Tennessee might be a long way from the top of college football. But it knows what the neighborhood looks like.
A month ago, it played No. 1-ranked Florida. This Saturday, it plays No. 1-ranked Alabama.
How lucky can one first-year college coach get?
The disadvantage of playing a No. 1-ranked team is obvious. You can get manhandled, as UT was against No. 1-ranked Florida in 1994 and No. 1-ranked Miami in 2002.
But there's also an advantage, as evidenced by UT's 23-13 loss to Florida last month.
Until that game, much of the national media regarded Lane Kiffin as a far better quote than coach. Although Kiffin couldn't scheme up an upset, he managed a limited offense effectively against a superior Florida defense.
His defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, didn't do badly, either. In the last 27 games, Florida has scored fewer points only once.
UT's coaching effort in that game got the attention of recruits as well as fans. Suddenly, Lane Kiffin was more than a good quote.
It's not enough to convince recruits UT can offer immediate playing time. You have to send a couple of other messages as well: "We will win, and we will make you better."
The Vols got that message across by their competitiveness against Florida and again in their 45-19 victory over Georgia. So far, Kiffin's record might be 1-1 in rivalry games, but he's 2-for-2 in leaving favorable impressions.
That's no small accomplishment, particularly against Florida, where coach Urban Meyer has a history of dispatching his biggest rivals with little mercy.
In four-plus seasons with the Gators, Meyer is 12-1 against UT, Georgia and Florida State. Six of those victories were by 24 or more points.
Alabama coach Nick Saban also has a history of distinguishing his program from that of his rivals, against whom he competes in recruiting as well as on the field.
In Saban's first season, which was an obvious rebuilding year, he lost close games to Auburn and LSU, which won the national title. But he made a statement against UT, which ended up playing for the SEC championship. If Saban's modestly talented team could beat UT 41-17, what would he do with four full years of recruiting?
Last year provided another clue. The Tide beat LSU in overtime and outscored UT and Auburn 65-9 combined.
Saban and Meyer - along with Southern California's Pete Carroll - generally are regarded as college football's best coaches. So the prevailing national sentiment was that UT vs. Florida would not be just a talent mismatch, but also a mismatch of coaches.
Kiffin held his own against Meyer. He will gain more credibility if he can do the same against Saban. And he can accomplish that even if UT doesn't win the game.
That's the advantage in playing the nation's No. 1 team.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 34
TurboFan writes:
Adams has the same problem as UT. No depth.
Weatherman writes:
Go Vols!
The_Four_Horsemen writes:
how many times can they basically rewrite this story?
wayoutwill writes:
I was not impressed with the Vols performance against the Gators.I think that "Kiff" did play to not win,just run the clock down to the last second and run,run,run and keep from getting slaughtered,why he played that way,I have no idea because I felt like it was an injustice to his team.I would rather get beat like a drum and lose by seventy points while playing to win as to play the type of game that lets you lose by two or three T.D.'s!I think we could have beaten the Gators,but Kiff gave 'em way too much respect(not off the field) but certainly on the field!I can only hope that he doesn't pull the same bull butter against the Crimesome Tied!It would be nice to see a solid gameplan like we had against Ga.--Time will tell!
KptVol writes:
I like ole Adams, but thats funny!
UTVOLSFAN4LIFE writes:
Tennessee 20 Alabama 17
The defense will slow down the run and our secondary can shut down the passing game. Our running game is solid and our QB is stepping up his game. I think we have a good shot at this game. If it is not a win it will be close. A strong performance from Berry, Hardesty, Jones, Stocker, Teague, Jackson, Brown, Mccoy, Crompton and team will result in an upset. A big play from Richardson would help secure an upset. There is a lot of talent on this team. I believe in this team. Go Vols!
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
With the way Crompton was playing at that time, do you REALLY think Kiffin had a better choice than to rely on Hardesty like he did? Please don't let Urban Myth's B.S. about Kiffin not playing to win deceive you.
10volunteers98 writes:
You took the words right out of my mouth,GR82.GO,VOLS!!!
rdr4vols writes:
Let's not forget (according to Urbie Meyer) the flu like symptoms had whipped his mighty gators to where they did not play to their potential. Tsk-tsk, they apparently are still under the bug's influence as they are just a shadow of last years team. GO VOLS! Slama-Bama
BolivarBob writes:
probably the post of the year
dadofisaac writes:
scknowsit:
Hope springs eternal. Perhaps Kiffin and staff will re-establish Tennessee football, perhaps not. As far as I am concerned, the wait and see approach is all I can practice at this time.
It appears all that you do is log on to this site to belittle people. I hope it makes you feel better about yourself. Step back, get some social skills. They go a long way in fixing self esteem issues.
TheVolMan writes:
TF, yeah, JA was wrong about Fulmer years ago. He had the stones to tell the truth and get folks like you stirred up.
It will be hard for you to comprehend, but the problem is not any lack of depth on his part; instead his writing is way over your head. Just put your head back in the ground--everything will work out fine.
10volunteers98 writes:
Go crawl back under your slimy rock in Florida,sick-nowsit.This Vols team is already better than they have been in five years.And,this is 'loser lane`s' first year.You`re the 'idiot' if you can`t see that.Give 'loser Lane' and co.a couple more years.The Vols will be at the top.The good times are just about over for your Gators.GO,VOLS!!!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
IMHO CLK played Florida the way he did for at least one readon, recruiting! It is hell to recruit kids outta Florida when you get beat by the 70 points you mentioned.
