UT Vols Football

4 Bold Predictions for Volunteers in SEC This Year

2011-09-09T13:55:00.002-04:00

1. The Vols haven't beaten Florida since 2004 and haven't won in the Swamp since Casey Clausen was at quarterback in 2003.

However, this year that will all change.

Florida is a team in transition under coach Will Muschamp. Tennessee will be the new regime's first test, and Tyler Bray and company will be more than ready to spring the upset.

2. Tennessee will be ranked for the first time since 2008 and undefeated when LSU comes calling to Neyland Stadium.

Not willing to predict a win over the Bayou Bengals just yet even though a much weaker Tennessee team gave them all they could handle last year in Baton Rouge.

The Vols will be coming off a wins over Buffalo and Georgia and will be in position to make a run at the SEC East title.

3. The former elite-11 prospect Tyler Bray now has over a year of tutelage under Drew Brees former college offense coordinator, Jim Chaney, and it will show this year as his big arm will be able to often find a duo of very talented wide receivers, Justin Hunter and DaRick Rogers.

Also, protected by a much improved offensive line, Bray will have much time to dissect defenses.

4. You heard it here first. South Carolina may be the odds on favorites and most talented team in the East, but things have a funny way of shaking out sometimes in the SEC.

No team is immune to an upset, and the Vols have backed their way into an SEC Championship appearance before.

Also, second-year SEC coaches are on a heck of a run right now, no reason why it will stop.

UT: Tyler Bray in the saddle

2011-08-29T10:21:00.003-04:00

Tyler Bray remembers the last pass he threw in a real game very well.

“I can pretty much tell you the whole play,” the University of Tennessee quarterback said of his game-sealing interception against North Carolina in the Music City Bowl last December.

“It’s play-action pass. I have [fullback Channing] Fugate out in the flat. [Receivers] Gerald [Jones] and [Denarius Moore] are coming on the backside. And I threw it right to No. 52.

“I try to forget and move on, but that game and that play is hard to forget.”

As hard as that particular play was for Bray to forget, it’s probably harder for anybody to forget what he did in getting the Vols to that game. As a freshman, Bray entered UT’s game at South Carolina in the third quarter last October and promptly tossed a pass right to Devin Taylor for the easiest touchdown of the Gamecocks defensive end’s career.

Bray bounced back with two scoring throws to keep the Vols in the South Carolina game, and he flourished from there, feasting on the easier part of the Vols’ schedule by throwing 16 touchdown passes in five games.

His physical gifts are obvious, but the story with Bray over the course of spring practice, summer workouts and preseason camp in August has always been about the mental part of his game. Improving his consistency, maturity and leadership skills and investment to reaching his potential are atop his to-do list.

“He’s asking a lot better questions,” offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. “I think he’s had a good summer in throwing the football and trying to learn as a quarterback.” “You earn the respect to be a leader, to me, based on your level of commitment to the program,” coach Derek Dooley said. “People have a hard time respecting somebody if they don’t see them committed to doing everything they can to help us win. I think he’s proving that to our team. It’s a work in progress.”

That progress hit a snag in the Vols’ first August scrimmage, when Bray struggled with the tempo and command of the offense. He bounced back with a better second scrimmage, but his completion rate (45 percent) in UT’s two evaluation scrimmages was troubling.

UT’s coaches have put a lot on Bray throughout the entire offseason, and Dooley has noted that the staff has to help Bray by not putting too much on the quarterback and negatively affecting his ability to make big plays. “We’re starting to get an understanding of when we’re pushing too much because we don’t want to get him uncomfortable,” Dooley said. “I wish Tyler would get a little more consistent in his approach. That comes with maturity.”

The consistency and maturity the Vols are hoping for from their quarterback can come only with time and experience. Bray won’t be a secret to opposing defensive coordinators anymore, and stout defenses at Florida, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina and Arkansas await.

First, however, Bray would probably just prefer to have a different last pass to remember.

“He knows where we have to be as an offense,” senior tailback Tauren Poole said. “He knows that we need him to be on top of his game to be a good offense. We’re definitely making strides, and him being a great leader like he is definitely has to come along. He’s only a sophomore [and] still a young one, but we need him to step up.”

Tennessee Volunteers Football: Final Predictions for the 2011 Season

2011-08-26T11:41:00.003-04:00

Tennessee Volunteers will go 8-4 in the 2011 regular season.

I'm not one of those guys who thinks the Vols will make the SEC Championship each year, either. I call it like I see it. For instance,the Titans will not win more than five games this year.

The team is young and thin at a few positions, but you simply can't look past how tremendous this offense will be. Tennessee could win games just getting Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter connected.

Just imagine what they'll do with Tauren Poole, Da'Rick Rogers and that great offensive line.

Prentiss Waggner lays claim to starting position at UT

2011-08-22T10:13:00.002-04:00

Amid the competition for the University of Tennessee's two cornerbacks spots, Prentiss Waggner has risen somewhat quietly to the top. The junior ball-hawk has enough versatility that the Volunteers could play him at any of its three secondary positions, but Waggner has found a spot.

"I know the playbook in and out," Waggner said after Saturday afternoon's scrimmage at Neyland Stadium. "I know the linebackers and D-ends, basically the whole defense. I'm comfortable wherever they put me."

With the Vols' preseason camp drawing to a close on Wednesday, Waggner has found a home at one cornerback, with junior Marsalis Teague and true freshman Justin Coleman fighting it out for the other spot. Junior college transfer Izauea Lanier also figures to fit into the rotation as the Vols plan to play a handful of defensive backs and use their five-defensive back nickel package a majority of the time.

Each of UT's cornerbacks has a unique attribute that makes them different. Teague was the Vols' best player there last year despite battling a nagging turf toe injury most of the latter half of the season, Coleman's physicality and competitiveness have impressed the Vols' coaches since his arrival on campus in January and the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Lanier has the staff's ideal size for the position.

Waggner, though, has the experience, instincts and playmaking ability -- he took three interceptions back for touchdowns last season -- to go along with his production this month.

"He's pretty settled at corner right now," coach Derek Dooley said. "I think he's been our most consistent corner. He's still got that ability to go to safety if something happens or just depending on who we play. Prentiss has been playing the best, most consistent out there."

The Vols have liked Coleman since the four-star recruit out of Brunswick, Ga., showed up to a camp last summer and battled receiver DeAnthony Arnett, who would eventually join him at UT, in one-on-one drills.

"They went every time, DeAnthony would win three and Justin would win one, but I mean they went like 30 times in a row," secondary coach and recruiting coordinator Terry Joseph recalled last week. "Justin Coleman not one time said, 'I'm tired, give me some water.' He just said, 'Let's go, line up again, line up again.'

"We knew his competitive character, and that's what really was the deal-closer for us, was that this guy, he's one of our guys. That's made us take him and offer him [a scholarship] and get him. Obviously he's proven so far that we were right."

The 5-10, 183-pound freshman was a surprise during spring practice, and he's brought the competitive nature he showed at the camp as a high school senior with him to UT.

"That's the No. 1 thing I like about the guy," defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said last week. "He is extremely competitive, and if he gets beat, he lines right back up and wants to play again. Playing corner, that's the No. 1 thing. That's huge, so he's continued to show that he's a willing tackler, he's a physical guy, he can run and I expect Justin to get better really fast.

"We're going to push him, and he knows that we're holding him high expectations, but that's the way it's got to be for him."

That may not translate into Coleman starting ahead of Teague, who's proven his ability, and Lanier, who continues to progress after his late start in the race in terms of experience and comfort with UT's defense. As Teague put it, the corner's focus is on individual improvement rather than the competition from their teammates.

"We're not really worried about the depth chart," he said. "We just kind of go in when the coach calls us. There's some days where there's a different person in there. We're not really worried about that, we're just focusing on getting better every day."

Dooley said after two practices last week he was looking for more from his cornerbacks, and later in the week he gave his preferences for the position.

"You've certainly got to have a level of size and speed to hold up, you've got to have some instincts, and then you've got to have a little playmaking ability, meaning if the ball's in the air and you're there, you've got to make the play," he said. "You're going to get beat some. They're going to catch some balls, but you've got to have a little playmaking ability."

Which is probably why Waggner sits atop the race less than two weeks before UT's season opener.

"I'm still out there floating around, from corner to nickel to safety," he said. "I'm just out there having fun."

Vols' defense starting to show development

2011-08-15T10:40:00.000-04:00

Tennessee's defensive players gathered in the film room before Saturday's scrimmage to watch a highlight reel of all the unit's big plays of previous years.

When they walked off the field at Neyland Stadium, they left with the assurance that they at least weren't on the wrong end of any plays that would motivate the offense in the future.

Outside of a deep catch by freshman DeAnthony Arnett that was called back for offensive pass interference, the Vols' secondary largely prevented Tyler Bray and the rest of UT's passing game from finding much success with the deep ball Saturday. Freshman Tom Smith had the game's longest run, a 22-yarder, but he didn't find the end zone.

It was a performance that fell short of matching Tuesday's lock-down effort, but was one that coach Derek Dooley said would allow him to enter the film room today with an optimistic vibe.

"The offense made a few plays and we missed a few fits here and there," junior Prentiss Waggner said. "When it comes down to it, coaches always talk about bend but don't break when we get in the end zone and just force field goals. I think we did that today."

The defense surrendered just two touchdowns — a 4-yard catch by Da'Rick Rogers and an 18-yard grab by Matt Milton — while allowing five field goals. The unit, though, was on the field for long periods of time, allowing drives of nine plays, two of eight plays and one of seven plays.

Tauren Poole mocks Tyler Bray's "little bitty arm."

2011-08-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Is there a personality problem at Tennessee? Or is there just a senior whose mouth is moving faster than his brain? Vols' senior tailback Tauren Poole gave the Chattanooga Times-Free Press one doozy of a quote regarding his team's star quarterback.

"We definitely need the running game to win games," senior tailback Tauren Poole said. "We can't rely only on Tyler's little bitty arm to throw the ball every single play, even though he's talented enough. We're going to need to run the football."

"Tiny little arm?" that "tiny little arm" has done more than enough to give Tennessee fans hope that the dog days on Rocky Top are over there. Meanwhile, Poole's stats from last year are a little more up and down.

"Though the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Poole was one of just six players in the league to break the 1,000-yard mark and had solid games against Oregon (162 yards), LSU (109) and Alabama (117), he had his struggles. He rushed for a combined 96 yards in losses to Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina."

It sounds like Poole is going to definitely run more than his mouth this season.

Tennessee Vols Ready for Dooley’s Second Season

2011-08-01T11:28:00.002-04:00

Our countdown heads to Rocky Top, where Tennessee will begin the second season of the Derek Dooley era. The Vols won their last four regular-season games after a slow start. Can they build on that in 2011?

2010 Record: 6-7

2010 Skinny: The Vols started the season at 2-6, including a non-conference loss to Oregon and their first six SEC games. They also narrowly avoided a 1-7 start by beating UAB in double overtime. But November was a different story for Tennessee, which won all four of its games in the regular season’s final month. Yes, it beat up on lowly in-state rivals Memphis and Vanderbilt, as well as struggling Ole Miss and Kentucky, but the Vols were sparked by a quarterback change. Matt Simms was replaced by Tyler Bray, and the improvement was noticeable. The season ended with a crushing double-overtime loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.

Returning Starters: 13

Coach: Derek Dooley (second season, 6-7)

Key Players: DT Malik Jackson, CB Prentiss Waggner, RB Tauren Poole

2011 Schedule:

Sept. 3 vs. Montana
Sept. 10 vs. Cincinnati
Sept. 17 @ Florida
Oct. 1 vs. Buffalo
Oct. 8 vs. Georgia
Oct. 15 vs. LSU
Oct. 22 @ Alabama
Oct. 29 vs. South Carolina
Nov. 5 vs. Middle Tennessee
Nov. 12 @ Arkansas
Nov. 19 vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 26 @ Kentucky

Anthony’s Take: Bray returns for his sophomore season, which should see some fine development after he took over for Simms as a freshman. The Vols also return Poole, a 1,000-yard rusher. The offense will be fine. LB Nick Reivez, a team leader, is gone, and the team already finished 10th in SEC in total defense. As always, the Vols’ SEC slate will be tough. And this year, they will make trips to Florida, Alabama and Arkansas. Oof. I know that logic dictates this team’s bump up to eight wins in Dooley’s second year, but something tells me it’s going to be the status quo in Knoxville.

Jim’s Take: The offense returns a lot of talent at the skill positions and getting safety Janzen Jackson back after he left school for awhile is huge. This is a talented team. You can’t really blame Tennessee for that cakewalk nonconference schedule when you have a Murderer’s Row of an SEC slate. The Vols will likely be underdogs in all but two SEC contests. But with four easy nonconference games and contests against Kentucky and Vanderbilt to end the season, UT only needs one upset to reach seven regular season wins. I see them doing that and winning a bowl game to show progress in year two.

Tennessee Football: Things Looking Up

2011-07-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

Tennessee natives know that when someone says Tennessee football they don’t mean the Titans. University of Tennessee football has claimed six national titles and 16 SEC titles over the years, but now they’re better known as an underdog team who can beat the best or the SEC’s biggest pushover on any given day.

Right now most major fans are clinging to tradition and of course, Peyton Manning and their post-Manning championship season. With Lane Kiffins’s terrible contribution to the Vols in his less than one year coaching, it’s hard to imagine them being restored to their former glory.

The University of Tennessee has placed a two-year probation on both its football and basketball programs in an attempt to offset any advantages the programs may have gained through their illegal actions, and punish the coaches without hurting players. Half of new head coach Derek Cooley’s coaching staff will not be allowed to make recruiting phone calls during the 2011 recruitment season, and their 2011 spring recruiting says have been reduced from 168 to 162. Despite everything that the program will be going through, things are looking up.

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray stepped up at the end of his freshman season and was an instant success in Tennessee’s lackluster passing game. While there’s no one in the game now who could fill Peyton Manning’s shoes, Tyler Bray is a vast improvement over what Tennessee has endured since Manning’s departure and the fall of Coach Phillip Fulmer. Finishing his rookie season with a quarterback rating of 142.73 and a great performance against North Carolina in the Music City Bowl, Tyler Bray has a lot of momentum and backing from fans going into his sophomore year; he should prove to be one of the best players Tennessee has seen in a long time.

The real key to Tennessee’s success will be its offensive line. Though lackluster last season, they were young. In 2011, Tennessee will be going into the season without a single freshman starting on the offensive line, giving talented running back Tauren Poole and Bray a chance to shine.

The real question when it comes to Tennessee’s offense is their wide receivers. The Vols graduated three of their top wide receivers last season, leaving only Justin Hunter as a returning receiver. However, the Vols managed to pick up two top wide receiver recruits out of high school in DeAnthony Arnett and Da’Rick Rogers, and they could help the Vols keep up the pace on offence, or just drop the ball completely, you never know with freshmen. But that’s Volunteer football: completely unpredictable.

'On the same page'

2011-07-25T10:26:00.002-04:00

In his first 18 months on campus, Tennessee head man Derek Dooley and his staff have made some significant strides:

- They've healed a team psyche that was alarmingly fragile after predecessor Lane Kiffin bolted for Southern Cal.

- They've unified a fractured fan base.

- They've upgraded a depleted roster.

- They've restored some stability to a program that endured two head coaching changes within 15 months.

So, what does Dooley consider the most significant accomplishment of his Tennessee staff's first 18 months on the job?

"I think the biggest thing was the continuity that we had when we turned the clock and ended the season," Dooley said. "We were able to really clean up how we’re doing things, where we’re headed and effectively communicate it to the players. That’s a hard thing to do when you have nine new coaches and inherit a new team as late as we did.

"I just feel like we’re all on the same page. There’s not a lot of misunderstanding of how things are going to be done and what we expect. I think that’s been healthy for the organization."

Games are won in the fall but championships are won in the offseason. Dooley is impressed with the enthusiasm and diligence his players are showing this summer.

Little but lethal

2011-07-22T09:13:00.002-04:00

Veteran Vol fans surely remember Terence Cleveland, a pint-sized receiver from Sweetwater who averaged a whopping 17.1 yards per catch as a four-year letterman at Tennessee from 1986 through '89.

Now there's another diminutive wideout from the same area on the Big Orange radar. That would be Tre Herndon, a 5-10, 161-pounder from East Hamilton High of Chattanooga. Though only a rising sophomore, he showed advanced enough skills at Tennessee's June camp to earn the Most Improved Receiver Award.

His pride was obvious as he grasped the trophy.

"I feel good, excited," he said.

Herndon said he liked "everything" about the UT camp, adding: "I learned a lot. The coaches were great and everything else was good."

The young receiver seemed almost a little awed by Vol head coach Derek Dooley.

"I shook his hand," Herndon noted. "He's a nice guy. I like him."

Like most of the prospects who visit Tennessee's campus, Herndon was blown away by the sheer size of Neyland Stadium, along with the Haslam Practice Field, the Neyland-Thompson Indoor Football Complex, the spacious strength and conditioning area and the Gibbs Hall dormitory.

"The facilities are great," the young man said, nearly gushing. "The dorms are great. I liked the indoor and outdoor fields."

In addition to Tennessee, Herndon says he's interested in Florida State and Florida, adding: "I'm originally from Detroit, so I like Michigan, too."

Although he still has three high school seasons to play before signing a college scholarship, Herndon already knows the key attributes he's looking for in a football program.

"A good facility," he said, "with good coaches where I can learn."

So here is a prospect that we'll be a good addition tot the UT Vols !

Tauren Poole, Tyler Bray named to Walker, O’Brien watch lists

2011-07-18T08:49:00.005-04:00

The Tennessee offense was totally passed over by conference coaches.

One day later, two of its leading playmakers earned some attention from folks around the country.

Both quarterback Tyler Bray and running back Tauren Poole were among the many Vols not to earn a spot on the preseason All-SEC teams as voted on by the coaches on Thursday, but Friday morning both were confirmed as potential candidates for much bigger awards.

Bray, on the heels of his breakout finish to his freshman season, was tabbed for the Davey O'Brien Award watch list, an honor that goes annually to the nation's top quarterback.

Poole was one of eight rushers from the SEC named to the list for the Doak Walker Award, surely part of the reason the senior missed out on a preseason slot on the coaches team given the crowded backfield in the league.

Both Bray and Poole had already earned spots on the list for the Maxwell Award, which goes to college football's most outstanding player.

Vol great speaks to support Bristol Youth Leadership

2011-07-15T10:39:00.002-04:00

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback legend Condredge Holloway said Thursday that the university’s football program can withstand a current investigation into alleged recruiting violations and grow stronger from it.

“We’re going to change the culture a little bit and get things back,” Holloway, now a UT assistant athletic director, told some 100 people during a Bristol Chamber of Chamber breakfast at King College. “This is Tennessee, we’re not going anywhere. We’ll survive this little bump and go on.”

The UT football program is waiting to hear from the National Collegiate Athletic Association whether it will face NCAA punishment for alleged infractions that reportedly occurred while Lane Kiffin was Vols head coach. Kiffin left UT after the 2009 season: he’s now head coach at the University of Southern California.

“We’re not in the best of times right now, but we’ll be back,” Holloway said. “We’re going through a few changes that you have to [go through].”

Holloway – the first black quarterback in both Tennessee and Southeastern Conference history – made his remarks during an appearance to promote the Bristol Youth Leadership program, which helps area high school students become active in the community.

As an athlete at UT from 1972 to 1974, Holloway, now 57, led the football team to three bowl appearances and won 69 percent of his starts at quarterback – in addition to being an All-American baseball player for Tennessee. After leaving school, Holloway became a legendary quarterback in the Canadian Football League, playing 13 seasons and winning induction into the CFL Hall of Fame.

During his casual, often humorous talk, Holloway said he became devoted to sports when, after attending an integrated elementary school in Alabama during the early 1960s, many of his longtime white friends felt peer pressure to cut ties with him in high school.

“They had to choose sides,” Holloway said of his former friends. “I don’t think I ever got over that. In fact, I still don’t think I have. But I decided to put all of my energy into sports and not get involved in all that. I just said, ‘If you want to be around me, be out with me on the field.’”

Holloway , who works with both current and former Vols in his current assistant AD role, joked that he often gives today’s UT athletes the same advice he followed as a star player. “There’s not many [public] places you need to be in by yourself at midnight,” he said with a laugh.

The modest Holloway also poked fun at his famed nickname as a UT quarterback – the artful dodger – by noting that it stemmed from him having to constantly flee for his life from unblocked opponents.

“If everybody is blocked, you don’t have to run around like I did,” Holloway said with a laugh. “[The nickname] isn’t one I wanted to give myself.”

Holloway praised the Bristol Youth Leadership program and applauded the chamber and local businesses for supporting it.

