Tennessee isn't ignoring the obvious.
It needs one more win for bowl eligibility, which it most certainly wants.
The Vols also have a rich tradition to uphold in a lopsided rivalry, and they definitely would like to protect a winning streak that dates back to before the players were born.
But despite being aware of the basics that are on the line as the regular season comes to a close on the road at Kentucky on Saturday (TV: WVLT, 12:21 p.m.), the Vols aren't dwelling on them. Simply beating the Wildcats is all the Vols are worried about right now, and they don't seem to need any extra motivation to do it.
"We really don't, because in order to go a bowl, we have to beat Kentucky," senior Malik Jackson said. "We're trying to take it one step at a time and not over-think Kentucky, because if you over-think them, they'll beat you.
"We've just got to go out there and play one game at a time and just play hard against Kentucky."
The Vols (5-6, 1-6 SEC) are only assured of one more chance to go play at this point, but they've again put themselves in position to tack another on if they can add to their 26-game winning streak over the
Wildcats (4-7, 1-6). And it's obvious that neither the postseason scenarios nor the dominance are a mystery to them.
Derek Dooley isn't opposed to addressing either of those stakes with his team, and the Tennessee coach acknowledged mentioning the chase for a bowl bid with the Vols last week before their overtime victory against Vanderbilt. But Dooley is clearly making an effort not to let those outside factors overshadow the actual opponent when UT returns to the practice field this morning.
"I mean, we mention the fact that if we win, we're bowl eligible," Dooley said during his Monday news conference. "But you don't really play to go to a bowl. You play to beat the team you're playing.
"It's important to understand what's out there to motivate you a little bit. And when it gets tough, to show a little more grit and ability to persevere when it gets tough. But your focus has to be on the guy you're going against and what the plays are, what your execution is, technique, and that's what we're trying to emphasize."
That approach worked out just fine last weekend in another game that was critical to UT's push for a bowl bid against one more opponent it has typically counted on for a victory.
The Commodores did push the Vols to the limit, though, taking a lead in the fourth quarter before ultimately losing in overtime — another example of how difficult life in the SEC can be. But with only that win in the league to go with a handful of blowouts so far, UT surely didn't need the reminder or any additional incentives this week.
"Yeah, it's a playoff game and we know that," senior linebacker Austin Johnson said. "But we can't take Kentucky lightly — they're a good team. Just knowing that, everybody is going to come to practice and work harder, and nobody is going to take anybody lightly or sleep on anyone.
"We know we're going to get their best, and they're going to get our best."
For now, that seems to be all that matters to the Vols.
But if their best is enough to knock off the Wildcats one more time, they certainly won't be opposed to enjoying the benefits.
"Of course our focus this week is just Kentucky, and I know a lot of people are going to want to try to change the focus away from Kentucky and to other things like streaks and bowls and all that," Dooley said. "It's so important that our team takes the same approach that they did last week and during the game against Vanderbilt.
"We've got a big challenge, and we'll see if we can live up to it. And if we can, people will be feeling pretty good. If we can't, it will be kind of a disappointing end. So that's where we are."
Where they might be going if they win will have to wait.
Austin Ward covers Tennessee football. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Vols_Beat and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/ward.
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Comments » 26
iowavol writes:
That's the right attitude Dooley. Let the big dogs eat. Hopefully Bray is in better shape and Poole is ready to run.
lomas98 writes:
At some point this streak will come to an end. I don't see it happening this year although KY has improved offensively since switching QB's. They were absolutely terrible the first part of the season. Hopefully the run game will pick up where it left off against Vandy and Bray will continue to sling it all over the field. This team needs the extra practice and possibility of some momentum into next year with a bowl victory.
Katphan29 writes:
I am a Kentucky fan, but there are laws of physics that apply. UT beats Vandy and UK. I know UK fans don't like to hear that, but its true.
"Simply beating the Wildcats is all the Vols are worried about right now"......yea, I don't think "worry" is the right descriptor.
