I don't make a habit of calling out fans. But I'll make an exception in this case.
Vanderbilt has been treated dreadfully.
I concluded as much while watching the replay of the Florida-Vanderbilt game. The Swamp looked the same, but it didn't sound the same. It was orange, blue and quiet.
Is that any way to treat an opposing SEC team?
It's not just a Florida issue. The problem is conference-wide.
Never mind that Vanderbilt has been more competitive in recent years. Most SEC fans haven't adjusted. They're still more apt to greet the Commodores with yawns than boos.
Vanderbilt can stay home and get indifferent fans. The Commodores deserve better on the road.
Tennessee 34, Vanderbilt 10: The Commodores are playing their 12th consecutive game without an open date, which makes you wonder what their athletic director was thinking. Oh, that's right, Vanderbilt doesn't have an athletic director.
Next time, whatever secretary is in charge of scheduling might want to consider an open date sometime in October.
This just in: SEC football is hard stuff. Or, as Dan Hawkins might put it, "This ain't intramurals, brother."
UT can vouch for that. If it loses another linebacker, it will be holding student-body tryouts for the Kentucky game. But the Vols wouldn't want to trade places with the Commodores, whose starting lineup has been decimated by injuries.
Vanderbilt's run of injuries is epitomized by the loss of star senior cornerback Myron Lewis, who was questionable for last week's Kentucky game with an eye injury. Cleared to play, he suffered a knee injury, which will require surgery.
Ole McCluster 27, LSU 23: Coming off a rousing 42-17 victory over UT, the Dexter McClusters could return to the top 25 with a victory today.
A balanced offense has been the key to their recent surge. Opponents haven't been able to figure out whether the ball will be handed, pitched or thrown to McCluster,
In the last three SEC games, he has 787 yards in total offense - or about 54 percent of his team's output.
Georgia 24, Kentucky 20: The SEC has returned to its roots and become a strong running league. But you couldn't tell it by the Bulldogs.
Six SEC teams, including Kentucky (17th), rank in the top 25 nationally in rushing.
Georgia ranks 80th.
Wonder if the Bulldogs have checked to see whether one of Herschel Walker's personalities has any eligibility left?
Arkansas 34, Mississippi State 20: Razorbacks 6-foot-7 quarterback Ryan Mallett might be playing too well for their own good (And I think NFL scouts would back me up on that).
He ranks third nationally in passing efficiency with 23 touchdown passes, just four interceptions, and 2,882 yards.
Although he's only a sophomore, he's eligible to go pro after this season. He sat out last year after transferring from Michigan, where he played as a freshman.
Florida 45, Florida International 7: The No. 1-ranked Gators are in the running for back-to-back national championships, but quarterback Tim Tebow's bid for a second Heisman Trophy is losing steam. Maybe FIU's defense can do something about that.
The Golden Panthers rank 118th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense.
There could be more help on the way. Florida State, Florida's final regular-season opponent, ranks 109th in total defense.
Alabama 41, Chattanooga 7: With back-to-back games against Auburn and Florida coming up, Alabama running back Mark Ingram would be best served by taking the day off. But you can't take days off when you're in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
Top 25: Texas 41, Kansas 17; TCU 45, Wyoming 7; Ohio State 34, Michigan 24; Virginia Tech 37, N.C. State 20; Oregon 37, Arizona 31; Penn State 27, Michigan State 24; Stanford 34, Cal 27; Wisconsin 40, Northwestern 27; Iowa 31, Minnesota 24; Miami 38, Duke 17; Clemson 41, Virginia 13; BYU 27, Air Force 16; Oregon State 48, Washington State 10; Utah 34, San Diego State 17; Houston 48, Memphis 24; Rutgers 27, Syracuse 10.
Record: 186-50 (.788) overall, 113-97 (.538) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 21
the10sevol writes:
40 minutes and not a nibble of a comment? dang, ja, if vandy deserves better, so do you.
agree with some of your picks, not so sure on others. oh well, that's why i watch on saturdays. not sure fiu scores on the gators, just to be ornery.
GBO
TommyJack writes:
Here...I'll humor him with a post.
creekroad writes:
Oh John, how you wish....out on a limb, the loud crier of criticism, the mediocre writer who has accomplished nothing and your white knight has now fallen.....11 months of nothing and where do we go now?
the10sevol writes:
something happened to tebow?
GBO
Caveman writes:
John,
Caveman say him very much like your Articles about Vol Tribe; normally appreciate and value your perspective. Fire talk to Caveman and tell me to say, "you stepped over PC line" whatever that means.