“It’s good to see everyone is on board with what it’s doing,” Holloway said of the leadership program.

Earlier this year, ESPN aired “The Color Orange,” a documentary on Holloway’s historic UT football career. It was narrated by country music star Kenny Chesney, who was also the documentary’s executive producer.

Prentiss Waggner named to Thorpe Award watch list

2011-07-12T10:13:00.003-04:00

The preseason accolades continue to roll in for Tennessee cornerback Prentiss Waggner.

Waggner, the junior defensive back, was one of 37 players across the country named to the Thorpe Award watch list Monday. The Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation's top defensive back.

So far, Waggner has been named to four preseason watch lists. In the spring, he was placed on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list and, last week, received similar recognition from the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski award committees.

Waggner, after moving from safety to cornerback, finished 2010 tied for third in the SEC and 15th in the nation with five interceptions. His three interception returns for a touchdown set a UT record. With Janzen Jackson set to return to the team at safety, Waggner, who played safety during the spring, could be back at cornerback in 2011.

Khalid Henderson commits to Tennessee

2011-07-08T12:03:00.001-04:00

Tennessee picked up its third verbal commitment for the class of 2012 on Wedensday when 6-foot-1, 210-pund linebacker Khalid Henderson committed to the Vols.

Henderson, from Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, GA, led is a three-year starter and led his team in tackles this past season.

“Coach Dooley was a little surprised when I committed,” Henderson told the AJC, who considers him one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets. “It was like he didn’t want to put pressure of me to commit. He asked me ‘What other camps do you plan on attending this summer?’ I told him probably Clemson, Georgia Tech and some others; Then I said ‘Coach, you don’t have to worry about that because you’ve got a Volunteer with me.’ He was really excited to hear that, congratulated me, and welcomed me to the Tennessee family.”

According to ESPN, Henderson registered an electronically-timed 4.69 40 and a 31.6-inch vertical at the Atlanta Nike Combine after his sophomore year.

The talented prospect was very impressive at a recent Tennessee camp and Derek Dooley obviously took notice.

Henderson has a total of 13 offers and joins Imani Cross and Corey Smith as current Tennessee commits.

UT Vols Football Tickets On Sale

2010-06-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 9/4/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oregon Ducks	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 9/11/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 9/18/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. UAB Blazers	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 9/25/2010 TBD	view tickets
LSU Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers	Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA	Saturday 10/2/2010 7:00 PM	view tickets
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Tennessee Volunteers	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA	Saturday 10/9/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 10/23/2010 TBD	view tickets
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Tennessee Volunteers	Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	Saturday 10/30/2010 TBD	view tickets
Memphis Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers	Liberty Bowl Stadium Memphis, TN	Saturday 11/6/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Mississippi Rebels	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 11/13/2010 TBD	view tickets
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Tennessee Volunteers	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	Saturday 11/20/2010 TBD	view tickets
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kentucky Wildcats	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	Saturday 11/27/2010 TBD	view tickets

SEC has had its share of lively debates for years

2009-08-03T08:50:00.000-04:00

Thinking about what Tennessean columnist David Climer wrote recently, controversy amongst league members is nothing new. In fact, it has been a centerpiece of the vibrant history of SEC football since its austere beginnings in 1933.

During that time, there has been a goodly amount of sniping, good-natured and otherwise, among the member schools. It's all part of the ambience of SEC football.

Consider the 1963 Tennessee-Georgia Tech game. Georgia Tech was in its final year of membership in the SEC when it came to Knoxville on Oct. 12. Coached by former Tennessee quarterback Bobby Dodd (1928-30), the Yellow Jackets won easily, 23-6, over Jim McDonald's only Tennessee squad. Tech then left the league in a rules squabble in early 1964.

Late in the first half, Georgia Tech had scored on a "hide out" play, with receiver Ted Davis not returning to the huddle after an incomplete pass, choosing instead to go to a flanked position. Tech quarterback Billy Lothridge found him wide open for a touchdown to the south end, with Vol partisans crying, "Foul!"

When athletic director and former Vol Bob Woodruff complained to the media, Dodd responded by calling Woodruff "the worst public relations athletic director in the United States."

Just before the 1968 season, it was Tennessee and Georgia, mostly Georgia, clashing in the media over the advent of artificial turf.

During the summer of 1968, the verdant Shields-Watkins Field grass, the greensward on which Gene McEver, Bob Suffridge, Johnny Butler, Hank Lauricella, Bob Johnson, John Majors, and many others had created so many memories, was unceremoniously dug up and a green carpet laid down in its place.

Tom Siler reported Georgia was informed about the change by telegram June 17, with no one in the Georgia camp being reported amused.

"It's a radical move that should have been considered by the conference," Georgia AD Joel Eaves said. "Why didn't Tennessee bring this up when all of us met at Biloxi in May? We're thinking about voiding the contract. Maybe Tennessee can just put on an intrasquad game for the TV audience Sept. 14."

In the case of UT fans, Siler wrote that Vol fans "accepted the news stoically."

The game ended 17-17, one of the "classic ties" in Tennessee history.

Then there was the battle of SEC teams going to Auburn, with no one, save Georgia, wanting to make the trip. Alabama fought that battle especially hard. It was 1989 before Alabama made its first trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium, and they've played there every other year since 1991. There were those in the Alabama camp who said "Never," but the Tide came anyway.

After the city of Birmingham put down artificial turf on Legion Field in 1970, Auburn again made overtures to Tennessee about leaving Birmingham, suggesting Tiger "home games" in the series be played at Cliff Hare Stadium. That didn't happen initially until 1974, Auburn 21, Tennessee 0, and happened for good in 1980, Tennessee 42, Auburn 0.

There was serious conflict surrounding the 1972 game. Auburn had apparently scouted the Vols twice that season, a violation of SEC rules, with the Vols responding by wearing orange jerseys against the Tigers, also a violation of conference rules.

When the dust settled, Auburn knocked off heavily favored Tennessee, 10-6, in a major upset that really wasn't. Auburn finished 11-1, despite meager pre-season expectations, Tennessee 10-2.

LSU and Tennessee created some major brinksmanship in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana around the start of the football season. When it came time for the Tennessee-LSU game Sept. 24, with the aftermath of Katrina seen in all locales around Baton Rouge, LSU was insistent on playing that Saturday night.

With forecasts of bad weather and Tennessee officials understandably concerned about the safety of their team flying to Baton Rouge, there were forthright words in the media, both schools seemingly hardening their position. At one critical juncture, there were thoughts the game might not be played at all.

Reason prevailed, eventually, and the game was played Monday night, Sept. 26. The Vols flew to Baton Rouge earlier in the day, played the game, and flew home. There wasn't quite a full house at Tiger Stadium, but the game was a keeper.

LSU fans were eager for football after all the turmoil, and the Tigers on the field created excitement by bolting to a 21-0 halftime lead. Tennessee was down but not out, hanging around long enough to eventually send the game to overtime.

LSU scored first on a field goal, but the Vols won, 30-27, on a short run by Gerald Riggs, concluding a wild week.

With all this in mind, the "C" in "SEC" really stands for "Controversy."

There's certainly been a great deal of it over the past 76 years.

For Vols, Athletes in Action camp emphasizes competitive 'spirit'

2009-08-03T08:48:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, Tennessee opens its preseason football camp, sure to be replete with grueling conditioning drills and hard-hitting practices and scrimmages in the stifling heat and humidity of Knoxville in August.

Those occasional two-a-day practices can leave the participants drained.

For four members of the Volunteers’ football team, though, they might not seem so bad.

After all, they’ve been through “The Special.”

Chris Walker, Chad Cunningham, Daniel Lincoln and Nick Reveiz participated in an Athletes in Action camp shortly after spring semester finals at Tennessee.

“I can say it was the best experience of my life,” Walker said.

Held on the campus of Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo., the event drew athletes from colleges and universities around the country.

“There were guys there from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Florida State, kickers, athletes, football players, track, volleyball, whatever,” Lincoln said.

“Being able to share things with other athletes about adversity or hardships they’ve faced, you learn a lot.”

The football quartet was part of an 18-person contingent from UT that included Lady Vols basketball players Angie Bjorklund and Alicia Manning.

“We were competing every day,” Walker said. “They wanted us to use our competitive spirit in our sport for God.”

None of those competitions was more grueling than “The Special,” a succession of races, games and competitions that lasted more than 18 consecutive hours.

“You didn’t eat or sleep during it,” Lincoln noted.

“The Special” included basketball, a swimming relay, ultimate Frisbee, calisthenics and other relay races.

Walker, recovering from knee surgery at the time, could not participate in the actual competition.

“I did everything with them. I ran around with them and did the obstacle course,” Walker said. “I was with them for the whole 18 hours that they were doing stuff.

“It just broke us down to the point that we couldn’t depend on anything on this earth and no words could help anybody,” the Vols’ defensive end added. “Leaning on God was the only thing that we could do. It broke a lot of people down.”

The weeklong camp also included a run up a mountain then back down.

“That mountain is so steep and the elevation was crazy,” Walker recalled.

The experience forged a bond among the four UT football players. According to Walker, it also put the game in perspective.

“It’s easy to get caught up in sport, period, and putting sport at the top of everything, just because that’s all we know,” he said. “Easily, football gets put on a pedestal above everything else.”

Especially in the Southeastern Conference.

And while the Vols have a figurative mountain to climb to return to their previous level of prominence, for these four campers, how hard can that be after successfully ascending an actual mountain?

UT needs to fight on with ol' SC for recruits

2009-08-03T08:47:00.000-04:00

As you might have noticed, Tennessee keeps bumping into Southern California on the recruiting trail. That's both a compliment and a challenge for UT.

USC has one of the greatest programs in college football, and you don't have to study ancient history to appreciate it. The Trojans haven't won fewer than 11 games since 2001 and won back-to-back national titles in 2003 and 2004.

So when UT shows up alongside USC on a five-star recruit's list of official visits, that's quite a compliment since the Vols have had two losing seasons in the last four years. But the challenge is just as obvious. How does a program with UT's recent track record beat out one of the nation's premier programs for the best players?

Answer: Become more like USC.

First-year UT head coach Lane Kiffin, a former offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll at USC, got the Vols headed in the right direction when he installed USC's offense this spring. The same quarterbacks and wide receivers who are attracted to USC's offense will be drawn to the Vols'. The most recent example: wide receiver Kyle Prater from Hillside, Ill., says he will take official visits to UT and USC this fall.

Prater might already be aware that the programs have more in common than offense. Southern California offers Hollywood, the Pacific Ocean and Rodeo Drive. East Tennessee offers Dollywood, Loudon Lake, and Parkside Drive.

The similarities don't have to end there, but it's incumbent on UT to adjust. After all, it's the one playing catch-up.

I realize that many fans become nervous when you start tinkering with tradition. As a traditionalist myself, I certainly wouldn't encourage a program to discontinue any tradition, unless, of course, that tradition repels recruits.

But the UT program also could benefit from adding a few traditions. And it wouldn't be that difficult.

For example, what's one more song? Rather than have the band play "Rocky Top" every five minutes at games, it could do so every 10 minutes. With those extra minutes, it could work in "Fight On," one of USC's school songs.

The beauty of that addition: You would have to change only two words. Instead, of "Fight on for ol' SC," (which appears twice in the song) UT fans would sing "Fight on for ol' UT." How simple would that be?

It would be just as simple to add a victory bell, which the winner of the USC-UCLA game keeps for a year. Since UT doesn't have a crosstown rival, it could make do with cross-state rival Vanderbilt.

Another welcome addition would be a jeweled shillelagh, which goes to the winner of the USC-Notre Dame game. UT doesn't have an intersectional rival quite as prominent as Notre Dame but it does have Memphis, which it plays occasionally.

Don't ask, "What does a shillelagh have to do with UT vs. Memphis?" If a recruit can see a shillelagh when he visits USC, you want him to see one when he visits UT.

You also want him to see a white horse.

Every time USC scores a touchdown at a home game, Traveler gallops around the Coliseum. It's one of the great traditions in college football and would have to be modified only slightly to accommodate UT.

You could replace the Trojan soldier aboard the horse with someone wearing a coonskin cap, then substitute a musket for the sword. The only other change would be the name. Traveler would become Rocky.

Think ahead to UT's homecoming game in November. As the Vols score a victory-clinching touchdown over Memphis - and the coveted shillelagh that goes with it - a Davy Crockett look-alike rides a majestic white horse around Neyland Stadium while the UT band plays the theme song from "Rocky."

Don't you get goosebumps just thinking about it?

Then, imagine what that would do for a recruit.

Five biggest questions facing UT Football

2009-08-03T08:46:00.000-04:00

With football players reporting to campus at the University of Tennessee on Monday. We at InsideTennessee.com decided to look at the five biggest questions facing this 2009 Football Team as fall camp and practice gets underway here Tuesday. Go inside this FREE READ to see if you agree with our take as Fall Camp gets underway.

With football players reporting to campus at the University of Tennessee on Monday. We at InsideTennessee.com decided to look at the five biggest questions facing this 2009 Football Team as fall camp and practice gets underway here Tuesday.

Lane Kiffin enters his first fall camp as the Head Coach of the Volunteers, the former Oakland Raider head man has provided a lot of energy and excitement on the Rocky Top during the spring and off season.

That leads into question No. 1.

Will Kiffin’s Volunteers be as exciting and energized on the field as they have been off the field the past seven months.

If so all Volunteer fans are in for an exciting ride.

The players have shown they have bought into the new coaching staff, a more disciplined team has shown improvement in the classroom this past semester.

“We are the most talked about football team in the country,” Kiffin admitted at the SEC Media Days. “That was our plan. Not a lot going on in the spring, we wanted every young man in the country thinking about the University of Tennessee.”

If Kiffin’s Vols provides as much excitement and energy on the field, things could be very interesting this fall at Neyland Stadium.

This Tennessee team has everyone’s attention, now it’s time to see what kind of football team Kiffin will put on the field.

That takes us to Question No. 2.

Who will be the starting quarterback against Western Kentucky and more importantly the rest of the season.

The answer might be two different ones.

Some expect Jonathan Crompton to be the starter coming out of football camp, not if junior Nick Stephens has anything to say about it. If Crompton is the starter going into Western Kentucky, the next question will be how short of rope will he have throughout the season.

Will Stephens overtake from the start of camp or will take him a few weeks to do it, I guess you can that question 2 A.

You can’t have a successful quarterback without a solid wide receiving corp. That takes us to question No. 3.

How will the Volunteers cope with the early injuries of at least three key wide outs this summer?

Who will step up and provide the needed spark for whoever is quarterbacking to be successful?

Question No. 4 leads into the next important phase of the offense.

Everyone is expecting Tennessee to have a solid running game, the Vols did indeed sign the overall No. 1 player in the nation in Bryce Brown. Will Brown start the season opener, how much playing time will he get this fall. All important questions facing this team this fall.

Question No. 5, we have to leave one for the defense.

Yes everyone is aware of the dream team defensive staff that Lane Kiffin has assembled.

The key question will be how Monte Kiffin and staff be able to parlay their knowledge into this group of defenders. There is a lot of talent at several positions, but there also are a few key holes, especially at the linebacker position.

“Our ones will match up with the best of them on the defensive side of the ball,” Kiffin said in an earlier interview.”

So lets hope for no injuries because depth on the defensive side of the ball is definitely a question mark.

Offensive linemen Fulton, Pair commit to play for Vols

2009-07-01T09:45:00.002-04:00

Offensive linemen Zach Fulton and Marques Pair committed to University of Tennessee football coaches Monday afternoon, becoming the Volunteers' 10th and 11th public pledges for 2010.

Fulton, a 6-foot-5, 305-pounder from Homewood-Flossmoor High School near Chicago, is rated by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 21 guard prospect. Many Big Ten conference programs and Notre Dame have recruited him, but his only other confirmed scholarship offers so far were from Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.

Pair, a 6-6, 255-pounder from Sumter (S.C.) High, just recently started getting major program interest. Southeastern and Atlantic Coast Conference schools have been recruiting him, but UT was the only one known to make a scholarship offer.

Fulton and Pair are the third and fourth offensive players committed to the Vols for 2010, joining Kentucky fullback Channing Fugate and Miami offensive lineman Jose Jose.

Four of Tennessee's five projected starters for 2009 are seniors: left tackle Chris Scott, center Josh McNeil and guards Vlad Richard and Jacques McClendon.

"I feel great; it's a big weight off my back," Fulton told Scout.com. "I felt there was no point in waiting anymore.

"There's not any place whose facilities can match Tennessee's. There was no competition, as far as camp, academics and everything else. Everything went right."

Fulton left a UT camp four weeks ago with an offer after consistently impressing scouts and coaches. Some said he was the top lineman at the camp, which included several of the nation's top line prospects -- including Nashville's James Stone, Rivals' No. 36 overall prospect and No. 4 offensive tackle.

Pair also turned heads at that camp, according to several analysts who were present that day.

"Probably the best overall day on the offensive line was Zach Fulton's," Rivals analyst Barton Simmons said then. "He really looked good playing left guard most of the day. He really showed great strength and a great initial punch (against) the pass rush. Really, it was just a complete effort by Fulton, a guy who really saw his stock rise a lot."

The Vols are recruiting several prospects in Illinois. Most notably, they have been battling dozens of big programs for wide receiver Kyle Prater of Hillside Proviso West -- another Chicagoland school.

Prater, a 6-5, 205-pounder, is rated by Rivals as the nation's No. 3 receiver and No. 19 overall prospect.

Tennessee and several other Bowl Championship Series programs have made offers to 6-6 receiver Matt Milton from Mascoutah, Ill., near St. Louis.

Vols land 13-year-old

2009-07-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

James Berry’s kids always have been precocious. But committing to a college football program in middle school?

Evan Berry, the 13-year-old brother of Tennessee All-America safety Eric Berry, told Rivals.com he has committed to the Volunteers. Schools can’t offer scholarships until a prospect’s junior year of high school, but that didn’t stop Evan, who will be an eighth-grader this fall at Bear Creek Middle School in Fairburn.

“He loves being at Tennessee [for practices and games],” said James Berry, who played running back for the Vols in the late 1970s. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard him say he’s going to Tennessee.”

Evan Berry plays safety and quarterback. LARRY HARTSTEIN

Trivia challenge

New Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has worn No. 88 in his NFL career. But what number did he wear in college?

No Heatley, Hossa

Don’t look for Dany Heatley or Marian Hossa to be wearing Thrashers uniforms again.

Heatley has requested a trade from the Senators. Hossa becomes a free agent from the Red Wings today.

When asked Tuesday about the possibility of either returning to the Thrashers, general manager Don Waddell said he couldn’t speak specifically about either player because they are under contract with other teams.

However, Waddell added: “It probably doesn’t make a lot of sense for us.” CHRIS VIVLAMORE

News of the day

The NCAA rejected an appeal from former Indiana basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who was slapped with five years of potential penalties for taking part in more than 100 impermissible calls to recruits while coaching the Hoosiers.

Sampson, now an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, is essentially barred from coaching in college until 2013.

Remember me?

Want to see how last year’s No. 1 pick in the baseball draft is doing? All it requires this week is a drive to Rome.

Former Griffin High star shortstop Tim Beckham will be in Georgia through Friday playing for the Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods. Game times each day are 7 p.m.

Before Tuesday night’s game against the R-Braves, Beckham was hitting .282 with three homers and 38 RBIs, but he has committed 24 errors.

Trivia answer

Gonzalez (below), who also played basketball at California, wore No. 44 in football for the Golden Bears from 1994-96.

One More Loss and Phil Fulmer Is Finished

2008-10-29T23:10:00.000-04:00

There is a strong consensus that University of Tennessee's head football coach Phil Fulmer will be finished after his next loss.

It was rumored that Fulmer would be out after the Alabama game. That rumor grew legs before the Mississippi State game, however the Vols ultimately crushed the Bulldogs after a second half surge sparked by two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

The remaining Tennessee schedule includes South Carolina on Nov. 1, followed by Wyoming, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky. It is unlikely the Vols will escape unscathed, therefore, it is likely Fulmer will be finished in the coming weeks. This weekend alone poses a threat against Steve Spurrier.

At first blush one can see that Fulmer has a national title. In recruiting, the Vols have been fairly successful with three top five classes since 2002 and five top 20 classes during the same period. Now the Vols are on track to have another top 10 class this year.

Fulmer is also renowned for having greats such as Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis, and Cedric Wilson.

On the field Fulmer's teams regularly have nine and 10 wins including bowl games, which seems exceptional, though a look at Vol losses reveals much more. Since 2002, the Vols have had three or more losses each season. Three losses will certainly exclude any team from the National Title, if not a BCS Berth in any BCS bowl.

The Vols are regular runner-up contenders or worse in the SEC under Fulmer. Fulmer had many great players with whom he couldn't attain that elusive undefeated season or national championship.

