I wanted to start my own thread, but since I can't, I'll just add on to this one..
From a Bama fan:
I'll start off by saying I have a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Tennessee and all of their accomplishments in College Football. They stand right alongside Alabama when it comes to historic programs in the college football world. I have never truly *hated* UT except on the Third Saturday in October, but that comes with the territory.
This is a blessing in disguise for Tennessee. The past year, I've said all along how Kiffin was not the right fit for the UT job. Nothing about him says "tradition," or "success," in my book. To me, Tennessee is (again, alongside Alabama) traditional and successful.
Given the recent mishaps at UT, the VolNation can rest assured that Tennessee will not be down long.. just as Alabama was not down long. It will be an interesting couple of years, to say the least, but Tennessee will never be a bottom-of-the-pack SEC team - even during troubling times.
The Third Saturday in October has always, and will always, scare the crap out of me.. no matter how good 'Bama may be, and how poor UT may be at the time. It is truly a rivalry game, but there is no outstanding hate from this Bama fan.
I will bid you all good luck on finding a new coach.. hopefully he will be the right fit for UT. I look forward to chatting with you all during the offseason, and maybe taking it into the season as well, if you'll have me.
Good luck, again (but not TOO much, of course!).