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Tennessee wasn’t really running away from North Carolina.
Turns out UT couldn’t hide from it in the first place.
Months after the Vols bought out a scheduled series with the Tar Heels that was slated to start next season, the Music City Bowl arranged a meeting for them anyway, ending a wild weekend of speculation by officially extending invitations to both on Sunday afternoon. And with the two programs unable to figure out a way to keep each other on the docket by themselves, the committee in Nashville was more than happy to mediate and bring them together at LP Field on Dec. 30 (TV: ESPN, 6:30 p.m.).
“When we actually talked about potential matchups, we let them know that Carolina would be our first choice to play for a variety of reasons,” UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said during a media teleconference. “One of those obviously is our fan base had expressed interest in playing Carolina after the cancellation of the series. We thought that would be a nice opportunity.
“The decision we made related to the series was about the 2011 season only. That could have been Carolina, it could have been Arizona, Michigan State, whomever — it just happened to be North Carolina. We tried to play a neutral-site game, we tried to play them in a future year, and that’s why we went ahead with the cancellation. We’re excited about playing (North Carolina), they’ve got a great program.”
The Vols (6-6, 3-5 SEC) obviously have a pretty respected tradition of their own, which made them appealing to more than just the Music City Bowl when coupled with the momentum from closing the regular season with four wins behind the red-hot play of freshman quarterback Tyler Bray.
That led to some speculation during the last couple days that UT could slide up to the Gator Bowl and away from the destination that’s been expected all along if it could earn a spot in the postseason — again missing out on the Tar Heels (7-5, 4-4 ACC) in the process.
“All that other stuff is just, to me, fodder for the fans,” Vols coach Derek Dooley said. “We don’t really motivate ourselves on those kind of things, and I think when you do, it really detracts you from focusing on what it takes to be successful on game day.
“I’ve never been one to get some kind of motivation for a game other than just the thrill of competition. I have a lot of respect for North Carolina, I always have. I have friends on their staff, they do a great job of coaching, so I think it’s just a great opportunity for our team to go out there and play somebody in another conference, play a good program and hopefully try to keep the momentum going.”
Both Dooley and Hamilton have stressed since the season ended that simply extending it was all that really mattered, regardless of the opponent or location.
But aside from the extra practices and exposure for the team this month, the chance to play close to home in the fourth different stadium in the state this year against a team that it was perceived by some to have dodged could provide some bonuses.
It certainly should for the Music City Bowl, which was a hot ticket just when the Vols were assumed to be coming. Now after sweating it out in crunch time, the seats still available figure to move quickly with their trip finally official.
“We were certainly hopeful Tennessee would be available at the time we selected, but there are bowls that pick ahead of us and I’m sure Tennessee was very attractive to a lot of people, especially the way they finished the year and the momentum they had,” bowl president Scott Ramsey said. “So, we kind of had to play a waiting game, which is not unusual. It was just maybe a little bit more nerve-wracking this year because we felt like over the last week a lot of fans had already made that assumption and had been moving in this direction as far as buying tickets and making plans to come.
“That was real exciting to us, and had they been selected ahead of us, it would have been challenging to undo some of those things.”
The organizers won’t have to worry about that anymore, and the Vols might be able to erase some of those questions about the North Carolina series as well.
Some Numbers: UT has never played in the 12-year-old Music City Bowl. The Vols and Tar Heels met in 17 consecutive seasons (1945-61), but have yet to meet in a bowl game. All time, Tennessee leads the series 20-10-1, winning 11 of the last 13.
UT will kick off its bowl practices Dec. 16 and arrive in Nashville on Dec. 26.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 117
bigorangetrain writes:
Nice... Now lets show up and take care of the Tar Heels!!! Go Big Orange!!
GreerVol22 writes:
well the Lady Vols colors will certsinly be on the field with all that sky blue and orange....lets just hope our football Vols play as well as Pat's girls do. Go VOLS!!!