Will Tennessee fans settle for mediocrity? Those who hate Tennessee or play against them hope their fans will resign themselves to the obligatory three losses per year, but in the midst of a 3-5 record, it appears Vols fans have had enough and the stands are empty.

With one more loss, Vols' fans will get their wish, but who will lead the Vols' in the future? Will it be Cutcliffe, who was arguably the mastermind behind any Fulmer success? Will it be Gruden, who will doubtfully leave his spot at Tampa Bay and who grew up in the shadow of the Golden Dome at Notre Dame? Will it be another lesser known name, or will the Vols make a controversial move for Steve Spurrier?

Many questions surround the future of Tennessee, but one thing is certain: Phil Fulmer won't be coaching next year unless he wins every game left on the schedule.

Tennessee-MSU Report Card

2008-10-19T23:04:00.000-04:00

Tennessee was able to dominate the Mississippi State Bulldogs and get their first SEC win 34-3. So let's take a look at the report card and see how well the Vols improved:

Quarterback

Nick Stephens - 10-of-20 passing, 136 yards - continues to manage the offensive effectively, though not yet spectacularly. However, at this point I will take it.

Stephens also showed a good pocket presence and scrambling ability, breaking an 18-yard run to get the Vols in field-goal position. Stephens is showing great heart out on the field and the offense is starting to respond.

GRADE: B

Tennessee is still no where near expectations in the running game and Arian Foster has not been sharp at all, but he did have the longest run of the night for 19 yards.

Lennon Creer showed good vision and made nice cuts in leading Vols with 68 yards rushing on 17 carries. Creer also had good second effort on his 1-yard TD run. Fulmer should give the ball to Creer more often, as he seems to be the back who could give Tennessee the big play.

GRADE: C

Wide Receivers

Lucas Taylor made a clutch fourth-down grab while Denarius Moore reeled in a 45-yard strike from Stephens to stretch the defense. Moore has become Stephens' favorite target.

Gerald Jones didn't make a catch before his ankle sprain and had a pass go through his arms. Luke Stocker also had a drop. Clawson and Fulmer meed to get Brandon Warren more involved.

GRADE: C

Offensive Line

No penalties and adequate pass protection in only allowing Mississippi State one sack. The run blocking picked up in the second half but is still lacking and not getting the physical push typical of Tennessee lines of the past. Fulmer being a former lineman himself cannot be happy with their effort this season.

GRADE: C-

Defensive Line

Wes Brown, Chris Walker and Robert Ayers all recorded sacks, and the defensive tackles did an outstanding job clogging the interior running lanes, holding the Bulldogs to only 2.3 yards per carry.

A few missed tackles on sack opportunities, or it would have been an even better night. The line should still be recording more sacks to keep some of the pressure off the linebackers.

GRADE: B

Linebackers

Speaking of the linebackers, Nevin McKenzie recorded two sacks and Ellix Wilson tipped two passes that resulted in interceptions. Rico McCoy only had two tackles.

McKenzie, however, was faked out of his jock strap by the QB in the open field, leading to a first down. Missed tackles like that have cost Tennessee in games this season, and will not help when playing Alabama next week.

GRADE: B+

Secondary

Have I mentioned before that Eric Berry is awesome? Well he is!

Berry and Demetrice Morley each returned interceptions for touchdowns, and Berry had a QB sack and led the team with 10 tackles. DeAngelo Willingham atoned for a pass interference penalty with an interception. Strong coverage.

You cannot ask for a better game than that from the secondary.

GRADE: A

Special Teams

Not the best punting effort from Britton Colquitt. He shanked a punt for 26 yards and only averaged 44 yards a punt which is not good for him.

Daniel Lincoln made field goals from 28 and 36 yards, he missed a 34-yarder. Other than Dennis Rogan's 40-yarder, the return game was pedestrian. Good coverage on punts and kicks, and Ja'Kouri Williams forced a fumble.

GRADE: C

Coaching

Game balls definitely go to John Chavis and his defense. Sound game plan and preparation. Two interceptions were direct result of scheme.

UT's offense was 7 of 15 on third-down conversions and yardage was balanced. Offensive scores came on four drives of 10 plays or more. Coach Phillip Fulmer's fourth-down gamble in third quarter led to TD.

GRADE: A-

FINAL GPA: 2.77

While the first half was very pedestrian, the third quarter touchdown drive got the team and the crowd going and Tennessee was able to roll from there. Fulmer's fourth down gamble could be a turning point in the season if the wins keep coming.

Still lots of room for improvement but Tennessee was able to play well against a physical opponent. However, the Crimson Tide are next. I am anxious to see what the Vols can do.

Georgia-Tennessee: Who Wins?

2008-10-13T23:12:00.002-04:00

Two weeks after the debacle against Alabama, the Dawgs are apparently playing the Tennessee Vols this week. I say that because the buildup to this week's game is, for a better word, lacking.

Now the Vols have a tough, top 15 run defense, highlighted by Ellix Wilson and Rico McCoy, in what seems to be his 13th year at Tennessee.

The Dawgs have a deceptive rush offense ranking, only making the top 50. However, no one will deny the power and influence starting RB Knowshon Moreno has over the entire offense.

I was looking at how Knowshon could come back after getting hurt during said 'Bama game and seeing how effective he might be against the Volunteers defense.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Knowshon said he will “...be there [against Tennessee]. I’ll be ready to go.”

He "knows" it'll be a big game, so hopefully he won't lay an egg like he did two weeks ago. However, if he can't bring it all, backups Caleb King and Richard Samuel, who has been complaining for more touches in games, will step up.

This Dawgs offense is more than just run, as SEC total yards leader QB Matthew Stafford can attest to. The Dawgs' passing game is first in the SEC, and UT's top 15 pass defense, led by All-SEC safety Eric Berry, will be on high alert.

However, we have yet to touch on Tennessee's stagnant offense. Led by Dave Clawson, the Vols offense ranks 97th in the nation in total offense. Led by Jonathan Crompton and their 98th-ranked passing offense and Arian Foster and their 61st-ranked rushing offense, the Vols got a lot of explaining to do about their anemic ways.

I guess no matter how you spell it, the sound CLAW-SON just brings the Tennessee offense to a standstill—but this time it's the offensive coordinator and not two loudmouth quarterbacks.

This will be a huge game for head coach Phillip Fulmer, because a debilitating loss to Georgia could bring the final nail in the coffin for big Phil. Also, Tennessee could pull an Auburn and fire their new OC in the middle of the season.

Anyway, it'll be closer than the experts think. It'll take the Dawgs a half to shake off the Alabama game and the memories of the previous two games against UT, but the Dawgs prevail.

Georgia 31, Tennessee 19

GA vs. TN: The Silver Fox Forecast

2008-10-13T23:11:00.001-04:00

It’s October and that time of year. Georgia vs. Tennessee. Autumn. Mostly sunshine, a little rain, and a couple of times: monsoons.

Did you know that Tennessee holds a 20-15-2 edge in the all-time series with Georgia, and that the Vols crushed the Bulldogs by a 35-14 final last season?

At 2-3, underachieving Tennessee is desperate for a victory and, therefore, represents a dangerous opponent for the Bulldogs. The Volunteers will play four of their final six regular season games at home following this weekend's game, and the level of competition is somewhat favorable. Obviously, head coach Phil Fulmer does not want to attempt to climb out of a 2-4 hole.

Tennessee’s offense had to play better in Athens. For the most part, the Vols have been tough defensively this season.

This game may become a classic strong offense vs. strong defense battle.

Did you know that Georgia is averaging 424.8 total yards per game this season? With the obvious exception of the first half of the Alabama game, the Bulldogs defense has played well, particularly against the run.

However, Georgia made critical mistakes against the Crimson Tide and must correct them for its contest against Tennessee.

As for Georgia, it opened the season with four consecutive victories before falling to Alabama two weeks ago. The Bulldogs have had two weeks to prepare for this weekend's game and hope to move to 2-1 in conference. They are playing their second of what will be three straight home games against league foes, as nationally-ranked Vanderbilt comes to town next weekend.

The Silver Fox Forecast: Georgia 27, Tennessee 23.

About College Football Tickets

2008-10-08T17:00:00.001-04:00

Let's face it, college football is an addiction! What's better than waking up on a Saturday morning knowing you've got tickets to the college football game of your FAVORITE team?

Tailgating, BBQ, Message Boards, Painted Face, Fan Singns made of Poster Board (or pizza boxes if you're a student)... Any of this sound familiar? If so, you love college football.

Getting tickets to see your favorite team might not be as easy as painting your school's logo on your chest while looking in the mirror, however, a sure fire way of getting college football tickets is through a registerd ticket broker that carries college football tickets.

You might think to yourself, these "ticket brokers" are just online scalpers... That's not the case. Ticket brokers online are part of what is called the secondary ticket market. This secondary ticket market is a pool of brokers across the country that have tickets for events and put them all into a ticket board. Then any website can sell another broker's tickets.

In addition, ticket brokers give you the option of sitting where you want for the big game. If you've ever ordered tickets over the phoe, through the box office or from a scalper in the parking lot, you don't have much of an option where you sit. However, a ticket website allows you to browse between dozens and hundreds of tickets available for a single event. This ensures that you can choose your seats!

The prices may be slightly higher for tickets through a ticket website (supply and demand) compared to the face value but weigh the options:

1. You can choose where you want to sit
2. You will not get in trouble for doing business with a scalper
3. You have your tickets in hand before the game
4. Your tickets are guaranteed authentic tickets
5. If the game is postponed, cancelled or is not played, you get a full refund
6. Your transaction is processed through a safe and secure server so your identity is guaranteed safe
7. You can always call customer service for help with an order
8. You can often order tickets before they are on sale to the public
9. Tickets will be shipped 2nd day or overnight to any location (even hotels for away games)
10. If you missed your chance at the box office, you've always got a back up with an online ticket broker

If those 10 reasons aren't enough to make you think twice about ordering college football tickets online, then you're a tough cookie to sell. But the difference between you and someone else is that if you refuse to buy tickets online, you may be watching the game at home while someone else is sitting in your 50 yard line seats on the home side enjoying a great game between rivals!

College football tickets are your key to the game and you'd better make sure you've got your Tennessee Vols football tickets. There's nothing like being at the game!

The List: 10 Things Georgia Must Do Against Tennessee to Reassure Fans

2008-10-08T16:22:00.009-04:00

Well, the bye week has come and gone, and now we're smack dab in the middle of Tennessee week, where we hear yet again about how Phil Fulmer's seat is so hot, it'd melt the Krispy Kreme right out of his fat ass.

As always, we're going into the Tennessee game with almost more questions than actual answers. From the Alabama loss, you would think that we've gotten our ass whipped the whole season so far.
There are still glaring issues like our lack of a pass rush and the fact that Ron Courson is the busiest UGA staff member. Things like that just absolutely kill a season, and hopefully we can get through these next two games relatively unscathed.
Anyway, in honor of our current out-of-body experience for two years in a row, this week's List will be...

The 10 Things We Need to See on Saturday to Feel Good Again
10) At Least Three Sacks
Tennessee does one thing right consistently: They always have big ol' boys up front on the offensive line. If we can find a way to sack Stephens/Crompton three times or more, then maybe we'll find our niche, much like we did last year after the bye week going into Florida. We've got to get a solid pass rush, or we are seriously looking down the barrel of mediocrity.

9) A Solid Effort from Caleb King
Knowshon was banged up last week, and for some reason, we've seen him come out hurt more often than we have before. Even if he is back from an elbow contusion (see: deep bone bruise), he still isn't probably 100 percent. So what we need in order to make it through this stretch is to get some good solid play from Caleb King & Co.
We need to run Knowshon and have these other RBs come in and see very little drop-off in effectiveness. It'd be nice to have teams see us as an offense that can run the ball all the time, regardless of who's in the backfield.

8) No Sacks on Stafford
As important as it is to get after UT's QB, it's just as important to make sure that ours has as much time as possible to throw the short, intermediate, and long range passes to our hopefully open receivers. Stafford couldn't stay upright against Alabama, and we need our big boys up front to make it happen this upcoming weekend.

7) At Least Two Kickoffs in the End Zone
Blair kicked it pretty well against Alabama from what I can remember, so hopefully we can see more of the same this weekend. Remember, if they can't take it out of the end zone, they can't score a big return against us.

6) Brian Mimbs Needs to Get Back on His Horse
Mimbs was as solid as a rock through the first four games, but against Alabama he got bit by the shanks big time. I still think he's one of the best punters around, but he's gotta put this past game out of his head and get back to rocketing the ball off his foot. I'd much rather out-kick the coverage than have the coverage outrun the punt.

5) Punch UT in the Mouth Early
The best way to get a team that's down on their luck to give up is to not give them a reason to fight. If we come out and buzzsaw the Big Orange like they did to us last year, I guarantee you that you won't see them fight in the second half like we did against Alabama.
I promise if you get UT down by three scores, the orange-clad boo birds come out and their seats empty in a hurry.

4) Go +3 in Turnovers
I know that's kind of a tall order, but in order to be successful in the SEC, you have to consistently win the turnover battle. Our goal should be to force enough fumbles and get enough interceptions to leave UT guessing as to which method of offense is safer for preventing turnovers.
Arian Foster (Mr. Pterodactyl himself) has the tendency to be a fumble machine, and Stephens is thus far unproven as a QB. Let's try to punch that ball out and confuse Stephens enough to make some mistakes when passing. Momentum shifts will play a huge role in this game.

3) Expect UT's Best Shot
As recent history will remind you, the University of Tennessee is actually a MORE dangerous team the hotter Phil Fulmer's seat gets. There's enough money in his contract to give him a long enough leash to try to salvage the season, fire a few coordinators, and try to move on.
There is still no doubt in my mind that UGA is the most talented team in the SEC, but if we don't go into that game thinking that we're in for the fight of our lives, we'll lose on Saturday. No doubt.

2) Put Everything Behind Us
We have played GREAT football up until the Alabama game sans a few areas, so we need to remember that before we hit the field on Saturday. Sure, people want to know how we're going to respond, but all we should be worried about is getting back to business.

1) Just Win Baby
The best way to feel good again? Whip UT's ass. Plain and simple.

Until next time kids.
Be safe.

Is Phil Fulmer's Job at Tennessee Beyond Saving?

2008-10-08T16:22:00.006-04:00

The enemy of any football season is apathy, and the danger with the Tennessee program is that one season's misfortune (or several seasons', to hear some of the Fulmer haters tell it) could bleed into the entire program.

If some Vol fans have already given up on this season and this coach, what guarantees their same passionate return (and their same passionate dollars) for the next season, no matter who the coach is?

This thought process reveals itself in a common thread that's emerged in the words of AD Mike Hamilton between Fulmer's current situation and the downfall of Buzz Peterson as men's basketball coach in 2004: concession sales.

Though Roy Williams joked that Peterson was fired because we weren't selling enough popcorn, apparently it's a real enough concern in the minds of those who matter, because it's popped up in the last two articles I've read in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that have contained quotes from Hamilton.

But beyond bottled water, stadium dogs, and dwindling attendance...the overall outlook on Fulmer and the Vols right now is ugly no matter how you slice it.

Fulmer probably saved his job last year in dramatic fashion a number of times, as the only thing that made up for losing at Cal and losing to your two biggest rivals 59-20 and 41-17 was winning the SEC East.

It would've been a lot more interesting had Arian Foster's final drive fumble against South Carolina not been recovered by the Vols, or if Vanderbilt's final field goal hadn't bounced off the upright, or if Kentucky had found a way in any of those four overtimes to put the Vols away.

But Tennessee won each of those games, won the division, and Fulmer was rewarded with a contract extension and a fancy new guarantee that we all took passing note of over the summer, but that now has become incredibly relevant:

Eight wins in the regular season guarantees a new extension.

For this reason, first and foremost, perhaps we should pump the brakes on the fan-driven search for a new head coach.

Not because the voices of the masses that scream for a new leader are necessarily all wrong—but because that's what the contract says.

Eight wins = another year.

The Vols are currently 2-3. The remaining schedule includes Saturday's test at No. 10 Georgia, followed by home dates with Mississippi State and No. 2 Alabama, a trip to South Carolina, a homecoming affair with Wyoming, a suddenly interesting trip to Nashville to play Vanderbilt, and the season finale in Knoxville against Kentucky.

If Tennessee navigates those seven games with only one loss, the Vols will be 8-4. And Fulmer's contract will call for an extension. Those are the facts.

When Mike Hamilton and Phil Fulmer sat down to work on that contract, I think the assumption we all shared was that Hamilton wanted to send the message that Fulmer would be the man until he retired, and Fulmer in turn gave Hamilton some sort of timetable on how long that would be.

They cited recruiting as a key incentive so kids would know that Fulmer would be the man in Knoxville and could quiet the voices of other coaching staffs in the SEC that were telling the same kids otherwise.

Today, those voices have never been louder, and they're coming from almost every corner.

But the language of the contract remains: Eight wins in the regular season guarantees an extension.

Let's say Tennessee does finish 8-4, losing either this Saturday at Georgia or later this month against Alabama, the two most likely culprits. Fulmer's contract would call for an extension.

Then let's say Tennessee plays in the Music City Bowl and loses to a mid-level ACC opponent to finish 8-5. Fulmer's contract would still call for an extension...but with that outcome, fan frustration would have spilled over for many into fan apathy.

You simply cannot stay this frustrated for that long. People will just give up on the team instead.

And when they do, they'll stop buying popcorn.

Under that scenario, the worst possible for Fulmer to still earn his extension...could Mike Hamilton go back on his word and the terms of the contract?

The buyout information we know: six million dollars. But beyond that, would Hamilton pull a 180 less than a year after laying out that contract and go back on the terms he agreed to?

If that scenario plays out and the Vols finish 8-4 with a loss in the bowl game, it's going to be an even uglier scene in Knoxville than what it is now. Because for so many fans (and probably some of the high dollar donors who keep the wheels turning) Fulmer is beyond saving.

8-4 shouldn't save him, and neither should 9-3 in their minds. They've crossed the line.

It was easy to put a positive spin on last season's 10-4 finish because the Vols won the SEC East and won their bowl game. If those unlikely circumstances don't break the Vols' way again this season, there won't be anything left to spin.

The naysayers will continue to cry out with plenty of evidence, and even those who want to support Fulmer wouldn't have much to stand on with an 8-5 finish...except that eight wins is good enough for a contract extension.

That scenario would create even more division with less positive in the conversation than ever before. Mike Hamilton would be put in an awkward and difficult place—and Phillip Fulmer would be caught in the crossfire, much like his predecessor Johnny Majors.

Both men did tremendous things for the University of Tennessee, but both men may end up going out the hard way under the manipulation of the athletic director (and say what you want, but if Fulmer wins eight games and Hamilton decides to go in another direction, contract manipulation is exactly what it will be).

The projected outcomes don't look good—and we're already plenty frustrated.

Of course, Fulmer could put an end to all this.

I retain the position that the best possible scenario for all involved would be for Fulmer to announce that 2009 will be his final season as head coach, which would put something definitive on the table and usher in a new head coach while still allowing the current one to go out on the terms and in the way he deserves.

But since I don't see that happening, it brings us back to the present moment of frustration with a potentially darker future ahead.

It brings us this week to Athens, which might be the final game of significance for the Vols this season.

Consider this: Knowing the language of the contract, if the Vols lose at Georgia, where they're 13-point underdogs, Tennessee will be 2-4.

That means one more loss would free Hamilton from the language of the contract.

It wouldn't free him from the six million dollar buyout. But it also wouldn't put him in a potentially unethical situation—it would free him with a clear mind and conscience to pull the trigger on a move if that's what he deemed best for the program.

What it would also do is create a perverse second half of the season.

Ever seen those movies where the troubled head coach is told he has to win every game or he'll be fired?

Truth can be stranger than fiction.

The least of us who are already cheering for Tennessee to lose so we can get a new head coach might have a more tangible reason to do so after Saturday. If the Vols lose to Georgia, Fulmer would have to finish 6-0 to get that guaranteed extension.

Look, we don't know if Tennessee is good enough to score enough points to beat Georgia. Or Alabama. Or Vanderbilt. Or anyone else on the schedule that's left. And we won't until we see it play out.

Tennessee will be the underdog at least twice more, and probably rightfully so, but you just don't know until you see it. It's pointless to discuss Tennessee's odds of beating Alabama right now. All they can do is play Georgia.

So finally...having said all the negative...it remains true that if the Vols somehow find a way to beat Georgia, they remain relevant for another week.

Not waiting for next year or the next head coach, but still relevant in 2008—and relevance is the best cure for apathy.

