Lane Kiffin isn't letting the polls influence him.
The Tennessee coach apparently doesn't ignore them, though.
The Vols are well aware of the rankings and the nation's new top-ranked team ahead of Saturday's trip to Alabama (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.), both for the mulligan after an earlier loss to a No. 1 and maybe for the chance to take another subtle shot at the one that beat them.
"That's all opinion," Kiffin said. "But it is good to see that at least one of the polls is paying attention and ranking Alabama No. 1, because there's no doubt if you watch football that they're the No. 1 team in the country. We're going to have our hands full with a team with great players and great coaches.
"Alabama is a great team, very well coached, extremely talented, great in special teams, great on offense, great on defense, and I love the style that they play with. They play extremely physical, they play in your face, they come downhill at you - that's where we're going to be someday. I like everything about what they do."
Kiffin also went out of his way to praise then-No. 1 Florida before the Vols (3-3, 1-2 SEC) played them last month, but he wasn't nearly as complimentary as he has been about Alabama (7-0, 4-0).
But just like before that game, he isn't planning anything significantly different in terms of preparation or resorting to extra motivation to get the Vols ready for another spotlight showdown. If anything, the players are taking care of that on their own.
"Oh man, this is major," left guard Vladimir Richard said. "We were talking about that today - it's big because we let one slip by against Florida, and we've put that behind us for now.
"We have another opportunity, and we talked about how we went in and watched the Florida film and we were just killing ourselves. If we would have just corrected a few things, we would have won the game. So now we're like, 'Let's not come in Sunday and say the same thing. Let's go out and practice hard.' "
The Vols did that Monday in what would have been a normal Tuesday workout, though Kiffin only moved the schedule up a day because of last weekend's bye.
Even if the change wasn't necessarily made for this opponent specifically, it doesn't hurt UT to have extra time to prepare for Alabama. And one more weekend also was enough for the Tide to add a little more intrigue, as well.
"I think one poll got it right," Kiffin said. "If you watch football and pay attention, I don't think there's any doubt who the No. 1 team is. I think it was very evident when you look at the two teams playing Arkansas.
" . . . (But) you don't prepare different all of a sudden because of where people have people ranked. It has nothing to do with it."
It really doesn't change the stakes, either.
The Vols are trying to get above .500, looking to play their way into a bowl and hoping eventually to get back in the polls.
Alabama is trying to stay unbeaten and maintain control of its destiny in the national championship race.
And there's also a long-standing rivalry and bragging rights on the line.
"This is what you want," defensive tackle Wes Brown said. "This is what you come to Tennessee for.
"No offense to the smaller schools we play, but you come to Tennessee to play the No. 1 team in a great rivalry like this. You couldn't ask for much more."
The Vols already got what they asked for once this season. They couldn't take advantage then, but they're intent on influencing the polls one way or another with a second chance.
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Comments » 39
murrayvol writes:
Won't be easy but it's doable.
monteformayor writes:
IT'S FREAKIN TIME!!!!!!!
jasonsvols writes:
1st
SmokeyHound writes:
WE NEED ALL THE FANS POSSIBLE TO GO DOWN AND SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS IN A VERY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.
i have 2 Qs - Why does everybody think ndamukong suh is better then eric berry when eric berry has 50 tackles and suh only has 36???
also, i really wish eric berry could get some interceptions. it would be amazing for recruiting if he can go first round, first pick in the draft with bradford out....we need to recruit jackson jeffcoat and michael dyer...BEAT ALABAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAT BAMA!
SmokeyHound writes:
Thank you for everything you do but...
I really need your cooperation and recognition of reading this message that I have put alot of time into.
I have just one problem though that I think you might agree with.
Ndamukong suh is being considered for heisman and defensive player of the year.
Eric Berry is not for both of them.
My case is simple...look at their stats
Eric Berry has FIFTY total tackles, THIRTY FIVE solo tackles, and fifteen assissted tackles. Eric Berry also has an interception on TIM TEBOW and a fumble recovery for fourty yards or so. Also, Berry is in the toughest conference and to prove that he will have to play 2 number one teams this year..FLorida and Alabama. Alabama and FLorida also have one of the best rushing and passing attacks in the nation.
