Photo by Adam Brimer
Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin talks to cornerback Eric Berry (14) between plays on Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Tennessee could be a candidate for an emotional letdown.
The Vols might just as easily be tempted to look ahead to another marquee conference matchup next week.
So just in case the message that every game counts the same hadn't sunk in, UT coach Lane Kiffin popped in a tape from last year that wasn't exactly a subtle reminder of what Ohio is capable of today at Neyland Stadium (TV: Pay-per-view, 7 p.m.).
"We're very aware of that," safety Eric Berry said. "That's the first thing Coach Kiffin said in the meeting room, and he actually showed us the third-quarter score when they were playing Ohio State (and leading 14-12 before losing 26-14). He put it on in the team room and showed us, and those guys are no joke.
"We have to come out and play them like a good team."
Kiffin could have just as easily pulled some other, more familiar footage from last year to make his point, but the Vols (1-2) didn't really need to see a close win against Northern Illinois or a loss to Wyoming again to get the picture.
UT should have a dramatic edge in talent, it's playing at home and is coming off a performance that was encouraging even in a loss against No. 1 Florida. There might not seem to be nearly as much at stake against the Bobcats (2-1) as there was a week ago or a week from now against Auburn, but Kiffin has clearly worked hard to treat every game the same.
"The opponent coming in has played extremely well," Kiffin said. "They seem to be much improved from last year, and if there was anyone on our team thinking of overlooking them, there's no way they should. We've reminded them this team had Ohio State on the ropes in the fourth quarter at Ohio State last year, and it's a very good team, extremely well-coached.
"This is a team that can play extremely well, and when you look at them, they've played a bunch of close games … (with) Top 25 teams since Coach Solich has been there. They've risen to the occasion a bunch."
Lately the Vols have done some of the opposite and been guilty of stooping on occasion, though that lesson appears to have been learned.
UT also found out a few other things about itself in the fallout from the loss to the Gators, notably that its defense easily ranks among the most elite in the nation and its running game can succeed even without much threat of a pass. But perhaps more important, the Vols proved they can compete with the best teams in the country - though they're still looking for some positive results to back it up.
"The difference would be maybe that they're more bought-in now to believe what we've been trying to tell them," Kiffin said. "They can be good and that they can play with the best teams in the country if they do things right and buy into what we're doing.
"Maybe they're a little more focused on what we're trying to do because of that. If that's the case, great."
That attention to detail figures to be more important over the next couple weeks with Auburn and Georgia both coming to town during a three-game homestand leading into UT's bye. A sweep would be a significant step forward after a sluggish start to the Kiffin Era, but the Vols have made certain they won't be caught thinking that far ahead.
"No, coach ain't going to let that happen," wide receiver Gerald Jones said. "He already showed the film last year when Ohio played Ohio State and Ohio was being them 14-12 going into the fourth quarter. We realize if we take these guys lightly and we come in here thinking and being too confident, they can sneak up on you.
"I mean, they're players just like us, so we're going to take this just like we're playing the No. 1 team."
Actually, the Vols just did that.
But they're not thinking about that anymore, either.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 41
panties4tebow writes:
Just get the job done and win!!!!!!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!
Cldvols1 writes:
They will lose if they overlook this team! Focus solely on the Bobcats boys, execute and you'll win the game. Go Vols!!!
volatil writes:
Bring your swim trunks tomorrow. Bruce will be wearing his hoodie.
ncvol17 writes:
I'll be watching on Gameplan, play well or the Nachos won't sit well....
rockytopatl writes:
Good one!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
A simple W would be nice.
Is needed.
VOL03_NC writes:
FOCUS ON OHIO! PEOPLE.
The future is now. Past is not improtant.
GET on the Lane Train, dont make assumptions b/c you read the POST. CPF is GOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!
GO VOLS!!!
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
Fulmer was the one that put the Bobcats on the schedule back in the day. Not Kiffin. Just win baby! GO VOLS!!
transplantiam writes:
As bad as some would like for it to be different(or should I say: the same old excuses with CPF) Kiffin is the coach, Fulmer is no more and won't ever be. Give it a rest, please! I was behind CPF for a long time but if you can't see what has happened in his last 10 yrs. you're blind. I'm not cutting him as a person, it's just that he just got complacent in several facets of the game and it told on him on the field. Time to move on. The excuse that CPF didn't like playing the easy ones is bull. I've been following the Vols all my life (I'm 57) and I saw this happen every year. All the teams in the top 25 do this every yr. I don't know what would give you that idea, if you have proof I'd like to see it. Look at the previous 20 yr. schedules and tell me that again. What really took the cake is Fulmer going around the country cutting us down after making him a very rich man. He should take his money and go to Montana or wherever his 2nd home is. 'Nuff said.
