The insulation isn’t a new addition.
First-year Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin abandoned walkthroughs or any extra visits to stadiums on the road even before this week.
That single-minded approach isn’t going away soon, and it should be of particular value Saturday (TV: WVLT, noon) against Mississippi. The itinerary is designed to eliminate distractions, and with the Vols facing them from nearly every angle this week, that style should prove plenty useful as they try to get their first win away from home this season.
“We’re going to stick with that,” Kiffin said. “It’s really just an approach that there’s only one thing we’re focusing on. We fly in, we meet, we go to sleep and we get ready to go win a game. We don’t really waste any time doing anything else.
“(This) will be no different.”
There might not have been any changes to the travel plans, but the week of preparation for the Rebels (6-3, 2-3 SEC) certainly came with some unexpected adjustments.
UT (5-4, 2-3) already was under the microscope and dealing with extra attention for defensive line coach Ed Orgeron’s anticipated return to the school that fired him as a head coach. UT had been gaining traction as a possible top-25 team and had been mentioned as a target for the league’s more prestigious bowls.
The Vols were clearly working their way back into the national spotlight even before it started shining so brightly on them for the wrong reasons after Thursday’s arrests of freshmen Janzen Jackson, Nu’Keese Richardson and Mike Edwards on attempted armed robbery charges. The three did not make the travel roster to Oxford, Miss. Richardson, who was the lone player in jail Friday, was freed on a $19,500 bond. So if ever a team needed a way to avoid disruptions, UT certainly qualifies.
“It just gives us a little time to relax and kind of settle in when we travel,” defensive tackle Dan Williams said. “For the guys, every game we’ve decided the first two road games didn’t go the way we wanted them to go, but also we were playing some great teams. This one, we’ll also play another great team.
“We’ve been close, and we’re not leaving with the ‘W’ like we want to, but I think the guys are coming together and we know we’re really getting close to getting that win on the road. Hopefully (today) we can get it.”
It’s been a long time coming for Kiffin, though he hasn’t exactly had many cracks at a road win yet.
The first college win came easily for him and didn’t require any waiting. A victory over a ranked opponent took a little longer, and Kiffin had to wait one more week after that for his first win streak.
But in terms of on-field success, there are still a few more items on his Year One checklist waiting to be scratched out. He could knock out both the road win and his first bowl bid at the same time against the Rebels, who have had UT’s full attention on the practice field no matter what was happening elsewhere.
Arrest warrants
Related
- WVLT VolunteerTV raw video of arrests
- Austin Translation: Jinxed
- Michael Silence: Online react to arrests
- Earlier: Jackson learns from mistake
- Audio clip from an interview with Janzen Jackson on Tuesday
- Audio clip of Janzen Jackson talking about being suspended for the last game
- Knoxville TV station gets scoop on UT player arrests with "routine diligent overnight news gathering"
“It really starts at the beginning of the week when our coaches stress how hard we have to practice to get ready for them,” defensive end Chris Walker said. “We’ve had really good weeks of practice for the last two months or so and that’s why we’ve been playing so well, but before the game it just starts when we leave the hotel. Our coaches do a good job of getting us cranked up before we leave the hotel and get on the bus.
“It’s just their energy, you know, it’s day in and day out. You would think the coaches are kind of subdued, but we come into a special-teams meeting and they’re all jacked up and jumping around and chest-bumping people.”
Orgeron for sure will be doing lots of that before and during the game.
But how much he gets to do after might depend on how well the Vols have insulated themselves from the pressure.
“I think they’re going to be ready to play,” Kiffin said. “For the most part, they’ve played really well in big games. It’s a national TV game, a lot on the line for them and for us, I expect their best shot and we’re going to have our hands full.
“I think having the confidence of playing well two times in a row on the road gives our guys, especially our young guys, a lot of confidence. It’s time to take the next step.
“We’re not going down there to play well, we’re going down there to win.”
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Comments » 63
arlvol writes:
Is Nuke still in the Pen?
ncvol17 writes:
Darn, here in ACC country we are stuck on CBS w/ NC State being pummeled by Clemson.. 1st and only game this year not available in NC....
lomas98 writes:
Great. An article to read actually talking about the game. We know we had 3 players arrested. I see this being a close game and the defensive pressure on Snead is a must. I hope it doesn't come down to a fg with Lincoln not full health.
VOLorado writes:
Focused Vols aim to get coach first road win...