Ndamukong (whatever) only has a total of thirty five tackles, twenty solo, and fourteen assissted tackles versus a very wimpy schedule. He only got four tackles vs Texas Tech while Berry got nine tackles against florida.
Also, every single team UT plays, they throw the ball away from eric berry.
Ndama... is considered for heisman and eric berry isnt???? while eric berry has SIXTEEN more tackles then na... Suh has. how is this possible?!?!?!? take this into immediate consideration because I think it is completely unfair... Eric Berry has waaay better all-time stats then suh has too. Also, in the big picture, Tennessee's defense is better then Nebraskas. And who the heck does Nebraska play??? Virginia tech is the only good team that they play and VIrginia Tech just lost... UT has and will play 2 number one teams... wow - Eric Berry is getting no publicity at all.
Take this into immediate considereation because me, and many other people, are down-right P.Oed that Ndaajklsdha suh is getting more heisman votes then berry is. chris,YOU NEED TO CHANGE THIS.... NOW!!!! E TAYLOR GAVE UP A HUGE TOUCHDOWN TO GOLDEN TATE. TAYLOR MAYS STINKS AND IS OVERRATED. ERIC BERRY FOR HEISMAN AND DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
"No offense to the smaller schools we play, but you come to Tennessee to play the No. 1 team in a great rivalry like this. You couldn't ask for much more."
No offense Wes, but I would say you come to Tennessee to BE the #1 team in a great rivalry like this... in due time.
the10sevol writes:
like wes, i think the "much more" covers that. say, if we were ranked top 5? that would be a match-up for the ages. we'll get there, we're just not there yet. you gotta beat the best to be the best.
GBO
UT4ever writes:
5th!
smashmouth98 writes:
I agree EB is awesome but Suh is double/triple teamed EVERY PLAY. He is a force and will be taken in top 5 of draft. Monte is moving EB around to help our weaker positions, i.e. LB. Therefore has more tackles and not as many INT's. EB is more athletic/ versatile and will do great things in NFL. However every OC in NFL will have to account for Suh every play b/c he does require the double team at the very least. Both will be taken in top 10 which is still AWESOME!!!
VOL03_NC writes:
IF it was not for the zebras, the Pigs would have beaten the lizards...
VolinCalif writes:
Say what you will. But you can just manage to get by the unrated teams. Even it required the help of the Off's. To be honest I think Fl is a much better team than they are playing. They are a SECE team and I only wish them bad when they play the Vols. But I believe that other fans as myself so sick of A holes like Delta,Rey and Kman that they hope Fl will lose just to run off the trolls. 99 is a knowledge fan and makes his points without bad mouthing. Is that to much to ask of football fans. This was once a great site to exchange views and get info. Then came the trolls that only want to harass. Go Vols beat Bama
VOL03_NC writes:
Polls are over rated. NOTICE how it changes week to week.
The whole nation sees what lizard glasses cannot....keep watching the Polls as they too will soon turn on you also.
windy writes:
Mvuniv, you are a absolutely sorry and morbid human being. Do you get your jollies by cooming on here and talking trash. I wish you bad luck the rest of your life. Please stay off our site.
gatorhator4eva writes:
i think alabama is under-rated as well as tennessee. If crompton and the tennessee offense come to play, you can bet this will be a classic bama-tennessee rivalry in tuscalussa. this game is one of the most storied in the ncaa, can not wait. if tennessee wins this game it will have a way bigger impact then winning at florida. At this point it is obvious by far alabama is the best team in the country. if tennessee uses crompton in rollout, they must use play action to keep the defense honest, alabama probrobly has watched crompton 1000 times rolling out and most likely expect it after they saw how dangerous he can be. this will no doubt be a battle of defense but offense wins the game. crompton must respond.
DragonSlayer123 writes:
Marlene? Claudette? Hmmm...ZZ returns! How are you ZZ? Have you come to terms yet with what you did 15 years ago? You know, the reason a certain someone is in the grave right now...remember? Yeah, now you remember. And how's your daughter doing in Gainesville? Paid her a visit recently? Must have been a very affectionate meeting.
VOL03_NC writes:
Good Luck with that, we will be Rolling with the Tide that day...