If the SEC football gods are even kinder and LSU beats Florida on Saturday night, the Vols will be just one more Florida slip-up (and an assumed Vanderbilt collapse) from being back in the driver's seat in the SEC East. Stranger than fiction indeed.

Beating Georgia won't save Fulmer's job. But it can keep it alive for another week.

Whether it builds towards eight wins and a contract extension, or the potential to be a player in the SEC East race...all that will have to work itself out each and every week. But Fulmer, and the Vols, would still be alive in the present moment for 2008.

A schedule that should bring an Alabama team ranked no lower than No. 2 to Knoxville on Oct. 25 will offer an additional opportunity to make some noise in 2008.

Every season tells a story, and while this one has been a nightmare for the Vols thus far, it's going to be interesting to the finish either way.

Will Fulmer get to eight wins, and if he does, what will Hamilton do with the state of the program as it currently is?

If he doesn't, then is that it? And if so, who's next in Knoxville?

Or can Tennessee pick up an upset in there somewhere to stay relevant in the SEC East race?

Can we still somehow play for a championship this season while we're playing for Fulmer's future?

All the tension, emotion, and both the present and future direction of the Tennessee program come together in Athens on Saturday.

Lose, and the apathy grows and you're one more loss away from your guaranteed extension.

Lose, and more fans cross the point of no return, which sooner or later Hamilton is going to cross if the losses keep piling up.

Lose, and the opportunity to leave the university you've done so much for on your own terms slips further and further out of your own hands.

But win...

Win, and we live to play this game all over again next week.

But at least we'll have something to play for.

Go Vols.

Tennessee Volunteers' Phil Fulmer In No Win Situation

2008-10-08T16:22:00.005-04:00

Phil Fulmer is fighting an uphill battle that he will not win. The question now isn't whether or not he will be at Tennessee next year but what the terms of his exit will be. Tennessee fans are holding their breath hoping that he will go out graciously and negotiate rather than have to be fired.

So why is Fulmer in this situation? Well, for starters, he has started out 2-3 and those two wins were against urban (Alabama-Birmingham) and directional (Northern Illinois) schools. And neither were impressive.

The losses were against Florida (who Tennessee under Fulmer has mental demons when playing), Auburn (who now owns a four-game win streak over Tennessee) and UCLA (who has been pounded by most everyone else they have played).

Let's face it. Tennessee fans have a right to be upset and they also know when they are being given excuses rather than reasons.

Some people are saying Fulmer is the victim of past success. Don't believe it. The real truth is that there is a life cycle to a coach these days and Phil is past his. He just doesn't want to admit it to himself or others.

Penn State and FSU seem to be ok with letting their coaches stay long past their natural life spans in some attempt to be the school that can claim the title of having the coach with the most wins ever in college football. But other than those two schools, nobody else wants a coach that long anymore.

Phil's just not smart enough to know this. Spurrier (superior to Fulmer in almost every way including this one) knew it. After about a decade with the Gators, he stepped away. He had more success at Florida in that decade than Phil has had in his career, but he knew it was time to go.

When he left the NFL and was rumored to want back in the college game, the Florida AD called Spurrier before interviewing anyone else. Spurrier declined. That's because just like he knew when it was time to go, he also knew that you just can't go back. It will never be the same.

So Fulmer has outstayed his welcome and that has put fans in a restless mood and has created the following no-win situation for him. If he beats a quality opponent, the fans will ask why the team can't play with that effort, consistency and results all year long.

If he loses to a quality opponent, they will say he has lost the ability to win the big game and will cite his losing collective record against Florida, Bama, Georgia, Auburn, and LSU. If he loses to someone he shouldn't lose to, they'll say he can't even beat the teams he should anymore. If he beats someone he shouldn't lose to, they'll give him no credit as that was supposed to be a win.

He has just reached that point. He actually reached it last year but then lucked into the SEC championship which gave his buddy Hamilton an excuse not to do anything (and it doesn't seem to take much for Hamilton to take that stance with Fulmer).

Even die-hard Tennessee fans realize that Florida, having won the head to head with Tennessee, had to then lose three games last year for the Vols to "back into" the championship. Florida did happen to lose enough games which then opened that door.

This year, Phil finds himself needing that same door to be opened to keep his job but this year the odds are longer. Right now, Tennessee would have to win out and Florida lose twice more.

Not only does it look highly unlikely Tennessee wins out but Florida going 3-2 seems equally unlikely given they have games against Kentucky and South Carolina that seem pretty winnable for them. But when you take the odds of BOTH Tennessee winning out and Florida dropping 2 games together, Phil is truly behind the eight ball.

For one, I will be happy to see it. Tennessee is one of the only major programs in the SEC not to have made a significant coaching upgrade since 2000. Florida got Meyer and dropped Zook. Bama got Saban and dropped Shula. Georgia switched Donnan for Richt. Even LSU traded pretty even getting Miles after Saban left for the Dolphins. When you don't keep up, you get left behind. This isn't hard.

Tennessee fans are realizing this and are becoming much more vocal with both their words and their dollars. There is an uprising at UT and Phil is about to be shown just how wonderful retired life can be

The 25 Best SEC Football Rivalries

2008-10-07T00:29:00.002-04:00

Here is my list for the best rivalries in the SEC. Teams outside the conference are also included such as Georgia Tech in the Tech-Georgia rivalry. The rankings are based on several factors including history, number of games, proximity, competitiveness, recent relevance and the hate/respect factor.

1. Alabama-Auburn (Iron Bowl) 72 times met, Alabama leads 38-33-1

- Hands Down

2. Florida-Georgia (World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) 85, Georgia leads 46-37-2

- Keeps getting better

3. Auburn-Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry) 111, Auburn leads 53-50-8

- The most “respected” rivalry

4. Tennessee-Alabama (Third Saturday in October) 90, Alabama leads 45-38-7

- Two winningest programs in the SEC

5. Florida-Florida St. (Battle for the Governor's Cup) 52, Florida leads 31-19-2

- Rivalry is fading a bit

6. Ole Miss-Miss St. (Egg Bowl) 104, Ole Miss leads 59-39-6

- Underrated, intense rivalry

7. S. Carolina-Clemson (The Palmetto Bowl) 105, Clemson leads 64-37-4

- Longest uninterrupted series in the south

8. Georgia-Georgia Tech (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate) 102, Georgia leads 59-38-5

- Two very different schools only 70 miles apart

9. Tennessee-Florida (Third Saturday in September) 37, series tied 19-19

- UT won first 10 games of even series

10. Auburn-LSU (Tiger Bowl) 43, LSU leads 23-19-1

- Fast-rising SEC rivalry

11. LSU-Alabama (Saban Bowl) 71, Alabama leads 44-22-5

- Nick Saban instantly moved this rivalry way up

12. Arkansas-Texas 76, Texas leads 55-21

- One of the best “intermittent” rivalries

13. LSU-Ole Miss (Southern Tradition) 95, LSU leads 55-37-4

- Old-time rivalry is declining

14. Alabama-Miss St. (The 90-Mile Drive) 92, Alabama leads 71-19-2

- Lopsided rivalry of teams with closest proximity in SEC

15. Tennessee-Vanderbilt (I-40 Bowl) 102, Tennessee leads 69-28-5

- Beating Vanderbilt was General Neyland’s only job requirement

16. Florida-Miami (Battle for the Seminole War Canoe) 53, Miami leads 27-26

- Another intense “intermittent” rivalry

17. Tennessee-Kentucky (Border Bowl) 103, Tennessee leads 71-23-9

- UT holds nation's longest active winning streak over one team, 26 over Kentucky

18. LSU-Tulane (Battle for the Rag) 96, LSU leads 67-22-7

- The satin flag is fought for between these old SEC rivals

19. Georgia-South Carolina (The Border Bash) 60, Georgia leads 45-13-2

- Game means much more to South Carolina

20. Kentucky-Louisville (Battle for the Governor's Cup) 21, Kentucky leads 12-9

- Bigger basketball rivalry

21. Ole Miss-Arkansas (The "Nutt" Bowl) 54, Arkansas leads 29-24-1

- Geographically close schools' rivalry revved up with Houston Nutt moving to Ole Miss

22. LSU-Arkansas (Battle for the Golden Boot) 53, LSU leads 33-18-2

-Winner receives heaviest trophy in sports, 175 lb. gold boot

23. Florida-Auburn 82, Auburn leads 42-38-2

- Annual rivalry stopped when SEC split divisions has memorable history

24. Tennessee-Georgia 37, Tennessee leads 20-15-2

- Competitive SEC East battle

25. Arkansas-Texas A&M 65, Arkansas leads 38-24-3

- Historical Southwest Conference rivalry will renew in 2009 in Dallas

Tennessee-Northern Illinois Report Card: Better Start Earning Some Extra Credit

2008-10-07T00:28:00.000-04:00

Tennessee had a change under center, as Nick Stephens got the start at quarterback. Tennessee went out and got an uninspiring 13-9 victory against Northern Illinois of the MAC. Let's take a look at the report card:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Nick Stephens was 10-of-17 for 156 yards; two incompletions were drops. Stephens showed poise and pocket presence and appeared to manage the offense well. His touchdown pass to Denarius Moore was the best pass thrown all year.

Stephens made a couple of dangerous throws and took a costly sack on third-and-goal that led to a missed FG. Stephens short-hopped a pass to an open Austin Rogers with the game in the balance.

GRADE: C

Running Backs

Arian Foster (18 carries, 75 yards) hit the corner a couple of times, but continues to get caught from behind on other runs. Foster also showed a lack of power (maybe heart?) on short-yardage runs.

Montario Hardesty had only seven carries and never got into a groove. Also, there were limited plays from the "G-gun."

GRADE: D

Receivers

The plus is for Denarius Moore, who used his speed to make the biggest play of the game, hauling in a 52-yard TD pass. Josh Briscoe had two catches for 22 yards but fumbled.

Brandon Warren and Gerald Jones each dropped a pass, and Jones was called for being an ineligible man downfield.

For a school known as "Wide Receiver U," Tennessee lacks a pure deep threat who can beat tight coverage and get the deep ball against tough SEC opponents.

GRADE: D

Offensive Line

The Vol O-Line outweighed the Husky D-Line by 45 pounds per man and got outplayed. Tennessee only got 69 yards net rushing.

Ramon Foster's missed block led to Stephens taking a fumble-inducing hit. Jacques McClendon had motion penalties on consecutive plays. No surge on short-yardage plays.

GRADE: F

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

In the past, Tennessee would take these inferior non-conference opponents and just dominate them with their line play. That was not the case on Saturday.

They looked very ordinary much of the night, as Wes Brown recorded one sack and Dan Williams a 1/2 sack. Demonte Bolden got a silly personal foul for a late hit.

GRADE: D+

Linebackers

Looked aggressive the whole game, but NIU was falling forward on most of its runs. Nevin McKenzie had nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks. Rico McCoy was in on eight tackles and had a sack. Nick Reveiz had four stops after getting the start.

GRADE: C

Secondary

Eric Berry is one of the best defensive backs in the entire country. His interception and 48-yard return was the highlight. However, this was the secondary's worst game of the season.

NIU receivers were open often, but the Huskies' third-team QB couldn't find them. Dennis Rogan was called for holding, and DeAngelo Willingham had a pass interference. These are things you should not do against a MAC opponent.

GRADE: B-

SPECIAL TEAMS

A week after I give them credit for nearly winning the Auburn game, the special teams went out and laid an egg. While coverage was good, Daniel Lincoln's kicking was disconcerting.

Lincoln made field goals of 36 and 34 yards, but one bounced off the upright and the other one just slipped inside the upright. Lincoln missed a 32-yarder. Chad Cunningham had a punt partially blocked.

GRADE: C-

COACHING

Well, I will give Fulmer credit for pulling the trigger on Stephens. Clawson also did a admirable job in getting him ready to play.

Time management wasn't a problem, and the only turnover was Briscoe's fumble. Defense played hard despite being on the field 33:05.

The only real mistake I noticed was after two consecutive timeouts with the game winding down, Stephens was sacked and then Lincoln went out and missed a field goal that would have at least put Tennessee up by a touchdown.

GRADE: C

OVERALL GPA: 1.55

So even though the game was a win, Tennessee got a worse GPA than in the loss to Auburn. Not good.

Tennessee kept it simple so they could break in a new starting quarterback. However, simple will not get it done next Saturday Between the Hedges at Georgia.

Williams unsure if DE is 'best move for me'

2008-09-25T14:37:00.005-04:00

Tennessee defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said Wednesday he was pleased with starters Robert Ayers and Wes Brown in last Saturday's 30-6 loss to Florida.

Third-down shutdown: Vols don't want to be trapped by Auburn's defense

2008-09-25T14:37:00.004-04:00

Coaches and players often describe third down as the money down. If that's the case, No. 15 Auburn is the house. Through four games this season, the odds of an opponent converting on third down against the Tigers stands right about 11.7 percent, the best percentage in the nation.

UT-UAB Offered on ESPN360.com

2008-09-10T14:24:00.009-04:00

On Saturday, Sept. 13 when Tennessee faces off against UAB, the game will be streamed live nationally on ESPN360.com -- ESPN's signature broadband sports TV network.

What Do the Florida Gators Need to Do During Their Idle Week?

2008-09-10T14:24:00.008-04:00

1. Devote time to preparing for Tennessee

This is a circle your calendar, play their fight song, piss on their logos, get ready for a fistfight type of rivalry game. Every Gator player, coach and fan has this game marked down from the time the schedules are released.

It does not matter what the records are, or the difference in talent levels; this is the early measuring stick game for both schools.

Florida has two wins behind them, and that's where they should be, behind them. Dial in and get ready for the first road trip of the year.

2. Quit dwelling on the Miami game

Get over it. You won. Move on. Quit making the field goal a bigger issue than it really was. You weren't going to punt from their 25 anyways.

There are bigger issues than "Did Urban Meyer run it up on purpose?," like: "Can the offense get it back on track?" or "Where did all the running backs go?"

3. Develop your gameplan

Pick apart Tennessee's game films. Obviously UT plays UAB on Saturday, so they should have an easier time than they did with UCLA. The UCLA game film should have a little bit more of Tennessee's offense than the UAB game will.

The UT offense should be pretty vanilla on Saturday. Tennessee did a lot of things well in the UCLA game, and a lot of things not so well. There is talent on the Tennessee sideline, and Florida should prepare for their playmakers.

Miami played Florida's offense pretty close through the majority of the game, and Tennessee will look to do the same. Dan Mullen and Urban Meyer have to develop a serious gameplan with potential adjustments, because they can't have the play-calling/personnel misuse that occurred Saturday night.

The defense needs to prepare again for two solid running backs, and Tennessee has two better backs than Miami. Tennessee's X-factor will be Gerald Jones, and the Gators must stop him on defense in order to be successful.

4. Take advantage of the bye week

Heal injuries, rest legs, correct mistakes, and practice solidly during the off-week. Watch Tennessee's game on Saturday, and look at the players you will face. Come in ready to go next Monday with a focus and a purpose of beating the Vols, in what has always been a great atmosphere at Neyland Stadium.

CBS Sports Offers Free Video Streaming of 2008 SEC Games

2008-09-10T14:24:00.007-04:00

CBS Sports announced the plans to stream its entire 2008 SEC college football schedule live on CBSSports.com.

UT Opens Home Slate with New Security Measures; I-40 Exits Open Despite Closure

2008-09-10T14:24:00.006-04:00

The University of Tennessee welcomes fans to campus this Saturday for the first home football game of the 2008 season.

Big Orange Roundtable

2008-07-08T12:55:00.016-04:00

UPDATE-The Roundtable Roundup

The folks over at TSIB have created the next best tool for the offseason. That is The Big Orange Roundtable. It takes the best Tennessee Volunteers blogs out there and connects them through a series of questions. My and others answers can be seen below. 1.) How good/bad do you think Jonathan Crompton will be in his first year as a Tennessee starting quarterback and what makes you think that?
I think Crompton will have a bit of a rollercoaster season. I think you'll see flashes of brilliance from him, and some things happen that will leave you scratching your head. It's going to be part of not only learning a new offense, but getting the chance to run it. He obviously has talent, check LSU '06. The man's a risk taker, which will help and hurt the offense. He will have more interceptions that Ainge, but he will also have more longballs/break out plays. As long as he keeps a healthy balance and stays within himself, I think he'll have a pretty productive and winning season.

2.) This question was posed on our site a few weeks ago by the Bama boys, and it brought some good discussion, so given UT’s rich history of scheduling home-and-homes with top-shelf BCS programs, what school would you most like for the Vols to play in the future and why?
I'd like to see our Vols take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. If you were to hold an open discussion with Vols fans and Hokies fans, as I have in the past, both say the same things about eachother and neither are very positive. There's a bit of a clash between the two programs that kind of sits beneath all of this SEC hype. I'd like to put them on the schedule and see the two teams go at it. I think it draw great crowds and have the feel of an Saturday in the SEC. I would love to see it happen.

3.) A lot has been made of our lack of depth at defensive tackle. With Demonte Bolden, Dan Williams and Walter Fisher pretty solid, what other player do you think makes a big move toward becoming dependable?
I'm going to go ahead and take the easy choice in Donald Langley. I don't think you'll see that dependability early from him but as the season goes on, I expect him to get his nose in there. I think he'll have a season much like Gerald Jones had on the offensive end last year. He'll work his way in and come on strong down the stretch. Chavis needs to get some DT's in here!

4.) Neyland Stadium has undergone some wholesale external and internal renovations during the offseason, updating and improving the overall appearance. If you could change one thing about Neyland, what would it be?
I don't know that I would really change anything of Neyland, but I may add on to it. I think adding a jumbotron above the other endzone is the next best thing we could do there. It may take away from the ole college look but there's just too many people who can't be looking at the replay or game on the big screen.

5.) Different UT fans have different opinions on last season. Was it a success? Was it a failure? Why do you think so?
I definitely wouldn't call it a success. But a failure doesn't cut it for me either. We obviously took home an SEC East championship but when you lose to Alabama and Florida as bad as we did, I'll never think of that as success. I'd describe it more as a highlights type of season. There are certain plays from every game that really stick out. The Cal game is Desean Jackson's punt return for six, while the Florida game is E. Berry's owning of Tebow. You've got to remember the Taylor to Coker pass when thinking of UGA, etc., etc., down to the Kentucky game which had some fantastic plays. King of the East and winner of the Outback Bowl is good, but the lows are just too low for me to call it a true success.

The other blogs:
Third Saturday in Blogtober--Big Orange Roundtable
Moondog Sports--The Big Orange Round Table
Fulmer's Belly--Big Orange Roundtable: Week One
The Power T--Big Orange Roundtable, Volume 1

Offensive Preview

2008-07-03T23:06:00.006-04:00

One might describe the outlook for the upcoming season in Knoxville as “fresh.”

The Tennessee Vols bring in new members on the coaching staff, a new quarterback, and an overall new mindset. Coach Dave Clawson, newly-hired offensive coordinator, has been quoted more than once in saying that he wants to ‘get the ball to the playmakers’—something that Cutcliffe and staff were mildly criticized for not doing enough of.

However, in the end, it will take more than just the words of a coach to get this done, so let’s look at who will help to make this happen for the Vols.

The freshness begins under center with Jonathan Crompton, a junior coming off minor surgery. Crompton has seen time before at the college level, including minimal time last year, and—most notably—his two starts during Ainge’s injury in 2006. He has a career five touchdowns and four interceptions.

The positives for Crompton include things such as speed, arm strength, and ability to make a play. He runs fairly well for a quarterback, which is something we couldn’t say about Erik Ainge, and can find his way out of the pocket. You could see his arm strength at work in the Spring Orange and White game (which occurred before the surgery), when he threw a 75-yard touchdown on the first play.

A negative that has popped up the past two seasons and even this spring is his decision making. He has almost as many career interceptions as touchdowns, and threw three in one scrimmage. But overall, I expect him to fill his role well, and help the Vols' offense.

The Vols are deep at running back with the likes of Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, Lennon Creer, and Tauren Poole. Foster is expected to become the all-time leading rusher in Tennessee history, which tells you something about the way the kid can run.

Hardesty can be a real threat if he can find a way to stay injury-free. Creer’s shown flashes, and had a spring that may suggest good things for the future. Poole has been a positive surprise for the Vols' offense—and I believe, although he’s just a freshman, he will get the chance to get some reasonable playing time this year.

All in all, the Vols will be set in the backfield and Clawson is more than ready to get them the ball.

Tennessee returns receivers Lucas Taylor, Gerald Jones, Austin Rogers, Denarius Moore, and Quintin Hancock. Taylor was a pleasant surprise last year, when he was able to hit 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Jones is just a stockpile of talent that can really play more than one position offensively. You may be familiar with the G-Gun he ran last year, which was very successful including two touchdowns. He also had a huge catch against the wild Kentucky game last year that helped propel the Vols into overtime.

