I was one of the many who exited with around 9:00 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The mood of the exiting crowd was unusual. There was no complaining about the officiating. No one tried to pump up the dejected fans. No one mentioned Fulmer. When the fireworks went off signifying a Volunteer touchdown, we looked over our shoulders and ambled off towards the strip without a sound. There was no anger or frustration, but only benign resignation. This apathy is a symptom of a near fatal illness that has afflicted Vol Nation. Its the realization that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. It is knowing that Georgia, Florida, and Alabamas programs are on the upswing while ours is headed south. I am old enough to remember Doug Dickey, Bill Battle, and Johnny Majors. I can recall names like Steve Kiner, Richmond Flowers, and Bob Johnson. I can not recall anything like this.
