UTVols News and Opinions

Vol fans, rejoice! No matter what happens Saturday night in Columbia, Tennessee will be a winner. Don’t ever forget that—cue the Vader music—our exalted opponent is a Tennessean. He might not promote himself as one, but the simple fact is that Steve Spurrier was raised in East Tennessee and was a high school phenom at Science Hill Academy in Johnson City. He even sounds like a Tennessean when he talks—just listen to that twang. So, either way, Tennessee wins Saturday.

You may think that sounds like I’m predicting a Gamecock victory. Well, there may be some evidence for that. The line in Vegas opened up this week at Tennessee -5 (Vols favored by 5 points) but very quickly was whittle down to -3. That means that the early money—nicknamed the ‘smart’ money because those are the bettors that aren’t waiting to ride a favorite but making their own analyses—thinks the Gamecocks will keep it closer than 5 points, and maybe even—gasp!—win the game. These are people who either bet for a living or do it every week. Think they might know what they’re talking about?

If you’re still unconvinced, then let’s tally up some quick points:

1. Jayson Swain likely out for SC game: with half of the nation’s top receiving duo sidelined by injury, the Gamecock secondary is sure to double up on Meachem and force Ainge to look for Bret Smith and then Josh Briscoe or Lucas Taylor in the slot. Ainge had better be hot Saturday, and the receivers cannot afford any drops. Witht his stingy South carolina secondary, UT has little room for error and has to take advantage of every opportunity.
2. Focus: SC offensive line struggles; Syvelle Newton makes things happen: some might think it a good thing that the SC offensive line has had protection problems this year. That would be great if you didn’t have a junior Michael Vick under center, that can make big plays with his feet as well as his arm. Newton is the real deal and will be extremely hard for UT to contain. Spurrier will throw some wrinkles at John Chavis—look for a flea flicker, or a reverse to set up a pass to Syvelle Newton who, let’s not forget, spent a year at wide receiver before taking up the reins as quarterback again this year.
3. Is there a kick returner in the house? Jonathan Hefney has done a superb job over the past couple of games returning punts for UT. LaMArcus Coker was lighting things up for UT a bit on the kick returns as well, but with him out someone else—maybe Austin Rogers?—needs to step up and put some fire back into the special teams and help out UT with some short field situations.
4. UT run game MIA with Coker out: Arian Foster will return as UT’s starting TB backed up by Montario Hardesty. Foster certainly has the power to go between the tackles on an average SC run defense, but absolutely must stay focused on not giving up a fumble in this emotional game.

Now, with all that being said, let's take a look at some other key facts:

1. The secondary may be a stiff challenge, but SC has proven susceptible to the run--especially up the middle. This is one of the keys to the game for UT: if Foster gets going early, then not only can we keep that vaunted Spurrier offense off the field, but maybe open up some lanes inside for Ainge to hit Meachem, Smith, or Lucas Taylor for some big gains.
2. The Gamecocks have not yet beaten a quality opponent. Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky all three are below .500 for inning percentage this year, and they got shut out by a Georgia team that has since fallen off the map. Their one quality game so far is the Auburn game in which they appeared to hang with the Tigers until finally losing by only one touchdown, but the total body of work so far does not support them being a top SEC team.
3. They won handily at Vanderbilt, but they committed 8 penalties in the game and turned over the ball 4 times. If we can get that same effort from them Saturday, I'm confident the Vols will handle this SC team.
4. The Tennessee defense finally showed what they are fully capaple of last week against Alabama. Jerod Mayo was the SEC defensive player of the week, and Xavier Mitchell has proven he can apply some pressure this season as well. I think the Vols should be able to contain Syvelle newton despite the Ol' Ballcoach's trickery, and the SC offense will sputter.

I'm looking for Arian Foster to run for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Erik Ainge will add to the score by throwing for 200 yards and 2 TDs, and Wilhoit will contribute two field goals as well.

Final Prediction: Tennessee 34 South Carolina 15

Hello Coach Fulmer, congratulations on a great win on Saturday. It was a pressure cooker for everyone involved, wasn't it?

Well, I haven'’t been in one that wasn't. (Laughing)


What has made the difference this year in terms of the success the Vols have had as opposed to the struggles the 2005 team?

