Thursday, November 16, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol. 20
Welcome to Coach Scooter’s College Football Diary for another action packed week! Thursday night begins rivalry week in college football as we see the season begin to wind down. Let’s get to the action in Pittsburgh as the Big East was on display.
Thursday Night
#8 W. Virginia 45
Pitt 27
After a first half scare, the #8 ranked Mountaineers blew away the upset hopes of the Panthers in an 18 point victory. Steve Slaton and Pat White were again the stars, and if WVA were still undefeated, Slaton might be in line for Heisman consideration. Once aga
in he lit it up with four TD’s, 215 yards rushing and 130 yards receiving. Pat White ran for two TD's, gained 220 yards rushing and 204 yards passing. Hey Rich, (head coach Rich Rodriquez) can the Vols have those two during one of your off weeks? The highlight for Pitt could end up being the play of the year. Darrelle Revis took a Pat McAfee punt and picked it up on the bounce as he retreated. It looked as if he were going to be tackled for a huge loss, but he made it to the corner, aided by a devastating block by Derek Kinder, which took out two Mountaineers. He tightroped down the sidelines and after breaking one more tackle, he spun away from a hit inside the five yard line and trotted in. If you haven’t seen this play, watch ESPN all this weekend because it will be on their top ten plays of the week for sure.
Ainge will start on Saturday vs. Vanderbilt
Injuries have played a part in Tennessee’s fortunes of late, forcing quarterback Erik Ainge and tailback LaMarcus Coker to the bench. But Coker returned last week in a limited role and Head Coach Phillip Fulmer announced Thursday that Ainge would get the start behind center. Fulmer hopes to see Ainge play significant minutes for the first time since the Vols 31-24 win at South Carolina on Oct. 28.
"He’s right at 100 percent,” Fulmer said of Ainge. “We’ll be a little bit careful with him. We’ll try to be smart. I don’t anticipate a problem. I would have liked to had him the last couple of weeks but he couldn’t go. He knows the football team needs him and I hope we throw it and catch it like we were before he was injured.”
"Vanderbilt is a tough challenge,” Fulmer said. “They are a good offensive team, starting with the quarterback who is doing an outstanding job. They can run the ball well when they spread out, and their receivers are very talented."
"Their defense gives you lots of looks. They really make you work at finding the pressure, and they're a big pressure team. It's nothing that we haven't seen probably most of the year, just more of it as we prepare for them.”
"Week in and week out in the Southeastern Conference, you better be ready to play,” Fulmer said. “This year, I have seen more balance to the point where injuries and other factors have made a difference.”
This week’s games
Michigan at Ohio State
3:30 – ABC – Brent Musburger/Bob Davie/Kirk Herbstreit
The matchup ABC has been waiting for since the final gun sounded from last year’s Rose Bowl has finally come as #2 Michigan travels to Columbus to play #1 Ohio State. In all the years of this bitter rivalry, this is the first time these teams have come in as the top two ranked teams in the country, and the first time they both have come in undefeated and untied since 1973. (In 1975 both teams were unbeaten, but Michigan had two ties). This game has all the makings of a classic, but I wish it were Bo and Woody on the sidelines because that would have made this extra special.
Auburn at Alabama
3:30 - CBS – Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson
As The Big Lebowski said, “This is a very complicated case. Lots of ins, lots of 
outs…” Can Auburn rebound after being bounced out of the BCS and SEC race? Auburn has only had three road games this year against fair to mediocre SEC teams, so how will they handle playing in Tuscaloosa against a seriously pissed off opponent? Will Bama do the unthinkable and lose for a fifth straight time to their arch rivals? And what might happen to Mike Shula if that happens? One person who I know doesn’t give a crap is Gary Danielson, since this game doesn’t have anything to do with his beloved Florida Gators. This tick turd should have his own Vonage commercial because CBS has not made a smart decision among many, many stupid ones in hiring him. I would be first in line to be the one who throws the Vonage box at that Gomer Pyle face of his.
