Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Georgia
- When: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, 12:21 p.m.
- Where: Sanford Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
ATHENS, Ga. - A common readers complaint: "You're too negative."
With that in mind, I'll try to put a positive spin on what's going on at Tennessee's next stop on the 2010 football trail.
Here goes: Interim Uga is still alive, and Sanford Stadium is still standing.
That's the best I can do.
It's as though UT's 45-19 victory over Georgia last October was a precursor to the calamities to come.
A month later, Georgia mascot Uga VII died of heart-related causes. He was replaced by Russ, his 5 1/2-year-old half brother, who will serve as a temporary mascot until a bulldog of proper lineage ascends to his place on the throne.
Uga VII isn't the only missing bulldog in Dawg Town. Those fiberglass bulldog statues which adorned downtown Athens for years also have faded into Georgia lore.
The statues were sold to charity, but their passing is mourned just the same.
"It was the biggest tourist attraction downtown has ever had," Rusty Heery said in Tuesday morning's front-page Athens Banner-Herald story. "It outdid the (University of Georgia) Arch and the double-barreled cannon 10 to 1."
I concur with Rusty. In fact, the double-barreled cannon escapes me.
Former Georgia athletic director Damon Evans also is missing. He was caught with somebody else's pants down last June after a policeman noticed his car changing directions more often than Knowshon Moreno on his best broken-field run.
Evans is still making news, though. The story of his delayed arraignment on drunk-driving charges was played above the disappearing dawg statues on the Banner-Herald's front.
You have to go all the way to Page 9 to read about Georgia's four-game losing streak, which occurs only slightly more often than UT employs 13 men on a game-deciding play. The last time Georgia lost four consecutive games, Uga I was on guard, and Johnny Griffith was the coach.
Uga I lasted three more years, but Griffith was fired at the end of the 1963 season. Uga I gave way to his son, Uga II, while Griffith was succeeded by Vince Dooley, the father of UT first-year coach Derek Dooley.
Things are going so badly for the current team that you have to wonder if coach Mark Richt will be the next Bulldog to go, even though he hasn't won fewer than eight games in any of his previous nine seasons at Georgia.
Despite Richt's overall success, the program is clearly going in the wrong direction, from 11-2 in 2007 to 10-3 in 2008 to 8-5 in 2009. No one is more aware of the downward turn than UT fans, who have seen the Bulldogs at their worst in three of the last four seasons.
Georgia had no more business losing 45-19 to UT last season than it did losing to the Vols 35-14 in 2007 when it had Moreno at running back and Matthew Stafford at quarterback.
Another rivalry has exacerbated the wobbly status of Georgia football. Florida has won the past two games in the series by a 90-27 count.
By Nov. 19 of last year, Uga VII had seen enough. He didn't last a month after seeing the Bulldogs outscored by the Vols and Gators 86-36.
Given Georgia's 1-4 start this season, Russ is probably just fine being a temp.
Freshman quarterback Aaron Murray has shown promise. Wide receiver A.J. Green, after serving a four-game suspension, played like a superstar in last Saturday's last-minute loss to Colorado; but there are questions almost everywhere else.
Richt replaced three defensive assistant coaches after last season. With new coaches and a new scheme, the defense is at least balanced, ranking eighth in the SEC in both rushing and pass defense.
An offensive line that was ranked among the nation's best in preseason hasn't played up to expectations, as evidenced by the Bulldogs ranking 10th in the SEC in rushing.
"I would say 'not good enough,' " said Richt when asked to assess his offensive line. "But from an offensive standpoint, a coaching standpoint, we haven't been good enough. Across the board, we just haven't been good enough."
Never mind Georgia's shortcomings. It's a double-digit favorite for Saturday's game.
A media-type informed Richt that Georgia had been installed as a favorite by as many as 13 points. The coach reacted with genuine disbelief.
"We're a 13-point favorite?" he said. "Are you kidding? Wow!"
The combined records are almost as stunning. UT is 2-3; Georgia is 1-4, which probably makes you wonder when was the last time both rivals entered the game with a losing record.
I'll give you a hint: There was no Uga.
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 75
TommyJack writes:
Interesting. I think. Maybe I better re-read it.
bearbull95#206250 writes:
Why is it that when he writes about the other team like he writes about us, I like his writing better?
dwa7#337691 writes:
early predict:
UGA UGHHHHHH 26
UT 17
Southland writes:
UT 17 UGa 14
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
27-12.......UT!!!!