Fire say Herschel one of very best pigball players "ever" and to make light (he-he Fire snicker cause him make funny - get it - light-fire - he-he) oh, anyway. To make light of such great representative for College, USFL, NFL pig-ball players and member be on the USA Olympic Logteam who slides down ice ravine team; him a helluva Role Model for those who don't and may possibly not be quite normal in Brain.
Fire say you probably try to be Funny and it was a little but it was also little over line to say this bout anyone; especially someone like Hersheal. Fire say can't completely let you off hook.
Me hopes you have integrity to remove statement or alter article.
Caveman say Nuff Said!!
dowhatsright writes:
"Ole McCluster" is a good line. That's the truth. I've never seen a guy dominate a game the way he did last week. It will be interesting to see if LSU can stop him.
Voluvr writes:
We'll see the Wildcat tomorrow going left for sure. Hopefully, we'll have a defensive end that will get outside and contain and won't collapse in and over pursue every time.
murrayvol writes:
They will....except on 3rd down.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Uh, say what? Creekroad, Adams is not a mediocre writer. Lane KIffin is not a white knight. Adams is a talented writer, and Kiffin is a good football coach. The Tennessee program has not fallen. It is not falling. It is rising. You suck and are sucking. You are fallen and falling. So go away and try to flame some other board. Go suck and fall someplace else. No kidding...beat it; go away; scram. Volunteers are a welcoming folk, but you got nothing to welcome. In short, go someplace else. You are not welcome here.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Correction: Our program has fallen. But it is not falling. We are going up.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Repetition: Creekroad, or whatever your falling and sucking name is, go fall and suck someplace else.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
Last Week 19-6 overall, 12-13 against the spread 209-43 overall, 124-111 against the spread
Tennessee-27 (by 17)
Vanderbilt-13
Ole Miss-28 (by 4)
LSU-30
Georgia-35 (by 9.5)
Kentucky-33
Arkansas-45 (by 11.5)
Mississippi State-17
Florida-56 (no line)
FIU-10
Alabama-48 (no line)
Chattanooga-0
Texas-59 (by 27.5)
Kansas-10
TCU-42 (by 31)
Wyoming-6
Ohio State-34 (by 12)
Michigan-31
Va Tech-34 (by 21)
North Carolina State-7
Oregon-49 (by 6)
Arizona-35
Penn State-24 (by 3)
Michigan State-7
Stanford-52 (by 7)
Cal-21
Wisconsin-24 (by 7)
Northwestern-21
Iowa-17 (by 10)
Minnesota-6
Miami-44 (by 19.5)
Duke-14
Clemson-27 (by 21)
Virginia-23
BYU-21 (by 10)
Air Force-10
Oregon State-55 (by 31)
Washington State-7
Utah-25 (by 20)
San Diego State-14
Houston-52 (by 23.5)
Memphis-24
Rutgers-31 (by 9.5)
Syracuse-10
Razzle writes:
Why is a non conference game, Alabama-Chattanooga (zzzzz) , on the SEC network instead of Tenn-Vandy?
FEARinSEC writes:
I think, from a recruiting standpoint, we will be better off on ESPNU. Is the SEC network seen all over the country? I'm pretty sure ESPNU will be? I'm not sure, could somebody clarify for me?
I would rather be on a network that will be seen all accross the country, so any potential recruits, who might have us on their list, can check us out. The only downfall is that our game will be overshadowed by some higher profile games.
Razzle writes:
My bad, Tennessee - Vandy is a night game this time. That threw me off since those two usually play Saturday afternoons.
I thought the SEC network was nation-wide but I'm not positive.
Razzle writes:
The ACC game is in high-def on my Comcast and the SEC game looks like an al jazeera network broadcast. What's up with that?
Skullz_VOL writes:
LMAO!now THAT is funny!
rockytopatl writes:
SEC Network games are just in the Southeast, nine states in all. ESPN, the Deuce, ESPNU, even ESPN Classic, are national.
However, I believe you can see many if not all SEC Network games online at ESPN360.com from anywhere if your ISP has a deal with ESPN and you have a free account.
ncvol17 writes:
In NC the ACC game often overrides the SEC Network game. My Time Warner has ESPNU in HD so I am living La Vida Dolce w/ the Dores & Cats game on here. Next year, if we get a QB, we will be upgraded to ESPN or the Deuce more often..Bama & UF at K Town and the DUCKS as well correct?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just win, Vols.
I'm starting to get excited about Shreeveport of Nashville.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"or" Nashville, either one.
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