Vols didn't get beat by two or three TD's, it was ten points. In the great schme of a season CLK played it correct, and it will pay off in next years recruiting class.
AFVol423 writes:
This addresses the biggest issue I had with CFP, he wasn't good against the new coaches. Forget that Spurrior and the gamecocks were creeping up and finally beat the Vols, We were getting torched by Florida, Georgia, Alabama and if my memory is correct, we didn't fair well against LSU. This is why we needed a coaching change. We have to be able to be competitive, even when we don't have years of experience against a new coaches system.
Vol86 writes:
I like reading the posts more than the silly articles. Go figure.
tom_scalf#261829 writes:
Well said, Mr. Spurrier. Do you have any other words of wisdom to impart to us, before your rail ride out of town??
drvol writes:
It amazed me how his team struggled at home with all those flu-like symptoms, and then one week later flew to Lexington and put 30+ on UK in the first quarter with those same players with those same flu symptoms.
AtlantaTide writes:
Now that's funny, I don't care if you love UT or Bama!
espnthevolnetwork writes:
If I remember correctly the Vols had the ball last half of the 4th with an opportunity to score and get within 10 or 7. If they put points on the board then an onside kick is an option with the opportunity to tie/win. Crompton was not ready at the time for any other game plan other than run and play it safe. Playing loose and getting beat by 4/5 TD's would have done more harm than good. Also, GA was an inferior opponent compared to FL and hopefully what we saw in that game was our QB and receivers "getting it" finally. With that said the GA game should not be used as a comparison. I think the coaching staff had an excellent game plan for FL that gave the team the best chance to win.
GO VOLS!
OrangeMagic writes:
Good comments VolMan, a lot of our fans have such a hate for JA, they wouldn't know a well-written article if it bit them in the ...well, you know. I would prefer he were more pro-volunteer but most of his articles are very well-thought out and he does have a unique style.
Bigger_Al writes:
Just put your head back under Adam's desk. Tuscaloosa John Adams is a sniveling weasel.
PennVol writes:
"Kiffin held his own against Meyer. He will gain more credibility if he can do the same against Saban. And he can accomplish that even if UT doesn't win the game."
Personally, I think moral victories are overrated...I hope we don't play this card if we lose a close game to bama.
illinoisvolfan writes:
That's classic. I'm glad school was out when I read that. My students would be concerned if I cracked up for no apparent reason, LOL.
The team's depth issues should be corrected by next year. Adams, however...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
In Kiffin's defense, I don't think he has ever used the term "moral victory" except to say that he doesn't believe in them. Besides, if we lose to a HEAVILY-FAVORED Bama team AT THEIR PLACE, what would you expect him to say, "We just suck, so we might as well cancel the rest of the season"? In case we lose, I hope he says, "We gave it everything we had, but it just wasn't enough; hopefully we'll get better." Given how bad Bama has made us look the last several years, I'll accept a close loss over getting killed any day.
murrayvol writes:
We need to cut Urbie some slack. That's all he could come up with on short notice. That and the "whine flu epidemic".
Given the runup to that game he had no script for a 10 point win.
DannyVol writes:
Turbo is correct, you are wrong and I cannot understand how any UT fan could come to the defense of Adams. Nor do I understand the hateful banter among UT fans I see on this board. As for Adams writing over anyone's head, I don't think that is possible if they can manage logging in to this site.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
There is a reason that Vegas has Bama a 14 point favorite. I am as Orange a fan as anyone, but playing away from home, I can't see a win. I see -another "moral victory" of 17-14. Hope I'm wrong but Bama has a much bigger and better O line for Ingram and they have a deeper and bigger D line. Also our LB play is suspect and inconsistent. I don't think our LB's can catch Ingram. We can still finish 7-5 and a decent bowl.
Expat_Orange writes:
The reason Vegas has Alabama as a 14 point favorite is they figure that close to 50% will take the points and close to 50% will lay the points. It's all about perception - nothing else.
vut56#231073 writes:
While these posts vary in content and interest, often they stray off the subject of the article; some praise JA, some blame and most just go off in whatever direction they choose.
That said, this article, as do many, just provides no new insight or viewpoint; an editorial writer should do both. The facts usually get well reported in KNS, as elsewhere; what is left is opinion and JA offered nothing new above. Play well, stay close to number 1/2 and it will be a good day. Is that news or intelligent discourse to anyone?
JMO
TurboFan writes:
V-man,
Speaking of depth, don't read what isn't there. Adams was right about Fulmer, but for the wrong reason. Read this article again and tell me if you learned anything new.
CrankE writes:
I think Adams is just playing not to lose-writing the same things over and over. Maybe he caught the whine flu from Tebow.
earlsvols66 writes:
this is a good football team all we need is good qb play and we can beat anybody. it will get better
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Stopping Ingram for 4 quarters is very hard; He has nothing on Hardesty accept a huge; experienced O line making holes..This game we will find out if Crompton will improve or regress. Saban will have a solid game plan for our newly productive roll out scheme.Also bama's secondary is twice as good as the bulldogs and deep too..Our receivers will have to find a way to get seperation or Crompton will be in deep trouble~!!!!INTANGIBLES::: Luke Stocker won't be accounted for in our 3 WR sets and could have a huge game..Eric Berry may have a huge game against an average McElroy..Lane might be finally seeing the advantage of well called misdirection and bootleg plays; instead of running right at dominate D Lines we can't possibly push around..Like the others have said hope springs eternal...GOOOO VOLS
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