Appropriately on the heels of discussing loyalty to a program rather than a person, the first three victims carted to the Coaching Graveyard met their demise this week. I must say, I disagree with both cases, but no one consulted me before their abrupt axing. RIP:
1. Randy Shannon, immediately after his loss to USF. I hadn't realized he'd been there four years, so I can't argue it's exactly premature. Still, his ability to clean up Thug U makes me miss him all ready.
2. Robbie Caldwell, immediately before his loss to Wake Forest. The first reports made it sound like a backwoods turkey inseminator realized he wasn't a great fit for the Harvard of the South. Now it appears, it was an inexplicable force out. Face facts Vandy: until you commit to athletics by having facilities that rival your local high school's, you'll continue to be the SEC's whipping boy. It's a low move to fire a dedicated Commodore who beat a conference opponent despite having fewer than seven weeks to prepare for the opening game. 2-10 is quite respectable when you factor in what he had to work with. Just another reason to despise the Black and Gold.
3. Bill Lynch of Indiana. I don't care much about the Big Ten, but I had to stop reading when the players insisted it wasn't the coach's fault. Poor boys.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Game Review Caveat
Sometimes, I get a little excited. And I speak rashly when I get excited. To be clear, the coaching staff was excluded from my grandiloquent gushing yesterday. Not because they were irrelevant to our turnaround or didn't display the dedication of the young players, but...let's face it. Hopefully, this staff will be around longer than our Freshman players. I'm excited about that. But, there's always a danger that a coach will stay past his usefulness. My largest fear is to ever re-experience Fulmer's malaise. I am just as much a Dooley supporter as I was at his hiring, and I will be his biggest fan for as long as he deserves it. But if ever he begins making team decisions that benefit him personally rather than the program, I'll be sending letters to the AD. Coaches should put the program before the hiring of his unqualified friends, before schmoozing for the mere sake of being a local celebrity, and before tilting at windmills in a desperate, hopeless attempt to best another's coach's personal record. I am completely behind any coach and player who represents our school with sincerity and class. But at the end of the day, my loyalty lies with the Vols, not any one personality. That wishy-washiness is reserved for NFL fans.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Game Review: Kentucky v Tennessee November 27, 2010
Tennessee needed a miracle to extend their three game winning streak into a post-season bowl invitation. Miracles, however, are the terrain of gullible children reading their first fairy tales. Tennessee gave itself a gift better than any miracle. Their unflinching grit, gumption, and guts against the circumstances that placed them in a 2-6 start make a better story than anything out of Mother Goose.
They endured three coaching changes in as many years-- not that that directly affected a team attritioned to mostly true freshman and sophomores. Many were Kiffin's recruits, comitted to him days before he fled cloak-and-dagger style to the false allure of the West Coast. They slowly beganto trust a whole new staff, in many ways as young and inexperienced as them. They heard the whispered criticisms mocking them as the least talented squad in the SEC. They survived a pounding by the eventual #1 team in the nation in only their first contest against an FBS oponnent. They learned the hard way giving up never wins games. They also learned any mistake, however small, can strip your most prized victory from you. They came to trust every home week they'd have 100k+ fans cheering them on every down. They perservered through one straight month of Top Ten opponents, challenging themselves to keep the pride the bearers of Orange deserve. And, slowly as respect for the program had been lost, they gained it back, culminating in a victory during the most important Vol game of this young century.
This team could have been the Shame of the Southland. If they gave up on themselves when the rest of the country did, they could have broken the longest active win streak against one team in the nation. They could have left Michigan as the sole remaining program to never have lost more than five games in a season. They could have spent the holiday season alone, licking their wounds, and causing woes among the fanbase-- next year in Jerusalem.
Instead, they followed Dooley's inspirational leadership straight into the post-season. We will never know how deep their pain, how great their sacrifice, or how intense thier dedication over the course of this emotional season. We can only thank them by continuing to support our players.
That's not to promise any championships next year. Remember, we rejected miracle elixirs and deals with Lucifer. There will still be growing pains. But our boys have refused to be the Lost, tilled a hopeless season into the fertile ground of promise, and earned the right to our fervid support for better or worse, in sickness and in health, as long as Rocky Top is home sweet home.