GreerVol22 writes:
certainly
DebtisDumb writes:
I know this is off topic, but I've been hearing a lot of smoke about Linebacker Gionni Paul. He looks like a really instinctive hard hitting linebacker. I hope the rumors are true that he's about to commit to Tennessee
tnoutlaw2001#228008 writes:
Nice, expect the weather to be crappy, no one to go to Nashville, and if NC wins, a bunch of talk about why UT bought out the series.
There is nothing positive about this match up.
For those of you that wanted this, hope you enjoy. All ESPN is going to do is talk up the problems and negativity of these programs.
Maybe next year.
wigmeister writes:
Dooley should have them ready!
realmenwearorange writes:
we can win this game play hard and go VOLS
BigVolFaninSC writes:
Okay boys, let's end the season on a high note and whip the 'heels!
Vol_Doc writes:
"You cannot escape your destiny."
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
Attack, Attack, Attack! Destroy, Destroy, Destroy. Show the NC, SC, TN, and GA recruits that the Mighty Orange are who you want to play for. The leading NFL rusher....A. Foster. Top paid QB...P. Manning. Top tackler...J Mayo. Top Payed Defensive Player...Albert, Come to UT. Learn. Play. Win. Make that dolla when you graduate. Just do it right. GO VOLS!
77VolFS writes:
Wow - maybe you should stay in bed that day so the sky won't fall. Sorry to disappoint you Outlaw but you'll see a full stadium that's about 90% orange.
TLepage writes:
when can we buy tickets?
Pullingguard writes:
Dooley better have them ready...North Carolina is a tough test having improved considerable since losing some of their star players... Really, the two teams are well matched and the winner will probably be who has the least turn over's and the special team play...The NC QB is really good, so get ready Vol defensive backs.
volatil writes:
BOUGHT MY TICKETS THREE HOURS AGO. MUSIC CITY BOWL.COM. SECTION 311, 40 YARD LINE 3 TIX $144, NOT BAD.
SummittsCourt writes:
Lets go Vols! Basically a home game for the Vols & an opportunity to beat down an acc team.
lknvol writes:
How can Hamilton say with a straight face that UNC was their first choice for a bowl game right after he paid $750,000 to buy out of a series because they are too tough. What kind of Kool-Aid is he trying to get UT fans to drink now. That guy is not only a coward, but a lying coward as well.
HE HAS GOT TO GO!!!!!!!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
WOW!! That is the most positive post I have ever read on here.
I am just glad that we are even in a bowl,and the opponent doesn't matter to me.
As far as ESPN goes, I will be busy watching the game and will not be paying any attention to what they will be saying about us..If it is too painful for you, then don't watch the game..Plain and simple.
nfdeng13 writes:
see you there!! GBO
tree_em_smokey writes:
I am excited about another 3 1/2 weeks of suspense awaiting the opportunity to see my Vols play. With the uncertainty of which bowl and what opponent we will play out of the way, I think it's a good match up that I am excited about. Win or lose the extra practice our Vols will get is paramount that WILL make us better prepared for next year. We will also be fully healthy which will obviously be much needed due to our lack of depth. Go Big Orange and beat the baby blues!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Sheesh..Can't people just be happy we are in a bowl game?..Some of you are too busy complaining about Hamilton to even see anything positive..WE ARE IN A BOWL GAME...I could have swore that was a good thing, but I guess not.
wallingdad writes:
I am thrilled for us to be in the Music City Bowl.
i do think that South Carolina got the shaft as well as Miss State. The outback chose Florida again over more deserving teams. I remember when we were the one's that were shafted. the SEC should end the Outback affiliation or just say that is Fla 's bowl game and not pretend there is any hiearchy in selection.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
We've had mismatches on the line all year... why should this be any different?! I doubt their line is any better than So Car, LSU, or even Ole Miss, so we should be more than ready.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Everybody is thrilled to be in a bowl game. We're gonna see a more sound, mature football team after all of the extra practice leading up to the game. But Hamilton is making himself look like a jack@ss saying that the 'Heels were his first choice of opponents after he tucked tail and ran from them back in the summer.
