Suppose you had polled Alabama football fans on the identity of the Antichrist six years ago. Does anyone doubt then-Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer would have won in a landslide?
The Tide was coming off a 4-9 season and nursing an elephant-size grudge over Fulmer's role in its getting waylaid by the NCAA. Things weren't much different two years later when Alabama lost its last four games to finish off the Mike Shula era in appropriate fashion.
But when Fulmer was fired in 2008, Tide fans didn't even bother shaking their pompons. They had moved on, thanks mainly to the hiring of coach Nick Saban, whose second Alabama team was unbeaten the day Fulmer was dismissed.
Nonetheless, don't minimize the therapeutic value of Alabama's Fulmer fixation. It afforded the Tide a much-needed distraction during a tough time.
With the Vols picked to finish fifth in the SEC East this fall, their fans could use a distraction of their own. Fortunately for them, former head coach Lane Kiffin has provided it.
When he forsook the Vols for Southern California in the midst of recruiting, Kiffin's East Tennessee legacy was assured. He will be the most hated sports figure in these parts for years to come.
Urban Meyer could have his Gators execute an onside kick with a 45-point lead at Neyland Stadium, and he wouldn't be as loathed as Kiffin. Saban could pose with the Tide's national championship trophy on UT's 50-yard line, and Vols fans would prefer him to Kiffin. Remember how much you resented Michigan's Charles Woodson for beating out Peyton Manning for the Heisman? You resent Kiffin more.
In fact, if Woodson and Kiffin were trapped in a burning building, UT fans would rescue Woodson first; then, go back and get his Heisman Trophy before even thinking about saving the other guy.
So there's no ambiguity about your allegiances this fall. You pull for the Vols and whoever is playing USC.
That's a nice starting point, but my advice: Don't limit yourself. Despite NCAA sanctions, which will have more of an impact later on, the Trojans likely will win much more than they lose this season, which means you will need backup distractions.
Here are a few more teams worth pulling against:
n Kansas State - Reason: Bryce Brown transferred there.
Never mind that he's not eligible to play this season. Wouldn't you feel better if the Wildcats' program collapsed while he was on the premises? After all, he's the former No. 1 high school running back who signed with the Vols under Kiffin, then quit on them the following spring.
That was bad enough. But he just hung around for the next few months while teasing some fans into believing he might actually return to the team.
The kicker: He could be a player in the NCAA's investigation of the Vols.
n Anyone who plays North Carolina - Reason: The buyout.
UT athletic director Mike Hamilton caught considerable heat for canceling next year's game with burgeoning football power North Carolina. But if the mighty Tar Heels are dominant this fall, UT will appear shrewd for buying out of next season's game and avoiding a potentially embarrassing defeat.
n Duke - Reason: David Cutcliffe.
Kiffin and Brown left the Vols only once. Cutcliffe did it twice, once to become the head coach at Ole Miss, then for the Duke head-coaching job.
And when he leaves, the Vols get worse.
After UT's undefeated season in 1998, Cutcliffe left for Ole Miss and the Vols dropped to 9-3. Following UT's 5-6 season in 2005, Cutcliffe returned as offensive coordinator, and the team won nine games.
He left again after the 2007 season, and UT promptly went belly-up.
n Bowling Green - Reason: Dave Clawson.
An incompetent offense - Clawson's offense - was generally regarded as the biggest factor in UT's 2008 debacle. The Vols went 5-7, Fulmer got fired, and the genius behind the moribund offense got promoted to a head-coaching job.
Worse yet, Clawson led the Falcons to a bowl game last season, and his offense looked just fine in the process. That success cleared him as a scapegoat for one of the worst seasons in UT history.
You can't blame him, but you can pull against him.
n Alabama - Reason: Are you kidding? UT fans don't need a reason to pull against Alabama.
You might be wondering, "Why Alabama, and not Florida?"
One Answer: Tide fans are a lot closer.
Another answer: If a Gainesville restaurant declares the Gators as national champions, Florida doesn't include that in its football media guide.
n Michigan - Reason: Woodson still has the Heisman.
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 75
vut56#231073 writes:
Well, this article refers often to "you" and "UT Fans," and I am both. So, I secede from Mr. Adam's groupings and declare his reasoning flawed, as usual.