AIM?
c'mon kns, you're better than that... maybe
Long_Time_Vols_Fan writes:
Man that stinks...was in Knoxville last week to see them play...now Im in NC and cant see them..guess its just me the computer on game tracker and the audio
10cvolnga writes:
Just keep your eye on the prize. Keeping the focus while all these senseless distractions loom about will show many just what you're really made of. Show your true colors this weekend. GO BIG ORANGE....It's SHOW TIME!!
Volunatic writes:
I like the businesslike attitude. I hope the Vols do get a good road win tomorrow.
PdxVol writes:
Ahh, lame! I'm in Portland Oregon and I'm pretty sure we get the game on CBS. Actually, I better check on that. GO VOLS!!!
scott_m99 writes:
I live in Raleigh and am facing the same situation. However, we have a UT fanclub that meets at a local restaurant here, and they have satellite with all the stations...Gameplan included. I'll be there with 50 other Vol fans watching. You don't have to sit home and watch gametracker or listen to the audio
volonthehill writes:
Scott, where are you meeting?
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I hope they are focused. For some reason, I just can't shake a very bad feeling about this. Hope to God I'm wrong. GO VOLS!
utdanman writes:
NCvol17 & Long Time Vols Fan- I live in Hickory, NC and usually I pick up the SEC CBS game on WAXN channel 64. If it's not on there then I try espn360.com and hook my computer to my tv. :) Unless you're on the eastern part of the state we should be able to watch it on WAXN 64.
ncvol17 writes:
they are not on Gameplan darn it. Does the restaurant have the ability to pick up a feed of CBS that is NOT Local? If so, what restaurant? Time Warner is not picking up the game on alternate CBS stations..NC State vs Clemson is on all of them per the cable guide...
Mr_Brownstone writes:
yep u r a real m f'r (rmf)
OrangeBlood54 writes:
Go Vols beat them Rebels . Forget about the arrest . It is done and can not be changed .
They should NEVER have the privledge to wear THE BIG ORANGE again . We are a class act .
GO VOLS
westennvol writes:
You might look on ESPN gameplan. It should probably be available for a fee there in NC.
VolunteerLifer writes:
I'm sure they look the same to him as they do at Tennessee. His recruits with a real coach, that is.
Is the 'real coach' you are talking about at Mississippi - Houston Nutt - the same real coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks when they were whipped by USC and OC Lane Kiffin's offense 70-17 in 2005 and 50-14 in 2006? So, when you say 'real coach', you're talking about Lane Kiffin, right? Gee, that must be humbling for you.
FEARinSEC writes:
Hehe, good one 'Lifer... Not too much RMF can say to that one.... At least not anything that makes much sense, but that's RMF's MO.....
AceVentura writes:
You can watch the game at channelsurfing.net they show a bunch of games and UT's will be on there.
murrayvol writes:
Yes.
TennesseeJed writes:
"Almost all games are lost by the losers, not won by the winners."
General Robert Neyland
GO VOLS!
We need a win!!
Roadmaster writes:
Thanks Lifer, I was about to say the same. Houston Nutt has taken this Ole Miss team to the brink of cliffdom from an overrated #4 preseason poll. Maybe O isn't ready for a head coaching job but he does the job we hired him for very well! Go Vols
murrayvol writes:
Travel all the way to Oxford and no sightseeing.
Bummer!
TobiasVol writes:
Did anyone notice the spelling of Kiffin in the heading of this story??? Kififn??? Oh well.
KJVol writes:
Who's this Coach "K I F I F N"?
Any proofreaders at the KNS? In the HEADLINE no less?
TobiasVol writes:
Yes they do, although they're 6-3 going into this game. I don't remember us being 3 games over .500 in 2005...were we???
VOLume27 writes:
Carolina Vols,
What, you don't want to watch "The Textile Bowl"? Shame, shame on you. Yes, that's the unofficial moniker for the N.C. State v. Clemson game. But I don't think people call the game that much anymore.
CrankE writes:
It will suck for Coach S to come to Knoxville next year, mister Troll Ride.
Govolsps writes:
you might be able to watch it on cbs.com. I've watched games on there before.
ellerbee123 writes:
GO VOLS!!!!!! Don't let the negative responses get you down.
