Week 8 in Big Orange Country

Tennessee plays Alabama on Saturday. I look forward to this game for 365 days a year since I am old school by nature, and this game is as old school as it gets in the SEC. The Vols and Tide have played every year since 1928, with a few years off due to World War II, so these teams laid the groundwork for the making of what the SEC is today. Every week of the game, I am reminded of what General Neyland and Bear Bryant once said about this rivalry:

“You found out what kind of a person you were when you played against Tennessee.” – Bear Bryant

“You never know about a football player until he has played against Alabama.” – General Neyland

Those are pretty strong words from two pretty strong coaches in the SEC.


The game is a Lincoln Financial 12:30 start, which is 11:30 Tuscaloosa time. Maybe that works in the Vols favor since all the Bama fans won’t have all day to get good and liquored up and pissed off, just like Crum Petree (right) in Funny Farm. The interesting thing is this will be the first time this game has not been shown nationally in almost 20 years. My crack research staff thinks that the last time this game was not shown to the nation was 1988.

This is a special week at home since my daughter, Sofia, gets to learn all about the rivalry. Instead of reading stories about the Three Bears, or Cinderella, the Sarge is reading to her from the book, The Third Saturday in October by Al Browning. I pick out selected years and add stories about my experiences at the games so she knows what the rivalry is all about. General Sweetie is not exactly thrilled, but hey, I am at home with her this week so I get to call the shots as far as the bedtime stories go.

Check out this week’s video blog (right side of the page). The Sarge took a page from one of the greatest movies ever, Braveheart, so hopefully this will get you ready for Saturday’s titanic matchup. I knew the idea would be good when I explained to General Sweetie what I was doing at breakfast the other day, and all she did was close her eyes, shake her head and reply, “Oh, dear God…”

Coach Fulmer’s remarks before the Alabama game

1. Comment on how Josh McNeil's remark, "We are not the nicest guys on earth, including myself," reflects Tennessee's on-field toughness.

A - "Football is not a game for soft people, especially if you are playing in the offensive line or the defensive line. You can't be a soft guy or a nice guy. Off the field, you can be a gentleman, but not on the field, playing the game. Josh McNeil is one of the 'tough' guys we have here."

2. How do you personally get across to the team the historical significance of the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry?

A - "It has been correctly said of Alabama and Tennessee players that they haven't played SEC football until you've been in this game. I will do a good job making sure our players understand how important this game is to the Tennessee people and to the Alabama people."

3. Describe what is involved in the improvement the Vols have made on the defensive side of the field.

A - "We have always played hard, but we were guilty of giving up big plays. We are tackling better and taking care of our responsibilities in filling gaps and so forth. It's an upgrade in playing the fundamentals."

4. What factors have contributed to Arian Foster's development as a productive running back?

A - "Arian has worked hard and has turned his one bad play against Penn State into a motivation tool. He had a good spring. If we can keep him healthy, we are looking at a fantastic junior year for Arian Foster."

5. Comment on the likelihood the outcome of the Alabama game could boil down to the ability to win the close ones.

A - "In the SEC, especially against big rivals, it can turn into a fourth-quarter game. Alabama this season has played a lot of close games, and we don't expect this to be any different. It could come down to one play or two plays deciding it. But every play is important."

Game of the Week

Oregon State 31 – California 28

Oregon State has almost matched their in-state rival for the ugliest uniforms in college football. It looks like they are all wearing sports bras. I will give them a pass since they did beat Cal, which the Vols couldn’t. I guess seeing all that orange for a second time this year was too much for the overrated Bears. And for all the Cal fans who emailed me to thump their chests AFTER the Bears victory over UT in September, I have to ask, if they heard that noise. What noise, Sarge? It was the sound of their team choking…. To quote Nelson from The Simpsons, “HA-HA”

Announcer Review

We had some hilarious yucks this week. One was a story that appeared on SportsCenter about Dennis Franchione at Texas A&M before their game against Texas Tech. There was a Texas Tech logo under Coach Fran’s picture. Who knows, if Coach Fran doesn't start winning a few games, he might wind up at Texas Tech…

“Usually, the Navy goes by the ground or the sea, but this time they are going by air.” John Siebel – ESPN SportsCenter

Good to see Navy going by ground these days. But is it hard to get those ships to sail on land?


