I've always wondered why a state famous for its whiskey, and a state known for its bourbon, got together to choose a beer barrel as a game trophy. Does anyone know that backstory? Can anyone share it?
EDIT: I just googled it, found this well-written article.
Reliving the rise and fall of the ‘Battle of the Barrel’
It doesn't say why the lads were drinking beer instead of Kentucky bourbon that Saturday in the fall of 1925, but does a good job of covering the tradition in general.
Go Vols!
Bama and unfortunately, Vandy, are the only requirements.
If you voted for Kentucky, you're scared of competition and would rather pretend to be good than actually be good.
I want to play Florida and Bama every year. People get caught up looking at the 3 permanent games as the whole schedule when the other 6 will balance it out if done right.Lol. I get it. It’s just funny to me that some UT fans always advocate to make things harder than they need to be. We’re going to have to play Bama every year, no matter what. So you’re already playing the program that has more than double the SEC titles of any other program every year. You’re also going to cycle through the entire SEC every other year and every venue in the SEC every 4 years.
Playing Bama every year gives us a good reason to get to play the two doormats of the SEC every year, while programs like UGA, Bama, Texas, LSU, Auburn probably get stuck having to play at least 2 really tough opponents every year. Auburn probably is going to have to play Bama and UGA every year. Bama might have to play us, Auburn and LSU. After the Dark Lord Saban is gone, that will be a tough task. I say any path to Atlanta in the new SEC is going to be difficult and if it can be made any easier, let’s not handicap ourselves.
If you voted for Kentucky, you're scared of competition and would rather pretend to be good than actually be good.
Don't care. It isn't fun. It's rarely competitive and it's not Florida. If you ask most Tennessee fans who they hate more, it isn't going to be Kentucky.....if they're not 60 yrs old at least.Or maybe you value tradition and the fact that Kentucky is one of three series that Tennessee has played every year since the SEC was formed (Alabama and Vanderbilt being the others) and frankly we have played Kentucky more than any other team and have played them since the 1890s. That series is not going away. They are a border rival and it is a fun, heated rival.
Why is Alabama playing 5 east teams and we are playing 5 west teams?(Edited to include UK)
In the new format which will likely be 3-6-6 (because money), the common denominator for opponents in every model I’ve seen are Bama and Vandy, so we’re not getting out of those 2, it seems (not too sad about Vandy).
It is very possible in a pod system, UT could be paired with Alabama, Vandy and Auburn. I have seen another scenario where UT is paired with Alabama, UF and Vandy. And the final and probably best one I have seen is with Alabama, Vandy and USCjr. Which would you prefer?
Florida: Personally, I say the less UT has to play Florida, the better. We’re cursed against UF. Even Alabama I feel like we can beat them somewhat consistently once Saban is gone. I want UF to only be a bi-annual concern. However, I feel I’m in the minority here. Some Vol fans are apparently masochists when it comes to Florida.
Auburn: They would be better imo. They are also technically a more historic rival. We recruit head to head with the War Tigers more than Florida for ATL talent, and they are definitely not a program who is consistently good enough to beat us 11 years in a row.
USCjr: This is a team that is tough to beat on the road (kind’ve), but we dominate them at home (they have 3 wins in Neyland all-time and all 3 were close wins). We recruit against them a lot as well for Carolina talent.
UK: The best outcome, of course. Our most historic opponent, along with Vandy. UK’s program has improved, as well as the interest for the game. But I am confident we will continue to dominate UK. It seems we always play well against them, home or away.
Links/Pics:
UT plays Auburn
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UT plays Florida
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UT plays USCjr
What SEC football schedule format is best? Here's our rivalry modelView attachment 461382
UT plays UK
Which new SEC schedule format should Tennessee football fans want?