Alabama claims 12 national championships, half of which are actually acknowledged by college football's general populace. But in the context of the Tennessee-Alabama series, the Tide's No. 1 ranking is hardly business as usual.
In 1979 and 1980, Alabama was ranked No. 1 when it played UT. Until this week, that was the last time it entered this game as college football's No. 1 team.
Alabama's ranking might be a good omen for the Vols. This year marks the 50th anniversary of UT upsetting No. 1-ranked LSU.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of UT suffering back-to-back shutout losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
Alabama 23, UT 10: But I'm predicting multiple touchdowns against Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
LSU 24, Auburn 20: You can prove almost anything with statistics - anything but LSU's No. 9 ranking.
LSU, which has somehow managed to win five of six games, ranks last in the SEC in total offense and seventh in total defense. It's also ninth in pass defense, 11th in rushing and last in kickoff returns.
It's even worse at rushing the passer than it is in rushing offense. The Tigers have the fewest sacks in the SEC, and are 11th in sacks allowed.
Florida 37, Mississippi State 17: Wide receiver Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy aren't all that's missing from last year's Florida offense, which blitzed the rest of the SEC in the second half of the 2008 season.
The blitz is on the fritz. In three of its last four SEC games, the Gators have scored 23 points or fewer, and former offensive coordinator Dan Mullen is looking more valuable than ever.
Mullen's Bulldogs rank sixth in the SEC in total offense and have scored 192 points in seven games. That's nine more than they scored last season under Sylvester Croom.
South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 13: The Commodores apparently are intent on proving two things: last season was an aberration; quarterback isn't the most important position on the field.
If quarterback was the most important position, how come Vanderbilt won a bowl game with current quarterback Larry Smith but never made a bowl with Jay Cutler at quarterback?
Arkansas 34, Ole Miss 30: The Razorbacks are due for a letdown after almost upsetting Florida. The Rebels are due to remind everyone that they were once a nationally ranked team.
So why am I picking Arkansas? Because it looks more like a nationally ranked team than Ole Miss does.
Kentucky 27, Louisiana-Monroe 20: Following the Wildcats' upset of Auburn, you could make a strong argument that injured quarterback Mike Hartline is the most valuable player in the conference. It took three men to replace him.
You also could make an argument that any one of the three replacements was an improvement.
Top 25: Texas 38, Missouri 20; Southern California 34, Oregon State 23; Michigan State 24, Iowa 23; Cincinnati 38, Louisville 20; Boise State 41, Hawaii 13; Oregon 37, Washington 24; Miami 31, Clemson 23; Virginia 24, Georgia Tech 20; TCU 23, BYU 21; Penn State 27, Michigan 24; Oklahoma State 37, Baylor 16; Houston 42, SMU 24; Utah 31, Air Force 20; Ohio State 31, Minnesota 13; Texas Tech 45, Texas A&M 30; Pittsburgh 30, South Florida 20; Oklahoma 38, Kansas 24; West Virginia 31, Connecticut 23.
Record: 116-32 (.784) overall, 71-58 (.550) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 50
SEAL_9821 writes:
Why am I not surprised that Adams picks us to lose once again.
utnoeler writes:
its so nice to see hometown writers give the vols no credit...what an idiot. tennessee upsets bama, write it down. final score: 17-13 celebration on rocky top!!! cant wait for kickoff, and to see the follow up article by this moron on monday.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I would say you are the idiot! UT- 24 BAMA- 17
UTbandit writes:
Yeah and Saban was a great NFL coach "idiot"
OrangePride writes:
Not surprised by JA's pick against Tennessee. Frankly, his Tennessee picks have been universally and monumentally wrong on every big game this year, so maybe that will be the case again. BTW, I have upset alerts out for LSU, Oregon (I know, who cares?) and Alabama (just can't bring myself to pick Alabama). GO VOLS!
VolunteerLifer writes:
What record would your coach have if he had coached for the Raiders? Remember, Saban didn't have a stirling record in the NFL either, and he coached for a much more viable franchise than Oakland.
tractoronthepole writes:
When ever Lee Corso or Adams predict a loss I get excited as they are usually wrong.
LVVOLJJ writes:
The whole world says we are going to lose... Las Vegas odds are 15-17 points. I'm not bettin', but I'm not belevin' it either. Go Vols!
rockytopatl writes:
C'mon folks, did you really expect Adams to pick the Vols? You guys don't seem to realize it would be a monumental upset.
