southalvol

I agree. When an SEC team loses in the SECCG and doesn't make the playoff, that will stop it. Also, UT will not make the playoff by losing this game even if they go 10-2. But I'll be happy either way. It's been a good season for UT so far.

The offense hasn't had rhythm like it is supposed to have since SEC play began. That won't get better at Athens.

I like the "tu" reference. It makes it clear who owns UT in the SEC. Back on point, UT will not make it in with two losses.

I remember 65-7 when there were only 4 teams in the playoffs. I'm sure you do too, Dawggie!

Tennessee must beat UGa and Vandy to get in. I think a loss to UGa will put them out of it even if they go 10-2. Beating UGa then losing to Vandy will give UT two losses in games they were favored to win and an exit from playoff contention.

UT can't lose this game and still be okay for the playoff. Potentially 10-2 with a loss this week, though, is still a great year.

I love your optimism. I wish I had it.

No kidding. I'm glad USC is not on UT's schedule.

That can be the right sentiment for both teams. Recent history (20 years) favors the Bulldogs. Each season starts with this game being a loss for UT until proven otherwise in my mind. I hope it's a good game that goes UT's way, but if not, hopefully they can finish 10-2. They won't make the playoffs with that, but it'll still be a good season.

I'm glad UT doesn't have to play USC this year.

I hope it happens, but I'll believe it when I see it with UT-UGa. Then they have to beat Vandy, which won't be easy.

Clarification... By "games they should win", I did not mean the UGa game but rather the Vandy game.

Dang, I hope this is right for UT's sake, but I'll believe it when I see it with UGa. Nico is not Dart, and pressure on Nico causes problems. You also have to consider UT's tendency to lose games they should win over the past 50+ years in my personal observation. The Vandy game is not a forgone conclusion as it may have been in the past especially with Pavia at QB. Maybe the Arkansas game was the one that got away this year.

Thanks, TideFan. Congratulations on your big win tonight.

Ward was the greatest. One thing I appreciate that Kesling took from Ward is he wasn't an insufferable Homer. You knew Ward (and Kesling) were for UT, but I don't remember ever hearing them use "we" and "they" to describe the teams. I heard Ward speak at the Memphis UT Club once in the 80s. He was able to criticize UT appropriately.

Appreciate the comment. It was like trying to follow Jack Cristil. He had a great voice.

John Ward was the king, and I never thought anyone could measure up to him. I could pick his voice out of the static using my Dad's Zenith Transoceanic radio as we lived 9+ hours from Knoxville. Kesling definitely grew into the role as Voice of the Vols. Thanks for all the great calls Mr. Kesling. Who will be the replacement?

No argument here. Nico gets flustered with pressure, and the WRs have dropped too many big throws when he can actually make the throw.

The seemingly unregulated, unrestricted free agency in college football has certainly created more parity. Beck will probably get it all figured out in two weeks, but I hope the UT defense continues to play well to force some turnovers.

Be careful what your wish for. UT was in the same stale/stagnant place with Fulmer before he was canned. If UK fires Stoops, they need to do what UT didn't do. UT had seen Bama wander the wilderness for a while after Stallings retired with some success here and there, but there were some really down times for Bama during the 10+ years before they realized they needed to pay whatever it takes to get the best guy out there. Saban came, and the rest is history. UT didn't learn that lesson and wandered the wilderness with extremely minimal success until now. (Please don't get me wrong. I don't think Heupel is Saban.) If UK fires Stoops next year, they have to pay the money to get the best the first time and not gamble on multiple marginal characters for years.

I'd be really (pleasantly) surprised if UT makes the playoffs with two losses. If they go 10-2, I'll be happy with wins over UF and Bama regardless of the playoffs.

The USC fans have to be thinking, "Why not beat both A&M and Clemson?"

After watching the drudgery of the UT-Bama game, I was looking forward to watching two complete teams play a great game. It seems as though there is one complete team, Georgia, despite the Bama loss. Man, those Dawgs are good. Congratulations, Dawgs.

You might be asking too much. This offense goes through Sampson and the running game. Nico just needs to manage the game plan and cut down on errors, although that was a great throw and catch for the TD.

What usually happens in this game is Bama corrects their deficiency and UT doesn't. History, over the last 50 years, favors Alabama. I realize past performance is not indicative of what could happen this year, but Bama (and UF and UGa) definitely has the psychological edge. Bama has had the winning formula over UT for a loooong time. UT needs to win 20 straight over Bama to even things up a bit. Then maybe they will have the mental edge. Specific to this game and season, it's obvious SEC play has shown Nico's limitations and struggles. Pressure on him causes trouble. I don't see Bama, with their depth and talent level, losing this game to UT's offense. I hope I'm wrong, though.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but is there any team ranked 11-25 that has a better win than Vandy over Alabama?

Congratulations Hogs. That was a powerful win. If the Vols aren't careful, they may be 4-3 after a couple of weeks.

Congratulations to the Hogs. They took it to UT tonight. I hope Green is okay.

I hope the Vols are zeroed in. This could easily be a trap game on the road.

UT shouldn't lose that game, but I've seen them lose quite a few in the last 20 years, especially to UF, they shouldn't have lost.