Rutgers at Cincinnati
7:45 – ESPN – Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge
What were the chances of this being the ESPN headline game when the schedule was looked at in August? This game had about as much of a chance as being the headline game as:
Aunt Molly getting through one UT game without using profanity
Gary Danielson not making a horse’s patoot out of himself every Saturday
The Big East producing a national champion
Paul McGuire being the spokesman for Vic Tanny health clubs
California at USC
8:00 – ABC – Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire
Speaking of McGuire, I heard his friends wanted to throw him a birthday party, but the fire marshal wouldn’t allow them to put the right number of candles on his birthday cake… (Insert rimshot here) This game will determine if USC can keep their hopes of playing in the BCS championship game alive, while a Cal victory will keep their hopes of going to the Rose Bowl a strong possibility.
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
12:30 – Lincoln Financial – Dave Neal/Dave Rowe
The Vols still have a shot at a New Years Day bowl if they can sweep their long time traditional rivals, beginning with Vandy on Saturday. Erik Ainge is back, and that me
ans the Vol passing game should be explosive, plus UT has extra motivation to avenge the loss to the Commodores last year. Even more explosive is the Big Orange Army, who will be at the game so look for the Big Orange Tank outside Dudley Field. Who knows, if Ainge and Crompton can’t blow holes in the ‘Doores defense, maybe General Jamison can wheel in the tank and give it a shot? (No pun intended…well, maybe a little one) If you would like to join the Big Orange Army, go to www.bigorangearmy.com and enlist today!
For more college football news, please check out my column on The Southern Ledger. The Southern Ledger is your source for news and cluture in the southeast! www.southernledger.com
All right, Vol fans, that’s your preview for the weekend. Keep those emails coming to volsdiary@yahoo.com with your questions and comments. Rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Until Tuesday, Vol fans, Go Big Orange!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.19
Welcome to another tearful edition of Coach Scoter's College Football Diary. 
As some of you might have heard, Tennessee dropped its second straight game on Saturday to slip to 7-3. The villain this time was Arkansas, and they whipped us in every facet of the game because they were the better team from top to bottom. The last time I saw such a one sided beating was the day Philo Beddoe from Every Which Way but Loose kicked the crap out of the Black Widows Biker Gang. As much as I would like to skip this week’s column, I am contractually obligated to report the facts, so here we go. I think next time I will hire Aunt Molly’s attorney, Sam “Small Print” Lieman to do my contract negotiation.
#13 Tennessee 14 - #11 Arkansas 31
What can you say? The Hogs vaunted running attack, led by the lighting fast
Darren McFadden ran at will against the Vols defense, who were either blown off the ball, or missed tackles when they were close enough to make a stop. The super soph ran 30 times for 181 yards and threw a touchdown pass. The Vols didn’t play defense but they made up for it by not moving the football. (All right, you can laugh since that was a joke…) Jonathan Crompton was 16-34 for 174 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough. (Thanks Beth Hall for the photo)
Tennessee plays Vanderbilt for the 100th time
Tennessee travels to Nashville to play Vanderbilt at 12:30pm. The game is being televised by Lincoln Financial Sports and kicks off at 12:30 p.m. This marks the Vols first appearance on LFS, which took over this season as the SEC’s regional n
etwork from Jefferson-Pilot Sports. Tennessee leads the series against Vanderbilt 67-27-5, but the Commodores snapped a 22-game losing streak last year with a 28-24 victory in Knoxville. The Vols have won their last 11 visits to Vanderbilt Stadium, dating to a 28-21 loss in 1982.This year’s game marks the 100th official contest between the two state rivals. Tennessee has only lost to Vanderbilt five times since a setback in1954.
5 questions for Coach Fulmer
1. Give us an update on your quarterback situation, with Erik Ainge trying to return to action and share duties with Jonathan Crompton.