They endured three coaching changes in as many years-- not that that directly affected a team attritioned to mostly true freshman and sophomores. Many were Kiffin's recruits, comitted to him days before he fled cloak-and-dagger style to the false allure of the West Coast. They slowly beganto trust a whole new staff, in many ways as young and inexperienced as them. They heard the whispered criticisms mocking them as the least talented squad in the SEC. They survived a pounding by the eventual #1 team in the nation in only their first contest against an FBS oponnent. They learned the hard way giving up never wins games. They also learned any mistake, however small, can strip your most prized victory from you. They came to trust every home week they'd have 100k+ fans cheering them on every down. They perservered through one straight month of Top Ten opponents, challenging themselves to keep the pride the bearers of Orange deserve. And, slowly as respect for the program had been lost, they gained it back, culminating in a victory during the most important Vol game of this young century.
This team could have been the Shame of the Southland. If they gave up on themselves when the rest of the country did, they could have broken the longest active win streak against one team in the nation. They could have left Michigan as the sole remaining program to never have lost more than five games in a season. They could have spent the holiday season alone, licking their wounds, and causing woes among the fanbase-- next year in Jerusalem.
Instead, they followed Dooley's inspirational leadership straight into the post-season. We will never know how deep their pain, how great their sacrifice, or how intense thier dedication over the course of this emotional season. We can only thank them by continuing to support our players.
That's not to promise any championships next year. Remember, we rejected miracle elixirs and deals with Lucifer. There will still be growing pains. But our boys have refused to be the Lost, tilled a hopeless season into the fertile ground of promise, and earned the right to our fervid support for better or worse, in sickness and in health, as long as Rocky Top is home sweet home.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
A Bedlam Story
Most AFLAC trivia questions are lame and/or hoplessly obscure and thus uninteresting. They transcended both categories during today's Oklahoma/Oklahoma State game.
What year and why did this rivalry recieve the nickname Bedlam (and did I even know it was called Bedlam?)? 1904, Guthrie. Someone fumbled the ball out of the endzone. This being the early days, the safety had yet to be invented, so the ball stayed in play. And in the Cold Creek River behind the field. A mad dash ensued, Oklahoma saved the pigskin from the freezing water, and returned it for a touchdown.
Oh, those wacky early years!
What year and why did this rivalry recieve the nickname Bedlam (and did I even know it was called Bedlam?)? 1904, Guthrie. Someone fumbled the ball out of the endzone. This being the early days, the safety had yet to be invented, so the ball stayed in play. And in the Cold Creek River behind the field. A mad dash ensued, Oklahoma saved the pigskin from the freezing water, and returned it for a touchdown.
Oh, those wacky early years!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Pick 'Ems Week 13
You'd think since I lost another week's predictions, I'd start backing up the file. But no. At this point, it's a victory to get them typed at all. Last try before the post-season.
