Well, I guess we are set. We have had an excellent game and one not so good. We have been smashed by the media, our boys have been ripped by those who hate, and our coach is being made out to be an awful person, arrogant, loud mouthed, oh I guess you have heard it all. Our team is supposedly reeling from the loss and are now "realists". We only have half an offensive line, our QB issues have been discussed and our receivers can't seem to complete a route properly. The other team is really just wondering how much they will run the score up, the reporters are hungrily waiting for the story line to heat up, fans are looking out from hand covered eyes as the ship wreck comes to fruition. There is A lot of hate built up towards the boys, a growing disenchantment with the season this year (wait until he gets his own recruits) and (doesn't really matter what happens in this game) seem to fuel the message boards from the wise ones and the I told you so crowd. So, from the heights of anticipation to the depths of despair the fans are all still trying to recover from their disappointment last weekend.
Well, this game only comes around once a year. And I for one don't see any reason to buy into the unnecessary negativity floating around. In fact, I will (I already am) be pumped for kick-off, ready to watch the Volunteers take on the Mighty Gators. Seems to me I remember a game somewhat like this with another team from Florida back in 1985 in the Sugar Bowl. At that point we had no chance and that one turned out pretty well.
But there are other reasons to be there: The disrespect, the juvenile fan behavior, and the childishness of the coach who refers to himself in the third person while referring to his quarterback as the young stallion. Give me a break! That kind of attitude begs for a good old fashioned Tennessee butt whooping.
Tennesseans have never backed down from anyone, whether it is war, depression, Appalachian poverty, disrespect from the gentility of easterners, revenuers, or other associated know betters. We will be the better team because we aren't full of ourselves. Our QB is down but don't short change the mountain spirit that kids who are raised up there have. It is a toughness and resoluteness that others can only hope to have.
So while the Florida fans will make asses of themselves in their arrogance, the announcers will play CLK's early comments until they are known better than the best Super Bowl ads in history, and the Florida players will gather to demand what they think is a given, a few fans and few players will go down to Gainesville with a stubborn and determined glint in their eyes to show the anointed ones just how tough it is when you fall off the wall you climbed to look down at others.
Our team will Play for each other, for the coaches who teach you, and for the fans who cheer you. Play for respect. Think of everyone turning the TV to the game to catch what is happening with Tennessee in the lead. Think of shutting up the incessant Tebow, Tebow, Tebow from the announcers. And play to be part of the team that overcame supposedly insurmountable odds to take its' place in Tennessee lore.
Our players will, take the fight to the field, never quit, go an eye for an eye, and line up like Tennesseans. The VOLS have an opportunity to blow up the landscape three days from now. Remember, only one time a year do you get to play this team. Make the most of it. The VOL's will bring a little piece of Florida back with them to hang on the shelf as a reminder. And by the way, there is no sweeter sound than Rocky Top all night long in the Swamp!
We are UT!!!
Let's go get some Gators!!!
They have no respect for you; make them remember you as long as they live!!!" -------Johnny Majors