The offense will certainly be different this year for Tennessee, and should be fun to watch. Clawson has found ways to get the fans in Knoxville fired up for next year with his fresh ideas and sets.

A defensive breakdown of the Vols may come later in the off-season.

4 VOLS on Preseason Watch Lists

2008-07-03T22:39:00.005-04:00

Berry, McCoy, Foster, Crompton on watch lists

Jonathan Crompton hasn't started a game since Nov. 11, 2006 but he's still one of 75 players on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the NCAA's outstanding player. Vol tailback Arian Foster also is among the preliminary-list candidates announced today by the Maxwell Football Club.
Although he has very limited college experience, Crompton has a decent shot at the Maxwell Award. That's because it has gone to a quarterback seven times in the past eight years Recent winners include QBs Drew Brees (Purdue) in 2000, Ken Dorsey (Miami) in 2001, Eli Manning (Ole Miss) in 2003, Jason White (Oklahoma) in 2004, Vince Young (Texas) in 2005, Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) in 2006 and Tim Tebow (Florida) in 2007.
Crompton, a 6-4, 230-pounder from Waynesville, N.C., completed 7 of 12 passes for 97 yards as a sophomore last fall. As a redshirt freshman in 2006 he completed 31 of 66 passes for 401 yards. He made his only college start that season, directing the Vols in a loss at Arkansas.
Foster, a 6-1, 225-pound senior from San Diego, rushed for 1,193 yards as a junior last season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns. An excellent receiver out of the backfield, he also caught 39 passes for 340 yards and two more TDs.
The Maxwell Football Club also announced the 75-man watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to college football's premier defensive player. Two Vols are on this list, as well – safety Eric Berry and linebacker Rico McCoy.
Berry, a 5-11, 200-pounder from Fairburn, Ga., started all 14 games as a Vol freshman last fall, registering 86 tackles and 5 interceptions. He racked up 222 return yards on his picks and added another 55 return yards on two fumble recoveries. He shared the team lead in big plays for '07 with 14.
McCoy, a 6-1, 215-pounder from Washington D.C., ranked second on the team with 106 tackles last season. He also recorded 5 pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, an interception and a fumble forced.
Like Crompton, McCoy is at a distinct advantage because of the position he plays. Linebackers have won the Bednarik Award 10 times in its 13-year history. Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald doubled in 1995 and '96, Texas A&M's Dat Nguyen won in '98 and Penn State's LaVar Arrington prevailed in '99. Other 'backers to take home the prize were Miami's Dan Morgan in 2000, Maryland's E.J. Henderson in 2002, Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman in 2003, Penn State's Paul Posluszny in 2005 and 2006 and Penn State's Dan Conner in '07.
The Maxwell and Bednarik Awards are voted on by college head coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club and assorted sportswriters and sportscasters.
The list of candidates for the 2008 awards will be trimmed to the semifinalists in early November, then to three finalists on Nov. 25. The formal presentation of the awards will be made March 6, 2009 at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala at Harrah's in Atlantic City.

ESPN names Knoxville 'TitleTown USA' finalist

2008-06-30T09:20:00.005-04:00

Knoxville has been selected as a finalist for SportsCenter’s fan-based and interactive search for “TitleTown USA.” Knoxville is one of 20 cities to be profiled as part of SporstCenter’s nationwide search for America’s top championship city. ESPN will visit Knoxville on June 28 to film the town's segment for "TitleTown USA" at Bruce Pearl's Shooting Camp at the University of Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena.

Currently, 16 of the 20 finalists have been unveiled. The remaining four finalists will be announced each day this week on the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter. The cities already named include Green Bay, Wis.; Louisville, Ky.; Gainesville, Fla.; Detroit; Williamsport, Pa.; Boston; Los Angeles; Columbus, Ohio; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; San Francisco; Pittsburgh; Valdosta, Ga.; Parkersburg, W. Va.; and Chicago.

The finalists for “TitleTown USA” were selected by a combination of 2,000 fan-generated nominations, a ESPN production research team that pared down nominations to 50, and a blue-ribbon panel consisting of 19 non-ESPN journalists and 12 SportsCenter anchors who ranked the list of 50 communities.

As part of the series, SportsCenter will have daily segments featuring each of the cities (one city per day) from July 4 – 23. At the conclusion of the series, fans will select the winner through online voting Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, July 26. The winner will be announced on SportsCenter Sunday, July 27, at 11 p.m.

Highlights of Knoxville announced last week on SportsCenter.

The Tennessee Volunteer football program has 47 bowl appearances (second among all schools), won six National Championships and has the highest winning percentage of any team in major college football

Women’s basketball program has won eight National Championships including the last two

Football program has ranked in top three in attendance for 32 consecutive seasons

The Lady Vols consistently lead the country in average attendance and the men’s basketball team ranked among the top four in 2007-08 season

Coach Pat Summitt has more wins than any other coach in men’s or women’s basketball and has been to the Sweet 16 in all 27 NCAA tournaments she has coached

Men’s Track and Field program has five NCAA team national titles – sent 25 track stars to the last eight Olympic games

Bobby Maze Rap With Lyrics

2008-06-22T19:24:00.006-04:00

Bobby Maze has caused quite a stir from the fans with his newest freestyle rap song.
Hear and watch it:

Read and React to it:
Vol Talk- Bobby Maze Puts on for Tennessee...little
VolNation- New Bobby Maze Rap
Losers with Socks-This Video Needs No Words. 2009 National Champions, Book it.

Lyrics:
Huh? I put on.
I put on for Tennessee.
I'm here, the solution has arrived.
I put on I put on I put on for Tennessee (repeated)
Like this, I had to sweep em out, just like ugly.
Told em I'm put in on, yes I'm the Tennessee.
I ain't really playin, got the ball yeah pull the clipse.
You goin catch me throwin alley hoops to Tylie Smith.
You ain't got to worry, bout that, yeah on the ski.
Don't forget about the All-American Hopson.
B Maze, be amazed, this thing is not a game.
Who am I to blame?
Maryland, never change.
Yeah I'm on a mission, they got me on the c.
Same routine, in the gym, you know what I mean.
I can't forget about my man Prince.
Can't forget about my man Prince.
But now I'm bringin it back.
Yeah they catch me on the scene.
And they catch me on the site.
And I'm feelin alright.
Everybody say "why you got so many tatoos?"
Cause I guess there's its lot of things that I've been through.
Well you can't get me out of my rhythm.
At the five hollar at my man Wayne Chism.
And tell throw it down, I'm a put it on your block.
If you bring it to the rim, yeah Cameron block your shot.
I ain't playin, can't forget about my man Cam Tatum.
Yall better stop playin, yall some potatoes.
We gonna run the SEC, you don't want to play with me.
Got my cousin right here, what you tryin to do?
I've been working on my game, yeah kid got flow.
Left Oklahoma alone, did my thing in JUCO.
Player of the Year in the conference,
Look at my feet, nothing on but steady marchin.
You can see I put it on for Tennessee.
And I'm the only 10 that you see.
Can't forget, can't wait for the season.
Promise a championship, can't wait till the season.
For Tennessee, I put on for Tennessee, I put on. (repeated)
Yo, like this, like this hey.
They gonna need yo.
They better call a cab.
Defense better watch over with Josh Tabb.
Cause he gonna strap it up, and I'm a wrap it up.
And its gonna be like Shaq gots cappin up.
This is what we do.
If you talk trash, man we comin for you.
Right here, we have no fears.
There is no exceptions, I'm a Volunteer.
Why you mad at me, cause I got an orange and white?
But I don't think you want to start a fight, tonight.
I ain't playin cause this team is just the best.
And a shout out to the point guard Daniel West.
Cause he gonna rake you up, and he gonna shake you up.
And what he don't do I'm gonna make it up.
Cause this is what I do.
Yeah I'm talkin to you.
And everything I say, best believe, it is true.
Is yall mad at me?
Is yall crazy?
Can't forget about my man Big Baby.
From the NYC. That's New York City.
And yall mad at me better get your committee.
And little girl, I'm gonna rock your world.
Cause we gonna press, thanks to coach Pearl.
So you better watch out, you know what we about.
And about to lounge, like I'm chillin on the couch.
I am the resolution, am the solution.
And all you haters is just pollution.
Leave me alone. Leave me alone.
We coming for that championship....home.
For Tennessee, I put on for Tennessee, I put on. (repeated)
Ha!

Quick Hits with Arian Foster

2008-06-09T07:19:00.004-04:00

Tennessee running-back Arian Foster answers questions about daily and football life. Special thanks to Arian's mother, who helped in setting this up and got the answers for me. Also, to the members of Vol Talk for the questions. Let's not forget the thanks to Arian for taking the time to answer these questions.
37601 Tiger: How tempting was it to bolt for the NFL and the projected 2nd round money?

Arian Foster: VERY!

Tas: What would you tell a new recruit that is considering Tennessee as his choice?

Arian Foster: I WOULD TELL HIM TO ENJOY THE COLLEGE LIFE, BE READY TO BECOME A MAN AND STAND ON YOUR OWN, TO WALK THE STRAIGHT PATH FROM THE MOMENT YOU GET HERE AND IT WILL MAKE THINGS A LOT EASIER FOR YOU. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU YOU CAN'T AND DON'T LET ANYONE OUTWORK YOU. TALENT IS GOD-GIVEN BUT WORK ETHIC IS NOT.

Ole Smokey: Did it ever frustrate you when the running game was abandoned early in games where it seemed to be averaging 4 ypc, e.g. Alabama and Florida? How do you handle those frustrations?

Arian Foster: YES, YOU GET FRUSTRATED BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU'RE A PLAYMAKER, BUT YOU HAVE TO TRUST THE SCHEME AND THE PLAYCALLING. IF YOU DON'T TRUST IT,YOU CREATE DISSENSION. THERE'S ALWAYS SECOND GUESSING WHEN YOU LOSE. IF YOU WIN 55-0, NOBODY WILL QUESTION THE PLAYCALLING.

Andyourpointis: What has been your favorite moment as a Vol?

Arian Foster: OFF THE FIELD, A VARIETY OF TIMES DEVELOPING A BROTHERHOOD WITH SOME OF MY TEAMMATES. ON THE FIELD, WALKING INTO THE DOME THE DAY BEFORE THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. THERE WAS NO CROWD, JUST US. IT WAS JUST A SPECIAL FEELING TO TAKE IN THE ATMOSPHERE, LOOKING AT THE BANNERS, THINKING ABOUT ALL THE GREAT PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED THIS GAME BEFORE ME. IT WAS VERY MOVING.

Docfarmer: Let's say you and Ainge play one on one basketball, who wins?

Arian Foster: ME.

SavageOrangeJug: On a football team, nearly everyone gets tagged with a nickname by their teammates. What is yours, and how did you acquire it?

Arian Foster: THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE CAREER, PLAYERS HAVE TRIED TO GIVE ME NAMES AND NOT ONE SINGLE NAME ACTUALLY STUCK. EVERYBODY JUST CALLS ME ARIAN.

bullg8rdaddy: What game(s) are you really looking forward to this year?

Arian Foster: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL OF THEM BUT PROBABLY MOSTLY FLORIDA BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T WON AGAINST THEM SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE. AND GEORGIA...FOR OTHER REASONS.

Do you talk to any of the former Tennessee running backs? If so, what kind of advice have they given you?

Arian Foster: YES. I TALK TO JAY GRAHAM. HE WAS MY IDOL ON THE FIELD. IN '05 I WAS CLOSER TO HIM THAN ANYONE ELSE OTHER THAN TROOP. HE'S BEEN MY MENTOR AND I SPEAK TO HIM REGULARLY STILL. I'VE SPOKEN WITH AARON HAYDEN AND HE'S TOLD ME TO STAY FOCUSED, TO KEEP MY NOSE CLEAN AND REPRESENT MYSELF WELL. I'VE SPOKEN WITH JAMAL LEWIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. HE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME I SHOULD STAY FOR MY SENIOR YEAR.

TECVOL: What SEC team is the most difficult for you to run against and why?

Arian Foster: I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SUCCESS RUNNING THE BALL AGAINST FLORIDA. MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CARRIES I'VE HAD. I THINK THE MOST I EVER CARRIED AGAINST THEM WAS ABOUT 11 CARRIES. IT'S HARD TO GET INTO A RHYTHM WITH ONLY 11 CARRIES OVER THE ENTIRE GAME.

ICEVOL: What do you like to listen to before the game and what are your superstitions?

Arian Foster: I LISTEN TO TUPAC USUALLY BUT LAST YEAR BEFORE EVERY GAME, I LISTENED TO "I GET MONEY" BY 50 CENT AND I DON'T EVEN REALLY LIKE HIM. I USED TO FEEL LIKE I ALWAYS PLAYED BAD WHEN I WORE HIGH SOCKS UNTIL WE PLAYED KENTUCKY. I WORE HIGH SOCKS THEN AND PLAYED WELL SO....MAYBE I DON'T HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS. I PRETTY MUCH SWITCH UP MY STUFF EVERY GAME ANYWAY.

CINCY VOL: Do you have a favorite pre-game day or game day meal?

Arian Foster: NO, I JUST TRY TO EAT PASTA AND CHICKEN BEFORE A GAME. I NEED TO HAVE ENERGY BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE OVERLY FULL.

Top Vol Blog Awards

2008-05-15T16:11:00.008-04:00

Here we have it folks. The results are in. The fans voted.

NOMINEES

The World According to Moondog

Fan Votes: 2

Staff Votes: 0

Gate 21

Fan Votes: 7

Staff Votes: 0

Rocky Top Talk

Fan Votes: 20

Staff Votes: 0

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RUNNERS UP

Something crazy happened. There was a tie.

Volnation Blog

Fan Votes: 37

Staff Votes: 0

Fulmer's Belly

Fan Votes: 37

Staff Votes: 0

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WINNER
Losers with Socks
Fan Votes: 55
Staff Votes: 4

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The Future

2008-05-12T18:00:00.003-04:00

No, that is not a Kelly Washington reference. Alright, it seems some change will be taking place here at UT Vols Football in the upcoming weeks. We start out with the Top Vol Blog Awards rolling out Thursday, May 15th. As for change to the site, we will reveal a new header for the site, made by the very talented Sabanocchio. We're also thinking about making the switch to Wordpress, which is another blog network that seems to have more functions and a better setup for a growing blog like ours. Relating it to the Top Vol Blog awards, 5 of the 6 are run in Wordpress. We'd like to hear your feedback on this, either in the comments section or by email at volsfootball5@yahoo.com. You could help in making this decision easier and where we want to go as a site.

Weekend Links

2008-05-09T20:22:00.002-04:00

Some links to check out for the weekend:
1% of 1% -Losers with Socks- This Gator is the epitome of class.
Bruce Pearl roast - Volnation Blog- A few jokes on Bruce Pearl, with B. Maze info and interview.
Chick Pic of the Day - Jennifer Aniston - The World According to Moondog- A few pictures of the ex-Friends star.
Way Too Early Prediction: Alabama ‘08 - Picture Me Rollin- They win one game and it goes to their heads. What's up with that?
Are we having fun yet? - A Sea of Blue- Maggard has hit Vol message boards with his fancy radio show, and it seems he's sucked the guys from there in too.
2008-2009 Vol roster is set; summer schedule - The BruceBall Blog- RBK tells us what to expect from him in the future.
A scare for all bama fans- Third Saturday in Blogtober- Bammer linebacker suffers minimal injuries in a motorcycle accident.
Vol Talk Message Board- I guess I'm semi-endorsed by the guys over there, or at least they are nice enough to put up with me. Check out RobVol and crew and tell 'em I sent you.

Bobby Maze to Tennessee

2008-05-07T15:34:00.004-04:00

It didn't take long for Tennessee to find a replacement at point guard. The Vols picked up Bobby Maze on Wednesday. Maze said: "The plane landed and I breathed in that Knoxville air...You see those seats in the arena and how high they go up, and all the sellout crowds, the Jumbotron screens everywhere, the practice facility. You have every tool here to be successful.”

The junior college All-American was also looking at Cincinnati and Kentucky, but decided Tennessee was the place for him. “I wanted to play on a team where I had a chance to win a championship, and the players here at Tennessee are the best players you could want to play with."

Maze flew in just yesterday and knew this was the place for him. He said he plans to enroll in first term of summer classes at Tennessee and take part in the Pilot Rocky Top Summer League.

He started his freshman year at Oklahoma, and played with Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last season, where he averaged 20.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Not to mention a team leading 55 steals.

Maze is a great pickup for the Vols, after they lost starter Ramar Smith late last week. He will be expected to start right away, and perhaps give advise to incoming freshman Daniel West.

TVB-Final Update

2008-05-06T18:00:00.003-04:00

Alright folks, were releasing the last update before we roll out the awards for the Top Vol Blog competition. So bloggers, it's your last chance to beg the readers for the votes and readers, if you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for? Although there are more votes, nothing has changed as of yet in the order. Voting as of now stands at 125 total votes with Losers With Socks in the lead with 44 votes. Fulmer's Belly is in second with 33 votes while Volnation's Blog (21 votes) and Rocky Top Talk (19 votes) race for third. So here we are, we've got just 9 nights, 8 days left to vote. The next update will come May 15th when we roll out the buttons each blog has earned.

Eric Berry Graces Cover

2008-05-05T22:24:00.002-04:00

Eric Berry lands the cover of Athlon Sports Magazine.

Duke Crews and Ramar Smith Dismissed

2008-05-02T21:56:00.003-04:00

Just a day after the story of Chris Lofton's triumphant victory over cancer was released, the basketball program at Tennessee took a shot back to reality. It was announced that sophomores Duke Crews and Ramar Smith have been dismissed from the team. Coach Bruce Pearl announced that the dismissal of both are not related and is more of a build up of incidents, more than it is one particular one. Pearl was quoted saying: “We just felt like — both the University of Tennessee and these student athletes — we’d be better served to move on.”

The dismissals are attributed to 'violations of UT’s substance abuse policy and academic shortcomings.' Vol fans most likely remember Duke Crews's run-in with the law in September, when he was handed a 30-day suspension for violations of team rules. It was found out that prior to the suspension that he had failed a drug test. A heart condition left him out of the beginning of the most recent season, but he was cleared to play and by the end of the year starting to pick up his game.

It's no secret that Ramar Smith has had academic trouble lately. The point guard from Detroit had problems just getting into Tennessee, when his SAT test was late to be validated. But, he was cleared to play, and late in his freshman year, Smith had played a major role in the Sweet Sixteen run. But, September of last year wasn't such a good month for Smith either. He was in an accident when borrowing a teammate's car and had fled before police arrived.

While the dismissal of these two isn't exactly a shock, after the recent history of both and rumors involving academic problems for Ramar, it still hurts. The two had great potential and helped load a team that has talent to make another serious run. It had been reported, that the Vols have offered Bobby Maze a scholarship. Maze, a point-guard, started for Oklahoma as a freshman but he too was dismissed from the team. In the paint, however, it must be expected that Ryan Childress and perhaps even Brian Williams could see more time in 08-09, filling in for Crews. The Smith count for the Vols has dropped down to 1.

Chris Lofton: Cancer Survivor

2008-05-01T21:00:00.002-04:00

We've all heard Chris Lofton's story of overcoming the odds at Tennessee after being rejected by the Kentucky basketball powerhouses. But today, ESPN reported that Lofton overcame something other than his college basketball career, he overcame cancer. The diagnosis came just days after the Vols dropped the Sweet Sixteen game to Ohio State, concluding the 2006-2007 season. Lofton was randomly selected to submit to an NCAA-mandated drug test following the Long Beach State victory. Officials for the university were notified the day of the OSU game that results were positive, it was later discovered that what actually showed up on that test was a tumor marker. Chris underwent an ultrasound on March 26th, which confirmed that the star guard had cancer. Secretive surgery was scheduled two days later in the early morning, where Lofton's parents were secretely taken into the hospital and Pearl arrived in what was described as "semi-disguised". But Chris pushed on, and he decided early that it was something he would take straight on.

The 3-point artist fought through the surgery, radiation, distress, and recovery nearly single-handedly. Those that knew about the cancer prior to the recent breakout included: Lofton's parents, the Tennessee coaches and medical staff and a handful of others. It was so closely kept a secret, that Lofton's extended family didn't even know he had this cancer. Lofton made it set in his mind, cancer wasn't going to beat him. Chris continued the radition, and finally met an end to the treatment. He is now cancer free, but will have checkups for the rest of his life. He pushed through an early season slump and tried not to force anything. He will continue to try for an NBA career, which you can expect him to beat the odds. The kid has already beaten the toughest test of his life.