A - "Erik didn't play Saturday, so we are hoping the extra rest and treatments he is receiving will have him close to 100 percent for Vanderbilt. If not, Jonathan Crompton has done a nice job for us and will be the guy."
2. How will the improved depth at tailback -- where Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker play -- help Saturday?
A - "It should affect us in a positive way. LaMarcus returned earlier 
than expected from his injury and did a nice job in the Arkansas game. His dynamics and speed and ability to make a guy miss are a plus for us. We look for good things from all three players."
3. Comment on the overall balance of the Southeastern Conference, widely recognized this year as best in the nation top to bottom.
A - "Week in and week out in the Southeastern Conference, you better be ready to play. This year, I have seen more balance to the point where injuries and other factors have made a difference. We're trying to return some banged-up players and I hope we get back on track."
4. Describe the challenge the Vols defense faces Saturday when Tennessee travels to Vanderbilt.
A - "Vanderbilt is a good offensive team, starting with the quarterback who is doing an outstanding job. They can run the ball well when they spread out, and their receivers are very talented. Vanderbilt is a tough challenge."
5. What will it take for the Vols to post a win over the Commodores Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium?
A - "We need to start playing our brand of football again on both sides. We need to be aggressive and efficient. It's crucial that we not give up the rushing yardage we have done the last couple of games."
Future Vol opponents
Here is an interesting list of upcoming non-conference opponets. UT is not shy about taking on all comers in the next few years…
Tennessee will host North Carolina State Aug. 30, 2007, and travel to UCLA Sept. 6, 2008. Beginning in 2010, the Vols host Oregon, play a home and home with North Carolina (Chapel Hill in2011 and Knoxville in 2012), then travel to Oregon in 2013. In 2014, Tennessee goes to Oklahoma, then hosts the Sooners the next year. Keeping it in the Big 12, UT plays at Nebraska in 2016 then welcomes the Huskers to Knoxville in 2017.
That is going to be a tough schedule that will surely test the Vols and will add to an already talented SEC schedule that is tough enough without adding anymore headaches. As Bishop Pickering said in Caddyshack, “Ah, rat farts!!”
Weekly Observations
The Gary Danielson mis-quote of the week
Was it just me, or did Genius Danielson take a few extra stupid pills before walking into the booth on Saturday? These days, I have to set my TiVo recorder to “Moron Quality,” or it won’t record the CBS 3:30 game. He had so many dumb comments, I needed a calculator to count them all. The best, or worse as the case may be, was this gem: When Verne Lundquist was reading the AFLAC Trivia Question, he was a little animated, which is fine since Verne has almost achieved King status like Ron Franklin, so he is allowed to do whatever he wants. Danielson, in a moment of sheer buffoonery, quipped, “Keep it up Verne, you’ll probably get a free AFLAC for doing that.” Does Gilligan even know what AFLAC is? That comment was so stupid, mind readers are charging him ½ price…
I hope the pilots aren’t this clueless
Coach B was doing a little recon for the CFD this week and reported that Air Tran Airlines better start reading their in-flight magazine a little closer. In one of the columns, they listed the top mascots in the SEC. UGA was #1, Mike the Tiger was #2, and Smokey was #3. No problem, because that is some pretty tough competition, but the writer described Smokey as a beloved BEAGLE! If I were in charge of Smokey, I would be calling Air Tran airlines and say, “Before we get off the phone Mr. Editor, I am going to have someone’s ass in my briefcase.”
Last Saturday’s Games
Georgia 37 - #5 Auburn 15
In a surprise that shocked the SEC, Auburn was manhandled by Georgia which knocked the Tigers out of a possible trip to the BCS, as well as a chance to win the West Division. I know UT has a heated rivalry with the Dawgs, but it was nice for a change to see Tommy Tuberville on the sidelines watching his team get mauled. I looked at my TV and said, “Tommy does this mean you won’t be talking about the BCS anymore?”