Well, I think out team has a great attitude, and they have been much more responsive. They have been hungry and humble, plus they are not assuming anything and are much more disciplined. They also have a higher confidence level and that's important on both sides of the ball.

The addition of Coach Cutcliffe had made an impact on the offense, and in particular, Erik Ainge. What has Coach Cutcliffe done to make such drastic improvement in both areas?

Well, with Erik, he has worked with him a lot fundamentally from the neck up, and boosted his confidence level and they have a good trust with each other. As far as the offense, we are getting back to practicing better, better discipline and having a higher energy and higher tempo and look for places where we can make big plays. Coach Cutcliffe has done a great job of that.

Have you ever experienced such a tough five game stretch as the one the Vols are in the middle of right now?

Ever? (Laughing) I would have to go back and see if we have ever been through a tougher stretch than the one we are playing in right now.

What did you think about the special teams from last week? It looked as if there was improvement from the Georgia game to the Alabama game.

Yes, we definitely showed some improvement there which I was happy to see because special teams are a critical part of the game that be the difference between winning and losing.

Tell me what the losses of Justin Harrell and Inky Johnson have meant to the defense and how they have responded to the challenge.

Well, you don'’t lose two players like that and not have a drop off. Justin was our best pass rusher, a great run stopper and was a pre-season All-America. Inky was our most consistent corner and that’s two positions in our defense that are very crucial. We miss them both a lot, and just now our defense is starting to get better. We have some things that our defense needs to get done, and our kids have had the wherewithal to fight through all that. The kids continue to try hard.

How are Justin and Inky doing right now with their rehab?

Justin is doing fine. He has recovered from the surgery. However, Inky has some work to do, but he has a great attitude.

Coach, thanks for taking time with me today and good luck in Columbia on Saturday night.

Thank you, I appreciate it!

Special thanks to Coach Fulmer for his time, especially since he was running late to a team meeting, and was gracious enough to answer all of my questions. Special thanks also goes to SID Bud Ford, John Painter and Mary Jo Fox for all their help in setting up this interview for www.utvols.com

Coach Fulmer added these comments after the team's workout at Haslam Field:

"I wish we were healthier than we are at some spots. I'm not sure what Jayson Swain is going to be able to do at all, and LaMarcus (Coker) being out -- those are challenges for other guys to step up, other positions to step up."

He added, "I've got significant concerns, but from an attitude standpoint and preparation standpoint I think we're where we need to be."

Swain, who has 25 catches this season for 415 yards and five touchdowns, suffered his injury in Tennessee's Oct. 7 win at Georgia and, although he played in Saturday's win over Alabama, the ankle is not close to 100 percent. Coker had claimed the starting tailback spot heading into Georgia and is UT's leading ground gainer with 393 yards and a 6.3-yard average. But the redshirt freshman sprained his knee on a kickoff return against the Crimson Tide and will be sidelined 3-6 weeks, according to the Vols coach.

"I'm very excited about this weekend," Fulmer claims nonetheless. "The guys have prepared well."

The captains were announced on Friday, and they are: Offensive linemen David Ligon and Arron Sears, defensive tackle Turk McBride, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, cornerback Jonathan Wade and placekicker James Wilhoit.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. Eastern time.

Thursday

#10 Clemson at Virginia Tech

Branden Ore shredded Clemson for 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while the Virginia Tech defense held the Tiger's vaunted running game to just 80 yards as the Hokies pummeled #10 Clemson 24-7.

What a difference five days make as Clemson did their best Michigan State impression, which could not have come at a worse time as their hopes of winning the ACC's Atlantic Division might have just ended.

What's funny is all week long, everyone had Clemson penciled into the ACC title game, including the walking hot air balloon, Mark May. "Without a doubt, Clemson is the best one loss team in the country," he said, then warmed up a snowed in family Colorado by talking to them for an hour. The best one loss team in the country? Even if Clemson had won out, they still did not control their own destiny in the division since Boston College was in first and held the tiebreaker. Did May ever think about the best one loss team in the country did not control its own destiny? He gets Coach Scooter's CFD Award for bringing heat to every microphone is talks into. Hey Hot Lungs, what's your angle next week?