Top Vol Blog Update

2008-04-28T15:16:00.004-04:00

The Top Vol Blog Contest is in full swing, with about 16 or 17 days left to vote. The current leader of the fan vote to date is no other than Losers with Socks with about 33% of the vote. Fulmer's Belly is in second with 27% while Rocky Top Talk (17%) and The Volnation Times Blog (15%) battle it out for third place. Everyone, however, is still in the game because voting will continue until May 15th. So, if you haven't voted yet, follow a link and vote today.

Tyler Smith is Staying

2008-04-24T17:04:00.006-04:00

Tyler Smith announced this morning that indeed he will stay at Tennessee for his Junior year. Smith, a projected first round draft pick, was contemplating the choice of whether to stay with the Vols or go to the NBA. It was reported that he would only go this year if he had been projected middle to early first round, apparently, he didn't get that. Here's a quote from utsports.com: “For as long as I can remember I have wanted to play in the NBA. Since the end of the season, coach Pearl, my mother and I have sat down to talk about my future. I came to the conclusion that I want to be a Volunteer next year.” This announcement, along with the commitment of Scotty sets this team up for another great year in 2009. The Vols will be a real threat to win the SEC Title again, and make a possible Final Four run. Tyler Smith's staying is bigger than Hopson's commitment, in my opinion, and is something Volunteer fans everywhere should rejoice over. So get ready, because Tennessee basketball will make just as much noise in '09.

Orange and White Game Recap

2008-04-20T15:06:00.006-04:00

The white team offense got out to a quick start Saturday, going 74 yards in one play on a touchdown pass from Jonathan Crompton to Denarious Moore. The white team continued to pour it on, finishing the first quarter with two more touchdowns on a Lennon Creer run and Josh Briscoe catch. The orange squad came back got on the board in the second quarter with a 30-yard Devin Mathis field goal. The White team quickly answered when Gerald Jones threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Denarious Moore. The White would score again before halftime on another touchdown to Josh Briscoe, again from Jonathan Crompton. The second half was slower for obvious reasons, but included a Daniel Lincoln field goal for the White team. The orange team finished the second half with 13 points, which came from a Devin Mathis 45 yard field goal, Tauren Poole 8 yard pass from B.J. Coleman, and finally with 4:49 left in the game a Taka Koyano 41 yard field goal. The White team came away with a solid victory over the Orange 38-16.

The Vols running game was sparked by sophomore running back Lennon Creer who finished the day with 10 carries and 61 yards. Tauren Poole did well for the orange team, finished with 55 yards on 12 carries. The passing game was definitely there for junior Jonathan Crompton, who finished 13-of-20 with 266 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. BJ Coleman was the better quarterback for the orange team, who had a solid 9-of-13 for 80 yards and a touchdown. Denarious Moore and Josh Briscoe were the leaders in receiving, each finishing with two touchdowns. Quintin Hancock and Gerald Jones also had good numbers to their name.

Defensively, Anthony Anderson and Rico McCoy were the leader for the Vols. Anderson finished with 4 solo and 4 assisted tackles, while Rico 6 solo and 1 assisted. The surprise showing may have come from Nick Reveiz, who had 4 solo and 3 assisted tackles. Lamarcus Thompson intercepted an errant Crompton pass and returned it 34 yards. While Wes Brown caused havoc in the backfield finishing with 4 tackles for loss that totaled -27 yards. These included 2 sacks for -16 yards. Demetrice Morley and Eric Berry added to the defensive effort, each finished with an interception.

A Few Highlights

Top Vol Blog

2008-04-15T15:00:00.012-04:00

Click Picture for Poll

Now I joined the Vol blogosphere a few months back and was welcomed with open arms by my fellow Vol bloggers. They posted links to me on their sites and let me know some tips. It wasn't long before I began to wonder about awards. I saw the College Football Awards and wanted to get one. So I continued to post and waited until the time came for the awards. I'm proud to say I wasn't even in the running. (Shouts WOO-HOO) So I failed this time, maybe next year. But, then the offseason came and I became bored. I wanted to find a way to thank those who welcomed me not even a year ago. I decided the best thing to do was to hold a competition. That's what all friends do right? I racked the brain for something and thought of the Top Vol Blog award. What's better than saying to the other Vol blogs, "I cover Tennessee sports better than you." (You didn't hear it from us and we don't abet it.) So there you have it, my idea for Top Vol Blog.
The Rules:
The fans will vote in the poll located on the side of the page. Sorry, but that's the best way to do it. If you cannot or do not see the poll located on the right side of this page please leave a comment telling us who it is you want. Voting will end exactly one month from now on May 15th at 4:00 PM ET. The fan vote will account for 80% of the overall vote, while the group we have here will count for the other 20%. The winner will be announced either May 15th in the evening or early May 16th morning.

The Lineup (alphabetically):
Leading off we have: Fulmer's Belly
Batting Second: Gate 21
Power Hitter: Losers with Socks
The Clutch: Rocky Top Talk
Fifth Up: The World According to Moondog
Last but not least: The Volnation Times Blog

So good luck and may the best blog win.
Self-Promotion is very much allowed.

VOTE

Scrimage Report

2008-04-12T22:54:00.018-04:00

The offense did not have as tough a time moving the ball today as they have had in the past two scrimmages. Jonathan Crompton finished the day with two touchdowns on the ground. He went 17 of 22 for 146 yards with one interception and seven carries for 19 yards. Arian Foster had an impressive showing, carrying the ball seven times for 38 yards and catching two passes for 23 yards. Linebacker Rico McCoy had the play of the day, intercepting a B.J. Coleman pass and returning it 53 yards down to the two yard line. While Rico had a big pick, the defensive end trio of Ben Martin, Wes Brown and Robert Ayers also made plays. All three had two sacks apiece. Martin had 5 tackles, Brown and Ayers both had four tackles. Freshman Tauren Poole made some plays today. The Tocoa, Georgia native graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at Tennessee so he could participate in spring practice. He had 17 carries for 45 yards and two catches for 14 yards. Lennon Creer had a 37 yard carry early on in the scrimmage and finished the day with 47 yards on the ground. Daniel Lincoln went 5 of 6 in field goals. Freshman fullback Kevin Cooper had 3 catches for 32 yards.

Other Thoughts
-Arian Foster has great hands out of the backfield. Look to see Clawson really use him as a receiving threat.
-Vereen had a bone-jarring hit on Tauren Poole today. He's still very raw back there.
-Gerald Jones had a great day today. He found all the soft spots in the zones and made the catch.
-Quintin Hancock will suprise people this coming season. He's gotten a lot better.
-Savion Frazier is a tackle machine.

Justin Groves can be found at TNJN.com and on Rock Solid Sports 7-8 pm eastern Thursday nights at WUTKRadio.com

Lady Vols National Champs Wallpaper and Photos

2008-04-09T23:28:00.004-04:00

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS

Linkage

2008-04-08T15:24:00.006-04:00

Here are some Vol links to get you through the day. Just 145 days left until Tennessee Vol Football:

Rocky Top Talk-Exclusive Footage of the John Chavis Highstep
A sight that is sure to leave you stunned.
Loser with Socks-Cromptonmania: It’s all I have left
Are you experiencing Cromptonmania?
Fulmer's Belly-HAHAHA
Insight on the Memphis Tigers that you won't get any where else.
The World According to Moondog-Memphis Blows 9-Point Lead, Kansas Takes Title
Moondog's thoughts on Memphis's free throw shooting.
The BruceBall Blog-Congrats to the Kansas Jayhawks
More talk about free throws and the joy of Self over Calipari.
CollegeFanatics.net-CollegeFanatics.net Message Board
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Stokes Commits to Tennessee

2008-04-06T16:53:00.003-04:00

The Vols picked up their first commit today in Je'Ron Stokes. Stokes is a Rivals100 wide receiver and top 5 at his position nationally according to Scout.com. Stokes took two trips to Knoxville before a verbal commitment with Coach Fulmer. He is considered the nation's best slot receiver and is all Vol: "I am Tennessee all the way. Like I said it's the best place for me." The four star receiver (according to rivals.com) is out of Philadelphia's Northeast High School. Stokes is 6'1", 178 lbs and runs a forty in 4.44 seconds. Stokes said: "I have a will to win. I have good speed and run good routes. I'm a student of the game and am always working on my game. I have great hands and can catch anything." In his junior year at Northeast, Stokes put up 28 catches for 617 yards and six touchdowns. Stokes can bench 265 pounds, squat 425 and has a 35-inch vertical jump.

"Coach Fulmer is the man," Stokes said.

Vols Get Hopson

2008-04-01T22:02:00.003-04:00

We all know what comes with April Fool's Day. So, you can imagine my thoughts when I read Scotty Hopson, a McDonald's All-American guard, told coaches he wanted to play for the Vols. Hopson is rated the #9 prospect in the country according to Rivals.com and is the first McDonald's All American Bruce Pearl has pulled in. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound shooting guard from University Heights High School said, "I’ve always liked Tennessee growing up.’’ The Hopkinsville, Kentucky native joins the Vols at a time where he may expect to start from day one as Chris Lofton and Jajuan Smith will be leaving the Vols. The Vols have taken care of the point guard and other guard spot, too, having already signed Renaldo Woolridge to play the wing and recently receiving a commitment from point guard Daniel West. So celebrate Vol fans, because this is no joke, Bruce Pearl has just pulled in the biggest recruit of his entire career.

New Set of Animated gifs

2008-03-30T19:38:00.003-04:00

Basketball

Football

Spring Football Report

2008-03-30T13:56:00.005-04:00

The Vols are hard at work on the grid iron. While the offense is busy trying to learn a new offense, the defense is working on getting back on the right track. The defense did well in the first spring scrimmage yesterday. Safety Demetrice Morley headlined a solid afternoon by UT’s secondary and tackle Dan Williams did well up front for the Vols. Morley had an interception with a return of twenty-three yards, as well as three tackles and a sack. “Demetrice is a football player,” Fulmer said. “I’m excited about him being back. I know he is appreciative to have a second opportunity. I just want to see him consistently do the things off the field, in the classroom, that he is supposed to do and he is doing a real good job of that right now.” Williams batted down four attempts and had three tackles.

While most expect the starting job to go to Jonathan Crompton, BJ Coleman and Nick Stephens did well in yesterday. Crompton was 7-of-15 passing on 55 yards, with a touchdown to TE Luke Stocker and an interception taken away by Demetrice Morley. Coleman finished 9-of-15 on 95 yards including a 48-yarder that highlighted Briscoe’s five catches for 83 yards. Lastly, Stephens 5-of-8 on 54 yards. Gerald Jones finished with five receptions for 25 yards, while Quintin Hancock added three catches for 26 yards. Daryl Vereen finished with 20 yards on nine tries, while Montario Hardesty went for 17 yards on 5 tries, and Lennon Creer had 8 tries for 14 yards. The only rushing touchdown went to Kevin Cooper, who had two yards on his two attempts.

Donald Langley and Anthony Anderson finished with 5 tackles each, while Dan Williams, Nick Reveiz, C.J. Fleming, and LaMarcus Thompson tallied 4 of their own. Eric Berry, the great sophomore corner, finished with just 1 tackle, but he did have a blocked field goal. Speaking of field goal kicking, sophomore Daniel Lincoln was 6-of-7 with a long 44 yards, while freshman Devin Mathis finished 9-of-15 with a long of 43. Chad Cunningham took over the the punting game, 4 punts with an average of 43 yards Saturday, while Britton Colquitt is suspended.

The Vols are trying to battle injuries early, as fullback David Holbert and linebacker Nevin McKenzie both went down Saturday to left knee injuries. This all, without mentioning Jeff Cottam's broken tibia, suffered earlier in the Spring.

Tennessee Vols Football Wallpaper

2008-03-28T19:51:00.018-04:00

WIDESCREEN:

Enjoy, Vol-fans.

Click to enlarge

Congratulations BasketVols

2008-03-28T19:22:00.003-04:00

Possibly the worst played game of the year came at the worst time for the Vols, who were playing in their second straight Sweet 16. The Vols point guard play was bad all night, Chris Lofton wasn't on, and Wayne and Tyler forced a few unwarranted shots. However, with this season-ending loss comes the look back on the season. The Vols' 31 wins were the most in school history. Tennessee pulled in their first SEC Regular Season Championship in 41 years. The Vols beat, at the time number one, Memphis and had their own ride at the top for a week. The Vols beat 12 NCAA Tournament teams, including 4 of the Sweet Sixteen teams. I cannot express my thanks to Chris Lofton, Jajuan Smith, and Jordan Howell who took this team under their wing and achieved greatness. Tyler Smith, if you go to the NBA, congratulations on a fantastic year, you've made us all proud. To: Ramar Smith, Duke Crews, Wayne Chism, Brian Williams, Ryan Childress, JP Prince, and Josh Tabb; continue to work over this offseason and bring the team back to the Sweet Sixteen with revenge in your eyes. The Vols will add redshirt freshman Cameron Tatum, who can hit from deep and beat you to the basket. What a great season Vols, you've made us proud.

Tennessee vs. Louisville: Team Preview

2008-03-26T17:03:00.006-04:00

A Cardinal blogger has been nice enough to give us a preview if what they will look like tomorrow. Here are his thoughts:

By Charles Springer
UofLCardGame.com

Rick Pitino is no stranger to University of Tennessee basketball fans, having disappointed Volunteers on numerous occasions while coaching at the University of Louisville and in one of his former jobs at a rival university in Lexington, Ky. Pitino is at once a motivator, a tactician, often a comedian, always demanding, while setting high expectations for his teams.

If that sounds like Bruce Pearl, it is because both men are amenable to doing whatever it takes to get maximum effort from their players. It is also why the names of Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino always surface when schools like Indiana University are shopping for new coaches.

The six Pitino years at U of L have been consistently plagued by injuries to key players and this season has been no exception. Senior center David Padgett was thought to have incurred a career-ending injury in the second game, but refused to go away, defying his physician’s advice and putting a possible NBA future in jeopardy. He returned in January despite obvious pain to help turn the Cards’ season around. Juan Palacios suffered a severe ankle injury before the season began but rejoined the team in late December.

Call it the Pitino factor or whatever. Neither player is 100% but they are big factors in whatever success the team has achieved thus far.

Padgett, a coach’s son, the proverbial coach on the floor, is also known as the point center, directing traffic, setting up plays, making key passes, opportunistically going to the basket. Doesn’t have big numbers (11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg), but plays much bigger than his 6-11 frame in terms of sweat and grit.

Jerry Smith, another coach’s son, plays two-guard. Tennessee fans may remember the name from recruiting. Smith earned All-State honors in his junior and senior years. Good three-point shooter, averaging 10.5 ppg, but his most valuable contribution comes from his relentless effort on defense.

Terrence Williams, a 6-5 forward, is the heart and soul of this Louisville team and the most physically gifted. Lose him for a second on offense and you get a highlight reel dunk that fans download and view over and over. Averaging 11 ppg and 7.3 rpg, Terrence is more valuable when he’s distributing the ball. More valuable when he’s playing it straight rather than going for the spectacular.

The guy that most NBA scouts are eyeing is 6-8 Earl Clark who has some nasty physical skills that he is just now learning to use, that and a newfound emotion to go with his physical skills. When Clark is on, he’s difficult for anyone to stop. I get the feeling that even his teammates are in awe of him at times.

Numerous other weapons on this team, don’t want to disclose much more. The writer is a U of L fanatic, first and foremost, intimately familiar with the several thrillers between Louisville and Tennessee in last couple of decades. But be assured that every time you play the University of Kentucky, Tennessee will always be my favorite team on the floor.

Vols Send Off, Louisville Preview

2008-03-25T17:38:00.005-04:00

Vols Leave for Charlotte:

Photos courtesy of volgolferarch

Photos courtesy of Tigerdude83

What to look ahead to? The blogger at UofLCardGame has agreed to a blog swap of previews. I'll have it posted as soon as I get it.

Tennessee Outlasts Butler in Overtime

2008-03-23T20:49:00.007-04:00

The Butler Bulldogs got their first lead with 1:46 left in overtime. Fortunately, it was short lived. The Vols regained the lead with under a minute to go, and didn't look back. Tennessee found a way to win, that was a bit unconventional to their standards. The Vols scored 38 points in the paint, led by Wayne Chism and his 16 points, followed closely by Tyler Smith who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Bulldogs would not give up, as they found themselves down by as many as 13 points at one time. JP Prince, who started at point guard, finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Chris Lofton once again struggled, finishing with just 9 points, all on three pointers. Jajuan Smith closed the game out with clutch free throw shooting, hitting four straight free throws in the final 13.6 seconds of overtime. It has to make you feel good as a Vol fan, to know that this is a Sweet Sixteen team, virtually Lofton-less as of yet. A huge challenge presents itself on Thursday, as Tennessee will take on (3) Louisville. You have to think Lofton will be up for this game as it is once again a team from his homestate of Kentucky that overlooked him. Two years running, your Tennessee Vols have made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Also see: my spot on prediction. You know that's impressive.

Prince Will Run the Show

2008-03-21T21:11:00.007-04:00

Bruce Pearl shook up the rotation in the win Friday against American. Jordan Howell got the start, but went 0-2 from the field shooting. Ramar sat the first half, after what was declared a "coach's decision". It appears evident now, that that is indeed what it was. After poor point guard play as of late, Bruce decided it was time for change. Bruce put JP Prince in for most of the game, and is committed to sticking with him for the rest of the tournament. “I gave Jordan one last shot,’’ Pearl said. “But we have played J.P. at the point before. We did it in the preseason and again after Vanderbilt. I didn’t stay with it. Now, I’m going to stay with it." Pearl went on to talk about JP's play against Arksans: “I looked at J.P. only playing 10 minutes, and I’m going, ‘I gotta do something,’ ’’ Pearl said. “I just don’t think Jordan and Ramar were playing well enough to win a championship.’ If this decision doesn’t work, so be it.” The decision seems to be accepted, as Ramar said: “Today, me not playing the first half was coach’s decision. The whole world knows I haven’t been playing to my ability.’’ It's no secret Jordan Howell has been off, shooting an astounding 4 of 40 recently. This could be just the thing to ignite the Vols or it could do just the opposite and send the Vols into freefall. I think Pearl realized what it would take to beat Butler, and a point guard is just what we need. I'll trust the guy, because all of his past decisions seemed to work for him. He also has one more national title than I do.

Vols Get to 30 Wins with Victory over American

2008-03-21T15:17:00.007-04:00

Vols Beat American
It was a tight one the whole way, but the Vols were able to pull away in the waning minutes, winning the game 72-57. Jajuan Smith led the Vols with 19 points, while Wayne Chism chipped in on the boards coming away with 7 rebounds and 16 points. Tennessee got steady play out of Tyler Smith, while Chris Lofton couldn't find his stroke. American's Garrison Carr finished with 26 for the Eagles hitting shots with people in his face. Tennessee got pounded on the boards as they were outrebounded 39-27. This game was special for the Vols, as they set a school record getting to 30 wins on the season. Despite the scare, the Vols persevered and hit the free throws when it counted. The Vols will try to get to 31, Sunday, when they take on the winner of the South Alabama vs. Butler game.

Tennessee vs. Butler
The Butler Bulldogs handled the South Alabama Jaguars 81-61 in the game following Tennessee. Bruce Pearl took notes as he prepares for a team that the Vols saw last year, in the preseason NIT. Tennessee lost to the Bulldogs last year, as they were completely slowed down and taken out of their game. The game will be Sunday and most likely at 2:30 PM ET. The blowout over South Alabama ties the fourth-largest first-round win by a No. 7 seed since seeding began in 1979.