Long_Time_Vols_Fan writes:
Scott...just down the road in Sanford...where do you meet? would be great to watch the game with 50 of my best friends....
jman33163 writes:
Time for the Vols to come together and step it up! We have played without all three of these clowns at one point or another this season, this is nothing! Just go out and execute the game plan. Buckle up that strap a little tighter and go out and knock someone on their arse! Screw the trolls and nay-sayers! Win out the rest of the year, including a bowl win, and be rewarded for your hard work. All of you have come a long way this year. Look at 'ol JC, the Sullins, Dan Williams, I could go on and on, this team has worked too hard to let the stupidity of a few young men, teenagers, ruin it for them! Step out on the field Saturday and show the rest of the people out there what Tennessee Volunteer football is all about!
Go Big Orange!!
DennisVols writes:
This is most probably the best therapy for this team right now. In times of adversity the worst thing you can do is spend time dwelling on something you have no control over.
Kiffin has done a great job this year of getting the team focused on their opponent. Admittedly this is the biggest challenge for doing that he has ever faced.
Emphasizing the importance of this game (road win and becoming bowl eligible) to the players so they stay focused on what is important for the team would be a key. I expect to see this team just as competitive, full of energy and operating at the improved levels we have seen the past 4 games.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Well great, then the season wasn't a total loss! I knew we must have won something important. As far as Ole Miss, they have a culture of losing for the past 30 years that is hard to break. A pre-season Top 10 ranking was all it took to turn up the pressure and cook their season. Schools used to winning every year, like USC, Florida, Texas, and Alabama, use high rankings as motivation - Ole Miss players wore it like a weight around their necks, expecting to fail and then proving the naysayers right. Too bad. UT had that same attitude in Phil's last few years. That much has changed for sure under Kiffin but we still have a long way to go to get back to elite status in the most elite conference.
mahabrando writes:
Kififn?
It's Kiffin.
Come on guys... proof-read your site... great site... just don't throw stuff up too fast, heh.
Expat_Orange writes:
Amen, bro. Thank goodness we don't have a bye week staring us in the face.
I'm guessing we've got an angry coaching staff and a team with an attitude. That could, and I think will, spell big trouble for the Rebs.
Not that CLK is one to ever take his foot off the pedal but I'm thinking our entire team and staff are ready to put the beat down on somebody, anybody.
Ole Miss happens to be the team that will serve as our punching bag. Look out, Rebels, the ill-tempered Lane Train is pulling into town with a take no prisoners attitude (no pun intended).
pope10 writes:
Haha my cousin works at a restaurant I think in St. Cloud and puts the Vols games on all tvs to tick the Florida fans off. Not the greatest way to get business, but a true fan indeed!
SIMSVOL writes:
RMFT987 - get a life. Tennessee will win the game - and maybe then you'll crawl back into your slimy hole.
cloudodust writes:
Vols will play angry. This is a game Ole Miss thinks their opponent is coming in with heads hung low. Wrong thinking. Tennessee begins it's bowl drive tomorrow...UT 38 Ole MS 11...GBO
SIMSVOL writes:
We'll see RMFT -
whether you want to admit it or not - and you too Deerbeda - Kiffin is a great coach and motivator. He'll have the VOLS ready to play despite the distractions. And his team beat BAMA up and down the field - had it not been for a gimpy kicker, they would have won the game and won it big. So you can count your lucky stars on that one - and you know it.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
The best defense in the SEC is coming into your house totally hacked off....your boys ain't got a prayer. Snead will not know which way to turn. Su@ks to be you.
TommyJack writes:
Move along 987. Still nothing for you here. I'm sure you have a sheep that needs attention.
coachbenchpressfakebakes writes:
I never claimed to be an x's and o's guy but I am one hell of a recruiter.
Who's this real coach you speak of? I believe Ole Miss was supposed to be a top 10 team this year.
mahabrando writes:
No, heh. But I do think we should spell the coaches name right...am I right or am I right?
mahabrando writes:
Why don't you think Kiffin will be loyal?
bigorange61 writes:
Brushy Mountain closed down in July, 2009. My guess is you heard wrong.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Actually, that is cbssports.com, though there is probably a link to it through cbs.com. There may even be a link to it through utsports.com.
lowman4vols writes:
Tennessee is the best job in the nation so you're right... Saban will never get a better job because Tennessee would never want to hire him. Don't get me wrong, he's a great coach at a great school. Tennessee has the best coach at the best school. Duh! You will see...
jsm67vol writes:
True that! Bama the land where men are men and sheep are nervous.
utvolz#637682 writes:
My daughter, son-in-law and grandkids live on Lake Hickory. Unfortunately, they're Aubie fans due to my son-in-law growing up that way (his dad is a long time Aubie alumnus.) He's a surgeon there in Hickory.
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