HOOVER, Ala. — The SEC began a new era Tuesday when conference newcomers Texas A&M and Missouri contributed to a media-days attendance record. On the same afternoon, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier reflected on the beginning of another era 20 years ago.
Arkansas and South Carolina were the newcomers then; divisional play and a conference championship game were just as new; and Spurrier was the head Gator.
"We lost our first two (SEC) games, and Tennessee managed to lose three games that year somehow," Spurrier said. "We had to beat Vanderbilt to win the division."
That was the easy part. The Gators won 41-21 and celebrated by taking pictures of Vanderbilt Stadium.
"We were a happy bunch of Gators," Spurrier said.
The league has changed since then — notably, where it matters most, at the top.
Alabama beat Florida in the first SEC championship game in 1992 and upset Miami for the national championship a month later.
That was the SEC's first national title in 12 years. Now, the SEC has won six consecutive national titles, and no one can question its prominence on the college landscape.
But one thing hasn't changed: Spurrier remains a Tennessee nemesis.
It's not like in the 1990s when Florida and UT were top-10 programs and a cut above the rest of the SEC East. Spurrier's team is still in the Vols' way, though.
UT's current rebuilding job is hard enough after all that has gone wrong the past seven years. It's harder still because of what a once mediocre South Carolina program has become under Spurrier.
The Gamecocks won the East in 2010. They won a school-record 11 games last season and finished ninth in the final Associated Press poll.
Spurrier said Tuesday the Gamecocks would be good again this season. Consider that as high praise from a coach who rarely parceled out plaudits when South Carolina first began eking into bowl games on a regular basis.
The Gamecocks aren't comparable to what the once-mighty Gators were. But they're superior to the Vols and a long way from the 1990s.
When UT won its national championship in 1998, the Gamecocks were 1-10. The next season, they were 0-11.
Imagine what a South Carolina like that could do for the Vols these days. Florida just went 7-6, its worst record since 1987, and might not be significantly better this season under second-year coach Will Muschamp, who is reminding Gators fans more of Ron Zook than Spurrier or Urban Meyer.
With the current Gators and the Gamecocks of the late 1990s, the Vols would enter the 2012 season as the most likely threat to frontrunner Georgia for the divisional title. Instead, South Carolina — not Florida — poses a greater challenge to UT.
Spurrier has a defense anchored by a couple of first-round NFL draft prospects at end; a Heisman Trophy candidate (Marcus Lattimore) at running back; and perhaps, most importantly, a quarterback (Connor Shaw) he can trust to make good choices on and off the field.
He also has a fan base whose transformation has been as dramatic as the program's.
After a close loss to Auburn in 2006, South Carolina fans applauded their team as it left the field. The fan reaction upset Spurrier almost as much as the defeat.
"A lot has changed at South Carolina in the last seven years," he said. "I had a couple of friends who have been there 30 or 40 years. One of them said, 'We used to go to the ballpark hoping for a good game. If we were playing Florida, Georgia or Tennessee, we were just hoping to not get blown out.
" 'And now, we're coming to the ballpark thinking we're going to beat those guys.' "
From a UT perspective, that's a new South Carolina and an all too familiar Spurrier.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 61
born2ride writes:
We should have hired Steve Spurrier many years ago.
Pompey writes:
...unfortunately UT football has not provide Spurrier with much to respect....!
VolinCalif writes:
For once you hit the nail on the head.
SS should have replaced Ful. and we would never have seen over one down year. Cost should never have been an issue.
SevenT writes:
When Spurrier was in high school in East Tennessee he knew to stay away from UT and go to Florida.
Enough Said
AncientVolFan writes:
Just a historial comment. I've read Spurrier wanted to play at UT. But UT didn't want him in the early 1960's.
A single decision can have long lasting consequences.
mdvol writes:
We should have never fired Fulmer.
Hope Steve doesn't mind when the VOLS hang 40 on him this year.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Reality world: UT has had many more great years than down years.
Adams world: UT sucks and always has.
Reality world: UT is down but will return very soon, or in a few years.
"Really" reality world: Adams is a bitter old UT hater that considers a 7-5 record by UT as evidence they are the worst cbf team in history.However, a 7-5 record by anyone else in the sec is proof of their commitment and they must be the greatest in history.
Mr. Adams: my comments are not based solely on this story but your entire body of work. I do not mind you pointing out our obvious lack of current top ten status but your sad attempts to make our current and past records seem much worse than reality, is nothing short of evidence of your bitterness.
I am sorry that your skills did not deem you worthy of a job covering a team that you do not despise but this hardly justifies your spew of disgust.
In the end Mr. Adams, I will support UT in good and bad years. I will admit our shortcomings but will also observe our positives. Yes mr. Adams, in the end I will support the vols even when I know we are in difficult times. This is fanhood and realism combined. You however, will make even positive things appear negative. This does not make you honest but the contrary, It makes you bitter in your situation without enough talent to change the circumstances.