Yes, we want it to happen. But reality suggests it won't.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
probably because 99.5% of the populace is picking Bama. Why all the negative posts on J.A. Some of you guys should get a life.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
JA is a journalist and not on the UT payroll--------as a journalist hes supposed to be objective and unbiased and not drink the koolaide just to tell you what you want to hear----picking Alabama as is everyone outside of Knoxville is not wishing them to win and giving UT no credit-------he calls it like he sees it as journalist should------our winning or losing is in no way predicated on his predictions-----drink your koolaide and shut up you constant JA bashers
cliffjumper50#205931 writes:
Jimmy the Greek was supposed to have stated that he loved to take bets on the Vol-Bama game as the Tennessee fans bet more with their hearts than their heads.
jmr68ut writes:
I remember a few years back when we beat No. 1 Auburn and Bo Jackson, but that was in Knoxville and AU was way overrated. I'd much rather see us win tomorrow!!! GO VOLS!!!
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
Last week was my first "bad" week as I went 15-5... but here's to trying again...
Tennessee- 10
Alabama-7 (by 14.5)
La. Monroe- 27
Kentucky-42 (by 14.5)
Arkansas- 24
Ole Miss-31 (by 6.5)
Vandy- 7
South Carolina-24 (by 12.5)
Florida- 45 (by 23)
Mississippi State-19
Auburn- 14
LSU-24 (by 7.5)
Texas-27 (by 13)
Missouri-23
USC-34 (by 20.5)
Oregon State-17
Cincinnati-42 (by 18)
Louisville-17
Boise State- 48 (by 25)
Hawaii-35
Iowa-20 (line Even)
Michigan State- 17
Miami- 45 (by 4.5)
Clemson-20
TCU-10 (by 2.5)
BYU-17
Georgia Tech-28 (by 5.5)
Virginia-17
Oregon- 24 (by 10)
Washington-17
Michigan- 24
Penn State-20 (by 4.5)
Oklahoma State- 35 (by 9.5)
Baylor-17
Houston- 52 (by 16.5)
SMU-20
Minnesota- 21
Ohio State-28 (by 16.5)
Air Force-17
Utah-19 (by 9.5)
South Florida-27
Pittsburgh-24 (by 6.5)
Texas A&M- 24
Texas Tech-42 (by 21.5)
West Virginia-28 (by 7.5)
Connecticut-7
Oklahoma- 42 (by 7.5)
Kansas-31
Last week 15-5 overall, 9-10 against the spread 131-23 overall, 78-63 against the spread
tdforvols writes:
You mean the GA that beat South Carolina that gave Bama about all they could handle?
halloffamebowler writes:
Because he is right.I hope not,but they are no.1 for a reason.
CrankE writes:
Right on. I mean, we knew how bad Georgia was 2 weeks ago. Who does Georgia play this week that might demonstrate to us how bad they are? Who cares? We're done with the humpers for this year. It's time to find out how good/bad the bammers are.
gslaton#227127 writes:
I predict that Tide noseguard Cody will collapse in the 3rd quarter from chasing Crompton on the rollout. Vols control football 2nd half, win 24-20.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Adams and Foolmer are a joke. I would love to see Adams writing for the Fayetteville Gazette and Foolmer coaching for Maryville intermediate school.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
You are awesome!!! When I grow up I hope I can be just like you, or be able to post to everyone just how good I am. I wish I was as good as you, idiot.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Hey Donnie boy..........S--k it!!!
senracjr writes:
I'm just wondering what excuse the Bammers are going to have when they lose, in the past they have come up with some doozies.
Remember the one when Tn beat them and they said it was because they wore the wrong cleats?
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Now that is some funny stuff, smoke some for the pumpkin!
Hardrocknox writes:
That was Ohio st in the orange bowl , but your wright dumbo will be crying. Go big orange !
running_dog writes:
There are several guarantees for this game (from my personal standpoint)...I will be enjoying a few cold beers, pulling for my beloved vols, and most importantly I will be happy regardless of the outcome because I am excited for the direction of this program. Enjoy the game everyone this is going to be one heck of a game!!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
I'm gonna take UT with the points and the under, and Miss St catching 22.5 from the Gators. We can beat Bama if we don't turn the ball over. How long you been in Vegas? There are no UT or Titans bars here, none!
dma38256#264746 writes:
" '65 will always be remembered for Ken Stabler throwing the ball out of bounds on 4th down with the clock running down in the game.
Unfortunately, the next morning three Tennessee coaches were killed when the car they were riding in was broadsided by a train."
From an article by Michael Shibley
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/73...
