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If you are a member of the Big Orange fold, it's time to
be concerned. The aircraft carrier of the Vol Navy is
sinking. I'm talking about Tennessee football. I've been
following their progress this spring. Things aren't
looking too great, regardless of the smokescreen that
head coach Phillip Fulmer tries to puff past us.
Let's look at facts. The Vols are stale off (as
opposed to fresh off) two mediocre seasons. Tennessee
was a hollow 10-3 last year and embarrassed by Clemson
in the Peach Bowl. Oh yeah, those sour peaches. Remember
Atlanta? The Vols suffered their worst bowl loss ever
when they were pummeled by Maryland in the 2003 Peach
Bowl.
It seems that sunshine and citrus are avoiding the
Vols in recent Januarys.
Prospects for the 2004 campaign don't look much
brighter. Why? The Vols have been living on the edge too
much. They gambled in 1998 by living on the edge and it
paid off handsomely. But the Vols have gone to the well
too often.
There is no legitimate quarterback waiting in the
wings. Casey Clausen, despite what you may think about
him, left Bigfoot-sized shoes to fill. C.J. Leak and
Rick Clausen are the two main contenders for the job,
but they way they've performed thus far makes
Tennessee's display in 2002 look crisp and precise.
There have been too many miscues, too many penalties.
And it's not like Casey Clausen's departure caught the
UT coaching staff by surprise. Tennessee has failed to
groom an understudy. But poor player development is the
Vol staff's flaw. Perhaps that explains why Tennessee
attracts the best prep players then sends out the most
NFL prospects. Something happens in the middle.
The Vols return Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis, both
of whom have underachieved. Tennessee has been playing
musical positions with Corey Larkins. Gerald Riggs is
the best player of the bunch, but Fulmer doesn't see the
need to play him.
There are some great receivers in the mix, but
delivering the ball to them will be a frustrating
exercise.
The defense could be the Vols' strength next year.
But defense doesn't score points.
If you think that's bad, look at the schedule.
Tennessee will be challenged every time it steps on the
field. This year, every game is in play.
Tennessee opens with Nevada-Las Vegas and the Runnin'
Rebels aren't the same Rebels who lost 62-3 to UT in
1996. This is the same UNLV team that stunned Arkansas
in a bowl game a few years ago. It's a better team.
Then comes Florida, which won't be the same Gator
team the Vols knocked off last year. Also on the docket
are Georgia at Athens, Auburn at Neyland, as well as
visits from Notre Dame and Alabama. South Carolina could
be dangerous, too.
Attendance has been down and the Big Orange flock has
been disgruntled and when it gets in that mode, moving
vans aim toward the head coach's house (a la Bill Battle
and Johnny Majors).
There's a new AD - Mike Hamilton - in town at
Knoxville and he must see the writing on the wall...in
big orange letter. A 6-5 season is a distinct
possibility this season. If the Vols can go 7-4 and make
the Music City Bowl, it will be a monumental feat. For
most, a 6-5 or 7-4 season could be disappointing.
I figure it's about right on track. |