1. Auburn v Alabama: The Tide, because Auburn's on my List.
2. Louisville v Rutgers: The Cardinals, because if I keep picking them they'll have to come through for me.
3. SMU v East Carolina: Pirates, because I like them better.
4. Southern Miss v Tulsa: Eagles, because they're from the south.
5. South Florida v Miami: Hurricanes, barely, because of they're longevity.
6. Florida v Florida State: Gators, because they're in the SEC.
7. LSU v Arkansas: Tigers, because why not?
8. North Carolina v Duke: Tarheels, because the other option is Duke.
9. NC State v Maryland: Wolfpack, because I'm partial to them.
10. Mississippi State v Ole Miss: Bulldogs take the Egg Bowl, because they're better.
1. Auburn v Alabama: The Tide, because Auburn's on my List.
2. Louisville v Rutgers: The Cardinals, because if I keep picking them they'll have to come through for me.
3. SMU v East Carolina: Pirates, because I like them better.
4. Southern Miss v Tulsa: Eagles, because they're from the south.
5. South Florida v Miami: Hurricanes, barely, because of they're longevity.
6. Florida v Florida State: Gators, because they're in the SEC.
7. LSU v Arkansas: Tigers, because why not?
8. North Carolina v Duke: Tarheels, because the other option is Duke.
9. NC State v Maryland: Wolfpack, because I'm partial to them.
10. Mississippi State v Ole Miss: Bulldogs take the Egg Bowl, because they're better.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
A Thanksgiving Story
My father could not make it to Thanksgiving this year; he's in Brazil, getting married. He called of course, but international rates limit chat time. In the five or so minutes we had, he wanted to know 1) the latest about the local NFL scandal and how that game looked on Sunday, and 2) what time the UT game is so he can hopefully rustle up some internet and at least check the score. What could have been an unfocused, rushed, and stressful conversation was, thanks to football, pleasant and informative.
At an office party last night, a colleague asked me to explain this crazy passion football fans have. I mentioned how it strengthens personal relationships; this is a perfect example.
At an office party last night, a colleague asked me to explain this crazy passion football fans have. I mentioned how it strengthens personal relationships; this is a perfect example.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Curse of the Orange Pants
The Curse of the Orange Pants has weighed much on my mind since last season. I refer to our white jersey/orange pants combo as the Creamsicle uniform,and, indeed, it seems our talent melts every time within them. Every game after donning this uniform, message boards will be aflame with quandry: is our poor performance due to the pants?
I'd like to do a thorough researching job on this issue, but, alas, my grad school status requires me researching literary issues, not fashion ones. According to Wikipedia, Majors introduced orange pants in 1977, Fulmer 86'ed them, except 1999 v Memphis and 2008 v Cal. Kiffin brought them back full force and the UT Photo Gallery confirms he clad us in the cursed pants against Florida, Auburn (at home), Alabama, South Carolina (at home), and Ole Miss. Team Dooley donned the dreaded pants against Georgia, South Carolina, Memphis, and Vandy.
Clearly, more precise digging is required, but accroding to this data, since the Fulmer era, the Orange Pants have earned a 4-7 record; half of those wins stem from the baby-new Dooley era.
Some try to defend the Orange Pants by noting we wear orange pants at away games, thence stems the problem. I'd like to compare away in white v orange pants, and I daresay oru white pants have a better record. Remember the Clausen era when we owned away stadiums? Also, thanks to the Kiffin experiment I bet we have data to prove we've lost a disporportional amount of home games in orange pants as well.
I promise during Christmas break, I'll pursue this work further. In the meantime, the only safe course of action is to indefinitely halt the use of the Orange Pants.
I'd like to do a thorough researching job on this issue, but, alas, my grad school status requires me researching literary issues, not fashion ones. According to Wikipedia, Majors introduced orange pants in 1977, Fulmer 86'ed them, except 1999 v Memphis and 2008 v Cal. Kiffin brought them back full force and the UT Photo Gallery confirms he clad us in the cursed pants against Florida, Auburn (at home), Alabama, South Carolina (at home), and Ole Miss. Team Dooley donned the dreaded pants against Georgia, South Carolina, Memphis, and Vandy.
Clearly, more precise digging is required, but accroding to this data, since the Fulmer era, the Orange Pants have earned a 4-7 record; half of those wins stem from the baby-new Dooley era.
Some try to defend the Orange Pants by noting we wear orange pants at away games, thence stems the problem. I'd like to compare away in white v orange pants, and I daresay oru white pants have a better record. Remember the Clausen era when we owned away stadiums? Also, thanks to the Kiffin experiment I bet we have data to prove we've lost a disporportional amount of home games in orange pants as well.
I promise during Christmas break, I'll pursue this work further. In the meantime, the only safe course of action is to indefinitely halt the use of the Orange Pants.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Game Review: Tennessee v Vanderbilt November 20, 2010
Maybe it didn't feel like it, but last night was a win all the way around.
It was a win for the fans. After a season consisting almost entirely of blow outs, our first close, exciting game since Florida way back in September. And the ball even bounced our way this time.
