Sing It Sinatra, For Music City

The referees can take a lot away from the Vols. They can take away downs, yards, and, in the end, victories. But there are so many things they can never take away.

They can't take away our entirely freshman o-line stout enough to defend our true freshman, passing quarterback. They can't take away the cherished bend but never break UT defense that's one of the youngest in the league. They can't take away the invaluable experience of surviving one of the most adversity-laden season in Vol history. As Stocker said after the game, "We'll be stronger because of this..."

They can't take away our resilience. We could have given up in October, after a 2-6 start. We didn't. We could have given up with a minute and a half left in UNC's hands. We didn't. We could have given up in overtime. We didn't. We played with all our hearts, young and underdeveloped they may be.

They can't take away our passion. In Bray's celebration of the game winning touchdown to the tears that brought him to his knees when the refs called the game,for real this time, he mirrored the reaction of all Vol fans. The stadium rocked all night with our unwavering support and enthusiasm for our team. Like Dooley said when asked if, because twice in one season a victory has been recalled after the coach's handshake, he said, "No. I'm lucky to be at Tennessee." Indeed, Vol fans know how fortunate we are to support one of the best programs in the country.

And that is what no one can ever, ever take away from us. The base, visceral thrill of watching the Orange stream through the Power T, singing "Rocky Top" all game long, whooting it up for our beloved Pride of the Southland Marching Band and their Circle Drill, letting our powerhouse past lead us into our powerhouse future, cheering and chanting along with 103,000+ in the best stadium in the country, and living by the Game Maxims. Rocky Top won't be on bottom much longer, but even if they were, I'd proudly wear my orange. Football supports our tradition, not the other way around.

I will never believe we didn't win this game. Mistakes were made, we should have played better. But with no time left on the clock, we did exactly what we needed to in order to win the game by the official NCAA rulebook: we had more points than the other team when the head official declared, "The game is over." I have a thousand words regarding the ensuing shenanigans, but none of them are positive, and you know what? I may have spent the past eighteen hours crying bitter tears of disappointment and frustration, but I have nothing but positive feelings about our future. Go Vols!

Holiday Check In

Between the last week of classes and a mountain getaway with the family, I nearly lost sight of my true purpose here: getting folks interested in college football. In my absence, one coach has been fired and half a dozen bowl games have been played. And yet, I don't feel like I've missed much.

I was, however, reminded why college football matters. Saturday night, my family and I atteneded a dinner show. Packed uncomfortably close in an auditorium more barn like than theatre after a long day of sightseeing and shopping, I felt cranky, to make an understatement. I began questioning my every decision from why I agreed to come to this hillbilly show in the first place to why I thought spinning my wheels in grad school would be a good idea.

Then the band played Rocky Top. My mood elevated instantly. I couldn't stop smiling, sang along, and shook my invisible shaker in time with the added in 'Woo!' I felt centered and absolutely blessed to be able to spend the holidays with my family. The performance may have lasted two minutes, but the effect lasted all weekend.

Will-come Wagon

I'll admit, when Will Muschamp announced he'd take on the Florida coaching job, it hurt my feelings. Never had anyone turned down the Vols, and it hurt. I don't know I'm ready for him to be so close to us.

Of course, nothing could be better for Orange Nation. Dooley is a committed class act who has done wonders with this season and appears primed to become one of the most beloved figures in UT sports. He's represented us with integrity, but had some fun on the way. Once we get over these growing pains, we'll be right back where we should be.

Florida on the other hand...here's what I know about Muschamp: he shrinks from a challenge, allows cash to speak louder than his promises, and can make a losing season out of National Championship talent. That's to say nothing of the havoc changing systems could wreak on the program and recruiting.

After this year's Florida game, I marked next year's as a win. After Urban retired for real, I had to white that out. After the Muschamp hire, I feel confident again.

So welcome to the SEC, Will. Maybe you think you know what big time football college is like, coming from Texas. We'll see if the pressure blossoms you into a Spurrier, or crushes you into a Zook.

Coaching Graveyard Update

Oh, it's been busy weeks for the undertakers. I think with this list, I'll have covered all of our recent internments:

1. Steve Roberts, formerly of Arkansas State.
2. Stan Parrish, formerly of Ball State.
3. Dan Hawkins, formerly of Colorado
4. Urban Meyer, formerly of Flordia
5. Doug Martin, formerly of Kent State
6. Rickey Bustle, formerly of ULL
7. Bill Lynch, formerly of Indiana
8. Todd Dodge, formerly of North Texas
9. Jerry Kill, formerly of Northern Illinois
10. Dave Wannstedt, formerly of Pittsburgh

Shakespearean Confessions

I have to admit this: left to my natural state, I'm a chicken fan. I've considered not attending games because I was afraid we'd lose, and I wasn't sure my heart could take it, having to be there, sitting through the whole debacle without a coloring book to ease your nerves when things get to intense, having to bear the burden of the other team's victory. It's just too much.

