I think he was just being polite when he said it was a really tough decision.  He didn't want to hurt the feelings of all his Vol-fan friends.  I really don't think he ever had near the interest in UT that he did in FSU.  Had FSU done poorly last year, and UT done well, that might have made a little difference.  But, FSU won the ACC, went to a BCS bowl, and UT lost to Vanderbilt.  If FSU is your childhood team, the decision seems like a no-brainer.