volnnwbama writes:
lay the wood boys!!!
spacehistorian writes:
The bowl selection process after the BCS Bowl games reminds me of The Godfather as it is nothing personal it is just business. Obviously the Outback Bowl believes that Florida is the best draw for them in tough economic times. UF fans won't have far to travel to see the Gators host uh I mean play the Wolverines. The same goes for the Music City Bowl as Nashville is in Big Orange Country offering a bowl the Vols haven't played in before. They figure to have the seats dominated by Orange even though it won't be a far drive or flight for the Tar Heel fans. I wonder if they will show up considering it is basketball season. As a former resident of upper East Tennessee I have several friends from the North Carolina side who bleed Carolina Blue so this should be a fun game (as long as we win). GBO!
LargeOrange writes:
I bought mine last Sat. night on faith. 6 on the 50 yd line upperdeck sec 312 paid $37.00 each. So glad that we are going there instead of Mempuss or Jacksonville!. Also got tickets for The Zac Brown Band concert for Wednesday night in Nashvegas I am looking forward to a great week and a great game and a BIG ORANGE WIN! GBO
PlaidinOrangeandWhite writes:
I would have to agree with you here CC. However, you would think with the extra 15 practices that the maturation process would continue and our OL would continue to improve. They will hopefully be as healthy as they have been all year as well.
volcop writes:
Mike Hamilton is as full of stuff as a Christmas turkey. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. He should go into politics.
PlaidinOrangeandWhite writes:
Can anyone not see that the ultimate goal here is to get that 8th home game of the season in a rough economy. Yes, it does buy us an easy game, but we have a rough SEC schedule every year. If it guarantees us a bowl game, I am fine with it as well, that will more than enough pay for the $750k paid to UNC. To me, it is a win-win situation. Besides, it really looks good now, we wouldn't want to play them 3 years in a row.
arkyvol writes:
the tarheels were the first choice because our peerless a.d. needed to get some of the egg off his face.
tovolny writes:
Practice outside in the cold. Pack some footballs in ice to throw and kick around. If I find out they are conducting all the preparation indoors, I'm heading to the Copper Cellar for a nice slice of prime rib and enjoying myself indoors on the night of the game. If they want to practice in the cold and show some somber disposition about showing up with determination of bringing the trophy back, then i'll be on the river side, 20 yard line, about 15 rolls up. I'll be the big guy with white beard and beautiful wife.
OrangePsyched writes:
I strongly agree with you. It's another home game. I have to believe that all these Hamilton bashers must be Fulmer fans as they won't let go of either. I like Phil but he's gone. I got no problem with Hamilton. I don't care if we played deluca's Duke team I'm just happy for the extra practices for our freshmen and a little more visibility for our program. GBO!
VolFaninDC writes:
TOTALL agree!! And we dodged NC next year because of that tough stretch that included Cinncy. See how good they are now. He's just terrible.
BillyVol writes:
Guess what. Lame Boy stays home.
Go Vols.
BillyVol writes:
311 is filling up see you there.
everydayisorange writes:
That's almost the best part of all this. We go to a bowl with less a team as he had last year and HE STAYS HOME. greatest job in the world, dream job. Hows that working out for ya, lame?
keepitreal4vols writes:
Spike the egg nog and get your butt to the field old man.
volsbandit writes:
This might be off topic or it may not. I would like to know exactly why espn hates us so badly. I know they do, but why? I watched some of the bowl selection show and they hardly talked about our game at all. Yes, I understand that this isn't a BCS bowl or a top ranked bowl, but come on....the Liberty bowl is worse and they talked a lot more about Georgia. Can somebody just tell me what gives?
jumboliyah writes:
First they got blasted over the promotion of Woodson for the heisman...they got hate mail from 5,000 people who went over the top and threatened to kill someone...then Fowler made the comment about people here living in trailers and he got another 5,000 death threats and hate mail...so they brought it on themselves but the extent of the reetaliation by UT fans was over the top...thus the remain closet haters...and yes the term closet does apply to Chris Fowler...he likes it there obviously.
