Game Review: UT v South Carolina October 29, 2010

We won the passing game.
We won on third down conversions.
We won time of possession.
We lost the game.

We found a quarterback.
We found a rhythm.
We found a way to contain Lattimore.
We found a way to lose.

A successful faked punt
A record breaking day for Moore
A come from behind in the fourth quarter
A just shy effort.

We won some confidence.
We found hope for the future.
A beacon shining bright
For the rest of our season.

Laugh a Little Wednesday

Although this is more a gasp of shock than a giggle of glee.

If you feared the SEC would get quiet with Kiffin's departure, rest easy. Dooley is stepping up in this comparison of the Vols to the Germans on D-Day. I'm beginning to think WWII history is required for elite level football coaches.

Pick 'Ems Week 8: Reflection

Got: Arkansas, Louisville, Clemson, Mississippi State, Miami, Arizona, Wisconsin

Missed: Cincinatti, LSU, Oklahoma

Total: 7-3. My Bearcat Curse continues, Auburn must have been drinking Holy Water, and who cares about the Big 12?

Overall: 48-32.

A Parable for Nega-Vols

No other children preceded me; for seven years I was my parents only bundle of pride and joy. I don’t remember having any strong feelings about the coming of my baby sister, but my parents told me she’d become my playmate, and that excited me. I dreamed about all the fun, sisterly things we two would do together and planned out all manners of games for us to play. Then she was born. A tiny, whiny thing that did nothing but sleep and smell funny. I waited patiently for months for her to grow up so we could do fun things together. In vain I waited. By the time she was a suitable companion for a seven year old, I was a teenager and more wrapped up in my own life than ever before. Then we became adults and besties and it all worked out, but not before some growing pains.

To explicate: when we say this is a rebuilding season, it’s true. And by rebuilding, we don’t mean replacing a few seniors like most coaches do. We mean, our previous coaches so abused the program we’re having to form bricks out of clay before we can even start rebuilding. Not only are we perhaps the youngest team ever fielded in college history, our coaches are also babies in SEC years. They will all end up being fantastic, but they need experience. More experience than half a season. The wait is painful, I know. I thought we’d be all fixed by now, even though I knew the process actually takes a few years. In order to get to the point where some people believe we need to be would take a miracle of epic proportions—a miracle outside of the ‘any-given-Saturday’ mill, one the universe has not deigned to give us. Just hunker down, send our coaches nothing but love and support through this storm, and remember it only gets better from here.

Game Review: Alabama v Tennessee October 22, 2010

Tennessee remains on track to go winless in October, as predicted. If being a Vol just meant wanting to have more points at the end of four quarters than the opponent, I’d’ve thrown in the towel by now.

Being a Vol means blessing the Sunsphere’s heart as you take the Henley Street exit; it means eating the world’s best burgers with loved ones on Market Square as other games play in the background; it means eschewing the day-to-day distractions of domestic demands to spend some much needed time in the crisp autumn air; it means hiking across campus to show a first time visitor the sites, even if he won’t appreciate them; it means allowing the optimistic orange shading every surface in sight buoy your spirits not matter how daunting the odds; it means having your pick of friends from among 100,000 strangers, if you so choose; it means admitting that even if you were against the initial plans, a bricked-over Neyland Stadium stands superior to the previous erector set edifice; it means lining the street a half hour before the Salute to the Hill and still not getting a prime location for the Sea of Orange; it means being awed every time you’re reminded Dad remembers Rocky Top before the “woo” and Grandma and Grandpa remember UT before Rocky Top at all; it means being chilled by the perfect build-up during the pre-game show, even for the fifty-fifth time; it means knowing, loving, and doing every band cheer every time; it means getting just as excited for halftime, when the Pride of the Southland earns its moniker, as you do for kick off; it means not being able to refrain from telling anyone and everyone Neyland is the sixth largest non-racing stadium in the world and the Circle Drill is “the most daring and difficult” and impressive band maneuver ever performed; it means singing the alma mater with your best friend for the first time since you became alums; it means a Vol fan never loses—whatever the scoreboard says, she’s spent the day making memories with her dearest friends and family in her favorite place on earth supporting the university that supported her so much in the crucial years of young adulthood.

