Game Six: Redemption

October 7^th

Vs. University Of Tennessee (Athens, GA)

The redemption here could go either way. In 2005, the Tennessee Vols had one of the most disappointing years ever in college football. They had a preseason ranking of around #3 and many had them pegged to be in the national championship game by the end of the year. Starting with the UT/UGA game last year, the Vols went on to lose 5 of the next 6 games, they lost their best defender, Jason Allen, for the rest of their season, and they had a QB controversy in full swing. Coach Fulmer’s team ended up 5-6, missing out on a bowl game for the first time since….well as far back as I can remember. Wait, as far back as I care to remember. You see, I HATE the Vols.

I spent about 11 years in East Tennessee, and while I have fond memories of my life and times there, it was way too long being for a Dawg fan in Vol country. So I did enjoy their misery last year.

But it’s not about me. It’s about a UT team desperate to get out on the football field to prove that this was a travesty, an aberration. For the Dawgs, this will be a giant step in being able to prove that they belong every year, not just when the stars align. I don’t know anyone, Vol fan or not, who doesn’t think Tennessee will have a strong year. Let’s just hope they can field a team.

This is another game I can’t predict. The Vols have a tendency to lose the easy games, and win the ones they shouldn’t.

(Notice how I got through that without using the words, “probation” or “Drunken Cooter”?)