In conclusion, I would rather be me than the sad alternative.
underthehill writes:
I think this may have been when UT was single wing and Steve wanted them to change their offense so he could go to UT..in hindsight..it may have been better to change sooner cause it happened later anyway....
murrayvol writes:
He may or may not have wanted to play at UT but he sure as hell didn't want to run the single wing.
If Dickey had arrived a couple of years earlier.....who knows?
underthehill writes:
perhaps Mr. Adams doesn't realize how valuable it is for him to have your approval of his work.."realism" is he probably could care less what you think of his work..I know I don't ..
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Something we have in common, I feel the same about your input.
Atleast I stated it with style.
Score: me 1
you:0
Clarkrm0706 writes:
You may have a decent point. However, I doubt that it provides the pleasure it once did, given that statement is true for both UT and UF.
Bigger_Al writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Clarkrm0706 writes:
LOL. wasn't pc but still - lol.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
When things don't go Stevie's way, he is known to throw his visor........hence "visor boy."
When things don't go Adam's way, ( Vols win and/or LSU loses ) he throws his computer.
But..........give him credit, he made it through a column without mentioning the "Kentucky game."
We also nearly made it through one of these topics without the punk kid, Bodeane........chiming in. Almost mind you.
Trolls are always tempted to be here........
AllVol1 writes:
I appreciate Spurrier. He never hesitates to remind Tennessee of times that the team or coaches have dropped the ball. It is good to have fans and it is helpful to have critics. Listening too much to one or the other causes problems.
That said, I hope we light up their defense and shut down their offense. Spurrier's good for words. I pray our play shuts his mouth.
He never had to eat his words while SC was the dog. I am so glad they are favored.
Go Vols!
nocleats writes:
South Carolina can be good, they can also play down to their competition.. Be interested to see if they are prepared and ready to destroy Vandy or will they come out and swap blows. If its the latter, they may get beat.
Bigger_Al writes:
Spurrier embarrassed Johnny by beating him with Duke players.
Spurrier was 9-5 against Phil. But, he started 5-1, so he was 4-4 in the last 8, and 2-3 in the last 5.
Kiffin wiped his a** with Spurrier in their one meeting.
Dooley is 0-2. But he's had to choose between True Freshman QB's or Matt Simms the last two years. This year should be a better barometer.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
I am limited on time so stat comments like these are appreciated. thanks.
orange_eVOLution writes:
Good post. Hopefully we can kick sand in a few faces that don't expect it this year.
GO VOLS!!
frblalack writes:
Spurrier is a great coach. And he was a phenomenal quarterback. But he and Tennessee did not see eye to eye, and as they say "the rest is history". That having been said, I hope we beat the Gamecocks by at least three touchdowns! He disrespected UT and Coach Fulmer and that calls for a serious beatdown!!! I hope Coach Dooley doesn't let the pedal from the metal; Beat South Carolina by 40!!!
Spurrier's a good coach who deserves some serious BIG ORANGE A.. WHIPPIN'. STOMP the Gamecocks!!!
All Vols - Always - I bleed Orange!!! Believe in the "T"
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Dooley only needed two things to happen to beat him last season: Da'Rick Rogers to hand on to that perfect TD pass Worley threw him or, Bray to be playing.
This year, I don't see SC having any advantage at all. We should get back to our regular beatings on SC.
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
That was supposed to be "hang" on. Stupid iPad autocorrect! I have to check more closely.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
If he doesn't mention it, then you do. Can't you both just let it go?
UTistheOLEMISSoftheEAST writes:
The 'Ole Ball Coach is the best. My favorite ut vs UF game was 1995. Sports Illustrated had a crew in God's Country to do a cover story on Manning. The vawls were up by 9 at the half and then the monsoon came. In the form of rain and footballs. That was the game that Lawrence Wright hit Joey Kent so hard he bit the tip of his tongue off. Second half was ALL GATORS. Final: UF 62 ut 37. The SI story on Manning didn't work out so well. The following Thursday Danny Wuerffel was on the cover however there was a small picture of Manning on the bench in the rain with a towel draped over his head. One of the many great moments in this rivalry.
Volunatic writes:
Why would bodeane care about uf? He never went to college anywhere, so his allegiances are fluid.
Volunatic writes:
I'm pretty sure Mr. Adams isn't capable of throwing something as hefty as a computer, even if he was so inclined.
ColPhorbin writes:
John Adams... I love Steve Spurrier, but lets face it, if Derrick Rogers makes that catch, this article would likely not have been written.
DeltaCharlie3 writes:
I like how UT fans hope UF has fallen to UT's level. Florida has a national championship caliber defense coming back. If the offense is even slightly better than last year, UF may win the east.