"Oh I may be wrong. The people in the production truck are telling me this is reviewable."- Gary Danielson

You ever get the feeling without CBS’ say-so, Danielson wouldn't piss with his pants on fire?

"If you don't want to dangle your participles..."- Pam Ward

Is this a football game or a quiet moment with Emily Post? (I am sure my readers don’t know who that is, so in case you were wondering, she is the chick who wrote that book about etiquette. However, there isn't a chapter on farting, so how much could she really know?)

"You are in midseason form, Tom."- Pat Haden
"It IS midseason."- Tom Hammond
"Oh, right."- Pat Haden

You think Pat has played too many games without his helmet?

"Both the offense and the defense....one's trying to get the advantage over the other."- Andre Ware

The color commentator should have pulled a Hoover from Animal House and said, “Have another beer everyone, Andre’s just kidding….Right, Bluto?”

There's Robin of Locksley, taken the poor and giving them to the rich, and the Illinois are rich with talent right now."- Ray Bentley, talking about Illinois Offensive Mike Locksley

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

"I'm gonna have to get in there and do a little banging myself."- Melissa Knowles

Hmm, sounds like Melissa could be getting some more air time…

"He wasn't over there long enough to get stiff, but he did get a blow.” Bill Curry

At this rate, when Bill Curry does a game, they won’t play the ESPN college football theme, they will play cheesy porno music.

"That's like comparing Joan Collins to Linda Evans."- Lou Holtz
"Now for a more modern reference, like Eva Longoria to Teri Hatcher."- Rece Davis
"I don't know who that is."- Lou Holtz

Try referencing the Golden Girls next time. That might ring a bell with Lou, although it sounds like Lou has had his bell rung for a long time.

Thanks to Awful Announcing.com for those quotes!

Mailbag

Sarge,

I watched with ABSOLUTE DELIGHT as we beat the tar out of those Georgia Bulldogs, and then when we played the Mississippi State Bulldogs, I thought to myself, "Is this the same team?" I love my Vols, but I am getting to the point in my life where I can't take a lot of stress. I have a teen-age daughter who has just started dating, and a pre-teen son - so I have enough stress in my life without my beloved Vols trying to give me a HEART ATTACK! haha

Seriously, I want the boys to get the same enthusiasm for Alabama as they had for Georgia. With Kentucky beating LSU they will be gunning for us, along with South Carolina and the rest of the teams on our schedule...........

GO VOLS !!! BEAT BAMA !

PFC Tim Munsey
BIG ORANGE ARMY

I know what you mean Tim. I have a newborn daughter and I already have nightmares about meeting her new boyfriend and find out he is some shaggy haired boy coming to my front door wearing a hat backwards from an SEC team that I don’t like. If things get too tough, just do what the Sarge does when he can’t take another minute. Go down to your man cave with a bottle of Daddy’s Apple Juice, put on Foghat’s Greatest Hits, sit in a dark corner and start thinking about Julianne Moore wearing a tight Waffle House waitress uniform. I don’t know about you, but that always cures whatever ails me.

Sergeant Scooter,

As you have been informed the Tennessee-Alabama game is going to be broadcasted on LF Sports this weekend. As far back as I can remember, the Tennessee-Alabama game has always been on CBS, excluding 2002. Do you think this is fair to air the season's biggest rivalry game on a regional broadcast? We have only had 3 games aired this year, no games on ESPN. If I could get some feedback that would be nice. I also have some information that the South Carolina game will air 7:45 ESPN/ESPN2 and College Gameday might be at Fort Neyland, but I am not a 100% sure.