NCAA Tournament: Thursday-Final 2 Sets

2008-03-21T00:12:00.007-04:00

Scores:
(13) Winthrop-40
(4) Washington St.-71
NEXT: Washington State vs. Notre Dame
(11) Kansas St.- 80
(6) USC- 67
NEXT: Kansas State vs. Wisconsin
(15) Belmont-70
(2) Duke-71
NEXT: Duke vs. West Virginia
(10) Arizona-65
(7) West Virginia-75
NEXT: West Virginia vs. Duke
(12) George Mason-50
(5) Notre Dame-68
NEXT: Notre Dame vs. Washington State
(14) CSU Fullerton-56
(3) Wisconsin-71
NEXT: Wisconsin vs. Kansas State
(14) Cornell-53
(3) Stanford-77
NEXT: Stanford vs. Marquette
(9) Texas A&M-67
(8) BYU-62
NEXT: Texas A&M vs. UCLA
(16) Miss. Valley St.-29
(1) UCLA-70
NEXT: UCLA vs. Texas A&M

Friday Rundown
Tennessee (29-4) vs. American (22-11), 12:15 PM ET

Gonzaga (25-7) vs. Davidson (26-6), 12:25 PM ET

Miami (22-10) vs. Saint Mary’s, Calif. (25-6), 12:30 PM ET

Drake (28-4) vs. Western Kentucky (27-6), 12:30 PM ET

Butler (29-3) vs. South Alabama (26-6), 2:45 PM ET

Georgetown (27-5) vs. Maryland-Baltimore County (24-8), 2:55 PM ET

Connecticut (24-8) vs. San Diego (21-13), 3 PM ET

Texas (28-6) vs. Austin Peay (24-10), 3 PM ET

North Carolina (32-2) vs. Mount St. Mary’s 7:10 PM ET

Oklahoma (22-11) vs. Saint Joseph’s (21-12), 7:10 PM ET

Mississippi State (22-10) vs. Oregon (18-13), 7:25 PM ET

Vanderbilt (26-7) vs. Siena (22-10), 7:20 PM ET
Indiana (25-7) vs. Arkansas (22-11), 9:40 PM ET
Louisville (24-8) vs. Boise State (26-6), 9:40 PM ET
Memphis (33-1) vs. Texas-Arlington (21-11), 9:55 PM ET
Clemson (24-9) vs. Villanova (20-12), 9:50 PM ET

NCAA Tournament: Thursday-Set 2

2008-03-20T17:16:00.004-04:00

Scores:
(11) Kentucky-66
(6) Marquette-74
NEXT: Marquette vs. Stanford/Cornell
(9) Kent State-58
(8) UNLV-71
NEXT: UNLV vs. Kansas
(13) Oral Roberts-63
(4) Pittsburgh-82
NEXT: Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State
(11) Baylor-79
(6) Purdue-90
NEXT: Purdue vs. Xavier

Review
Despite a 35 point outburst from Kentucky senior Joe Crawford, the Wildcats could not come away with the victory. Jerel McNeal led Marquette with 20 points, as the Golden Eagles earned their first NCAA tournament victory since 2003. Kent State went to halftime tied for the lowest
point ever scored in a half. The Golden Flashes seemed anything but golden on a day where Joe Darger, 18 points for UNLV, almost doubled their first half output alone. Winks Adams had 17 for the Rebels. Levance Fields dropped 23 on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles on his way to an easy victory. The Panthers got big play from Sam Young who had 14 points and DeJuan Blair who finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. The Boilermakers, led by Keaton Grant who finished with 17 points, surged over the Baylor Bears. Purdue, at one time led by as many as 25 in their route over Baylor. E'Twaun Moore pulled down 8 rebounds for this hot Purdue team, who will play Xavier, Saturday.

Next Set:
Stanford vs. Cornell, Underway. WATCH LIVE
Duke (27-5) vs. Belmont (25-8), 7:10 PM ET. WATCH LIVE
Southern Cal (21-11) vs. Kansas State (20-11), 7:10 PM ET. WATCH LIVE
Washington State (24-8) vs. Winthrop (22-11), 7:20 PM ET. WATCH LIVE
BYU (27-7) vs. Texas A&M (24-10), 7:25 PM ET. WATCH LIVE

NCAA Tournament: Thursday-Set 1

2008-03-20T14:38:00.010-04:00

Scores:
(16)Portland State- 61
(1)Kansas- 85
NEXT: Kansas vs. UNLV/Kent St.
(14)Georgia-61
(3)Xavier-73
NEXT: Xavier vs. Purdue/Baylor
(12)Temple-61
(5)Michigan State-72
NEXT: Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh/Oral Roberts

Review
Someone needed to tell Portland St., Georgia, and Temple that it would take more than 61 to win. The Kansas Jayhawks soared in their opening game against Portland State. Brandon Rush led the Jayhawks with 18 points. The other two games were slightly closer. The Xavier Musketeers battled back from an 11 point deficit. The Musketeers persevered with defense, holding the Georgia Bulldogs to just 26 second-half points. Josh Duncan led all scorers with 20 points not to mention the help from Derrick Brown, who had a double double of his own (19 points and 11 rebounds). In the third game, Michigan State led a balanced attack against the A-10's Temple Owls. Raymar Morgan had 15 points for the Spartans while Goran Sutton led with 9 rebounds. Michigan State had nine players score, including 12 point from Chris Allen off of the bench.

Next Set
(11)Kentucky vs. (6) Marquette
2:30 PM ET Watch Live
(9)Kent State vs. (8)UNLV
2:40 PM ET Watch Live
(11)Baylor vs. (6)Purdue
2:50 PM ET Watch Live
(4)Pittsburgh vs. (13)Oral Roberts
2:50 PM ET Watch Live

March Madness Begins Tomorrow

2008-03-19T21:15:00.005-04:00

Submit your brackets and order your dish packages, the big dance starts tomorrow.
Bruce Pearl seems ready, take a look at his PTI visit and Happy belated Birthday Bruce!

Are you ready for the Madness?

Thursday Rundown
Xavier (27-6) vs. Georgia (17-16), 12:20 p.m.
Kansas (31-3) vs. Portland State (23-9), 12:25 p.m.
Michigan State (25-8) vs. Temple (21-12), 12:30 p.m.
Marquette (24-9) vs. Kentucky (18-12), 2:30 p.m.
Purdue (24-8) vs. Baylor (21-10), 2:40 p.m.
UNLV (26-7) vs. Kent State (28-6), 2:45 p.m.
Pittsburgh (26-9) vs. Oral Roberts (24-8), 2:50 p.m.
Stanford (26-7) vs. Cornell (22-5), 4:40 p.m.
Duke (27-5) vs. Belmont (25-8), 7:10 p.m.
Southern Cal (21-11) vs. Kansas State (20-11), 7:10 p.m.
Washington State (24-8) vs. Winthrop (22-11), 7:20 p.m.
BYU (27-7) vs. Texas A&M (24-10), 7:25 p.m.
Wisconsin (29-4) vs. Cal State Fullerton (24-8), 9:30 p.m.
West Virginia (24-10) vs. Arizona (19-14), 9:30 p.m.
Notre Dame (24-7) vs. George Mason (23-10), 9:40 p.m.
UCLA (31-3) vs. Mississippi Valley State (17-15), 9:40 p.m

Lofton on Cover of SI

2008-03-18T20:41:00.005-04:00

Hitting newsstands this week, a regional issue of SI features Tennessee's own, Chris Lofton.

PDF

Complete Postseason Media Guide (PDF)

Tennessee vs. American: Team Preview

2008-03-17T22:43:00.004-04:00

A poster that goes by the username Pasadena Eagle has been kind enough to give us his insight on the AU Eagles. The following come from him, so let's thank him for the insight and time.

American University Quick Facts:
Location: Washington, D.C.
Year Founded: Incorporated by act of Congress 1893
Enrollment: 5500 (undergraduate); 4951 (graduate and law school)
Mascot: Eagle
Colors: Red, white, and blue
Athletic Conference: Patriot League
Head Coach: Jeff Jones (2000-present)
2007-2008 Record: 21-12 (10-4, 1st)

Season recap
American University is making their first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament by virtue of their 52-46 victory over Colgate University in the Patriot League Tournament final. The Eagles also won the Patriot League regular season title posting a 10-4 conference mark and possess an overall record of 21-12. The biggest season highlight for the team prior to their tournament championship was the 67-59 victory over Maryland in late December. This victory was the first over their local rival since the 1926-1927 season.

Team recap
As a team, the Eagles average 65.1 pts/game on offense and shoot 44.3% from the field. As a team the Eagles are shooting 40.9% from behind the arc, which is third best in all of Division 1. On defense, the Eagles are giving up 61.8 pts/game on 41.3 % shooting (35.1% 3-pt shooting).

On offense, the Eagles are led by junior Garrison Carr who is averaging 18.1 pts/game and is shooting over 45% from behind the arc. Carr also shoots a respectable 89% from the free throw line. For additional scoring, the Eagles turn to 5-9 point guard Derrick Mercer who is averaging 12.5 pts/game and shoots 44% from 3-pt range. For the majority of the season the starting five additionally consisted of juniors Travis Lay (6.0 pts/game), Bryce Simon (7.2 pts/game), and Cornelio Guibunda (2.6 pts/game). Throughout the season the Eagles have relied essentially on an 8-man rotation with Brian Gilmore (8.7 pts/game), Jordan Nichols (4.2 pts/game), and Frank Borden (2.7 pts/game) seeing significant minutes off the bench. A late season surprise for the Eagles has been the emergence of freshmen guard Nick Hendra, who saw extensive action in the Patriot League tournament due to the knee injury sustained by starter Bryce Simon.

Due to their lack of size (no starter over 6-9), the Eagles will typically play an aggressive man-to-man defense in order to utilize their quickness. Even with their lack of size, the Eagles still out rebounded their usually taller opponents by an average of +2.4/game. One of the problems with this year’s team has been turnovers. The Eagles are -1.5 in turnover margin throughout the year and average 13.6/game.

Tennessee vs. American Pregame

2008-03-17T19:24:00.007-04:00

Time Set
The Vols will get their stab at the Eagles on Friday, March 21st starting at 12:15 PM ET. The games will once again be hosted on CBS this year and can be seen for free online at cbssortsline.com.
Eagles Preview
We will have the great pleasure to host an Eagle fan himself as he breaks down the Eagles team. Continue to check back for the post.
By The Numbers Preview
I haven't contacted lll Adidas yet, but you can most likely expect a By The Numbers for the greatest time of the whole basketball season.
Complete First Round Times
EAST REGIONAL
Thursday
Washington State (24-8) vs. Winthrop (22-11), 7:20 p.m.
Notre Dame (24-7) vs. George Mason (23-10), 9:50 p.m.
Friday
North Carolina (32-2) vs. Coppin State-Mount St. Mary’s, Md. winner, 7:10 p.m.
Indiana (25-7) vs. Arkansas (22-11), 9:40 p.m.
Tennessee (29-4) vs. American (22-11), 12:15 p.m.
Butler (29-3) vs. South Alabama (26-6), 2:45 p.m.
Oklahoma (22-11) vs. Saint Joseph’s (21-12), 7:10 p.m.
Louisville (24-8) vs. Boise State (26-6), 9:40 p.m.
SOUTH REGIONAL
Thursday
Michigan State (25-8) vs. Temple (21-12), 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh (26-9) vs. Oral Roberts (24-8), 3 p.m.
Marquette (24-9) vs. Kentucky (18-12), 2:30 p.m.
Stanford (26-7) vs. Cornell (22-5), 5 p.m.
Friday
Miami (22-10) vs. Saint Mary’s, Calif. (25-6), 12:30 p.m.
Texas (28-6) vs. Austin Peay (24-10), 3 p.m.
Mississippi State (22-10) vs. Oregon (18-13), 7:25 p.m.
Memphis (33-1) vs. Texas-Arlington (21-11), 9:55 p.m.
MIDWEST REGIONAL
Thursday
Kansas (31-3) vs. Portland State (23-9), 12:25 p.m.
UNLV (26-7) vs. Kent State (28-6), 2:55 p.m.
Southern Cal (21-11) vs. Kansas State (20-11), 7:10 p.m.
Wisconsin (29-4) vs. Cal State Fullerton (24-8), 9:40 p.m.
Friday
Gonzaga (25-7) vs. Davidson (26-6), 12:25 p.m.
Georgetown (27-5) vs. Maryland-Baltimore County (24-8), 2:55 p.m.
Vanderbilt (26-7) vs. Siena (22-10), 7:20 p.m.
Clemson (24-9) vs. Villanova (20-12), 9:50 p.m.
WEST REGIONAL
Thursday
Xavier (27-6) vs. Georgia (17-16), 12:20 p.m.
Purdue (24-8) vs. Baylor (21-10), 2:50 p.m.
Duke (27-5) vs. Belmont (25-8), 7:10 p.m.
West Virginia (24-10) vs. Arizona (19-14), 9:40 p.m.
BYU (27-7) vs. Texas A&M (24-10), 7:25 p.m.
UCLA (31-3) vs. Mississippi Valley State (17-15), 9:55 p.m.
Friday
Drake (28-4) vs. Western Kentucky (27-6), 12:30 p.m.
Connecticut (24-8) vs. San Diego (21-13), 3 p.m.

Selection Sunday-Vols Get #2 Seed in East

2008-03-16T12:18:00.010-04:00

Prediction: Vols will get a Number 1 seed. The Vols will thank the RPI and SOS, both of which they are #1 in, as they squeak into the last number one seed. They will have the Big XII Champ as the number 2 seed in their bracket and will play Belmont or American in the first round.

UPDATE 6:09 PM ET: Kansas gets the number one seed. Gives Pearl a great motivation factor.
UPDATE 6:11 PM ET: Tennessee ranked #2 in the East bracket and will play American. (Part of my prediction was correct)
The Vols get a slap in the face with the #2 seed in North Carolina's bracket no matter what their SOS and RPI were. Bruce will have them ready to play, let's just get ready for the MADNESS!

Those are something...

What do you think? Post it as a comment.
Check Back for Updates throughout the day.

Tough Loss for Vols, 92-91

2008-03-15T21:01:00.005-04:00

The game's ending left Vol fans stunned. Many, probably shouting obscenities. Maybe, some close to the words that came from John Pelphrey, who's lips clearly read "Shut the F**k up!" while talking to Tennessee's Jajuan Smith. But, aside from that confrontation, there was a game being played, and a darn good one too. The two teams fought back and forth, exchanging leads and tying it up. It was the type of game you hated to see someone lose in, but the team that played less defense would lose it in the end. The Vols did just that, as they Steven Hill hit a turnaround jumper with 5.3 seconds left to carry the Razorbacks to victory. Lofton couldn't come through with the magic tonight, as his last second shot couldn't fall. The game left a bitter taste in the mouth of Vol fans, knowing the chances for a one seed come tournament time are dwindling. They just couldn't pull this one out, despite great play from their major three scorers: Lofton scored 25 points, hitting 5-of-9 from 3-point range , Tyler Smith had 24 points, and JaJuan Smith finished with a pleasant 18. ESPN decided to point out the blatantly obvious in their postgame article which stated : "The Vols felt that winning the conference tournament would surely make them a lock for a top seed, but now they'll have to wait until Sunday evening to see how high they're placed." We'll have to tune in tomorrow to see our NCAA Tournament seeding, but I think we still have a shot at a one seed. We'll let you know tomorrow, and hopefully get a By The Numbers preview from lll Adidas for the tournament.

SEC Tournament Updates

2008-03-15T01:01:00.001-04:00

Round One Games

Round Two Games

Lofton Keeps Vols Playing

2008-03-14T20:33:00.007-04:00

The Vols accomplished something that they haven't since 1991, they won a SEC Tournament game. But, it certainly didn't come easy. The Gamecocks went ahead by one point with 20.8 seconds left in the game. Pearl called a timeout and set up the play that would win them the game. Lofton ran through a screen and took the basketball on a handoff before making the game winner with 11.4 seconds left. Downey came up short on a 3-pointer that could have won it for South Carolina, but the Gamecocks got a final chance when the rebound went out of bounds off Tyler Smith with 1.1 seconds left. The inbound pass went to Archie, but got stuck between his legs while he was being tightly guarded by Tyler Smith. The two were tied up with it as the horn sounded and the Vols ended their SEC Tournament woes. Lofton said after the game: "It didn't look good at the beginning and up to that point. But I knew coach called my number, and I just had confidence it was going to go in and it did." But, possibly my favorite quote of the day, came from Bruce Pearl who afterward said: "I sleep at night knowing we're going to find a way." The Vols got big play out of Wayne Chism who led the Volunteers with 23 points and helped establish an inside game. Tennessee will play Arkansas tomorrow, Saturday March 15, at 1:00 PM ET. The Vols will need a lot more on the defensive side if they want to beat Arkansas, who defeated Vanderbilt Friday. "I think a close game will help us," Pearl said. "I mean, we've got however many games left in the season, and every single one of them is now for a championship. It's sink or swim. It's all do or die."

A Glimpse of Football

2008-03-12T15:09:00.009-04:00

Spring practice is under way, and we have pictures to prove it.

Gerald Jones and Campbell on Tuesday.

New Offensive Coordinator Coach Clawson

Coleman and Crompton

Arian Foster

Rico McCoy with Coach Chavis and Defense

View complete set at GoVolXtra

Seniors Go Out with a Bang

2008-03-09T17:31:00.001-04:00

“You couldn’t ask to go out with a better bang,” said Jajuan Smith after their 89-56 win over South Carolina. He was right. In the last of their 32 consecutive home victories, Lofton hit six of his 10 3-point attempts and finished the day with a season high 28 points. While Jajuan Smith added 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals on 4-of-9 shooting from the perimeter. The game was close for 20 minutes, until the second half where the Vols went on a 51-19 run. “We came out colder than the frigid Smoky Mountains to start the second half,” South Carolina coach Dave Odom said. He also added, "We really got fatigued and flamed out.” The game was just the start, as the Vols post-game was more than just a locker room speech. The assisstants help pass out the official SEC Champions T-Shirts as players conducted interviews or pictures. Next, came the nets, one by one the Vol players and coaches climbed the ladder and came down with a piece of the net. It symbolized the turnaround here at Tennessee. Just three years into Pearl's reign and the Vols are winning outright SEC championships, knocking off number ones, and posing a real Final Four threat. Props to Bruce and his crew for getting the Vols here, and props to Mike Hamilton for getting Bruce here and buying into his coaching.

SEC TOURNAMENT

2008-03-09T11:17:00.005-04:00

Click on Bracket for Larger Image

Senior Spotlight: Chris Lofton

2008-03-09T06:00:00.003-04:00

The last Senior Spotlight leading up to today's Senior Day Events and Game is Chris Lofton.
Chris. Chris Lofton was born in Maysville, Kentucky and came to the Vols from Mason County High School. As a senior Lofton earned Kentucky's Mr. Basketball honors, Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, and Associated Press Player of the Year. Not to mention he was a McDonald's All-America nominee. Chris finished his career with a school-record 2,763 points and ranks third all-time in Kentucky history with 252 points in 10 career state tournament games. He could hit the three pointer in high school as well where he made 46.2 percent (353-of-764) of his career 3-point attempts. Lofton also won the 3-point shooting contest at the prestigious Derby Festival Basketball Classic in Louisville. Not to mention his talent as a football player where he had 116.0 receiving yards per game as a senior and led the state with 20 touchdown catches and had his football jersey retired in August 2004. Chris finished his senior campaign on the gridiron with 74 receptions for 1,624 yards and 20 touchdowns. Lofton burst onto the scene as a freshman with 93 3-pointers. Lofton trumped his freshman season by earning the following awards: Wooden Award Finalist, Second team All-America (The Sporting News, FOXSports.com and Scout.com), Third team All-America (NABC and Rivals.com), Honorable mention All-America (Associated Press), USBWA District IV Player of the Year, First team All-SEC (Associated Press and Coaches), First team NABC All-District 7, USBWA All-District IV, Basketball Times All-South, ESPN.com and FOXSports.com national player of the week (2/13/06), Three-time SEC Player of the Week (12/19/05, 1/23/06 and 2/13/06), Named the SEC's best shooter in a poll of SEC players conducted by Sports Illustrated, Named the SEC's "Most Valuable Player" by CollegeInsider.com (3/1/06). Not to mention his last second three pointer to beat Winthrop in the NCAA Tournament. As a junior, Lofton pulled in the awards again: Consensus second team All-America (Associated Press, Sporting News, SI.com, Basketball Times, Rivals.com, Collegehoops.net), Third team All-America (NABC), SEC Player of the Year (Associated Press, Dick Vitale-ESPN.com), First team All-SEC (Associated Press, Coaches), Second team Dick Vitale’s All-Solid Gold PTP’ers, On the national ballot for the Wooden and Naismith awards, USBWA District 4 Player of the Year, NABC first team All-District 7, ESPN.com National Player of the Week (Dec. 26) ... Dick Vitale co-National Player of the Week (Dec. 11) ... 2007 SEC Community Service Team, SEC Player of the Week (Nov. 20, Dec. 11, Dec. 24), Rated the nation’s top shooting guard by Rivals.com in its College Basketball Power Rankings. Lofton also became the 39th player in UT history to score 1,000 career points. He has continued the success throughout his senior season, where he averages 15.6 points per game. He has broken 20 points per game ten times this year with 27 against Georgia. Lofton was selected by Rivals.com as the No. 2 3-point shooter of all-time in May 2007. A speak for all Vol fans when I say THANK YOU CHRIS for selecting Tennessee and all you have done for the University.

Senior Spotlight: Jordan Howell

2008-03-08T14:24:00.004-05:00

Second on our Senior Spotlight leading up to Senior Day (Sunday) is Jordan Howell.