GO VOLS!!
newtonrail writes:
Well said.
xvolx writes:
Why would there be a letdown after Fla. We lost. I would think that they would want to get back on a winning track. That should be inspiration enough.
jman33163 writes:
Game day!! Go Big Orange!!!
xvolx writes:
That day would be the eightth day of the week.
BuckFama writes:
I respect our previous coach for what he and his teams accomplished. But he isn't at the helm any longer. It seems as if coach Kiffin has something positive going up on The Hill, and I'm fully behind him and his charges.
Some of you folks, pro-Fulmer AND anti-Fulmer alike, might think about giving the love/hate thing a rest and concentrate on the task at hand ... a win tonight over Ohio, and a successful run for the remainder of the season.
Go Vols!!
volatil writes:
I think that will be the day after I want Buzz Peterson back, but thanks for the heads up I've got them both in my schedule book for crazy people.
TotalPackage1 writes:
Yep. I felt the same way about Bill Battle after he was replaced by Johnny Majors in 1977. I mean Coach Majors replaced Battle who was coming off two five loss seasons. Coach Majors struggled his first four seasons going 4–7, 5–5–1, 7–5, and 5–6....I felt then and still do today that we should have kept Bill Battlle...just think of where Tennessee would be today? NOT!
Sir, put down the illegal narcotics and call for help.
TommyJack writes:
With all respect, Bob, you are delusional. If we never win another game with CLK, I would not wish for FHCPF's return. Never. Ever.
volatil writes:
I'm leaving for the game, GBO!!!!!! I hope my kid is waterproof. Safe travel to everyone on the road, slow down.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
An ESPN poll after fatso was fired showed that over 80% of college football fans would NOT want Fulmer to coach their team.
seventysevenvol writes:
If the Vols don't beat Ohio by at least 5 TD's, we should be embarassed. "Letdown"? It would take the team bus "breaking down" and Ohio winning by a forfeit in order for them to steal a win. By the way, all the gab about the OSU-Ohio game last year? No one has bothered to mention OSU turned the ball over 4 times on their side of the field...and Ohio only had 14 points at the end of the 3rd quarter.
...oh, how the devil's in the details...
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
Your right....I hope Fulmer does come back....as a head coach of AnySchoolUSA University....faces this disciplined team with its SUPERIOR Defensive Coach....a team that can suddenly run the ball with authority using the same group of kids he had and couldn't.....and lose by 63 without even one pass attempt to shut him up! The good ole boys days on the hill are over pal so deal with it!
IF FULMER DIDN'T LIKE BEING FIRED THEN HE SHOULD HAVE GOT OFF HIS FAT ARSE AND COACHED SOME KIDS AND FOUND AWAY TO RECRUIT WITH THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY! QUIT BRINGING HIM UP GUY.....IT MAKES YOU SOUND SO VERY PATHETIC!
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
Here is the other reason why Philly Phil was dumped (courtesy of Inside Tennessee)....
6-9-0 (5-7 record in 2008, then 1-2 start in 2009)
7-8-0 (3-2 finish to 2004, then 4-6 start in 2005)
7-8-0 (7-2 finish to 1987, then 0-6 start in 2008)
9-6-0 (7-4 finish to 2006, then 2-2 start in 2007)
9-6-0 (4-4 finish to 2002, then 5-2 start in 2003)
9-6-0 (1-1 finish to 2001, then 8-5 record in 2002)
Now do I need to show you his record against our main rivals....mainly Florida....Fulmer simply allowed Florida regardless of who their coach was dominate us since he was head coach....even when we had a ton of more talent in the late 90's than Florida he got out coached in those games.
running_dog writes:
I grew up in Knoxville and got my undergrad degree from Ohio U. This will be a great game with veteran coaches Monte and Frank Solich. Can't wait for this one. Even though I went to OU I still bleed orange. Enjoy the game!
running_dog writes:
That game in 95 or 96 (can't remember which) where we lead the Gators 30-14 at halftime and lost 62-37 is still one of the worst memories I have of UT Football. Fulmer just got to the point where he played not to lose. I'm excited about what Kiffin is building at UT
Hardrocknox writes:
you are on cloud nine my freind , fulmer was a tool , thats it ! go Kiff and go big orange !!!
