John Adams

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.

So what are you wearing to Halloween night at Neyland Stadium? I'll be disguised as an over-the-hill sportswriter with a receding hairline and a bad knee. Whether I use one or two crutches will be a game-day decision.

Tennessee has proved it can clean up in recruiting under first-year coach Lane Kiffin.

The SEC has won three consecutive national championships, and its long-term television hook-ups with CBS and ESPN are the envy of every conference in college football. So how much better could it get?

The World Series begins Wednesday, and Lane Kiffin is down to his last strike. Let the drama unfold.

Tennessee could have practically made its season by beating Florida or Alabama. Now, it can make its season by beating everybody that's left.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - You don't celebrate this Tennessee loss.

Alabama claims 12 national championships, half of which are actually acknowledged by college football's general populace. But in the context of the Tennessee-Alabama series, the Tide's No. 1 ranking is hardly business as usual.

Tennessee might be a long way from the top of college football. But it knows what the neighborhood looks like.

After Tennessee's 45-point outburst against Georgia, its most optimistic fans might have wondered, "Has the offense turned the corner?"e;

Tennessee's open date might have come two weeks too soon. Never mind that the Vols will have had two weeks to prepare for No. 1 ranked Alabama. A team also could use an extra week to get over the Tide.

Halfway through the college football season, is it too early to ask: Could the national championship game be a rematch?

Tennessee began its first season under coach Lane Kiffin with a huge question mark behind its passing game, especially at quarterback. And the question mark extended beyond this season.

College football coaches rarely lose touch with their recruiting lifeline. You hear about coaches calling prize recruits even as the coaches are preparing for a national championship game. And you heard Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin immediately putting his team’s 45-19 ...

Tennessee's 45-19 victory over Georgia might mean more to its fans than its first-year coach.

Now you know why Tennessee first-year coach Lane Kiffin fired his off-season potshots at Florida, rather than Georgia. The Bulldogs were too easy of a target.

On behalf of the city of Knoxville and the SEC, I extend a sincere apology to the University of Georgia football team for whatever officiating misfortune comes its way this afternoon.

The early-afternoon kickoff time was the first hint. The Top 25 rankings provided confirmation.

You keep thinking something good is due to happen with Tennessee's passing game. And then, something else goes wrong.

There's startling statistical evidence that Tennessee's offense is greatly improved over last season.

Tennessee came within a yard of beating UCLA.It played almost gallantly in losing by only 10 points to No. 1-ranked Florida.

Good thing Tennessee didn't have an open date this weekend. The post-Ohio meltdown would have carried over into another week.

College football's game of the century seems "centuries ago," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Sunday.

The college football season is only a month old, but that’s enough time to alter preseason perceptions. It’s also an appropriate time to evaluate how SEC teams stand.

Until Tennessee and Auburn changed coaches after last season, this week's get-together at Neyland Stadium could have passed for a family reunion.

Football isn't supposed to be this confusing.You're supposed to celebrate victories and mourn defeats. But you couldn't prove it by the last two weeks of Tennessee football.

Second-year picker Jamey Schagren sifted through the remaining morsels of a Big Mac, then said quietly but emphatically - without changing his expression - "It's my time now."

As Tennessee prepares to play 21-point underdog Ohio University tonight, fans can't help but look ahead.

The SEC season I envisioned in August didn't look like this. I expected a couple of baseball scores by now. I expected defense and more defense.

If you had to put a face on this new era of UT football, Montario Hardesty’s would be appropriate.

Florida and Tennessee left The Swamp on Saturday with the same concerns. Imagine that.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Although Tennessee fell short in its upset bid against No. 1-ranked Florida, the feeling afterward didn't compare to the previous Saturday when UT was upset at home by UCLA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Tennessee might never feel better about a 10-point loss. Its defense might never look better giving up 23 points.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The old question about Tennessee-Florida: Do the Vols have a chance?

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said earlier this week that Florida's 11 defensive starters could all play in the NFL. My question: Which 11?

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After Tennessee's loss to 10-point underdog UCLA last week, a big-picture review might be in order.

You couldn’t have seen this coming. Not at Florida. Not under Urban Meyer.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The two most prominent spokespersons for Florida football met the media Monday. The differences between the two were subtle.

Shocking development from Urban Meyer's Sunday teleconference: The Florida coach gets along just fine with Kiffin.

Lane Kiffin articulated his quarterback philosophy with great clarity in preseason.

I'm not suggesting Tennessee fans applaud when UCLA makes its Neyland Stadium entrance this afternoon. But they should hold the boos to a minimum.

Lane Kiffin has gotten considerable credit for his innovative, in-your-face style of marketing, which has given Tennessee football a presence in hostile territory. But even before the first Big Orange billboard popped up in Florida, the Vols already were getting ...

Tennessee began a new era and brought back memories of an old one in the same season opener Saturday.