Anyone who chooses to support the Vols because they want the thrill of dominant victory every game will be inevitably disappointed. But for those of us who have dedicated our time, money, and tears to our team, who come back season after season out of love for something larger than ourselves, whose fandom is inseparable from our very beings—we can only pity those with better records who will never know utter football joy.

Pick 'Ems Week 8

1. South Florida v Cincinatti: I absolutely cannot win with the Bearcats, so I'll pick them. If they win, my stats bump. If they lose, I'll take credit for cursing them.

2. Ole Miss v Arkansas: I keep picking the Razorbacks and they keep failing me. The Rebels aren't the same team that lost to a AA school, but...Arkansas should still be able to handle them.

3. Connecticut v Louisville: I'm giving the Cardinals another chance.

4. Georgia Tech v Clemson: Oh, goodness...I haven't kept up with their seasons at all. I know the Jackets have failed me at least once, but I think the Tigers made good, so I'll stick with them.

5. LSU v Auburn: The game, quite possibly, of the decade. And such a tough call. Auburn is fielding the better team, but LSU has Mestophiles on their side. Since the Black Prince is indeed allowed to rule on Earth, I'm sticking with the purple and gold Tigers.

6. UAB v Mississippi State: So long as the Bulldogs aren't still suffering from a post-victory hangover, they'll come out on top.

7. North Carolina v Miami: I'd like to pick the Tarheels, and I do detest the Canes, but I'll take them in spite of their slow run.

8. Washington v Arizona: One of these teams is surprisingly good this year, right? Arizona gets the nod due to their stronger brand.

9. Oklahoma v Missouri: I hate when the fates force me into picking a team on my List, like Oklahoma.

10. Wisconsin v Iowa: Badgers on behest of my soft spot for them.

Pick 'Ems Week 7: Reflection

Got: Indiana, Florida State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Fresno State

Missed: Louisville, Auburn, South Carolina, Florida

Total: 6-4. And those ones I missed- all close ones. Close enough leastaways.

Overall: 41-29. Nearly 60% accuracy, and with an SEC season like we've been having, I'm holding my head high.

In/Out

Out- Minnesota's coach whose name I've all ready forgotten. That's harsh, being fired in season res, and I kinda feel sorry for the guy, but having been in their place, I refuse to comment harshly on these decisions.

In- Bray, as quarterback for the Vols against Alabama. Supposedly. Dooley did say Bray would play before halftime, and rumors are rampant about what exactly that means. I don't know how I feel, but I've also learned about trusting the coach until he gives me a reason not to.

Season from the Twilight Zone

The past few seasons, the #1 team has held steady and the scripts have played out like they were supposed to. Alabama lost to South Carolina who then lost to Kentucky, Ohio State fell to Wisconsin, and if the SEC Tigers can't remain undefeated, we might be forced to bear the ignominy of Boise State playing for all the marbles.

Even so, I thought something was wrong, besides the officiating, during the Auburn/Arkansas game. Indeed, the 65-43 stunner now holds the record for highest-scoring non-overtime SEC game. To make matters worse, the SEC passing game is creeping up in dominancy.

Sigh. Nothing makes me feel old, conservative, and aristocratic like college football.

Pick 'Ems Week 7

1. Cincinatti v Louisville: Cardinals because the Bearcats are still on the Temp List.

2. Arkansas State v Indiana: I can't remember the Indiana mascot, so I'm tempted to go with the Indians or whatever Arkansas State is now. Since I can't remember either mascot, the nod goes to the real program.

3. Boston College v Florida State: The 'Noles haven't let me down yet, which makes me a wee bit nervous in future, but I'm sticking with them.

4. Vanderbilt v Georgia: The Bulldogs better be on a roll, now.

5. Arkansas v Auburn: Oooh, this should be a good game. And the Razorbacks should win.

6. Wake Forest v Virginia Tech: I hate to pull for the Hokies, but I bet they pull this one out.

7. South Carolina v Kentucky: I never thought I'd say this but, Gamecocks, no question.

8. Mississippi State v Florida: The Gators have been on a losing streak, and they don't take kindly to that. The Bulldogs are on the rise, but not enough to avoid the chomp.

9. Ole Miss v Alabama: The Tide will be out for blood.

10. New Mexico State v Fresno State: The Bulldogs are more of a brand than the Lobos (?).

Laugh a Little Wednsday

It's not been an uproarious week, especially in Vol Country, so take a gander at the pomp in UGA's court (and not the of--the-law kind, for once). It makes a missionary proud.