To most reasonable fans and sensible individuals, a call for "loathing" is not only distastful, but childish and immature. We want our team to win and certainly have other favorites; but, "loathing"? Sure, Cafego claimed to loath Vanderbilt; that may have been true when they owned us in the Twenties but during my lifetime, they must be considered a great school and a worthy opponent...since we beat them most every year. Kiffin? Must we have a cheerleader to keep his name in our face? Yesterday's news; give it up.
Mr. Adams should think of something for us to respect and appreciate...not loath. Our team, maybe? This year and every year.
Bigger_Al writes:
This is pathetic. I hate Woodson much more than Kiffin. I hate Adams worse than Woodson. Here is a good article on the Vols:
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20...
prideofthesouthland writes:
Big_Al is right.
volbike writes:
It is hard to come up with something to write about 2-3 times a week that isn't pure pablum like "Stocker Man of Many roles" or "The Linebackers are really fired!"
So give Adams a break.
DannyVol writes:
Not even trying to pretend anymore, is he? It's somewhere between laughable and a disgrace that he's still employed at the KNS. However, it would be nice to get some real coverage of the Vols like we used to.
Psychovol writes:
Spurrier is still on my list. He hails from east TN and loves sticking it to the Vols. ESPN is on my list also. I blame them and not Woodson for the heistman debacle. But Urbie and Satan take the cake. They just plain love themselves too much.
RespectTradition writes:
contemptible
Go Vols!
dvhill100 writes:
Thanks for the link. It was a good article. Eagerly waiting to watch TN-Fl on TV at 2200 in Africa. Hopefully will be able to stay awake.
utfpmd writes:
Drivel.
rootin4volz writes:
...And finally: John Adams, because he writes articles like this.
VolCrazy writes:
"So there's no ambiguity about your allegiances this fall. You pull for the Vols and whoever is playing USC."
Way ahead of ya John. Like 7 years ahead of you.
CroKev writes:
Adams article aside, I just saw the AP rankings and, not surprisingly, UT is not ranked in the top 50. However, MTSU is ranked 45th. It looks like UT is the 2nd best program in the state (Vanderbilt must be 5th or 6th). Man, if that's not motivation to play some hard-nosed football this year...
tartarsauce writes:
this guy dont seem like a vol fan, and is he full time?
WaltGoVols writes:
John Adams must surely know he himself goes high on a list of people loathed by UT fans.
Walt
UT '81
chbradshaw writes:
Irrelevancy in the age of Twitter is really tough isn't it John? In the time it took you to read this, Wes Rucker probably just tweeted something meaningful about the Vols that you will learn about next week and write about next month.
Or put another way, when Tennessee plays Oregon Wes will have told us everything we needed to know within an hour of the game. By then, you'll probably still be writing a long, old-fashioned story that adds nothing.
It will be posted around midnight and literally be yesterday's news. Someone might read it while catching up on tweets from the NFL games the next day.
rusty_shackleford writes:
What will be get next, "The many nuances of the color Orange"? How about 500 words on whether we should put mustard on our hotdogs at the ball game. Maybe you could prognosticate the likelihood of a traffic jam after the UT v. UTM game.
Good grief, jackwagon. You have officially jumped the shark.
TennVolAlum writes:
like tennessee fans really nead john adams to tell us what to dislike/loathe in the college football world?
get over yourself adams...i think we are all pretty well versed in what to dislike in regards to the shots UT has taken over the years.
CrankE writes:
If John Adams were in a burning building, then I'd work like heck to rescue him. I could probably heave him out of the window. Surely some kind soul will have placed a net below...right? .....right? ....duuude?
pms151 writes:
The athletic department must have doubled Rucker's salary for that article. When a so called journalist starts interviewing other so called journalists you have got to know things just went south. That is not to say that I agree with Adam's call to hate mongering. There just have to be more compelling subjects out there for these idiots to write about. I feel like I have just wasted valuable time reading this stuff.
nwcs writes:
You people are funny. You complain and complain about Adams and yet keep reading his work. So that tells me you secretly enjoy it but are ashamed to admit it.
Tennfan4075 writes:
Amazing how many readers seem to dislike or maybe hate Mr Adams and his sports articles but still find time to read and comment.
jcp201 writes:
great article. Very enjoyable.
BufordTJustice writes:
Randy Sanders is in my top 5. He started our fall from grace.
Huttdawg100 writes:
Good Post!
