I heard the SEC football weekend referred to as Separation Saturday. That's only partly accurate.
True, Florida and Alabama separated themselves, both from the rest of the SEC and the rest of the nation. (Texas may argue differently.)
A No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting of 12-0 teams in the SEC championship game on Dec. 5 seems all but inevitable, although I'm not sure the word inevitable applies to college football.
Alabama has four of six remaining games at home. Its biggest hurdle would appear to be at Auburn.
Florida has four of seven remaining games in The Swamp and a fifth in Jacksonville against Georgia's defense. The biggest hurdle would appear to be at South Carolina.
The remainder of the SEC, however, appears more tightly clumped after Saturday than before.
LSU slipped backward toward the pack. Ole Miss remains stuck in reverse. Tennessee thumping Georgia and Arkansas thumping Auburn level the playing field on all accounts.
South Carolina's struggle at home to beat Kentucky might also be enlightening.
So as we survey the second half of the season, the jockeying for order of finish will be intense.
The prizes range from the pleasant consolation of holidaying in Orlando to the dubious distinction of being the final SEC team invited to Shreveport.
Tennessee, by throttling Georgia, kept itself in play. The Vols showed enough muscle to project that after Alabama on Oct. 24, the other five games are winnable.
Several, of course, are also losable. Here are some ideas on how it may play out.
Alabama
Why UT Might Win: Bama announces shortly before kickoff that a bunch of starters are suspended over, say, a textbook scandal. No, wait. That didn't work in 2007.
Why UT Might Lose: Alabama is just too solid in every phase of the game. The Crimson Tide have revealed no serious flaws and junior Greg McElroy has elevated the quarterback play from last season.
South Carolina
Why UT Might Win: South Carolina struggled to beat Kentucky at home and failed to win at Georgia. Monte Kiffin's defense could force QB Stephen Garcia into mistakes.
Why UT Might Lose: The Gamecocks are capable of great defense and the offense has some developing young play-makers. There's always the Spurrier Factor.
Memphis
Why UT Might Win: The Vols should win this one big. End of story.
Why UT Might Lose: Memphis needed only one score on a kickoff return to shock the Vols in 1996. They might get three this year.
Ole Miss
Why UT Might Win: Quarterback Jevan Snead is in a funk and Tennessee's defense could keep him there.
Why UT Might Lose: Points can be tough to come by against the Ole Miss defense. There's still a chance the Rebels show why they were so highly ranked in preseason.
Vanderbilt
Why UT Might Win: The Vols should be getting better in mid-November. Vandy is usually banged up and getting worse.
Why UT Might Lose: Vandy runs a kickoff back and blocks a punt for another score.
Kentucky
Why UT Might Win: Because the Vols always find a way to keep the nation's longest rivalry win streak alive. Should be a big day for Tennessee's running game.
Why UT Might Lose: Because Derrick Locke returns two kickoffs for touchdowns. Because Randall Cobb is wearing blue instead of orange.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6726.
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Comments » 82
GahLee writes:
I think that the season plays out like this.
We lose to Alabama, but it's a close one.
We split between Ole Miss and S. Carolina, not sure which one.
We win out against Memphis, Vandy, and Kentucky.
7 wins is pretty good with all things considered, gives us a bowl game and all those extra weeks of practice.
tdforvols writes:
"A No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting of 12-0 teams in the SEC championship game on Dec. 5 seems all but inevitable"
I don't think so...anything can happen on any given weekend (and usually does)
cumberlandVOL writes:
i think perhaps a bit too pessimistic about the alabama game. UT has two weeks to prepare for bama, whereas the tide has to deal with a tough south carolina team next week.
the vols have had a tendency of playing to their competition's level (a great effort against florida, not so great against ohio).
SEC seasons rarely go as they are supposed to and relationships built on who-beat-who don't often add up. i would say most of the time it depends on how the teams line up against each other. it seems this tennessee team has turned a bit of a corner.
i know there will be a great scheme against the tide on both sides of the ball. if our offense plays like they did against georgia, why not give them a chance?
stayingorange writes:
I'll agree with the Bama assessment.
As the season has progressed I wonder now how good USC's D really is.
