John Adams

The middle class might be struggling nationally. But it's thriving in the SEC, whose three-tier structure has a significant bulge in its mid-section.

Here they come again, Vanderbilt and Kentucky - the best one-two punching bag in Tennessee football history. What a finish, huh?

Ole Miss played a game worthy of its preseason billing. Tennessee played a game worthy of last season.

Tennessee’s first-year coaching staff doesn’t make a big deal out of injuries. It laments them but it doesn’t belabor them.

Tennessee football is on the upswing. The Vols have won three of their last four games, climbed above .500 and pulled themselves within a victory of being bowl-eligible.

A three-loss season at Ole Miss would be cause for celebration in most years. But this isn't most years.

Did you year the joke Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt told about Lane Kiffin at a preseason booster club meeting?

The first quarter was still in progress when it became clear to even the most casual observer at Neyland Stadium that Tennessee didn't take Memphis seriously. But I don't mean that in a bad way.

Have you heard? Tennessee probably will wear orange jerseys tonight.

Last year at this time, Tennessee fans were wondering if Monte Kiffin would leave Tampa. Now, you might wonder if he could go back to Tampa.

Before the season, you couldn't have imagined a more unlikely candidate to challenge UT's single-season rushing record of 1,464 yards, set by Travis Stephens in 2001. Montario Hardesty had never rushed for more than 384 yards in a single season.

Tennessee beat South Carolina 31-13, and first-year coach Lane Kiffin was critical of his offense. My, how things have changed.

You knew Tennessee was playing catch-up in the SEC when the 2009 football season began. And you knew it wasn't just chasing national championship contenders like Alabama and Florida.

Tradition took a beating at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. So did South Carolina. Tennessee celebrated Halloween by wearing black jerseys. Its wardrobe might have gotten mixed reviews, but its performance in a 31-13 victory was worthy of an encore.

As the 2009 picks panel heads down the stretch of the regular season, picks panel administrator John McAdams couldn't resist looking back.