It's Tennessee vs Alabama today in Tuscaloosa. Without a doubt, this is the best rivallry in college football. As a Tennessee fan, there is nothing more satisfying that a victory against the Crimson Tide. Yes, Florida and Georgia are both big rivals and wins against them will set up things for a great season should we win--but there's just something specials about Tennessee vs Bama to me.
I was at the game in 1995 when Tennessee broke the long winless streak to Bama. I remember being in the end zone, telling Peyton to throw it someone and then have them run a long way for the first play--end the suspense early. Imagine my shock, surprise and delight when just that happened. And we never looked back--throttling Bama and taking out ten years of frustration upon them.
Today, the stakes are high for Bama--they beat us, they have a good chance to go undefeated and contend for an SEC and national title. On the other hand, Tennesse is a road underdog with our backs to the wall. Win this one and some of the bad feeling about this season might be momentarily forgotten. And let's face it--we need some confidence since next week Steve Spurrier returns to Knoxville and we need to be ready for him. He just has our number, even if he is playing with a vastly inferior South Carolina team. I want no repeats of the Halloween from the '92 season...ugh, I'm getting sick just thinking about it.
But back to today. Tennessee is great on the road, we're nine of the last ten against Bama and we need a big win. There is a lot of bad blood in this rivallry of late thanks to some idiot Bama boosters and call-in hosts who can't see--oh yeah, we were cheating and got caught! and instead blame Fulmer for their problems. It's gonna be a great game and while I'd love to see a UT blowout, I'd going to predict at UT win 21-17.
And another reason we need to win--in his lifetime, Davis has never known UT to lose to Alabama. He's going to find out the world is a big, harsh place at some point...but I don't think it should start now.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!
posted by Michael Hickerson at 10/22/2005 09:55:00 AM |
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