Ole Miss is much closer to old Ole Miss than a Top 25 team.
Memphis, Vandy and Kentucky - no explanation needed.
Fryinpansvols writes:
And I quote Strange: "Alabama has four of six remaining games at home. Its biggest hurdle would appear to be at Auburn" Come on dude do you not have any confidence in UT going to Alabama pulling a shocker? Auburn just got trounced by Arkansas.
Fryinpansvols writes:
Agreed!
Vols033 writes:
Bama is better than Florida. They won't kill you, but they will punish you in to submission. Probably will be a close game that Bama was never in danger of losing.
Fossilfiction writes:
I am not about to rule out a win against Bama. It will be tough to pull off but by no means is it impossible. Every week we seem to get alittle better in some aspect of the game. If we can just find a way to fix special teams we will be on great shape for an upset.
If it is really that the coaches found a way to keep Crompton loose and throwing the ball like he did againt GA then I say we take them. If he struggles for more than 3 series like he has before then we lose. I don't expect every series to be great. If we can put up 24 I think the D can hold them and we win. I may be wrong but it seems highly possible to me!
cowsRus writes:
I hope you're right cumberlandVOL,that they have turned the corner.If they play like they played saturday night-they have a chance to beat anybody.Go Vols!
REVOL writes:
Bama is a very good football team,I even think better than FL. But,I for one refuse to concede before the game has been played. Maybe not even then, it is Bama after all. Go Vols! Beat Bama!
redrod writes:
Of all the games we play this season beating Bama would make this team, coaching staff and season special in my eyes.
Go Vols!!!
FWBVol writes:
If Appy State can go into Michigan Stadium and beat the Wolverines two years ago then the Vols can go into Bryant-Denny and come out with a win on Oct. 24. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
Orangeyouavol writes:
Is it just me or did LK get covered in gatorade and showed no excitement what so ever? I mean come on show some excitement allready. Could someone explain that to me?
REVOL writes:
2005 Miami vs Tampa, Nick vs Monte, Tampa 27- Miami 13. Just give me a good scheme, well executed. I hope the media tells these players and coaches for two weeks they don't have a chance. Go Vols! Beat Bama!
REVOL writes:
That's better than wearing an O-Bama t-shirt.
murrayvol writes:
murrayvol say take a few deep breaths and lay off the Grey Goose for awhile.
Bones may not be lying but they're rattled.
Couchdummy writes:
Rather beat Alabama than any team in the NCAA! I am one of the curmudgeons who remembers Alabama for all those losses they put on UT in the 70's, but mostly I remember the rain game bad call field goal in 1966! What an injustice! GO VOLS and thrash those crimson turds!!!
the10sevol writes:
this sounds serious. tell mrs. witchie you need to go to your "happy place". the girls at the mouse's ear have missed you, i'm sure, lol. one of them might even take off her crompton jersey for you, as part of the exorcism.
GBO
ArealVolFan writes:
Yeah. I'll explain it to you. CLK did not celebrate because he saw a team give up 9 special team points and give up a 100 yd kick off return, this after a week where special team practice was as emphasized as anything else. He didn't celebrate because he knows that #2 Alabama is lurching around the corner and it will take an incredible showing and tons of focus to make that game respectable let alone win(though we hopefully will). He knows that get too caught up in this win will cost the team more than it would be worth to win it.Make no mistake, Kiffin let the players enjoy the win...but only for a short time.He won't take their fun from them, they certainly earned it. For him though, there are bigger fish to fry and he knows it. A win over GA is great, but we have a long way to come and not a second can be wasted to get there.This is why he didn't celebrate yesterday...he is saving his excitement for something bigger...something actually worth celebrating.
SouthALVol writes:
I saw something Saturday I don't know if I have ever seen from a UT team. After one UT score the coverage came back from commercial to show the entire TEAM jumping up and down before the kickoff. That's the kind of excitement UT needs,and I only hope this is just the beginning. It gave me goosebumps to see it and hear the crowd going nuts!
