Despite loss, Vol fans retain hope

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Against all reason on this October Saturday, the hope that flickers within University of Tennessee football fans is as frisky as a bluetick hound.

Their team begins the day with a mediocre 3-3 record, while their opponents, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, are 7-0 and No. 1 in The Associated Press' poll.

"But you gotta have faith," says Ken Guthrie before the game. "I think we're going to win. I've just got a funny feeling."

Guthrie and his pals - Patrick and Laurel Bowker - drove down from Cleveland, Tenn., to join some Bama fan friends at a tent near Bryant-Denny Stadium.

They grill hot dogs and talk about the Vols' chances.

Hope needs courage, and theirs comes in orange cans of Bud Light.

The rival fans exchanged some good-natured ribbing. The Tennessee contingent helps their crimson-clad hosts erect a second tent frame.

"They brought us down here to help with the engineering," says Patrick Bowker, with an arched eyebrow.

Steve Merchant of Birmingham typically pulls for Southern Cal, but on this particular Saturday, he bleeds orange, because Bama is ahead of USC in the polls.

Hope, it seems, is contagious.

"It just takes a couple of passes to make a difference," Merchant says.

Tennessee is the underdog, but on the field, hope doesn't expire until the game clock does.

Hope wears orange in Tuscaloosa.

After a furious comeback, Tennessee is poised to pull off an improbable upset. The anticipation of victory makes orange hearts pound.

Problem is, reality wears red - crimson, in particular; No. 62, to be exact.

Terrence Cody, Alabama's 354-pound mountain of a lineman, blocks his second field goal attempt of the day as time runs out, allowing the Tide to escape with a 12-10 victory.

Though the Vols lose, hope hasn't died.

Afterward, at their tailgating tent, Guthrie and his friends are fanning the orange flame of their hope.

He says he has just witnessed the best Alabama-Tennessee game he's ever seen, and he's missed only six home games in 40 seasons.

"They never quit," Guthrie says proudly. "I'm more excited about Tennessee football than ever."

Scott Barker may be reached at 865-342-6309.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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