Spurrier grew up a fan and would've been a Vol had he fit the system. His knock represents USC's interests (they have an OOC rival in Clemson and schedule wise the permanent rivalries do nothing for them). He's also logically correct that the TSIO doesn't do anything for us right now (we hang onto it because of our fandom and the history - we know the series will turn but it's not like playing Bama helps UT right now).
He's also no worse than any other negavol or much of our fanbase (can't tell you how many jokes about UT not being able to be x high school I've heard from Tennessee fans in real life) - his favorite target is UT and I doubt that will change because he grew up a fan and truth be told still has a soft spot for us despite being 'the enemy.'
You can take the boy outta the hills but you can't take the hillbilly out of the boy. Personally, I find him funny and never mean-spirited with his jabs (he's always been as hard on his own teams).
Steve Spurrier on SEC permanent rivals: “Alabama and Tennessee like each other. I don’t know why Tennessee would keep liking them though.”
The man does have a point though. Alabama looks at us now the way we look at Kentucky. Not sure why we are so eager to stick our head in the lion's mouth every year. Much rather play Arkie every year until Butch gets this thing into high gear.
We're not gonna give up one of our oldest and ,imo , best rivalry just because it's difficult right now.
And no...I dont "like" em.
Agreed. They don't have the brains down there to remember when the series was heavily in our favor for years. Soon as Saban is gone, they'll be straight back in the crapper. He's the only reason to bother with that place...what a dump.
That was a UT fan saying he would rather see UT play Arky than Bama until UT gets it worked out.
I don't agree with that. Man up and play.
I used to feel that way too. And when it's an actual rivalry again I will enjoy it again. But right now I don't enjoy 40-0 beatdowns in Neyland and having those rival clowns singing rammer jammer at us in our stadium. And I'd much prefer to go bowling.
But having said that, I don't really want the league to end the annual series because I feel in 2-3 years Butch will have us to the point we will be competitive again, and both sides might actually believe it's still a game worthy of its name. But there is a part of me that asks if right now getting to a bowl game might be preferrable to getting our brains beaten in.