GOBIGO72 writes:
There you go - he just needs to write about the opponent - how simple is that. All these years of antaganism, instead he could be an endeared legend destined for the anals of East Tennesse. Nevermind, he's already there.
volsfannsc writes:
Our team seems to play up (or down) to the level of play. You cant say we didn't look good against LSU, they did what they had to do barring two plays. Ditto for Florida. The flipside is they played down for UAB and it's that which causes concern. The encouraging part of it all is our players are starting to learn how to play a complete game. Hard to tell if this is due to conditioning, mental toughness, or a bit of both. Regardless, I'm encouraged. You know this game will be special for Dooley, I believe they will come well prepared. I predict TN by 6.
sol_way writes:
"the statues were sold to charity" sounds like an oxymoron to me
txsvol#372416 writes:
LSU John really meant sold 'for' charity. Other observers are right--he really writes better when he's featuring the other team. If his parents had taught him correctly--if he can't say something good, don't say anything at all--then he wouldn't write anything about our Vols. Go Vols! Beat the Dawgs! SAVol
Fulton_Vol writes:
Saturday's outcome will rest with which UT team shows up to play. The team that played a complete game against LSU and most of the Florida game or the team that played down to UAB and imploded in the second half against the Ducks. It is my belief it will the team that played LSU. I think the team will build on their positives from last week and take out their disappoint on the Dawgs.
gnm53108 writes:
Yep.
Perfect time for Coach Dooley's statement game.
crimsonviper writes:
I thought Naffy was the King of Rambling Writing...Then I read this jewel.
NeylandWest writes:
Adams - does this mean you officially love Florida? You've bashed TN for a while and now GA...just wondering ;)
EMBuckles writes:
Um, wait a minute here..."DOUBLE BARRELED CANNON?!" Is that anything like a lady's BRA being used as a double barreled sling shot?!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
"You have to go all the way to Page 9 to read about Georgia's four-game losing streak, which occurs only slightly more often than UT employs 13 men on a game-deciding play."
Can't let that go, can ya' big guy?
O.K, I'll play.
U.T had two more men on the field than allowed.
But L.S.U had eleven more on the field needed when you don't have a play called.
It must trully be humiliating, as a player, to be standing on the line of scrimmage with nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs and pray for a miracle.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Georgia will start out fired up Saturday but will wilt if we put the wood to it. Then we can't let up and will need to stay focused the entire game. This game will be more psychological than physical.....
VOLliven2it writes:
More Adams blather, it is not surprising. I suppose I feel conspiratorial but the tone here seems intent on firing up the Dogs. Overall, records aside, they are a little better than us talent-wise and especially experience. But the emotion of it all can make a difference. My hope is that we do not let the emotion pull us up so fast that we do not play well. We have a team that can beat GA. I hope they will show up and stay for 60 minutes.
Concerning the Florida debacles, I am convinced that as long as GA lets their game with FL always be a home game for the Gators, no matter who their coach is, they lose a lot more than they win. Maybe it is just me. I hear all the,"there are a lot of GA fans around Jacksonville" stuff. Whoopie, the Gainesville campus is all of what maybe 2 hours the way I drive. Play all games in each teams home stadiums. That seems the only fair way it works out. Guess a lot of money is involved in this and the big Red Rivalry Shootout in Texas. If the Vols played home games in stadiums other than Neyland, I would have a hard time going no matter who the opponent may be.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
Oh the sly humor! The pungent phrasing! The clever hyperbole! Adams is back at the top of his game in this incoherent self promotion. He hasn't been this incandescent since his glory days of hating Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee.
lomas98 writes:
GA players will not lay down this game. They were embarrassed last year and are fighting for any hope of a bowl game. They have moved the ball pretty well this year just had some untimely turnovers. Their special teams are very good any short field we give them will result in at least 3 points. This game will be a lot tougher than most think. TN was in similar situations the last 2 games against GA at Neyland. They were not performing like they wanted to and TN put it all together for those games. If GA does the same they will be tough to stop. Green is certainly a difference maker for them. As good as TN played against LSU they did cause 4 turnovers without scoring any points on them and did not turn the ball over themselves. They played nearly a perfect game and still ended up losing.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I think this could be a very interesting game… UGA will be fired up to get back on track. UT will be fired up to win that first big SEC game. Emotions will be high! Should be an exciting football game to watch!
orangecountyvols writes:
If Green is allowed to have a career game, forget it.
He is capable of that. So, can Tennessee do something it hasn't been able to do........get to the QB with some pressure, hopefully a few sacks? On the other side of the ball, can the line protect Simms?
Will Neal actually get to play in this game along with Poole? Oku just hasn't set the world on fire....
yet. He is capable. Maybe some package can be used with him and Poole at the same time. Also...........
when was the last time the fullback actually carried the ball? 4th and 1 seems a lot more possible with the up front guy ( fullback ) getting the ball instead of the tailback, standing 5 yards behind the LOS where it's more possible to get stuffed.