VOLS_R_BEST_DEAL_WITH_IT writes:
Shoot how can put us down like that mike? Kiffin has two weeks to prepare for a Bama offense that is EXACTLY like Georgia's, and to fix the special teams. I think it will be a good game. . . . . one we might even win.
GO VOLS
chrisw2967 writes:
I think if Crompton manages the game and play like he did against Ga. then anything is possible.I think this Tn team has some confidence now and they will not lay down for them.This is Tn and bama and its one of the greatest rivalries in football.
If Kiffin can get the special teams fixed and crompton plays well ,then I like our chances.
GahLee writes:
Another theory is....
The players waited too late, you do it on the sideline, with time remaining, you don't do it when your coach is 10 feet away from the opposing coach about to shake hands.
Plus everything you said.
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
Please allow me to rewrite the first two matchups:
ALABAMA
Why UT Might Win: Monte Kiffin has two weeks to prepare for Bama's pro-style offense--much like Georgia's, against whom Monte's defense merely gave up a 52-yard field goal. UT's run game is solid. Crompton and the receivers seem to have picked up some momentum and confidence in the last two games, particularly beginning in the 2nd half of the Auburn game. Lane Kiffin might get a bright idea and let Eric Berry return punts.
Why UT Might Lose: Alabama is solid in every phase of the game. The Crimson Tide have revealed no serious flaws and junior Greg McElroy has elevated the quarterback play from last season. Tennessee's special teams have been horrendous.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Why UT Might Win: Lane Kiffin seems to have gotten under Steve Spurrier's skin more than Spurrier got under Phillip Fulmer's. Spurrier factor? Forget the Spurrier factor...try the Kiffin factor! Also, see reasons for why UT might win against Bama.
Why UT Might Lose: UT's special teams have been horrendous. You never know if Crompton might revert to early season form (WKU doesn't count).
GOBIGO72 writes:
Beyond special - that would be off the charts!
SmokeyHound writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
fundamentals83 writes:
Found this on Dawgs.com. (Good job Tennessee Fans)
"I'll say one thing about fanatics, and then I'll go.
Coming into the game Saturday, Tennessee was 2-3 with wins over Western Kentucky and Ohio...not much to be happy about. On the shuttle on the way to the stadium and at the tailgate I spent time at before the game, Vol fans were resigned to their fate. "We'll need a miracle to beat you," one said. "Maybe we can hope for a flash of brilliance," said another. The local radio talking head even said, "The only way we're gonna beat Georgia is if they beat themselves with stupid penalties and turnovers."
BUT:
On their first defensive series -- their FIRST, on FIRST DOWN, not third-and-short, their FIRST OF THE GAME, not the first one in the second quarter with a big lead -- Neyland Stadium got louder than I've EVER heard Sanford Stadium get except for the 2004 LSU game and the 2007 Auburn game. This is a fanbase resigned to a 2-10 season. This is a fan base that had NOTHING to get excited about, a fan base with no quarterback, no receivers and no hope. Sanford Stadium didn't get that loud when Georgia came into the stadium ranked #1 last year. It didn't get that loud when Stafford hit Massaquoi in the end zone against Tech in 2006. Ditto for Walsh's game-winner against Arizona State, for Joe Cox's against Colorado, or the SEC-East clinching win over Kentucky in 2005.
Tennessee's fan base willed them to victory on Saturday. We don't have that kind of homefield advantage anymore. I'm not saying that poor fan support lost us games against LSU and Tennessee and Georgia Tech and South Carolina in recent years. Far from it: poor play did. But if I were a recruit and I went to the Georgia-South Carolina game and then to the Tennessee-Georgia game and somebody blindfolded me for each and asked me where I wanted to play, I'd say Tennessee. The ground rumbled the very first time Joe Cox took a snap. THE FIRST TIME. Now, keep in mind, I wasn't in the Tennessee student section. I wasn't deep in the bowl. I was up in the nosebleeds, surrounded by Georgia people who were being quiet when we had the ball.