Jordan. Jordan Howell comes from Auburn, Alabama where he attended Auburn High School and Bob Jones High School. Jordan his first two seasons of prep basketball at Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama. He then transferred to Bob Jones High School. Jordan led them to a 30-6 senior season and in 2003 to the championship game of the 2003 Alabama Class 6A state tournament. Howell averaged 17.5 points and 47% from behind the arc as a senior. He shot better than 45 percent from 3-point range during both of his seasons playing for the Patriots and earned all-state honors as a junior. Jordan then joined the orange and white where he has excelled on and off the court. Jordan has been named to the Southeastern Conference Winter Academic Honor Roll every year he's been with the Vols. Jordan has had a few season of injuries which have affected the numbers he's put up, but he knows his role and will do the work. He's averaged 5.0 points per game and 2.3 assists per game this year hitting 38 3-point baskets. Howell had a very special individual Senior Night against his hometown team of Auburn. Jordan was featured singing "Let's Get It On" on the big screen while highlights of his career played. (Video Below) Jordan's season high of 17 points came against La Lafayette in which he was 5 of 8 from three point land. Jordan also played big last game against Florida, although the numbers aren't stunning. where he came up with a big shot. Congratulations on a great career Jordan and your contribution to the Vols is much appreciated.

Senior Spotlight: Jajuan Smith

2008-03-07T17:55:00.007-05:00

We start our Senior Spotlight leading up to Senior Day (Sunday) with Jajuan Smith.

Jajuan. A name that has been stumbled upon for four years by the media. Jajuan comes from Cleveland, Tennessee and attended McMinn County High School where he averaged 25 points and six assists as a senior. Jajuan was a McDonald's All-America nominee and earned all-region and all-district each of his four seasons there, as well as, all-state recognition three years. Jajuan was also a leader and was a three-time team MVP. Well worth it as he finished his career as McMinn County's second leading all-time scorer with 2,074 career points. However, he was not heavily recruited despite some fantastic numbers. Smith worked hard and earned a spot on Buzz Peterson's Vols as a walk-on. Jajuan's dreams came true when he earned a scholarship and later was put into the starter position. He hasn't disappointed Vol fans either, as he ranks among Tennessee's career leaders in 3 pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, 3-point percentage, 3-pointers per game, steals, and steals per game. Not to mention, the fact that he has broken the 1000 mark in career points with the Vols and an average of over 14 points per game this year. Jajuan has had close ties to the Vols for some time now as he is the cousin of former Vols Vincent Yarbrough and Del Baker. Jajuan's individual Senior Day came against Florida in which he helped lead the Vols to a 104-82 victory with 23 points,3 rebounds, and 4 assists. Even better, he put the Vols over the century mark with 1:07 left in the game. Jajuan has scored 32 points twice this year coming against Middle Tennessee State and Arkansas. Jajuan has been a key asset over his entire career in the orange and white, and will no doubt have to be one if the Vols want to make any sort of late March/early April run. Thanks for all you've done as a Vol, Jajuan, help the Vols bring home a championship.

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Preview: By The Numbers

2008-03-07T13:17:00.007-05:00

By The Numbers

1 - Tennessee ranked 1st in SEC and 1st in RPI.

2- The Vols Strength of Schedule (2nd toughest in the Nation)

3 - Tennessee has had 3 players Foul out all season as compared to South Carolina which has had 8 this season.

4 - The Vols are ranked 4th in the AP and USA today Coaches Poll.

5 - Bruce Pearl has a 5-3 record against SC since becoming the Vols Head Coach.

7.6 - SC Steals per Game

9.5 - The Vols Steals per Game

12.9 - SC Assists per Game

13 - SC has a 13-16 record this year.

18 - The Vols Assists per Game

27 - Vols record 27-3 this year (School record for Wins in a Season) UT leads the UT-SC Series 27-23.

31 -The Vols currently have a 31-game homecourt winning streak.

40.6 - The Vols average 40.6 rebounds per game as compared to SC which averages 36.9

41 - Tennessee won its first outright Southeastern Conference regular season title in 41 years by defeating Florida 89-86. Tennessee won shared SEC titles in 1972, 1977, 1982 and 2000, but hasn't had a championship to itself since 1966-67.

44-2 - Tennessee is 44-2 at Thompson-Boling Arena since the start of the 2005-06 season.

59.3 - Dave Odom's Winning %.Overall: 3 teams, 22 seasons, 404-277 (59.3%)

70.4 - SC averages 70.4 % From the stripe as compared to the Vols 65.2%

72.2 - South Carolina is averaging 72.2 points per game

78.6 - Bruce Pearl's Winning %. Overall: 3 teams, 16 seasons, 390-106 (78.6%)

80-56 - Tennessee Won the first meeting against SC this year 80-56.

82.3 - The Vols are averaging 82.3 Points per Game

413 - Chris Lofton is 3rd in NCAA all time career 3ptrs at 413 He trails Keydren Clark St. Peter's 435 and J.J. Redick Duke 457

21,628 - Number of fans in attendance at Thompson Bowling Arena for the last game (Kentucky)

Bruce Owns Billy

2008-03-06T15:59:00.001-05:00

How's 5-1 over Billy D sound?

SEC Champs

2008-03-05T23:49:00.001-05:00

Complete breakdown tomorrow.
Add thoughts until then in comment form.

Big Game Tonight

2008-03-05T18:43:00.003-05:00

The task is simple.
Win. That is all the Vols can do tonight. The can also hope for a win from another Tennessee team. If Vanderbilt beats Mississippi State tonight, your Tennessee Vols will be the outright SEC Champs. Something even Phillip Fulmer is excited about:

Lowe's Senior Class Award

2008-03-03T16:13:00.002-05:00

Vols Get Big Win on Even Bigger Day

2008-03-02T15:35:00.004-05:00

Chris Lofton ended his Senior Day with 14 points, but perhaps even more important another win over his home state of Kentucky. The Vols came away with a closer than expected 63-60 victory. Lofton's senior night came complete with 408 tiny '3' signs around the rim of the upper deck to represent each of his career 3-pointers entering the game. He hit only one during the game but was definitely a key to the victory. Lofton has averaged more than 19 points against Kentucky. The Wildcats had a chance, but could not hit a three pointer at the buzzer to send it to overtime. Tennessee, who will likely drop from their number 1 ranking after a loss to Vanderbilt Tuesday, will have Florida on Wednesday and South Carolina to close out the regular season next Saturday. The Vols are on top of the SEC and looking forward to a great ranking in the NCAA Tournament. The game was not just big for the players, but for former All-American Ernie Grunfeld who had his number 22 retired at halftime. The “Ernie and Bernie” show in the late 70’s not only ignited the rivalry between the two teams, but added national attention the Vols basketball by landing a cover spot on the infamous Sports Illustrated. Fellow All-American Bernard King had his jersey retired last year while the ‘Cats were in Knoxville, which was also a victory for the Vols. Congratulations are in order, not just for Chris Lofton and Ernie, but for Bruce Pearl and team who tied the Vols highest single season win total in the Vols history. Tennessee looks to break the record Wednesday in Gainseville. We'll have coverage leading up to the game including the "By The Numbers" preview by our very own lll Adidas. Go Vols!

VOLS BASKETBALL WALLPAPER

2008-03-02T07:09:00.003-05:00

Tennessee vs. Kentucky Preview: By The Numbers

2008-02-29T13:19:00.010-05:00

By The Numbers

1 - 25-3 (ll-2 SEC) - Tennessee is currently ranked 1st in the SEC, NCAA (AP/USA Today Poll). They are #1 in RPI

2 - UT’s strength of schedule is ranked as the 2nd-most difficult in the nation

3 - Chris Lofton is the 3rd Kentucky Mr. Basketball to play for the Vols, joining Allan Houston (1989) and Jermaine Brown (1991)

5 - Under Bruce Pearl, UT is 64-5 when leading or tied with 5 minutes left in the game.

6.4 - Tennessee has outrebounded its last 10 opponents by an average of 6.4 rebounds per game.

9.11 - UT averages 9.11 3ptrs per Game

9.8 - UT's Steals per Game compared to Kentucky's 6.9 Steals per Game

13.5 - Tyler Smith is averaging 11.0 points and 13.5 rebounds over his last 4 games. Against Vanderbilt he recorded a career-high 17 rebounds.

15 - Kentucky has 3 players averaging at least 15 pts or more per game, Kentucky has had players Foul Out 15 times this season compared to UT's 3 times.

16-10 (10-3 SEC) - Kentucky is ranked 2nd in the SEC this year, 1 game behind UT.

18.5 - UT's Assists per Game compared to Kentucky's 13 Assists per Game

19 - Tennessee has forced an average of 19.0 turnovers off an SEC-best 9.8 steals per game this year.

22.3 - Tennessee is averaging 22.3 points per game off turnovers this season

27.6 - Tennessee’s last 14 opponents have combined to shoot 80-of-290 (27.6 percent) from 3-point range.

28 - UT’s 25-3 start is the best 28-game start in school history, breaking the previous best mark of 23-5 in 1999-2000.

30 - The Vols currently have a 30-game homecourt winning streak. The last team to leave Knoxville with a win was Kentucky 80-78 on March 1, 2006

33 - Tennessee’s 33 SEC wins since the 2005-06 season are the most in the conference over that period

43 - Tennessee is 43-2 at Thompson-Boling Arena since the start of the 2005-06 season.

45.5 - Chris Lofton is shooting 45.5 percent (50-of-110) from 3-point range in his last 12 games.

48 - At Knoxville: Kentucky leads the series 48-44

70 - Only one SEC team (Vanderbilt) has scored more than 70 points on Kentucky in regulation play this season .

73.8% - Tennessee is 243-86 (73.8%) in its 21st season in Thompson-Boling Arena.

75.3% - Kentucky's FT % compared to UT's 64.7 FT%

78.5 - Bruce Pearl’s career winning percentage of 78.5% ranks 3rd among active coaches

80 - UT is 47-4 when scoring 80 or more points under the direction of Bruce Pearl.

82.8 - Tennessee’s 82.8 points per game are leading the SEC for the third consecutive year.

84.1% - Since the 1998 season, the Vols are 143-27 (.841) in Thompson-Boling Arena

116 - UK: Billy Gillispie: 116-68 (6th yr)

205 - This will be the 205th meeting all-time between the two schools … Kentucky leads the all-time series 140-64

388 - UT: Bruce Pearl: 388-106 (16th yr)

408 - Chris Lofton Tennessee has made 408 career 3-pointers He is currently ranked 5th all time in the NCAA Division I all-time leaders for career 3-pointers made. He only needs 6 more to move into 3rd and is currently 49 behind the leader (J.J. Redick Duke 457)

2000 - Chris Lofton became the sixth Vol to score 2,000 career points on 2/26/08. He has scored 2,004 points in 120 career games

20,065 - The Vols are averaging 20,065 fans per game, up from 19,661 last season in Thompson-Boling Arena.

TENNESSEE VOLS 08

2008-02-28T03:55:00.006-05:00

Just a quick introduction. I go by the Screen Name lll Adidas. I am friends with Sports Fan and he has invited me to Post on this Blog which I gladly accepted. I will be doing a By the Numbers Post on a regular Basis. I look forward to hearing Everyone's comments and suggestions. I have just recently attained PhotoShop and I will try to make some Screensavers to post here also. I am new so it will take a little time. Here is my first attempt, Everyone Let me know what you think. This was actually for a Signature. There is more to come. GO VOLS! lll Adidas

Vols Drop Vanderbilt Game, Ready for Kentucky

2008-02-27T17:38:00.010-05:00

Vols Drop Vandy Game Along with the #1 Ranking

The Vols enjoyed that number one ranking for just over a day, that is until Vanderbilt did what they seem to do best, beat the number one team in the nation. The Vols lost just their third game of the year, the second in SEC play. (Kentucky and Vanderbilt) Senior Chris Lofton had a big game, with 25 points in 30 minutes of play. Duke Crews was shaken after the game but no doubt realizes what's at stake:"The whole No. 1 thing, it was good for the program and made our school look good, but that wasn't our main focus. Our main focus is to win the SEC Championship. We're trying to win the SEC Championship, so now we have to get these next three games against Kentucky, Florida and South Carolina." Not an easy task indeed, but it's good to know that two of three will be in Knoxville. The Vols travel to Gainesville Wednesday after taking on Kentucky Sunday in Knoxville. (Noon EST, CBS) They will try to hold off Mississippi State and Kentucky, who remain just a game and a half back in the SEC.

Vote for Chris

Vote for Lofton in Senior Class Award

Votes can be cast daily.
Voting ends March 21, Award Announced April 5.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Preview: By The Numbers

2008-02-26T15:00:00.007-05:00

Once again, thanks to lll Adidas for these numbers. He will soon be joining the UT VOLS FOOTBALL staff himself so leave him some welcoming comments.

By The Numbers

1 - UT is ranked #1 in both the Coaches Poll and AP Poll as of (2-25-08) First time in School History.
2 - Vanderbilt is 2 wins shy of matching the school's regular-season best, set in 1992-93.
3 - Tennessee has lost 3 of its last 4 visits to Vanderbilt. ( Coach Bruce Pearl's record (4-3) for UT against Vandy in favor of the Volunteers)
4 - 4 different Vols have earned SEC Player of the Week honors this season: J.P. Prince (Dec. 24), JaJuan Smith (Jan. 14), Chris Lofton (Feb. 11) and Tyler Smith (Feb. 25). Additionally, Brian Williams was named freshman of the week Dec. 17.
5 - (3 of the last 4 UT) - Vandy matchups @ Vanderbilt have been decided by 5 or fewer points.
6 - The Commodores are (6-13) all-time against No. 1 teams. (Tennessee is the 6th SEC team to be ranked #1)
7 - Pearl’s squads have achieved No. 1 national rankings in 7 of his 16 seasons as a head coach.
8 - UT has 8 players averaging at least 16 minutes per game, and 12 averaging 10.6 minutes per game.
9.19 - UT leads the SEC with 9.19 3-pointers made per game on the year
10 - JaJuan Smith, who is averaging 14.1 points had 10 rebounds against Memphis, helping the Vols to become ranked #1 for the first time in the program's 99-year history. UT is also averaging 10 steals per game.
13 - 13 Vols have made a 3-pointer this season
15 - Pearl’s teams have led their league in scoring 15 of his 16 years as a head coach.
16 - The Vols tied the school record for 3 pt shots made in a game with 16 twice this season. Middle Tennessee State - (11/20/07) & Texas (11/24/07)
16.9 - Tennessee has out-rebounded each of its last 9 opponents and owns a +6.3 rebounding advantage during those games. The Vols are averaging 16.9 offensive rebounds during the stretch.
17 - The Commodores have won 17 straight home games and 30 of their last 31.
18 - Vanderbilt is ranked 18th AP and 14th USA Today Poll.
18.1- Vandy's Assists per game 18.1 apg / 9th in the Nation
18.9 - UT Assists per game: 18.9 apg / 1st in the Nation
19.3 - Vanderbilt's Shan Foster is 2nd in the SEC in scoring with 19.3 points per game and is the conference's leading 3-pt shooter at 44.9 percent.
19.4 - Tennessee has forced an average of 19.4 turnovers off an SEC-best 10.0 steals per game this year.
22.8 - Tennessee is averaging 22.8 points per game off turnovers this season (615 points in 27 games).
23-4 - Vanderbilt has 23 WINS and 4 LOSSES this year.
25-2 - UT’s 25-2 start is the best 27-game start in school history, breaking the previous best mark of 22-5 in 1999-2000. Tennessee also reached 20 wins faster than any team in school history.
25.5 - The Vols are averaging 25.5 3-pt shots per game this season
26.7 - Tennessee’s last 13 opponents have combined to shoot 71-of-266 (26.7 percent) from 3-point range. Vanderbilt entered its Jan. 17 game against the Vols as the SEC’s top 3-point shooting team but made just 3-of-21
39.4 - Vandy's Rebounds per Game
39.6 % - (688 of 1,738) of the Vols’ shots have been from 3-point range
40.6 % - Vanderbilt leads the SEC in 3-point shooting accuracy (.406)
41 - UT's Rebounds per Game
49 - At Nashville: VANDY leads the series 49-35
50 - Tennessee’s 50 3-pt attempts against North Carolina A&T (11/27/07) shattered the school record of 37 (3rd most in SEC history)
53 - Tennessee is the 53rd school to hold the No. 1 ranking since the poll began for the 1948-49 season.
64.5 - UT's FT %
71- Bruce Pearl’s 71 wins in his first 3 years at Tennessee are the most by a Tennessee coach in his first 3 seasons in Knoxville.
73.1- Vandy's FT %
80 - UT is 47-4 when scoring 80 or more points under the direction of Bruce Pearl.
81 - Vanderbilt is 2nd in the SEC with 81 points and 8.93 3ptrs per game
83.3 - UT leads the SEC with 83.3 points per game and ranks 6th Nationally
89 - Chris Lofton has made 89 3-pointers this season. He holds Tennessee career records for 3-ptrs (402), attempted (944) and % (.426).
106 - Series: UT leads 106-66
290 - VANDY : Kevin Stallings' Coaching Record: 290-175 (15th yr)
346 - The Vols have made at least one 3-pointer in 346 consecutive games.
388 - UT : Bruce Pearl's Coaching Record: 388-105 (16th yr)
402 - Chris Lofton is the SEC’s career leader with 402 3-pointers. (5th all time Div. 1 3pt NCAA record)
1967 - Tennessee is trying to Win its 1st outright SEC regular-season title since 1967
1982 - The men's program hasn't outranked the women's program in the AP poll since January 1982, the same year the NCAA started its women's tournament. The men were ranked 15th midway through a 21-10 season under coach Don DeVoe while the women were briefly unranked.
2000 - Chris Lofton needs 21 points to become the 6th Vol to score 2,000 career points ... The senior has scored 1,979 points in 119 career games ... He would become the 1st Vol to reach the milestone since Allan Houston (1989-93)
14,316 - Fans across Middle Tennessee have helped Vandy's Memorial Gymnasium (capacity 14,316) rank among the NCAA’s Top 30 attendance leaders 23 times since 1977.

The Vols are #1

2008-02-24T01:32:00.005-05:00

(***Click for full-size Desktop Backgrounds)

Tennessee vs. Memphis Preview: By The Numbers

2008-02-23T13:17:00.007-05:00

A friend of UT Vols Football, posts at Volnation by the username of lll Adidas. He was nice enough to break the big game down for us number by number. Thanks to him for this clever and interesting breakdown.

By the Numbers

0 - Number of National Championships UT-Memphis have between them
1 - Memphis (UT is 1 win away from being ranked #1)
2 - UT (highest ranking ever achieved by UT) ( UT has 2 game lead in the SEC with 4 to play)
(2, number of times Memphis has been ranked #1 in school history)
UT has beat a #1 ranked team 2 times (Kentucky 1966, South Carolina 1969)
4 - Number of times #2 has beat #1 in intra-state matchups
5 - Number of times intra-state rivals have met ranked #1 and #2,
Number Chris Lofton is ranked on the Div.1 all time 3 pt. list
6 - The Vols have won 6 of last 8 games against Memphis including Last season's 76-58 Win.
6 different players have led the Vols in scoring this season. Lofton is 6th on UT's all time scoring list.
7.7 -Number of 3pt FG per Game (Memphis)
8.5 - Memphis number of Steals per game
9 - Memphis has 9 players averaging at least 14.1 minutes
9.4 - Number of 3pt FG per Game (UT)
10.3 - UT Number of Steals per Game
12 - UT has 12 players averaging 10.6 minutes or more
18 - Number of times UT has played Memphis (UT leads the series 11-7)
23 - Since 1939, 23 major college teams have been undefeated before the start of postseason play, 7 wound up as unbeaten national champs.
24 - Number of Wins UT has this season
26 - Number of Wins Memphis has this season
30 - UT's active home game winning streak
38 - Number of times #1 has met #2

41 - Number of Years it has been since the Vols won the SEC title outright

47 - Home court win streak for Memphis
53 - Number of Times Lofton has shot at least 4 3pt FG in a game
56 - Number of 3 pt shots Lofton needs to be all time Div. 1 3pt FG leader
58.3 - Memphis FT %
64.1 - UT FT %
80 - Memphis avg. scoring per game
82 - Last time the Vols BB was ranked higher than the Lady Vols (1982)
83 - Vols avg. scoring per game104 - Number of pts UT hung on the Gators this year
387 - Number of Coaching Career Wins for Bruce Pearl
400 - Number of miles between Memphis and Knoxville ( 400 number of career wins for Calipari)
402 - Number of 3pt shots Lofton has in his career
10000 - Highest Price per ticket (courtside seat) as listed on Stub Hub
18400 - Number of seats in Fed-Ex Forum

Saturday's Key To Victory

2008-02-21T20:08:00.008-05:00

It's simply put in the hands of the infamous "Wayne Childress".

(Click Picture for Larger View)

**For the non-basketball followers the Vols have a Ryan Childress and a Wayne Chism but no mix.**