Vols have to get over LSU and focus on this one. Georgia has lost the 4 games but have not been blown out..............however those 4 were not Oregon, Florida, and LSU. Therefore, as many have said, it's all about the mental aspect of this game.
Go Vols !
DooleyNoted writes:
Vegas probably figures Georgia's offense can put points on the board and that we can't keep up with them. Outside of the UT-Martin game we haven't scored more than 17 points. If defense can keep them under 17 we win, if not another L.
NashvillePreds writes:
Beat uga.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
UT 24
UGA 17
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor speaking from the grave....woooooo. Witch Doctor say dogs go down in defeat....wooooo
Witch Doctor avenge death after shuffle-board match with Jim Morrison and Richard Nixon..
Bones say wary!
Bones never lie.
Witch_Doctors writes:
*Witch Doctors ask someone to tell Witch Doctor wife she free to date others! Witch Doctor free! lol.
Bones never die!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Sure Doc, no problem.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
In my humble opinion, this is a must win for both squads.
For the 'Dawgs'(and Coach Richt) a loss could mean no bowl at least. Given the atmosphere around their program, it could also mean the unemployment line for the staff.
For the Vols, it's probably not quite such dire straights for the longevity of the staff, but next week is our open date, and two weeks is a very long time to live with what happened at L.S.U and another loss, all the while anticipating a visit by the (by far) #1 team in the country.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Yeah, yeah I'm pretty sure I could live with that!
Go Vols!
Tenn_Dawg writes:
The line does not make sense to me either. My head says Vols 17-14. My heart says Dawgs 24-17. Who knows with these two teams.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Allegiance aside, I'll take either team and 13.
murrayvol writes:
At least it was positive......or not.
murrayvol writes:
I think John meant to say they were sold to "benefit" charity.
This positive thing may take awhile. Patience.
DebtisDumb writes:
I have a bad feeling we lose this game..
murrayvol writes:
The nafster is Jack of the "one liner diss" - Manning, Rogers, etc. Not much else.
Has trouble stringing 2 coherent thoughts together.
VolinCalif writes:
It will be 24-21. You pick
huntined#565710 writes:
Just returned from GA have been there since Sept 8th getting ready for deer season and I can tell you now that this game is BIG for GA. They still have VANDY- home KY at KY, FLA in jax, AUB at AUB. Their schedule is tough just like ours and from what their fans saying if they lose 3 more games their coach is gone so they will be fired up for this game period..If the VOLS continue to improve they will win this game and more after BAMA. That is if we don't lose a bunch of players due to getting hurt. BAMA can put a Q.B. out in a hurry.
murrayvol writes:
Lostvol, I would've gladly embraced humiliation to get out of there with a W.
VolinCalif writes:
John has been playing around Tellico too many years. He is starting to talk like us local's
murrayvol writes:
"can the line protect Simms?"
Probably not but it won't bother him that much.
Vols 23 - Dawgs 21
murrayvol writes:
Is that you Dave Ramsey??
murrayvol writes:
Good point! :)
mserena#334282 writes:
John's articles continue to be both insightful and brutally honest. His latest effort regarding the Vols uncoming game with Georgia and his many references to Uga, the Georgia mascot, is quite amusing as well as full of whit.
With John's candid writing style, he has earned a "love - hate" relationship with a wide readership. I, for one, feel that he is one of our best columnist in the State. You may not agree with what he has to say but he never flinches to report Tennesseee sports as "he sees it" and I do enjoy reading and "quoting" many of his statements during the week.
Go Big Orange and we'll get that upset this week! Our boys simply want it more that either Georgia or their temporary mascot...Russ??!!??
illinoisvolfan writes:
What happened, WD? Did Mrs. Witchie catch you in the wrong hut? Or did you cast too many spells on KNS staff members and get banned?
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say KNS send assasin in middle of night and murder Witch Doctor. Witch Doctors ghost now haunt this board(lol...Witch Doctor say really ok..I kinda like the new angle) Witch Doctor say wary all those that involved! Witch Doctors ghost will find you! hehe
Bones never lie.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
No doubt that a win is a win is a win.
And the proverbial blind hog that finds an acorn should enjoy that nut.
But enjoying the meal and acting like it was more than the gift that it was is just plain idiotic.
LibertyVolance writes:
Let's just go play the game and have fun. Vols 31 Ga 27. I may be wrong, but I'm always optimistic.
VOLinMAHWAH writes:
A little something to make you feel good about NOT being from Georgia!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GJVxF...
Go VOLS!!
nepperso#220348 writes:
Georgia by 13? I'm taking UT and the points all the way to the bank. Georgia's team is worse this year than the previous two years, and we know how those worked out. Vols win big and put the top DAWG, Richt, on a really short leash in Athens.
CCLC writes:
Okkay...what does she look like in Red and Black??
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