UK fans.....get over it now, UT will win this game. Just suck it up, drive on, and relish that we have some over-the-top phenomenal hoop talent and by the time the SEC tourney rolls around, we will be hard to stop through April.
"We're trying to take it one step at a time and not over-think Kentucky, because if you over-think them, they'll beat you."
This statement is akin to the Duke coach saying he is not taking UT hoop team lightly. Public hyperbole.
Some things are just....well, as they are. UT fans should feel good that their season is ending better than it began, and Dooley will turn out to be a pretty good coach.
shorttail writes:
RUN POOLE RUN
jschariter#367312 writes:
We have a good chance to beat KY. Pretty discouraging to watch our players watching the Jumbotron last Saturday night between each play. Hope the game discipline gets better.
OrangePsyched writes:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Bray and the Vols win this game won't it make him 9-3 as a starter? That's pretty good if you ask me. Hope he finds his rhythm this week and we go bowling.VFL!
Navaloranges writes:
Yes Sir. Everybody is waiting for the Bray attack, but we need to RUN THE BALL to win against a uk team with nothing to lose, at home. Their season is now to spoil ours.
harveyupdyketreehugger writes:
RUN POOLE RUN; PASS BRAY PASS; CATCH ROGERS CATCH; GO DEAMON DEACONS.
Sammy_Burklow_IsAMoron writes:
Nice to see a rival fan get on here and be real. Think that you're dead on all points. Thanks for your post! (and go Vols, take the streak to 27!)
Vol_a_tile writes:
Sometimes it is easier to just call it what it is. This post showed, if nothing else, candor.I still can't get over KY vs. Western KY performance. That being said, KY offense is improved and , not one, but two OT(s) w/ the cats recently. I surmise the streak won't end Saturday, but I expect KY to play hard. Kentucky fans can always point to BBall when they want to rub it in our face a bit .... overall, Bray throws 3 TD passes, UT Defense forces 2+ turnovers, and DY returns a punt for a TD. UT 31 UK 13
GO VOLS !!!
By the way, Dooley knows what fans expect around here ... I truly believe he'll be around for a while, just give him time Orange Nation.
asleep#212036 writes:
You may be right Katphan but we have won several games during the streak that should have gone the other way, most recently a few years back when you guys missed an OT field goal to win it. It is, after all, college sports so the better team doesn't always win. I think we are better but coming off an emotional home win over our in-state rival and heading on the road to get our expected win over you guys seems a bit of a setup for a big letdown. The pressure is clearly on us and we aren't exactly SEC elite ourselves. If Bray doesn't turn it over and we run for 100+ yards I think we'll win. Not looking for either team to score a bunch so a turnover or special teams mistake could be the difference. Should be a good game. Go Vols!!!
Katphan29 writes:
I can't imgagine UT won't win. We might keep it to 2 touchdowns difference if we play smart.
I think the Vandy win was a big deal psychologically for your team, they have the talent. Dooley is going to be a very good coach.
Meanwhile, we'll continue to be Ky football. Its just the way it is.
And oh by the way...it looks like your hoop year may be way better than anyone anticipated. Let's be honest, who wasn't impressed by only a 10 point deficit to Duke?
Its possible - we'll see - outside of the ACC, the SEC East could be the strongest conference in the nation.
writer#358485 writes:
Thanks Katphan, classy posts. It's nice to see reasonable people posting reasonable comments. I too think Dooley is going to be a very good coach and at Tennessee for a very long time if the idiot posters will get off his back. I remember the hyper-negative posts when Fulmer had a couple of down years, even joined by the former editor of these pages.
I really would like to see Kentucky become competitive in football, but it has been a very long time--I don't even remember when, and I do remember working with Tom Edison on the light bulb;-) Go Vols, and chat with us anytime you can Katphan.
Good luck in BB--in every game except when you play the Vols.