But I want to be supportive and never back down from a challenge. So when I get those doubting feelings, I recite Shakespeare's St. Crispan's Day speech from Henry V. That always pumps me up.

I've never been at our equivalent of Agincourt, never experienced being at a bona fide upset, though I have attended some amazing games. But on the flip side, there's something to be said for surviving our worst home loss in history (Florida 2008).

Double Shut Out

Seventy-one years ago today, UT shut out Auburn-- just like they did every other opponent that year. Yet, despite not surrendering a single point during the season and going into their bowl as the undisputed SEC champion, they were denied the national championship. I guess a loss to USC is more to blame than a vast ESPN conspiracy.

Laugh a Little Wednesday

At me, for being thick.

The Music City Bowl swag bags contain items like headphones, iTunes gift cards, an iPod. I read the list and puzzled for more minutes than I'd care to admit as to why there were so many music themed items.

Right.

Urban Meyer Retires, For Real

We're all assuming Urban Meyer took the 'no takesy backsies' oath this time, and the Florida sideline really will be prowled by someone else next year. The part of me that's ready for a Vol victory over the Gator says 'One more year, Meyer,' but the part of me that cares about the quality of the SEC says, 'Good riddance.'

I desperately want to make fun of him, crack some jokes about his cowardice. He's spineless, whiny, mealy mouthed, and, though not utterly loathsome, not someone you'd be proud of having in your corner. In many ways, his retirement is akin to a toddler's tantrum being deprived of his third helping of birthday cake. 'What? I can't go the SEC championship this year? Then I'll just go wah, wah, wah all the way home.'

And yet, much as I hate to give him any shred of credit, there is a certainy dignity in this decision. Heaven knows I wouldn't detest Fulmer with every fiber of my ninety thread count soul had he let someone else take the helm before crashing our football program straight into an iceberg. The only real mistake Urban made: last year's j/k shenanigans.

Fashion Confessions

It's so official, I got my tickets to the Music City Bowl to cheer on my Vols, aided by my BFF, my sister, and her boyfriend. It's my eighth straight Music City Bowl- I've gone every year since Auburn became the first SEC team to win there- but first one with the Vols and last one for awhile, so it's all bittersweet.

Adding to the bittersweetness is how close we came to going to the Gator. I'm not going to go into the political wrangling and how peeved I am with Slive, the Outback Bowl, and, to a lesser extent Mike Hamilton. I understand it's ludicrous to complain about where a 6-6 team ends up, especially since we jumped over Georgia, and until two weeks ago we weren't even sure we'd have a post-season. But still, it hurts a little.

However, I must confess: over the summer, I had a little niggling we might end up Nashville bound. And I thought about how bitterly cold it is every year. And so when I bought my hevy winter coat in August (for the savings, of course), I bought an orange one. Just in case. Glad that gamble paid off.

Pick 'Ems Week 14

1. SMU v Central Florida: Mustangs?

2. Troy v Florida Atlantic: Trojans?

3. Auburn v South Carolina: Gamecocks. We need the "burn" put in "Auburn."

4. Florida State v Virginia Tech: Seminoles. Tech is still on the List.

5. Connecticut v South Florida: Bulls. Huskies play basketball.

6. USC v UCLA: Bruins, just because I'd like to see that happen.

7. Nebraska v Oklahoma: Cornhuskers, just because I'd like to see that happen.

8. Oregon v Oregon State: Ducks. Duh.

9. Rutgers v West Virginia: Mountaineers, as if it matters.

10. Pittsburgh v Cincinatti: Bearcats. It's been a while since I've gotten to hex them.

Pick 'Ems Week 13: Reflection

Got: Louisville, North Carolina, Missippi State

Missed: Alabama, East Carolina, Tulsa, South Florida, Florida State, LSU, NC State

Total: 3-7. But the important thing is Tennessee had a great game against Kentucky and is going bowling.

Overall: 52-45

Laugh a Little Wednesday

Lane Kiffin, when asked why Notre Dame's leading reciever during the Irish's first defeat over the Trojans in roughly half a decade did not attend USC despite it being his "dream school," the controversial coach flatly replied, "I wasn't here."

Oh, Kiffin. Sometimes I miss you more than Bruce Pearl does.