South Carolina 16 - #6 Florida 17
Once again, Urban Meyer’s reptiles get let off the hook as Ryan Succop’s 47 yard field goal on the last play of the game was blocked. The Gators are 9-1 now, but c
ould easily be 4-6. Really, Coach Scooter? Tell us how! The Gators trailed by ten in the second half against UT and won by a point. If LSU hadn’t been giving away gifts like a department store Santa Claus, the Tigers would have come into the Swamp and spanked the Gators. You saw what happened against Auburn. UGA does its best LSU imitation in the first half, then almost sends the game into OT before losing by a touchdown. Vandy fell by six, but you kinda figured that would happen since they are the tease of the league. Then South Carolina has two kicks blocked that were the difference in the game. Sooner or later, Meyer is going to play the crying game, just like he did when Florida fell to LSU in Baton Rouge last year, and Florida will have to settle for the Outback Bowl. If that happens, I'll get John Bender from The Breakfast Club to tell Meyer, “B-O-O-H-O-O..”
#18 Wake Forest 30 – Florida State 0
In Tallahassee, Ralphie finally beat up Scot Farkus as Wake Fo
rest became the first team ever to shut out Bobby Bowden at home in a 30-0 drubbing over the Seminoles. I wonder if Wake QB Riley Skinner’s mother had to come out of the stands and pull him off the flattened Seminoles defense, just like Ralphie’s mother in A Christmas Story. The loss prompted the resignation of Jeff Bowden, effective at the end of the season which was a career too late in my opinion. Too bad Daddy Bowden can’t take a hint and leave as well. Hmm, I feel it coming. Yep, it’s time for:
Coach Scooter’s Red Ass Minute
Sorry for the interruption, but I have an issue with thi
s whole Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno coaching thing. These two guys give us the same crap every year, “Well, I feel I can still coach and want to keep coaching as long as I feel up to it.” Look, you AARP poster boys, you both have had a distinguished career that will leave you at the top of the coaching victories list. You both are legends; icons of the sport and have served your universities well, but you are tainting your legacy by thinking you can still coach. I get really sick of hearing, “Well, they both have deserved to leave on their own terms.” That’s a load of crock. Bowden and Paterno are nothing but selfish, egotistical old farts who are doing nothing but putting their own self-glorification ahead of those kids on the team, as well as the universities that employ them. Do me a favor, you bus boys from the Last Supper, do the right thing and resign now so you can save a shred of decency to your players, your school and the game that has given you a wonderful career.
UT is going bowling
The Vols will be back on the bowl scene after missing out on the prize last year. Here are a few of the projections being talked about on the internet. Remember, these pairings are subject to change with every game played. 
Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com
Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee
Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com
Outback Bowl
Penn State vs. Tennessee
Fox Sports.com
Music City Bowl
Maryland vs. Tennessee
Stewart Mandel of SI.com
Outback Bowl
Penn State vs. Tennessee
USA Today.com
Outback Bowl
Penn State vs. Tennessee
College Football News.com - Cotton Bowl - Oklahoma vs. Tennessee
Don’t forget to drop by my SEC football column on The Southern Ledger for more information on this week’s game. Go to http://www.southernledger.com/ for your news and culture in the Southeast.
Well, Vol fans, that is it for another week. Don’t miss my column on Friday when I will preview the weekend games, as well as give you updates on the Vol recruiting outlook, so you won’t want to miss it. Until then, keep rubbing those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Questions and comments; please shoot me an email at volsdiary@yahoo.com. Until Friday, Go Vols!!
P.S. – I know I have written every week about repeating your game maxims, so just in case you aren’t sure what they are, I copied them for you all below. Enjoy!
General Robert Neyland's 7 Maxims of Football
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.2. Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way - SCORE.
3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up... put on more steam.
4. Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.
5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle for this is the WINNING EDGE.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.