RealisticVol writes:
We are not good enough to get overconfident about anybody. I hope the Vols will be taking this game very seriously.
writer#358485 writes:
Very true and I hope you are right. The story seems to indicate we are. Go Vols, beat Kaintuck!
ACWLY writes:
Our upcoming game with Kentucky is just as critical to them as it is to us, it decides this years fate for both teams. WIN and hope fills the stands for next year, but LOSE and the season is a disaster. Tennessee has righted the ship but MUST STAYED FOCUSSED and pull strength from the Vandy victory as a win over Kentucky would right the many disappointments we have had this year. GO VOLS!!!
Volunatic writes:
I think there will be a considerable improvement by Bray from last Saturday to this one. First, his thumb will be stronger. Second, he has "knocked the rust off". Third, Kentucky's secondary is not as good as Vanderbilt's.
Volunatic writes:
The basketball game last night was very good. The Vols led for most of the first half, even, and got it close several times in the second half, until they got out of their defensive game plan.
Having seen the UK vs KU game, though, I think the clear favorite in SEC roundball is up in Lexington.
As for football-- I hope the Vols take this one seriously. A bowl game is absolutely crucial for Tennessee, with the extra bowl practices for developing current players, and one more televised game helping recruiting.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
Usually if Vandy plays us tough, we do well against Kentucky... but I hope we approach this as the same team that had Georgia shut down for most of last week.
Biggie writes:
I wear my Tennessee shirt to the gym and there's a guy who wears his Kentucky shirt. I told him if Ky lets us beat them in football, we would let them beat us in basketball. And so it goes.......
navarrebeachvol writes:
In a weak moment, I married a Kat grad in 1984 (I was dazzled by her full set of teeth). I haven’t had to suffer through a loss yet….or the yapping of my fat-Kat-fan-mother-in-law at Thanksgiving each odd year. Please, please, keep the streak alive. Strangely enough, I haven’t heard the annual “this is our year to end it” as I have the past 3 or 4. GBO. Skin the Polecats!
14_counting writes:
The only problem with that stat is he was not available for Georgia, LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, or Arkansas. Had he been he'd likely be looking at 9-8 (with a win at Kentucky). Please don't say he would have won any of those games. It took OT to get past Vandy at home. The jury is still out.
BamaVol writes:
Thank You for your post, but I remember when Kentucky was very good in football, The HC at the time, (no name) didn't see eye to eye with the governor of Kentucky and the president of the school on how to run the football program so you know who won. He was force out at the end of the year. Kentucky was 10-1 that year. They were very good.
illinoisvolfan writes:
I'm taking nothing for granted Katphan. UK generally plays the Vols tough in Lexington.
I don't remember the season, but the Cats jumped out to a big lead in Lexington and the Vols had to rally to win 38-35 or 34-31. It might have been when Casey Claussen was UT's QB, I'm not exactly sure. That's why records mean nothing in a game between these two teams. I remember Tennessee losing to Kentucky and those games were as close as many that the Vols have won during the streak.
Your hoops team might be the best in the country this season, despite their youth. I'm a believer after the Kansas game. They went into another gear against the Jayhawks, they were very impressive.
Thanks for your classy posts Katphan. Come back anytime.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
I'm sorry Vol Fans, but I just don't think Dooley is the one to rebuild the Vols. He seems to be a nice guy but we need more experenced people to fix this mess. Hope I'm wrong. Anyway, glad & suprised we beat Vandy & hope we beat Ky.
And please don't call me a troll or say I'm not a true fan because I don't agree with you, I was a Vol fan before most of you were born.
Some people on here have the manners of a GATOR! (that ain't good)
Go Vols!
orangecountyvols writes:
Vol in Mich,
Just a suggestion friend. Why not wait a bit to see how things turn out once there is some experience, more depth, and hopefully a season
void of a ton of injuries? We may then have to
see if Dooley is as bad as many want him to be.
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