It was a win for our developing players. As much fun as the occasional brutal smack down is, we need more experience closing out tighter games. We also got a slice of humble pie. Sure, it feels amazing to finally turn the corner and have a shot at making something of this season. But, it won't be handed to us. As much as the football gods owe us, we still have to prove our mettle every. single. down. Zombie programs like Vandy-- programs that have always been down and out and always will be, programs that will never be favored when playing the Vols-- contain more danger than any powerhouse like Alabama. There's still football to be played before we get our bowl bid; Kentucky wants us every bit as badly as Vandy, and is in a better position to upset us. We got our flat game out of our system; no more allowed.
It was a win for everybody because, of course, we have the all important W in the column. One more week: Go Vols!
It was a win for the fans. After a season consisting almost entirely of blow outs, our first close, exciting game since Florida way back in September. And the ball even bounced our way this time.
It was a win for our developing players. As much fun as the occasional brutal smack down is, we need more experience closing out tighter games. We also got a slice of humble pie. Sure, it feels amazing to finally turn the corner and have a shot at making something of this season. But, it won't be handed to us. As much as the football gods owe us, we still have to prove our mettle every. single. down. Zombie programs like Vandy-- programs that have always been down and out and always will be, programs that will never be favored when playing the Vols-- contain more danger than any powerhouse like Alabama. There's still football to be played before we get our bowl bid; Kentucky wants us every bit as badly as Vandy, and is in a better position to upset us. We got our flat game out of our system; no more allowed.
It was a win for everybody because, of course, we have the all important W in the column. One more week: Go Vols!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Pick 'Ems Week 11: Reflection
How did I forget to evaluate my performance last week? Let's take a look-see.
Got: Southern Miss, Kentucky, Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida State,
Missed: Louisville, Virginia Tech, Florida, Fresno State
Total: 6-4. Fresno State betrayed, but I nailed the Florida State game.
Overall: 49-38
Got: Southern Miss, Kentucky, Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida State,
Missed: Louisville, Virginia Tech, Florida, Fresno State
Total: 6-4. Fresno State betrayed, but I nailed the Florida State game.
Overall: 49-38
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Laugh a Little, Wednesday
...with? at? Our good friend Spurrier discussing the veracity of his quarterback's statements.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Oh, the Powers of Predicition
I'm the Post-It Girl in the TA office. I have them all colors, all sizes, all types (notepad, traditional, flags). Each one serving a specific purpose in my study of literature. It's a system as complicated as Clawson's offensive scheme, so I'll spare the details.
While reading Washington Irving's Sketchbook in preperation for a term paper, I came across, on an opaque flag-- the sticky designated for personal reactions-- "like UT" stuck next to this quotation from "Philip of Pokanoket": Defeated, but not dismayed--crushed to the earth, but not humiliated...
Oh what a difference two months and a two game winning streak can make.
While reading Washington Irving's Sketchbook in preperation for a term paper, I came across, on an opaque flag-- the sticky designated for personal reactions-- "like UT" stuck next to this quotation from "Philip of Pokanoket": Defeated, but not dismayed--crushed to the earth, but not humiliated...
Oh what a difference two months and a two game winning streak can make.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Pick 'Ems Week 11
1. South Florida v Louisville: Remember back when the Bulls were the most amazing addition to IA ball? That didn't last long.
2. Southern Miss v Central Florida: When in doubt the SEC over anyone else, and real southern states over Florida.
3. Vanderbilt v Kentucky: Not a contest for the bottom of the East this season. I miss those days.
4. Georgia v Auburn: Tough call, since Auburn won't reveal what they're doing with Newton. The Tigers are about our last hope for as SEC national champion, so much as I want to pull for the much-hated UGA, out of loyalty to the conference, I'm going with the Tigers.
5. Virginia Tech v North Carolina: The Hokies are on my List, and I don't have a strong feeling.
6. UTEP v Arkansas: The Razorbacks, obviously.
7. Mississipp State v Alabama: I don't see Bama dropping two in a row.
8. South Carolina v Florida: The winner of this game goes to the SEC championship. No teams other than Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida have ever represented the East. I'm an elitist and want that tradition continued.
9. Clemson v Florida State: Seminoles in a close one.
10. Nevada v Fresno State: The Bulldogs have been true to me thus far.
2. Southern Miss v Central Florida: When in doubt the SEC over anyone else, and real southern states over Florida.
3. Vanderbilt v Kentucky: Not a contest for the bottom of the East this season. I miss those days.
4. Georgia v Auburn: Tough call, since Auburn won't reveal what they're doing with Newton. The Tigers are about our last hope for as SEC national champion, so much as I want to pull for the much-hated UGA, out of loyalty to the conference, I'm going with the Tigers.