So when Georgia comes home to play Tennessee Tech -- probably with a record of 4-4 -- we need to be as loud as possible. The ground needs to rumble. I don't care that it's Tennessee Tech. I don't care that Oklahoma State embarrassed us, or that LSU stole a victory, or that SCarolina hung 37 on us without an offense or that Tennessee took us behind the woodshed and made Lane Kiffin look like a great coach and Jonathan Crompton like Heisman material (by the way, if Eric Berry doesn't win -- not place, but WIN -- the Heisman this year, the voters are on drugs), and I don't care that it's a terrible team from the OVC. We need to take Sanford Stadium apart brick by brick with noise alone. Because I'll be damned if I'm going to be part of a lamer fan base than Vol Nation. That's an embarrassment I'm not willing to shoulder. PERIOD."
FlyFishingVol writes:
A Georgia thump .... This is what happens when you LOSE THE ORANGE PANTS for home games ! Too bright and distracting for our skill players. Keep in mind for future home games.
richvol writes:
Alabama's secondary is the best in the country IMO and their lines,on both sides of the ball,are big,deep and athletic. They also have great linebacking. Tennessee just doesn't have enough horses,as yet,to stay fresh for 4 quarters. Anything can happen but Saban is such a fine coach it will be difficult to stay with them at this stage of our rebuilding project.
In 2011 Kiffin will have his junior class on the field and we should be able to look them in the eye and start winning half of our games against our rivals each year. That would give us 10 and 2 seasons and occasionally the special teams would be 11 and 1 or even undefeated. Those are championship seasons and are in the works for us.
ChattaVol1 writes:
It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!!!
Razzle writes:
Good thought. I'd be in favor of all white for Als-banana.
ThurmondEppy writes:
There is something special about playing Alabama. I think I hate Florida more, but I've disliked Alabama much longer, if that makes any sense. I'll never forget being in the student section close to the field and this old lady was screaming at the top of her lungs at the Alabama mascot, "F___ you Big Al!!!" While at the same time giving him the double finger. Now that's a rivalry.
asleep#212036 writes:
I saw it too. I think he is trying maybe too hard to be the new big man on the block. He is 34 and wanting desperately to be taken seriously by the other SEC coaches, 4 of whom have a big crystal football in the trophy case. And he replaced a guy who has one too - even more pressure. He needs to smile occasionally and have a little fun with his team or he will have a heart attack by age 50! Enjoy it Lane, it's OK to enjoy winning a big game bro'! Go Vols!!!
micbrooks#212023 writes:
If Crompton is so much better rolling out than staying in the pocket, you would think the staff would have seen this before now. No matter , it is clear he does much better when in motion, AND, the receivers don't drop easy passes. If we had had this same offense all year, we would probably be undefeated
3volfan writes:
No room for negativity buddy. if your so negative, why don't you just go away. im glad u don't coach anything!!!!!!!!!!!
layoffthevolteam writes:
If Coach Kiffin(either one) does not do things
practice field(s)or walking off getting soaked(that's not done even in HS anymore) There going to be a nay-sayer make a comment. My advice is
go find some one who's really into that....
The Kiffin's are professional no nonsense men.
Who like our Military maintain a code of maturity like none others. Dowsing some one with
G-aid is for the thrower to get a laugh.Period.
asleep#212036 writes:
I agree. Last season, he got yanked in the middle and it took him the rest of last year and half of this year to get his groove back. According to Mark Richt before the game, there is a reason he was the second qb on everyone's recruiting list behind Mark Sanchez (paraphrase). And he is right. The real question is whether Jon and his receivers can continue their outstanding play the rest of the season against some outstanding defensive clubs. Of course, we have already played the number 1 and 21 defensive teams in the country (FL and UCLA) so just more of the same. The next four games will tell. If we can play well, we can win three of those games and I wouldn't rule out a miracle in Tuscaloosa if the Tide comes out a bit flat. I'm amazed, as you are, the kid has enough grit to take all the criticism and still hold his head high and play a game like he did Saturday. Congrats Jon, here's hoping your season gets better every week - you deserve it. Go Vols!!!
