smart, watch and listen.
michealgibson21#260794 writes:
Can't you read? The Outback bowl president just said the Vols were under consideration. Empty seats at Neyland have nothing to do with Tampa or Dallas as the vol fans have always shown loyalty by following their team far and wide. Just wait and see how it plays out, we have to take it one game at a time. If we do, we will be rewarded nicely. Patience is a virture.
MG
OrangePride writes:
Uhhhhhhhhhh.........."given the empty seats in Neyland?" I hope you aren't referring to the rain drenched USC game because, given the conditions, that was a pretty lively and decently large crowd. Georgia was packed. Auburn was packed. So, unless you want to tell me that Oxford and Auburn are both showing livelier and larger crowds than the VOLS, then I think "empty stadium" is a little off the mark, no? Here's the issue.......can the Vols win out? Both Mississippi and Kentucky will be tough road tests.
Big_Orange_Country writes:
1 game at a time. Memphis first, please kick their butts majorly Vols. U can do it. Get it done and then focus on O-Missi.
Go Big Orange !!!
DemocratVol writes:
The only seats I have seen consistently empty has been the upper deck student section and, let's face it, students aren't exactly the target market for bowl tickets.
rockytop#413695 writes:
I really wish you had a brain!
CadmiumOchre writes:
You have laced an evil, totally evil grin upon my face.
Suddenly, I'm hoping we thoroughly in this Outland Bowl race.
Imagine going to Gator and raising their blue & orange hem.
Giving them a whole darn week, of Lane Kiffin laughing at them.
CadmiumOchre writes:
Meant to say Outback Bowl not Outland. On the other hand with all that swamp in Florida maybe they are out of land. Well, at least they have pythons.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say ONCE again you are wrong(94896)at kickoff. Witch Doctor say you picked Ga./SC/Memphis/Ohio to beat Tennessee and predicted blowouts of 50 for gators/ 35 for Ga./ SC by 40 points...Witch Doctor pretty sure your family glad this anonymous board..cause you an idiot.Witch Doctor bet you the one at the family reunion nobody glad to see.(KNS EMPLOYEE JUST HERE TO STIR THE POT)
Bones never lie
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.