Pick 'Ems '10: Week 6 Reflection

Got: Viriginia Tech, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Florida State, Nevada

Missed: Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame

Total: 7-3. Still, this was Twilight Zone Week in the SEC; unbelievable games all the way around.

Overall: 35-25. That's around 58%, no? I'll take it.

Crazy Coaches

Sometimes, by which I mean after a string of losses that each pierce my soul, I reminisce about the days before I became a Vol fan. I would not trade even the hurt of one loss for all those years I spent in ignorance. Football serves too many functions for me to ever go back.

And I would miss the stage worthy personalities of our SEC coaches. There's a backstory to the Mad Hatter, surely concerning Mephistophles, that needs to be brought to light. And then Mark Richt, sporting the smuginess sunglasses ever designed (or maybe that was the contribution of the desperate smirk of unemployment),after a first half that saw an unmitigating thumping of the poor Volunteers, confessed to whichever vapid floozy romaing the sidelines that day, that he was trying to help out the refs by pointing out some things that he saw because they have a difficult job and can't see everything.

The mind boggles.

Game Review: UT v Georgia, Oct. 9, 2010

Mark Richt kept his job;
In the coming years, that can
Only help UT.

Pick 'Ems 10: Week 6

1. Central Michigan v Virginia Tech: It looks like the Hokies have, unfortunately, gotten their groove back.

2. Alabama v South Carolina: This may be the best Gamecock team in history, but I don't see any reason not pick against the Tide.

3. Clemson v North Carolina: I think the Tigers went on my Temporary List, but the Tarheels are so distracted right now. I'll pick them though, just because a Clemson win will irritate me.

4. Virginia v Georgia Tech: Wait, aren't the Jackets on my Temporary List as well? But surely the Cavaliers are mediocre as ever...

5. Eastern Michigan v Vanderbilt: This might be the Commodores easiest game of the season.

6. Auburn v Kentucky: Tigers, clearly.

7. LSU v Florida: If Tennessee's season has taught us anything, it's that both programs are way down, but the Gators are still lingering just beneath the Swamp's surface.

8. Florida State v Miami: Remember when this used to be a big game? Miami's on my List, so I'm taking the 'Noles.

9. San Jose State v Nevada: The Wolfpack (?) are awful, but at least they've made the news this season. Branding gives it to Nevada.

10. Pittsburgh v Notre Dame: Didn't the Panthers (?) pull of an upset or are much better than expected or something? And the Irish won last week, no? So they're due for a loss.

Laugh a Little, Wednesday

With Coach Dooley as we feebly try to move on (skip down to the penultimate paragraph about Cody Pope).

Pick 'Ems Week 5: Reflection

Got: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Oregon, Notre Dame

Missed: Clemson, Kentucky, NC State, USC, Penn State

Total: 5-5. What a week, what a week. Way to go Clemson and NC State, almost coming through for me but then deciding not to. What are you-- SEC refs?

Overall: 28-22. Still getting more than I don't.

The Day After

Unorganized thoughts I have about the game:

1. I know words like "unfair" are inherently childish, but I can't help feeling it's unfair the offense's poor management gets to punish the defense. UT would not have had thirteen men on the field if LSU hadn't been scrambling around like the goobers they are, wasting a good twenty seconds before substituting. Even before the final fiasco, I thought to myself, 'There has to be some kind of rule against that,' and indeed there is. If an offense subsitutes no-huddle, they must give the defense ample time to substitute as well (but how in the world is anyone supposed to think that clearly in the final five seconds of the game?!). Some say we can't appeal because our defense was set (implying we had time to make substitutions), others say LSU substituted illegally. I'm inclined to say our players were set because some of them didn't realize there were substitutions being made because we didin't have enough time to substitute. When it first happened-- well, the background. I had a 5:30p call for work; it's flexible, so I said I'd give the game until 5:40p before I left. The clock hit goose eggs at 5:43p. I celebrated with my family for about a minute and half, got in the car, dialed my BFF, and drove half a block before he said, "It's not over." I didn't see the after-clock play, only heard my friend's reaction over the phone. At the time, I was disappointed, but picked myself up. We needed this win so badly, but I could deal with what happened. The more time goes on, the less well it sets with me. First, because Miles pulls crap like this all the time and it seems if there were any justice in the universe it would have bitten him this time. Second, it reeks of bad officiating. SEC refs are the worst in the league, and I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. Apparantly, the coaches had all ready shaken hands and were filing out. How can you throw a flag so far after the game has been won? Surely there's a statute of limitations on that.
2. To help assuage me, I remind myself there's a lot we could have done before then. We could have eaten up more clock (though we've been burned doing that as well), we could have stopped the fourth and long, we could have made our field goal. But that only makes it work. To have overcome those mistakes, to end regulation two points ahead, and to have it called back in such a ticky tacky way...it's like food poisoning that doesn't hit until two days later.
3. Congrats to all our boys for their work. We looked like contenders!
4. Congrats to our fan base. We had a great showing, especially considering the distance, the economy, and our record. Many times we were louder than the Tigers, who did not really impress me (I know, I know, it's a day game and they're incapable of being good fans unless they've had a solid twelve hours of drinking), our band was louder, and I love hearing Rocky Top sung so strongly even after our band has had to stop playing due to playclock regulations. Way to make us proud VolNation!
5. The message boards are not in a complete meltdown like I had expected, and people are being mostly positive, but the ones who are down on Dooley and so sure he'll be fired within five years should be banned from any sports-related activities until they see the light. Gah, they stick my craw. So I'll just remind myself, those of us who actually attend the games, and especially the ones who went down to Death Valley are putting in our hearts and souls.
5. It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!

Game Review: Tennessee v LSU October 2, 2010

This loss breaks my heart. Not for me; I, personally, could slough it off, it being the ticky-tackiest loss I've ever witnessed, and I've witnessed every blasted one since 2001. Forcing a superior team into as many mistakes as the Tigers made, converting the third downs that stymied us even last week, proving at last we do have a balanced game, and playing full steam until goose eggs tell me the future is almost here. Vastly superior teams have succumbed to a fate appropriate for the moniker Death Valley; we didn't even warrant a trip to the hospital. My heart-- seeing from the stands eye view how far we've come since the Fulmer years-- cannot break for that.

My heart does break for the boys. Every game has been emotional, and this one moreso than any other. To come inches within an upset after giving all their young, inexperienced selves are capable of and to walk away with another half-telling L in the column--I want to sen each player a postcard brimming with my utter excitement and faith in each and every one of them.

Obviously, we have much work to do and losses are not acceptable, but I hope our boys-- and fans-- embrace what we have accomplished on our way to what we will accomplish.

What's Wrong with Ole Miss?

So in the midst of this Kentucky/Ole Miss game-- a game the Rebels are still in as far as the first quarter goes-- I began contemplating what their problem is. Granted, they're sitting at 2-2, but losses to Vandy and Jacksonville State? My mind wandered to the update I recieved regarding their mascot search, and it all clicked.

College ball is all about, to put it crassly, brand. Name recogintion garnered by a combination of success and tradition. One's mascot is indelibly tied up with that tradition, and without a mascot, Nutt is steering a rudderless ship. I predict next season-- or whenever they've set their new mascot in place-- the Rebels will be back to being their normal, mediocre selves.

Just cross your fingers they choose the Land Sharks, just so we can all figure out what the heck that is.

Pick 'Ems 10: Week 5

1. Louisiana Monroe v Auburn: No brainer.

2. Miami v Clemson: Ooh, a bit of a toughie, but I hate the Canes more than the Tigers.

3. Kentucky v Ole Miss: I can't insert worst-in-their-division-joke becuase the Wildcats actually aren't.

4. Virginia Tech v NC State: Every time I pick against the Wolfpack, it ends in tears. Sure, the Hokies are out to prove they are not the worst team east of Vandy, but I don't think they'll succeed.

5. Georgia Tech v Wake Forest: I really, really wanna pick the Jackets. And they can't lose every game this season, can they?

6. Florida v Alabama: The Tide rolling helps the Vols, and they need all of that they can get.

7. Washington v USC: I don't forsee the Trojans losing this gimme.

8. Stanford v Oregon: Yeah, the Christmas trees are good, just not as good as the Ducks.

9. Penn State v Iowa: Nittany Lions, on account of brand recognition.

10. Notre Dame v Boston College: The Irish aren't going to be that bad, are they?