And assuming the worse case scenario, that Muschamp will never be more than a 7-8 wins a season coach, he'll be gone after year three and UF will hire the next "hottest candidate in America" and will be back on track.
It's Florida, they're here to stay. You'll never see UF in a decade-plus long funk, like UT is in right now.
MikeInTN writes:
I like The Ole Ball Coach's feisty spirit, and glib personality!!!
OldNumber7 writes:
..and it took him 6 years to get SC to an Eastern Division Title. Hmmm.
VolsFanInNC writes:
I can't stand Spurrier, but I respect him as a coach. The man wins.
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
this is obviously another of BodeaneNOTvol's many user names on this site
underthehill writes:
The News Sentinel provides this site free of charge for fans to express opinions on the subjects and the content..if the News Sentinel deems it necessary to alter the way it is reported they alone will make that judgement..if you can't even figure out what the site is intended for ..how can you possibly make any worthwhile opinion on its content...
tanasi2 writes:
I agree with you 100%! Instead of hiring Lame Kiffin, we should have hired Steve from S.C.
laraccoon writes:
every time i see one of your posts it makes me think of the Louisville/FlorDUH basketball game and how the gators chocked ,and you wonder why we laugh . p.s. i noticed the timing of you posts coincide with shift change at McDonalds . tee
orangeinbama writes:
Bingo. Spurrier was not a single wing QB. He threw more passes at Florida in one year than he would at TN in four. well, maybe not that much.. ;)but close
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Muschamp will last about as long as the Zooker. That is if he can make it through a Season without his head exlpoding like Bellocks did in Raiders of the Lost Ark. He is funny to watch on the sideline, personality of Woodrow Hayes and Coaching ability of Woodrow Wilson.
crappieking writes:
UT shunned Spurrier when he came out of H.S, and he has been making us pay for that mistake ever since.
orangecountyvols writes:
jhayes,
Sorry to step on your toes ( defending your
friend, Bodeane.........the GoVolsXtra pest.)
You guys can hang out together for all we care.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Spurrier is a medicore 67 and 55 since leaving the recruiting hot bed of Florida. Fulmer was starting to dominate him (2 and 2 last 4 years, and would have won the other 2 if not for refs). The Travis Stephens festival in 2001 took something out of the Old Ball Coach, he couldn't get over losing to Fulmer. He was 23 and 25 in the SEC his first 6 years with the Poultry with losses in the Papa John, Independence and Chicken Bowl. Had a decent year last year and that is it since 2001.
PUL4VOLS writes:
The past is the past is the past. Spurrier is no longer at UF. Fulmer is no longer on the hill. Let's prepare for football time in Tennessee 2012 style. I am ready and hoping we will have a team on both sides of the ball willing to swap punches(footbally speaking)with any team any time any place. GO VOLS!
murrayvol writes:
Only way to treat this site for trolls is to win.....a lot.
murrayvol writes:
My last comment was meant for this post orangecounty. I need to pay more attention.
OrangePsyched writes:
You got it brother. The past is the past and I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in several years. Big Orange gets it's swag back this year as we light up several teams with this offense. Our defense will be aggresive and create more opportunity for the UT Air Force. Opposing teams and fans better get used to hearing Rocky Top over and over and over and..well you get it!
Navaloranges writes:
What cracks me up is these TROLL appreciation articles. You juvenile uf fans are already on here for some unexplained reason 24/7. When one of the classic john adams POSER participation pieces hits the airwaves this so-called VOL site is fills up with fake UT fans and you gator simpletons with all your slobbering stories that NOBODY on here gives a pee-turkey's-dam about. Muskrat is in serious jeopardy of getting fired. Muskoil had FAR more talent thatn Dooley did and managed to pull out one more victory that he did. Probably the best thing for you florida fan/Tennessee resident teenagers to do is worry about florida and leave the adults alone.
abnerPeabody writes:
Know your facts before spewing off. Steve shuned UT due to the single wing UT was running at the time. Ut wanted him really bad.Go back and check the KNS archives.
wallingdad writes:
“It’s easier to win the national championship than the SEC. Ask Nick Saban". - Steve Spurrier
that is classic. I don't care for Spurrier at all but one has to acknowledge his wit. (maybe you don't have to acknowledge but the statement is still funny and relevant I might add)
gc_scvol writes:
Have you noticed that the South Carolina faithful have more class than to come on this site and act like the fl ky al and vandy trolls? I'm just sayin...VFL GBO and no, the sc in my name doesn't stand for South Carolina
volinJC writes:
I couldn't agree more. What's done is done. The start of the season is only a few weaks away and it's time to look forward, not backward. The NC State game is critical to the Vols. Win there and we could be headed for 8-9 wins; lose and we could be headed for 8-9 losses.
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.