Saturday Preview

Miami at #21 Georgia Tech

ABC - 3:30 - Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire

The Jackets and Canes play for the lead in the Coastal Division, and in all probability, the winner will take the division. The thing to watch for here is which Tech team will show up, and is an underachieving Miami team good enough to beat the Jackets? I think GT should win the game, unless you see Mike Tyson on the sidelines...

Georgia vs. #9 Florida (Jacksonville)

CBS - 3:30 - Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson

Watching SEC football for years, I have seen this type of matchup many times. You have a bitter rivalry game where one team is ranked high and really good, while the other team is unranked and searching to find itself. In more cases than not, the team that has no chance of winning usually puts up a great fight. And sometimes its enough to....well, I don't want to jinx the Dawgs. By the way, as I was driving into work today, I heard that my buddy, Gary Danielson, was going to be on 680 The Fan here in Atlanta. Immediately, I pulled my Vol Mobile off the road, jerked out my radio and tossed it on to Interstate 75. I don't want any Court Jester looking goofs on my radio...

Florida State at Maryland

ESPN2 - 7:00 - Ron Franklin/Ed Cunningham

Good to see the King back at a real game this week. I was worried he would go out to Las Cruces for the New Mexico State game, get stampeded by a rodeo bull, and never be heard from again. FSU is dead last in the ACC's Atlantic Division, while Maryland has rebounded from their narrow loss to Georgia Tech to be right in the middle of the race, and could be playing in Jacksonville in December. There is a rumor FSU burned their all black uniforms after the loss to BC last week, and replaced them with all pink. Give 'em credit, they got the jump on whatever the Pac-10 was going to try...

#8 Tennessee at South Carolina

ESPN - 7:45 - Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge

Tennessee is in week three of a brutal five game stretch, with this week's road show coming to Columbia to take on South Carolina. The Vols are banged up on both sides of the ball, while the Gamecocks feature the eighth ranked pass defense in the nation, as well as a stud at linebacker named Jasper Brinkley. ESPN's College Gameday will be there first hand, and chances are good Corso will put a Cocks hat on his head to predict a Carolina victory. In addition to that being a good omen, I will let you all come up with a clever line for that last sentence...

Idaho at Hawaii

Game Plan - Midnight - Announcers TBA

Thank God for the WAC! What else would we do after the 7:45 ESPN game ends and we are still wound up? I have it on good opinion the play by play announcer for this game will be Jack Lord, with James MacArthur handling the color. The sideline reporters are Kam Fong and Zulu. Pull out those hula skirts, let's rumble!

Weekly Observations

Charlie Weis looks like he has slimmed down this week, probably because he has been using his mouth to complain about the polls instead of using it at the South Bend all you can eat buffets. He was quoted as saying:

"One of the teams [Tennessee] that jumped us had the same game that we had. They're down, they're playing at home and they win by a field goal. Another team [Florida] that jumped us wasn't even playing. They were at home eating cheeseburgers and they end up jumping us. That befuddles me."

Hmm, first off, Slim, I wouldn't talk about eating cheesburgers since it looks like you are a lifetime member of the Big Mac Secret Circle. And second, if your schedule didn't feature such BCS brutes as Stanford (0-8), Michigan State (4-4), and UCLA (4-3), maybe you would have a legitimate claim. Also, don't expect your climb up the BCS ladder anytime soon since the Irish still have to play all three serviace academies, plus North Carolina, who is 1-6. If Notre Dame slips behind Prarie View this week, which could happen with the gauntlet of a schedule they have to play, then I might raise an eyebrow. But until then, Chuckles, I have to ask, when are you going to put the skinny post into the Notre Dame playbook?

He also uttered this nugget (Hmm, he also probably ate it too)

"We go into a game with 27 seconds to go, come from behind, win a thrilling game, and because we win a thrilling game, let's move us down because one team is not playing and the other team had the exact same game, exactly the same. Tell me how that works. Maybe I'm just stupid. Just tell me how that works. You're [a voter], tell me how that works."