5. Virginia Tech v North Carolina: The Hokies are on my List, and I don't have a strong feeling.
6. UTEP v Arkansas: The Razorbacks, obviously.
7. Mississipp State v Alabama: I don't see Bama dropping two in a row.
8. South Carolina v Florida: The winner of this game goes to the SEC championship. No teams other than Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida have ever represented the East. I'm an elitist and want that tradition continued.
9. Clemson v Florida State: Seminoles in a close one.
10. Nevada v Fresno State: The Bulldogs have been true to me thus far.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Laugh a Little Wednesday
I know the Mad Hatter's secret strategy hit the internet last week, but I've been saving it just for today.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pick 'Ems Week 10: Reflection
Got: Maryland, Florida, Arkansas, Ole Miss, USC, Texas Tech, Oregon
Missed: Alabama, Texas,
Disqualified: NC State, who was not playing Florida State. What is grad school doing to me?
Total: 7-2
Overall: 43-34. Although my numbers are all buggered from losing a week and this week's inexplicable non-pick. Getting back on track, though.
Missed: Alabama, Texas,
Disqualified: NC State, who was not playing Florida State. What is grad school doing to me?
Total: 7-2
Overall: 43-34. Although my numbers are all buggered from losing a week and this week's inexplicable non-pick. Getting back on track, though.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Game Review: Tennessee v Memphis November 7, 2010
If Mike Leach were to be today’s guest blogger, the headline would be, “Tigers Quick Start Slows Down” and concentrate on Memphis’s myriad mistakes.
But this is my blog, and I’m concentrating on the Vols capitalizing on those mistakes. On watching our future blossom like a morning glory. On putting some swagger back into our still proud program.
Keep it up boys and, more than any other month in our history, this November will truly be one to remember.
But this is my blog, and I’m concentrating on the Vols capitalizing on those mistakes. On watching our future blossom like a morning glory. On putting some swagger back into our still proud program.
Keep it up boys and, more than any other month in our history, this November will truly be one to remember.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Pick 'Ems Week 10
Oh, folks, it's been a week full on non-Mission related work. And I don't know what happened to last week's pick 'ems. I made them, I posted them, I didn't realize they never showed up. But let's attempt to get back on track:
1. Maryland v Miami: Haven't the Terrapins been staying true to me?
2. Florida v Vanderbilt: The Gators will find a way.
3. Alabama v LSU: Did the Mad Hatter and Mestipholes have a falling out?
4. NC State v Florida State: The Seminoles are strong, but I've regretted picking against the Wolfpack that one time.
5. Arkansas v South Carolina: I need the Razorbacks to protect the legacy of the SEC East standings.
6. ULL v Ole Miss: Hopefully, the Rebels have grown since that first week.
7. Arizona State v USC: I can't remember Arizona State's mascot, so point to the Trojans.
8. Texas v Kansas State: Ugh. Longhorns.
9. Missouri v Texas Tech: C'mon, Tubbs, make the SEC look good.
10. Washington v Oregon: I've said it all season long- the Ducks are for real.
1. Maryland v Miami: Haven't the Terrapins been staying true to me?
2. Florida v Vanderbilt: The Gators will find a way.
3. Alabama v LSU: Did the Mad Hatter and Mestipholes have a falling out?
4. NC State v Florida State: The Seminoles are strong, but I've regretted picking against the Wolfpack that one time.
5. Arkansas v South Carolina: I need the Razorbacks to protect the legacy of the SEC East standings.
6. ULL v Ole Miss: Hopefully, the Rebels have grown since that first week.
7. Arizona State v USC: I can't remember Arizona State's mascot, so point to the Trojans.
8. Texas v Kansas State: Ugh. Longhorns.
9. Missouri v Texas Tech: C'mon, Tubbs, make the SEC look good.
10. Washington v Oregon: I've said it all season long- the Ducks are for real.
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