“The younger Dooley is not only the right kind of coach, he is the right kind of MAN that Tennessee needs to lead its football program at this point in history,” Barnhart wrote. “Tennessee got away from the things that made it great — the fundamental principles of General Neyland — with the hire of Lane Kiffin. It went reaching for something that was totally out of character for the institution hoping to keep pace with the University of Florida and to get back to the top of the SEC. Tennessee is Robert Neyland, Bowden Wyatt, Doug Dickey, Bill Battle, Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer and Peyton Manning. It stands for something fundamental and unchanging. It does not alter its mission and values hoping that talented players will come. It offers talented high school students an opportunity to be part of something special — something bigger than themselves.
“Tennessee forgot that for 14 months. With the hiring of Derek Dooley, UT now has a chance to get it back.”
Those words really highlight everything that UT is. We lost our way, and now Dooley has been charged to "bear the torch". Like it or not, we are going to have to be patient and let Dooley stabilize the program and build depth. Good luck Coach. The True Vol Fans are behind you.
vol88 writes:
It wasn't Woodson's fault that he won the heisman. The blame should be focused on ESPN/ABC's public relations campaign on his behalf.
Vol86 writes:
I hate these bad articles.
Volunatic writes:
bama fans still haven't "moved on" from their grudge against Fulmer.
easleychuck writes:
Alabama, don't give any thought to any of the others.
He gets paid to write this ???
Simply amazing.
Volunatic writes:
This is possibly Adams' worst column in a decade.
The only grude most Vol fans hold against kiffin is the fact that he (or orgeron) tried to sabotage the class of mid-term enrollees by encouraging them to skip the first day of classes.
I don't hate USC (left) either, although I was surprised they couldn't find a coach with a more-established resume.
Mr. Adams-- you have had some decent columns recently, but this insult to the collective intelligence of Vol fans is beneath you.
orangeman1 writes:
So, is Adams saying that Clawson's offense was not the problem? Was it the players then? Maybe it was too complicated for our Qb's or maybe they pulled the plug too early and it wouldve been good in 09. I guess we'll never know. I noticed Adams left Hamilton off list. He should definately be on there. He is the one responsible for the Kiffin hire.
VOLinNYC writes:
Mr. Adams
Why are you making up this list for me or other Vol fans? (Actually I didn't mind the premise of this column, rather the execution of it). I think I can make up my own mind and rank them on my own accord but your job should be to help with out-of-the-box ideas and present them in either a methodical or humorous way (depending on your mood, I don't care which).
You hit it on the head that Kiffin is MY #1 at the moment and probably most other UT fans. However, the line of "Here are a few more teams worth pulling against" is just atrocious for an EDITOR. Again, it should have been "suggestions" for Vol fans. And why stick Cutcliffe and Clawson on the list? Who the hell did you poll for this list? I don't know too many people who have (or should have) current rabid hate for these two.
Cutcliffe was an efficient tactician who helped UT a lot (for a national championship and a rebuilding effort). If some fans are bitter that he did not stick around, then it is a small number as most knew that he wanted to be a head coach and Fulmer understood that. No hard feelings towards Cutcliffe, from my perspective, and not worthy enough to be on this list.
As for Clawson, most fans don't (or want) to remember him because it was such a short stay and it helped to guillotine Fulmer (to the joy of fans of change). Anger and spite towards Clawson was heavy back at the time, but presently we are apathetic (note: means lack of any emotion, even hatred) and is but a blip on our radar.
A respectable list should be:
USC
Florida
Alabama
Georgia
Or if you want to be humorous with your list, fine. But keep it so, throughout.
OrangePride writes:
Take Duke off the list. Who could blame Cut for taking better jobs. He did a lot here at Tennessee and that far overshadows the fact that he left for Duke. Besides....he's a good guy.
smifrat writes:
You should've added yourself to list Adams! You continue to bash on Fulmer, mention Kiffin in almost all of your articles and find a way to take shots at UT and Coach Dooley time after time even though UT Football is one of the main reasons you have a job in Knoxville!
UT fans do not need another reason to loath you either! You do not deserve to be the sports editor on a UT VOLS fan site! I really wish you would move back to LA and take Jimmy Hyams with you! The two of you show nothing but loathing for the team that you two cover…and it shows!
whistlinwingman writes:
ADAMS=
A nother
D umb
A nd
M oronic
S tory
Southland writes:
I was ashamed of Kiffin from his opening press conference and never changed my mind or had a reason to. Adams has to be at the top of most people's list. Kiffin was a bad hire so I wasnt sad when he left. I told people he would take a west coach job just as soon as he could get one and he did. Dont blame Randy Sanders. Enough of that. We now know it was Coach Fulmer's controlling him on play calling. Sanders has done a good job at UK. Sanders was the scapegoat of Coach Fulmer's apathy. So was Clawson
OldNumber7 writes:
Good article...and well said Tony Barnhart !! Right on the money. Although I believe Kiffin would have brought this program to glory, it may have been at a cost in its reputation/history. I don't blame Kiffin at all..and would love watching Meyer fail more than him.