The reason why that works, Chubs, is the Vols played a quality opponent from the best conference in America, and the Irish played a 4-3 UCLA team from the weak Pac-10. You mentioned being stupid, which is interesting because you have one of the great minds in football, yet you are blustering over the polls in October. Why don't you reserve your final thoughts once late November rolls around? You should know the polls don't mean anything in October, so why all the hostility? Chuck, worry about the cupcakes on your schedule and the polls will take care of themselves. And I am certain you have worried about cupcakes before...

Smokey's bite is worse than his bark

Smokey IX was accused of biting Alabama WR Mike McCoy during pre-game warmups on Saturday. For more on the story, go to:http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2639328

Mailbag

Just wanted to shoot you an email and let you know I read your column faithfully, every week. Saturday was my first trip to Neyland, and it was quite an experience. My father raised me a Volunteer fan in Alabama. So powerful was my UT upbringing, that even a short career as a student in Tuscaloosa couldn't sway me (the drinking town with a football problem got the best of me and I finished my collegiate career at the University of Alabama, in Huntsville). My little
brother, who's currently a UA student, got us our tickets that were centered in the section of the stadium for families of UA football players. So, even in Neyland Stadium, I was surrounded by Alabama fans. I look forward to reading your column more, and who knows, maybe I'll see you in Knoxville sometime.

Go Vols!
-Mark

Thanks for the email, Mark! I was relieved to hear you were not lured away and stayed true to your upbringing. I was also glad to see you were at Neyland for the first time. Of course, Coach Fulmer and the Vols knew it too, so they made sure to play an extra exciting game! Wasn't that experiencence you will never forget? It was Sweetie's first game too, and she is just starting to speak in full sentences since the experience overwhelmed her. She reminded me of Annie in Overborad when she is catatonic on the chair while the kids are throwing grapes at her. All she can utter is, "Buu ba buu ba buu." Same thing with Sweetie this week. Thanks for the email, and hope to see you in Neyland soon!

Coach Scooter,

Enjoy your site and visit regularly. I live in Bulldog country and have to get my "Vol Fix" on-line. Just couldn't resist sharing a photo of the youngest Vol Fan. My son was twelve days old when we clothed him in preparation for this past weekends Bama game. Hope it puts a smile on your face:

Jesse

Dear Jesse:

Thanks for the picture! Your son will always have the honor of knowing he won his first ever UT-Alabama game and they can never take that away from him. I am going to write the Big Orange Army to see if we can get him a commission ASAP since we need to make sure he is brought up right and doesn't fall into the paws of those Bulldogs! Thanks, Jesse!

All right Vol fans, another moment of truth awaits for us Saturday night so let's all get ready for another four hours of drama. I held my orange and white rosary beads for most of the Bama game, and it helped, so make sure to have your with you on Saturday. Also, repeat your game maxims and never take Coach Fulmer's name in vain, especially tomorrow when he goes up against a nemesiss from the old neighborhood, Steve Spurrier. Well talk again on Tuesday! Go Vols!

Welcome to another edition of Coach Scooter's College Football Diary. I am writing to you from the Peachtree Street Psychiatric Hospital after what the doctors are calling Post Volunteer Stress Disorder. They say I should be up and around to watch ESPN in a few days so say your prayers for a quick recovery before the South Carolina game. Last Saturday's game was one of the most stressful, but exciting games I have ever seen in Neyland Stadium as the Vols scored ten fourth quarter points to beat Alabama 16-13. The doctors will not give me anything sharp to write with, so my nurse, Vanessa, is taking dictation while I am recuperating.

Let's get to the action in Knoxville, while I take my medication...

It was Sweetie's first Tennessee game, so I prepped her as much as I could because all that orange can be a bit overwhelming to a rookie. We met Uncle J.L. and his wife at our tailgate site, which is in middle of all the action on Cumberland Blvd., just down from the McDonalds. It's a prime location for all sorts of pre-meditated mischief .

(Below left) The tailgate spot. The two guys standing were making jokes about some of the Alabama floozies that came by the tailgate site. They were sure the girls came in fresh from the Dolly Parton look-a-like contest in Urban Cowboy.

(Far Right) A picture of my nephew, Coach Brandon, who one day will take over the column for me, Uncle J.L. in the middle and that handsome guy on the right is me, Coach Scooter (Sweetie typed that part). And yes, there is medication from Dr. Daniels in those orange cups.