Vols91

Thanks for the email. We did a little checking and found the Vols-Tide game has been on national TV every year from 1989 to 2006. It was either carried by ABC, ESPN or CBS. I was sure the Vols would be the CBS 3:30 game, but Kentucky’s upset of LSU made their game with Florida that much more important, so I think that is why we got the snub. I did some checking with my contact at ESPN and he told me the reason the Vols have not been on ESPN is because of the two early season losses, and the fact LSU, Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky have been up in the polls for most of the year and they are a more compelling story, at least right now. However, you are correct in that the Vols will play South Carolina on ESPN at 7:30 on the 27th since that game will go a long way in determining the East Division Championship. I think if the Vols start winning, they will be a headline team again since their games are critical to the SEC East race.

Sarge:

You and I have kept a fair dialogue since the Florida game, and all has been well since...so I'm not about to break this chain now. Well, a good, solid effort at Mississippi State on Saturday has set the Vols up for the showdown in Tuscaloser. I tell ya Sarge, my dad was the biggest bama fan in the world....as was his dad....and as are my brothers and wife. Thankfully, my wife and I have had little Vols....apparently; the orange is dominant when you mix with crimson. To say all that, I always respected the tide and always did believe them to be a classy program. All through the 60's and 70's here in Alabama, while I was wearing orange....very few people beat them. So, I imagine the class came very easy. We must spank the Tide!

Paul Vol orders victory!!

Paul "VOL" Gore
42nd infantry
Guntersville, AL

Another great email from my good pal, Paul Vol! I agree Paul, the older Bama fans are classy since they know what it means to win. In fact, I respect the Tide and their great tradition since they were the team that got southern football on the map in the 20’s. They were the best team in the south, and going to the Rose Bowl got southern football needed recognition. When General Neyland took over for good in 1926, he scheduled Alabama since he wanted his Vols to step into the national limelight, just like Alabama. Neyland thought playing them would get national attention for the Vols.

Hey Sarge!

Just saw your video blog. I wasn’t able to come up for the Georgia game, but next year when I'm a student up there I will be at every game. Like I said before WE CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY, if we do that, we will be in Atlanta.

Will Moore

Thanks Will! I know it is going to be tough, but if the Vols can win these games, they will be the surprise story of the SEC, especially after starting 1-2. We still have a long way to go, but keep the faith and we’ll see if the Vols can pull though!

Sgt. Scooter

Good to hear from you, Sarge!! Great game vs. UGA, but I've really been down on Fulmer this year. Not just the two losses, but the same old problems on special teams. Phil’s been fixing kick coverage for years now and until last week we were pathetic. I heard his job was on the line so I guess it needs to be that way each week.

Go Vols
Tony

Hey Tony!

Well, we survived in Starkville but we better bring our A game to Tuscaloosa or it will be a Crimson beat down of seismic proportions. Stay tuned and thanks for the email. It’s great Vol fans like you that deserve to see this team rise from the grave and stun the whole country. Keep the emails coming!

Dear Sarge:

The MSU game was awesome. My friends and some family said UT will lose, but I said they wouldn’t. Go Vols. Go B.O.A.

Sincerely,
P E-1 Patrick

Hey Patrick! Way to back up the brave boys in orange! We’ll need more great Vols like you to support our team on Saturday so don’t miss the game and keep those emails coming!

Thanks Sarge!

I had 2 tickets to that UT -vs- UGA Game and couldn't go. Man I wish I could have been there!! What a game, way to run the ball Coach Cut, and Big John, that defense finally came together and acted like they wanted to win the game. It was beautiful!!

Have a great day, let's go win another one this weekend.

Go BOA, and GO VOLS!!

Joe Lombard

Thanks, Joe! What do you think of this weekend game? If the lines can hold up, we have a chance to win down there. However Bama will be fired up, especially at home, so there are no free lunches in the SEC especially at Alabama.

The Sarge will be back later in the week with more quotes from Coach Fulmer, as well as a look at some of the big games of the week. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!


PS- By the way, I had a few emails asking about the game maxims. Here they are for you to repeat this week before the game:


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.