bkgunter writes:
Pablum would be preferable to Adams just upchucking a list of names that UT fans find objectionable. Adams can quit being a columnist any time if it's too hard for him. He does not need you running interference for him, but if you can be his lead blocker to another community---get to work.
bretonbound writes:
Has one of the best sportswriters ever taken some time off and allowed an 8 year old to take over his column? What's with all the petty slamming of folks who have a life other than with the vols? The attitude displayed is so typical of orangeville--immature, self-centered, hateful, petty--and so untypical of Adams, a usually fair minded and honest assessor.
Never understand why the streets are paved in gold for every step dooley takes. He pulled the same deal on his school as Kiffin did. He was offered the job and was here the next day. So he's a saint & Kiffin a sinner? There's not one of you wouldn't have done the same as Kiffin-- a return to his home (& a special priceless bonus- a move away from the ignorant, redneck culture he found himself immersed in here), more $$$ and a more prestigious school. Duhhhhhhhhhh.....
TommyJack writes:
I don't hate CLK for leaving. I hate him for coming.
Mule_Days_King writes:
My list:
1)Corned beef hash
2)Alabubba
3)My wife's boss
4)Pickles
5)Flar-duh
6)People that won't go when the light is green.
7)Liberal elitists
8)The guy that ran over my kids' dog last year
9)The farmer whose cows keep getting into my yard.
10)Alabubba.
Those also receiving points: VandyGrad and cats.
volboy81 writes:
isnt it ironic that John Adams would write about things UT fans love to hate! (and he didnt even mention himself!)
VOLliven2it writes:
Don't read Adam's Coach L. Twinky articles. They mean nothing. He just likes to keep putting up the name. I am glad I get Wes Rucker's paper down our way. To whom do we complain about Adams' ineptitude?
Volunatic writes:
You really dislike corned beef hash that much? I like it pretty well if it's not too chunky and fried just right.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Yes, that much, And I threw up in my mouth just imagining "chunky and fried".
Go Vols!!
murrayvol writes:
Woodsen didn't beat Manning out of the Heisman.....ESPN did.
Woodsen should've dropped the dorky little dude off in Bristol after the ceremony.
Ayres_Hall writes:
Did you guys watch the Tim Brandt college football special on TV Saturday? Coach Vince Dooley said he was going to watch the UGA vs. UT game at home alone with the blinds pulled because it wasn't right for him to be in the UGA stadium and pull against the Dawgs.
Priceless commentary.
oskie_score writes:
Consider which is worse AND would have more ramifications and lg term ripple affect...
A loss to NC OR a Buffalo upset??
Vols success while Coach Cutcliffe was on staff...coincidence? Think not.
The success of Coach Clawson's offensive schematics pre AND post Tennessee...coincidence? Think not.
My blame does not fall w/ either but instead w/ the HC.
Kiffin?? Yeah, I bought into him. Do I despise him? No, BUT I am happy he is gone.
Alabama?? Don't hate 'em but don't like 'em either. Instead, I respect 'em. IMO, CNS was the best thing to happen to Alabama AND the SEC. Saban has raised the bar of competition and like 'im OR not, he's a damn good HC. Again, respect.
Florida?? Here again, no hatred but certainly no love lost either. Coach Meyer and the Gators have had some off-field issues of their own BUT from a coaching standpoint, again, Florida's rise was good for the SEC AND like Meyer OR not he too, has proven that not only can he recruit BUT he & staff can coach 'em up too.
Raising the bar is good for Tennessee and the SEC.
oskie_score writes:
Good stuff. lol.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Jawja people are in a fit. They can't stand to see their greatest coach rooting for The Big Orange.
smifrat writes:
Kiffin was a slime ball the ooozed back to Cali! Kiffin sold UT and the fan base a bunch of bull$hit and caused a lot of problems while he was here, then had to try and sneak off and steal folks he recruited to UT to go to USC! The big difference with Dooley is that he did take a better job and was damn glad to be here!
Where did you come from, calling us rednecks? WTF dude? Why don't you go back home and STFU! Oh and FuQ2! :)
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