Good read
dma38256#264746 writes:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/73...
dma38256#264746 writes:
Third try:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/73084
KINGKONG writes:
Alabama has a bullseye on them right now.UT had 2 weeks to prepare and they are healthy.UT has improved every week since the opening kickoff.This is a must win gm for UT, I feel like we will be prepared for this gm . Coaching will make up for a lack of talent 6 or 7 plays is the difference between UT being 6-0 or 3-3 if special teams and our qb comes to play we can win the game.JHON ADAMS is going with the favored like he always do.I guess it takes ballz to go against the odds.Thats what a real sports writer have, JHON ADAMS your not it.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
bitter much?
I've been doing this all season. We're out to prove John Adams doesn't know any more than the average sports fan.
cloudodust writes:
That's because our hearts may be on our sleeves and not up an orifice like, maybe, yours..?
wayoutwill writes:
I predict that witchiepooh is full of bull and that the Vols may or may not win tommorrow depending on whether Crompton reverts back to his normal pitiful self,but if he comes out slinging that ball and getting some great plays from the rest of the team,I predict that we will beat the crimesome tied,but Witchiepooh will still be full of bull!
volengr#233707 writes:
Some of you are idiots. What's wrong with picking a #1 ranked team to beat one that is unranked?...Duhhhh... If you want a cheerleader to lie to you go ask your mommy who's going to win. She'll bend over and kiss you and say how great you are. Personally, I pick the Vols, but I always pick the Vols. My bias is why I don't report the news. Quit your whining.
madmax1247 writes:
I think our D-fence is going to be the difference in the game. We need to punch Ingram in the mouth. EB and company will keep big plays to Julio in check. Hardesty is as good as Ingram. They need to worry bout the run just like us.I don't believe we have to be mistake free to win. Mistakes will happen for both teams.Crompton had a coming out party last game and I think he's going to surprise Bama. Vols play this tight.26-24 yea John Adams is a hater.
wayoutwill writes:
John Adams is keeping it real,there is not a sportscaster on any college football T.V. show that will pick the Vols to win,but I think there may (possibly) be some that will say that the Vols CAN win IF they come out and play the way they did against Ga. 'Dawgs!I belive they will win IF they get the same performance from Crompton that they did two weeks ago.I know that we are all re-energized from the win over the 'Dawgs!I just want us to win the game!Go Vols!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
so hes a hater cause he thinks the #1 team will beat an unranked one --------with all due respect youre an idiot. Course I hope we win but Guess that makes me a hater too for ignoring reality and suggesting our Vols are unranked---in you Koolaiders minds we are top 10 and all the pollsters are haters
DennisVols writes:
The Clinton Dragons beat Oak Ridge tonight for back to back wins against OR for the 1st time since 1948.
The Orange is on the rise. An upset is in the making.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
RockyTopVolFan writes:
Prove this idiot wrong...BEAT BAMA!!!
GO VOLS!
rubbervol writes:
Just remember what Utah did with the mighty Tide last year.
the10sevol writes:
kirk herbstreit and desmond howard both warned bama that the Vols could be for real (today on espn).
GBO
Razzle writes:
Sorry Ala-banana fans. Vols 20 Ala. 16
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Herbstreit saying something positive about the vols?? I must be dreaming!! The only reason ESPN would even talk Tenn. football is because we're playing the No#1 team in the nation; otherwise it's the same sorry banter about CLK popping off about opposing programs..ESPN is about as informed about UT football as my sister..
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Sounds about right..Crompton's playing will be a major factor..Sadly our Offensive Line which has gotten by on heart and sheer determination will be overmatched and Crompton will face too many 3rd and longs. If Hardesty puts up 100 yards on bama that would make him SEC player of the week; Hands down!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Very cool! As a former Dragon, I'm loving it! I also like this Orange and Black idea, since those are Clinton's colors!
rockytopatl writes:
Yeah, WE fans do pull for the Vols. But journalists are objective and I'd like to believe Tennessee fans are sophisticated enough to understand the difference.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Judging from what I read on this board, evidence to support your belief is pretty thin on the ground. "Realistic fan" is pretty much an oxymoron. You and I, and no doubt some others, can and do cheer for the Vols with all our might, but that doesn't mean we turn our brains off to do so. A UT win today is most unlikely, but it will be all the sweeter for that if it happens. GO VOLS!!!
navarrebeachvol writes:
you are rank and unimpressive, and might I add a loser. get a life sport, go beat the wife or whatever it is you usually do down there...
scvols writes:
Roll Tide Roll, around the bowl and out the hole. GO VOLS!!!
dowhatsright writes:
Good line:
"Alabama claims 12 national championships, half of which are actually acknowledged by college football's general populace."
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.