After settling in, we walked down Cumberland Blvd. towards our favorite bar, The Longbranch Saloon. As we walked, the sounds of Runaway by Bon Jovi could be heard, which prompted Uncle J.L. to quip, "It's not a Tennessee tailgating party without Bon Jovi." Next door to the Longbranch, we noticed several members of the Big Orange Army standing on an orange tank. Sweetie was a bit nervous at this point since she was sure if the Vols didn't win the game, these guys would drive the tank down Cumberland and start shooting at anything in crimson. Did they get their helmets from Doug Neidermeyer? For more information about joining the Big Orange Army, go to: www.bigorangearmy.com.

We walked into the Longbranch just as they were hauling out pieces of the doors from last night's pool tournament that got out of hand. Uncle J.L. bought us two PBR longnecks, which left a memorable aftertaste that I am still reliving with every swallow this week. We walked upstairs to the veranda (Yes, the Longbranch does have a veranda) but before walking out to the deck to see the crowd action on the street, I looked on the bar and find a very disturbing site. (below) They take their tips seriously at the Longbranch... http://www.longbranchknoxville.com/
After the Longbranch, we made our way down the street to another Knoxville icon, the Tap Room. As we walked in, the jukebox was playing, Ring of Fire,which got the crowd jacked up. I was pretty sure if a crowd of people wearing crimson would have stepped inside, we would have had a re-enactment of the brawl from Blazing Saddles.

I noticed a bottle of Crown Royal resting on the bar in front of me. A few minutes later, a mountain of a man named Bill walked over and sat down. I introduced myself and told him about the column so he shook my hand. As we shook hands, I noticed his large hand rapped around mine so his fingers were touching each other, which made me wonder if I was shaking hands with Andre the Giant. Hey Bill, save me a seat since Coach B and I are coming up for the LSU game, all right?

Sweetie was excited to see the local celebrities who have graced the Tap Room ceiling over the years, so she took pictures. Peyton and Kenny Chesney must have been regulars...

Sweetie was doing all right to this point, but seemed curious about a lot of things we Vol fans seem to take for granted. "Why is that guy wearing orange suspenders? Why are those Alabama girls wearing the same black and white hats? Why is that McDonalds orange and white?" It was then I knew all my prep work during the week to get her ready for her first game was going to fall short on this day. Um, the pink Power T hat was her idea... Isn't my Sweetie cute? (she wrote that, too)

Sweetie was not happy we didn't have tickets. At 3:00, the tickets were still going for anywhere between $125-150 EACH, so we had to play the waiting game. Sweetie did manage to get the picture of the day (right). A six pack of Whoop Ass was a whole lot cheaper than the tickets....

The game went back and forth and for me, that's probably the most stressed I have ever been in Neyland Stadium. Well, except for the time I got a couple of hot dogs and accidentally sprayed mustard all over the back of this woman sitting in front of me. She happened to be with her boyfriend, who looked like Dick the Bruiser, so it is a wonder I didn't end up looking like the Oscar Meyer Wiener himself. However, Saturday was stressful from the time we started buying our tickets until the final gun. I think I embarrassed Sweetie when the lady sitting next to us kept staring at me. I think I frightened her when I crouched down in front of my seat with my orange and white rosary beads around my fingers for most of the fourth quarter. Sweetie just shrugged her shoulders and said, "He didn't get like this even on our wedding day."

Finally, I could breath a sigh of Big Orange relief as the seconds ticked down, and the game was over. Sweetie had to get a picture of me after the madness ended, to prove I got teary eyed.

After the game, Sweetie and the MC of the tailgate, Flame, decied to do a victory dance. Since she clogged at our wedding, and Flame clogs after all UT victories, this had the makings of a real Kodak moment. Judge for yourself below. The quote of the night was Flame telling the crowd, "We didn't come here to pray, we came here to win!" God bless that kid!

Another week is in the books! Don't miss this Friday's column for all the weekend action, as well as a special interview from a certain Vol that might interest you! Until then, keep rubbing those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer's name in vain! Send your questions and comments to: volsdiary@yahoo.com. Go Vols!!