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
I am Orange in a sea of blue. I was born and raised in Tarhole country and can not count the number of my friends that are Tarhole fans. I abandoned ACC football as a teenager because I saw my share of that brand of football at my high school on Friday nights. Became a Vols fan 20 years ago and have bled Orange ever since. Coach Dooley, players, and staff- if ever you have thoroughly pummeled an opponent, please do that and more to those 'holes lest I have to relocate. Continue your march towards your rightful position as one of the premier programs in college football. Practice hard and enjoy the ride. Great things lie ahead. I am and always will be Orange in Carolina. GO VOLS!
keepitreal4vols writes:
I agree the hate is there but if you watched the show and the Music City Bowl preview, all they talked about was Tennessee. Not 1 mention of anything UNC. It was Tyler Bray and the November run to become bowl eligible. The ESPN panel isn't going to dive into a 10 minute discussion about the Music City Bowl, regardless of which team is playing(unless it was Notre Lame).
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
I know you mean "less a team" talent wise but the 2010 Vols have more heart than any team that will ever play for the California Weasel. GO VOLS!
volsbandit writes:
I understand all of that, and I wasn't expecting them to go into any detail about it, but we all know they talked more about a Georgia team in lesser bowl. I just want to know where this hate stemmed from. Was it the Peyton Heisman issue?
give_him_6 writes:
Crawl back under the rock you crawled out from please!!!!
copia69296 writes:
Hey, its a bowl game, who cares where or who we play! Its not like we went 11-1 and are waiting on a BCS bowl to call! How many even thought we would be in a bowl this year!?!?
No matter the outcome, a few weeks to heal and make a decent showing (win or lose) will be great for those recruits that are not sure about coming to UT.
Some of you would not be happy if we were playing Oregon in the Championship game... oh wait, we did play Oregon
stompintheswamp2 writes:
I agree as well! It's just ignorant to suggest that Hamilton or anyone else was running from North Carolina. This was purely business. I believe Hammy is sincere about wanting to play them.
stompintheswamp2 writes:
I do believe ESPN short changes UT, but I don't think they do it on purpose. I believe they just naturally regard us as irrelevant. It's not just them. Remember the NC game in 98. It almost killed Keith Jackson to concede the NC trophy to Tennessee. What I can never figure is why they don't do the same to Alabama. For some reason the national media eats up Alabama. Bama is like their one team in the South they actually get excited about. Tennessee could win back-to-back National titles and they would all still cringe when they had to talk about us.
baldingalum writes:
Plaid you are "SPOT ON!" This is exactly why it was done and the smart choice.
VolinCalif writes:
First I didn't like cancelling the UNC game, but there are other ways t look at what Hamilton did. And Yes I can see him wanting to play UNC in a bowl game. Why wouldn't it be his first choice of a team to play? He has a chance to show that his decision was all about $ and not a fear of an opponent. I think Ham has done a great job for UT. Getting Bruce was big time Even getting LK was an achievement at the time. there just wasn't he could do about Lane's departure, And under the circumstances Dooley was a great hire.
flatrock writes:
Been watching a lot of football lately. Observations:
1.) Auburn's offensive and defensive lines man-handled SC;
2.) Prediction: Oregon 52, Auburn 48;
3.) Ranking game jerseys:
- Reebok (NFL)is the best-looking and
best-fitting...their jerseys look
like football jerseys!
- Nike jerseys are next- Oregon's
jerseys are awesome;
- Adidas jerseys are worst- by far...
they look like cyclist shirts
and they fit like European golf
wear...Vols and UCLA are tied for
last place (can we get the big-boy
numbers back on top of the shoulders?).
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