Hardrocknox writes:
LOL , you are absolutely pathetic ! what is wrong with you ? if you hate TN so much find another team .good grief !
the10sevol writes:
back atcha. good luck. stay dry, lol...
GBO
Razzle writes:
You're funny! LOL
smoky50 writes:
Coach Fulmer coached to barely win conservatively every single game. If we had a QB we would have beaten the GatorS. Fulmer was to lax and easy on the players. Cutcliff and Chavis were in a different league than FOOLMER. They wanted to win and Foolmer just wanted to get to the 4th quarter.
Stokes44yrs writes:
BobforFulmer? Why are you on here? I liked fulmer just fine but you are turning me against him. Well not really. Actually you're having very little effect whatsoever. GO VOLS!
dvhill100 writes:
Threw out CPF with the garbage? Feel free to throw me out with the same garbage. $6 million will buy a lot of showers.
Atheist? What in the world does that have to do with being a successful football coach?
CFP simply didn't win enough in his later years, couldn't beat his primary nemesis (FL), and had multiple discipline problems over his career. His recruiting had also slipped.
I won't argue he is a very good person and coach, but it is all about winning. That is why he got fired. As far as being "blood runs orange", he is swiftly tanking that with his bitterness. I might not be happy in his place, but again, $6 million will buy a lot of forgiveness.
Stokes44yrs writes:
I'm NOT on Bob's side here but that was classless of you. Fulmer played "heavy" in our success the last couple of decades(sorry Phil I couldn't resist).
Stokes44yrs writes:
Oh man!! I've become a classless idiot!!!
sizeDD writes:
They had way lower expectations, this staff expects to be the best but it will take time. Why so angry Bob?
TarheelVol writes:
I liked and respected Coach Fulmer, but like a
lot of fans felt it was time for him to go. The
6 million buyout is pretty sweet, so I don't
think he was treated badly. There's no painless
way to get rid of a coach. But Phil has 6 million
reasons to not feel so bad about it. I like what
the old ball coach said - that "Coach Fulmer had
hit the lottery up in Knoxville." The big guy
will land on his feet. He's a good man...
sizeDD writes:
Your hatred for Kiffin is bit inconsistent with your Christian rhetoric.
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
Bob4Vols is the same poster as Rob not a Vol. He does nothing but come on this site and make posts to stir things up. Ignore him. He is an idiot
pammyvol1000 writes:
Man.. Ala and McElroy looks good today!:( Better than Fla.
Go Vols!!
transplantiam writes:
And we're supposed to want to go back to losing as we had been doing? He wasn't going to bring in the recruits to put us back where we should be. Whether CLK or Joe the plunber' somebody that would/will put the respect back in the program. It became obvious that Fulmer couldn't do it. He was too content to finish 2nd or 3rd in our division. If Kiffin isn't the one, we'll find the right one. His recruiting and Fl. game plan says he will be!
GO VOL!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
The fact is... CPF is gone. NOthing we say or do is going to bring him back as HC, so we need to move on. He was a great person, and a great coach, but obviously it was time to go. I think CLK will make a fine coach. I like what he's done so far. Let's just focus on beating the phooey out of Ohio U tonight!
dodgevol1961 writes:
This is what you call better..an 11 point win over...let me get this striaght..Ohio U... What a joke... What defense are you talking about..they will get killed in the Sec... When are ya gonna figure out you wasted alot of scholorship money on Crompton..He's a joke.. couldn't be a quarterback in the MAC. Auburn, Georgia, thats 2 more losses with the great Kiffen. The vols are a joke..Have been for a few years. Ya wan't Crompton to be comfortable Kiffen..put his butt on the bench and let him watch the game..he sure can't win the game for you. Whats your excuse gonna be next week against Auburn...there is no victory in a loss. We were pathetic against Florida, will be the same against the rest of the SEC.
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.