UF is not worthy of a NC, Bama is showing pure TEAM execellence. Next year Bama will be just as good, with Tebow gone UF will ssuuxx again...
mytrifecta writes:
I remember the streak of 10 games AL had on us. Many years we were ranked higher, clearly had better talent and still lost. It's time...for payback. The stage is set for us and like bama for so many years during their win streak, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Check out the spelling, folks. A Bama grad.
cloudodust writes:
The major difference between Gators and Elephants is the reptiles direct snap to their running back 100% of the time, Alabama does not.
CRFVols writes:
I'm hoping we can pull it off. There's a chance.....but man Bama looks tough. Let's hope Crompton has another day like he did against UGA.
West_TN_VOL77 writes:
Well, it's official. Florida can officially thank the refs for their win. The SEC said they didn't have any video evidence to support the peronal foul call during the game. I knew it.
Just heard it on the radio. They said it was the same group of officials that ref'd the LSU-Georgia game.
transplantiam writes:
I completely agree Smokyhound. I don't know what we as fans can do but something needs to be done in EB's behalf! The Heisman is given to the most most productive AND versatile player for his team. They were knocking EB earlier for not being on offense some or special teams, returning ko's and punt returns, saying he would never get it because he wasn't versatile enough! And Suh is? He plays ONE position and that is all. He's no good at dropping back in pass coverage, but yes, he's absolutely a beast at rushing the passer and breaking through for tackles. BUT, AS THE RECORD SHOWS, EB's stat's almost dwarf his, and he's not even mentioned? What is wrong? Are they doing this because of CLK and UT? They might not be biased but how else can it be explained? I've noticed Montario is left out when they talk about the great running backs also. According to the sportscastors Gaines and Rainey are the next coming, and Hardesty runs circles around both of them. Now Ingram is a different story, but he still gets the hype and Hardesty gets nothing. That isn't fair to the athletes around the conference. Yes, I am a diehard VOL fan, but fair is fair, and dam**it we need some justice!
GO VOLS!!
AFVol423 writes:
Pretty sure the original post referred to the number of players the school has put into the NFL and the recruiting stratagy of the current coaching staff. If you don't know the jargin, stay on your own teams message board.
1974Vol writes:
Georgia had a better offense than Tide and they didn't get in the Red Zone. If we don't lose the game by turnovers or special teams, the Vols will win the game. I think Crompton makes more plays than McElroy, but I don't look for either QB to have a stellar day. If McElroy stuggles early Tide may just go to Ingram in the Wildcat. Forget orange jerseys we're talking single wing football then! Look for low scoring good old fashioned SEC slobber-knocker. Trainers will be busy. The team that makes the big mistake in the 4th qtr loses. Just like Neyland and the Bear taught and believed, you don't win football games you make the other side lose! I like our chances.
TIDENTEXAS writes:
Roll Tide
calvolfromkingsport writes:
It's a shame ol tt will probably be crippled due to um's arrogance of pounding the poor kid to death. No doubt that the veer play calls are getting ready for an ugly turn since the lizard poster boy will not be in uniform next year. Get ready, it's gonna be fun skank lizard. Lol!
DC_Vol writes:
Tennessee is averaging 32.66 points agame and giving up 18.83 points a game. Every week our offense and defense gets better. Note, Georgia scored three offensive points. The rest was a saftey, a special team return for a touchdown and defensive interception return for a touchdown. That is 16 points that you have to deduct from our defensive average and another seven for another kickoff return in a previous game for a total of 23 points not scored on our defense. Total points scored on our defense year to date 113 points less the 23 points and average points given up by our defense is an outstanding 15 points a game. Vols Rock!! So does Monte!!!! Not sure if I missed any other returns for touchdowns or interception returns for touchdowns. The point is if you hold teams to fifteen points per game, you will likely win. Go Vols!!!
9/05/09 Western Kentucky W 63-7
9/12/09 UCLA L 15-19
9/19/09 At Florida L 13-23
9/26/09 OHIO UNIVERSITY W 34-23
10/03/09 AUBURN L 26-22
10/10/09 GEORGIA W 45-19
illinoisvolfan writes:
I've done a great many things in my life, but i've never looked "forard" to something. What's that feel like, anyway? By the way MVuniv, are the comments true that DragonSlayer123 said about you?