TDTN writes:
Our shortcomings on special teams are obvious to everyone. I noticed in our early games that no one was keeping containment on the ends. Even Berry when he started on left end on kickoffs was heading straight to the middle leaving the sideline open. Another area I think we can really improve is the passing game to our TE's and FB. Has anyone noticed that these big guys go down too easily? It only takes one hit and our fullback and tightends just roll over. These big guys should be delivering hits and dragging defenders down the field. Watch some replays from Georgia game. TE catches pass, DB dives at their ankles, TE lays down. Same for FB. They need to go over, around, or through these smaller defenders and keep moving down field.
Go Vols. We CAN beat bama.
crimsonviper writes:
Agree with that.Especially about the solid win.
I have seen teams improve weekly before but not to the extent of Saturday
At the other end of the spectrum,I have a question I have asked a couple of Vol fans,and I would like your opinion. Is Mark Richt this years Phil Fulmer?...thanks in advance
volsfanlostinthebigeasy writes:
crompton showed us all what CLK has been seeing in practice. i will be the first to say that i didn't see why CLK keep him in the game. now i do. way to go JC. we can beat bama! we had the best coaching staff in college football with two weeks to prep. vols surprise the nation in bama!!
Vols 24
Bama 21 GO VOLS!!!....BUCK FAMA!!!!
kman29 writes:
You also forget #5 Virginia Tech was beaten pretty good by Bama.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Bet it's a smiling week for you in Ga.
Reason we might win- Crompton.
Reason we might lose - Crompton.
We'll see, but no one should expect those roll outs to be without a corner of DE all over our QB.
We can hope.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Witch must have found an old baggy from college in the attic.
jimr07 writes:
what upper group drilled us? just wondering what you call getting drilled. oh, by the way, nice positive post.
537081 writes:
In the past I have never seen the VOLS take the field that I didn't think they would win. with coach KIFFEN and the heart this team has found I'm beginning to feel that way again go VOLS beat bama.
DC_Vol writes:
Per usual Marc great post!
I agree with you Marc, I wished the crowd had given Crompton a standing ovation. With all of the adversity this kid has faced this year, this will be one of the great stories of the 2009 season. I am amazed at Crompton's character and perserverance to succeed after everything he has been through. Just shows how great our coaches are at improving/developing the talent our players.
Further, recruits will see the significant improvement of Crompton as a confirmation of the abilities of the UT/NFL coaches to develop players for the next level. In addition, look how improved our freshmen receivers performed this week. Teague looked great! Nukeese is still a little nervous, but you can see this kid has so much talent. He will be a great player next year. Nukeese will be the next Percy Harvin and Florida will regret losing this multi-talented wide receiver to UT. Just remember these kids are true freshmen, there will be some learning curves, but next year, they will be incredible!!! The future looks bright for Vol fans!!!!
TDTN writes:
I couldnt agree more with both posts here. A lot of Crompton's issues were as much the receivers fault as his. It was nice to see a complete effort by everyone and Crompton and the receivers were in sync the whole game. It looked like Hardesty's hard efforts rubbed off on the receivers too. I have never seen them fight so hard after the catch. The energy inside the stadium is incredible. Just think, fla and bama at home next year. If we have a good qb next year we can be pretty good. I wish Hardesty had another year left.
DanvilleVolMan writes:
Well, it's obvious now that there will not be a QB change and I'm ok with that if they keep JC rolling out on play action. Why hasn't the OC and Kiffin had him doing that all along? With Montario and Bryce in the backfield and Stocker, Gerald, NuKeese and others at wide outs, we should ALWAYS be lightin' the scoreboard up. And I sure didn't know that coming out of high school, JC was ranked 2nd in the Nation, only behind Mark Sanchez......WOW....what happened?
WhitePineVol77 writes:
UT's play against Ga on Saturday only proved one thing to me and my buddies...TN fought harder for an identity than Ga did. I am not ready to give the Vols a raise for doing simply what they are supposed to do...win. They still have a lot to prove. I won't go into my details, as many of our observations have already been harped upon here. I do give them a slap on the back for the win though. Crompton's real grade is a B for the Ga game,not an A, and I do think that special teams get a
D as opposed to an F. A "D" is nothing to be proud of I might add.
allvol32 writes:
One thing that I saw on one of the sports talk shows on Sunday was Jonathon Crompton jumping up into the stands to hug his parents - that was awesome. This young man has certainly been through a lot.
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