HossDiesel writes:
I'll never understand why people who are fans of other teams come here to post. What a waste of time.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sounds like that bunch is going to be out of a job soon. That establishes a pattern of calling stuff no one else sees, two phantom celebration calls in LSU-UGA and a blown pass-interference call and a phantom personal foul in UF-UA. Any chance those guys also called the "phantom Gaffney catch" game in K'ville a few years ago? Wouldn't surprise me.
RockyTop10nessee writes:
Love How all our road gamesc so far have been against the number 1 team...
volsfanstuckinbama writes:
I'm Going to the game(sittin right in the middle of a bunch of Bama fans) tickets are still available come out and cheer on the vols. we need all the support we can get down here. We Need this win for braging rights and to reestablish ourselves as a power in the SEC. Already lost to Auburn and living in Alabama I would love to have something to hold over these guys heads for the next year. GO VOLS.
Vol14 writes:
Yep, it all depends if the man behind the center shows up and are offensive line. I think we will have to hit them with a combination of run/pass, Nukeese gun, Crompton roll out, etc...If we can get one or two breaks on turnovers and answer back when they score we could make a run at them. Also can't help but think that if McElroy gets a few shots from Berry and Walker his slump might just grow deeper. Are defense is gonna have their hands full but if we can answer on offense and control turnovers we could pull it out. DAMM two weeks is a long time to wait to see the VOlS play. It feels like I've been holding my breath.
volsgirl writes:
Argee 100% Go Vols....Can wait till next year we will take care the Gator
Down_The_Field writes:
you're right!
after that solid performance against tennessee, lsu, and arkansas; the sky's the limit for your gay-turds.
mvuniv = gatorzzz
Shake_Bake writes:
I remember that horrible streak that Bama had too! I hated it,...and you are right, several years we actually had the better team. College football is a very strange game, the higher ranked team doesn't always win, Bama better remember that! I'm feeling an upset here, nothing solid to base it on, just gut feel. Just play smart football, and don't beat ourselves. GBO !!!!
OrangeBlur writes:
Crimescene Tide..
Fold Tide Fold!
wayoutwill writes:
I am gonna tell you men something that you may not like:Our young way too freaking "Joe Cool" of a coach is so full of phooey that his family can save loads on his burial if they give him an enema before they bury him,just because they can bury him in a casket about the size of a matchbox.I dang sure ain't no Gator Fan and I sure ain't no 'bama fan;but for 'The Kiff" to make a statement like the one above; "It's all opinion,BUT it's "NO DOUBT" that Alabama is "CLEARLY" the #1 team in the country"--;that is such a full of bull-butter statement that anyone has to laugh no matter if it is the Vols head ball coach that made it!It's hard to figure out what the point of the statement gains him;maybe,somebody should point out to him that it clearly(in his mind) wasn't the best team in the country that beat him so handy a month ago;it was only the 2nd best team (clearly)(in his mind) that handed him his hat and his walking papers back to K-Town!The truth of the matter is that he needs to grow up!His attitude and approach are not only lacking in class,they make the whole program look silly,like we're falling in line behind an arrogant,brash,cocky,spoiled little rich kid!I don't like any of that and though I love the Vols,I don't think much of our Coach,of course I didn't think much of the last one either,and truthfully didn't think much of Bill Battle,so what the heck?Just an opinion,but clearly a fact...Hmmmm?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Leaving aside for the moment that it is just time-honored "coach-speak" to build up one's next opponent, don't you think it's possible that Florida was the clear #1 THEN and Bama is the clear #1 NOW? Obviously, the AP pollsters think so. On another note, since you don't seem to like any of our recent coaches--although it's pretty revealing that Johnny Majors wasn't on your list--are you sure you're really a Vol fan? Unless you really are dumber than this post makes you sound, you surely don't think there are any PERFECT coaches, do you? If you are a true fan, you take the bad with the good. For myself and apparently most other Vol fans on here--'lopers don't count--I'll just wince when CLK says something REALLY dumb, arrogant, etc.--and it is clearly a matter of opinion just what those are--and smile when I think of all the really GOOD things he has done and is doing to advance the program.
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