Vols won't play USC to open '11 season

[Eberry]

In the latest round of the Lane Kiffin-Tennessee saga, the USC coach approached the Volunteers about meeting in the 2011 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

Tennessee, the program Kiffin abruptly left for USC early this year, declined the invitation.

Reached for comment on Wednesday afternoon, Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said, "We told [USC] we could play 'em in a few years but we can't make it work with our schedule next year."

Hamilton said he was initially approached about the potential match-up a few months ago by Gary Stokan, the Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO. Hamilton also said Kiffin had recently sent him some text messages about the proposal.

The Vols' tentative 2011 schedule as of now includes home games against Cincinnati, Georgia and LSU and road games at Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas.

Bruce Feldman is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

Tennessee turns down Lane Kiffin, USC's offer to play in 2011 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game - ESPN

Here is the link.

I would think this is something TN should have done?

 

[Kingston Vol]

Yeah, let's wait a couple years before we play them.

 

[Through_The_T]

We need time to rebuild. Good choice by Hamilton.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

I say 2012 and beyond lets do it.

 

[ptclaus98]

Lame. Have some nuts Hamilton.

 

[vol4eva]

Tennessee turns down Lane Kiffin, USC's offer to play in 2011 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game - ESPN

Here is the link.

I would think this is something TN should have done?

Why? Do you really want to see Tenn get obliterated on national Tv?

 

[goatmaster]

Why? Do you really want to see Tenn get obliterated on national Tv?

way to support the team

 

[volwarrior33]

way to support the team

You think Tennessee could compete with Southern Cal in 2011?

 

[crusse10]

Why? Do you really want to see Tenn get obliterated on national Tv?

Everyone clearly wants "revenge," but no way would we be getting that in a year...They'd crush us.

 

[zjcvols]

With Cincy, and UNC as out of conference already, adding USC would be ridiculously hard.

 

[Through_The_T]

way to support the team

I love Tennessee as much as the next fan and I'm a bit biased but 5 sophomores on the OL next year against all of the 5* defensive players that Carroll has been recruiting would be a bloodbath and there's no way to sugarcoat it....

 

[BuckheadVol1]

Why? Do you really want to see Tenn get obliterated on national Tv?

What makes you really think (especially since sanctions) that this would happen? Oh, ignorance.

I firmly believe we have every chance of winning if not killing them (especially the grudge the kids have regarding what happened). I think DD would have them ready to roll!

 

[goatmaster]

You think Tennessee could compete with Southern Cal in 2011?

Yes, think the line and qb will have experience and we will return all of the secondary. We will lose the wrs but will replace them with better players.

 

[EZE]

way to support the team

He is being a realist. Let's see if Kiffin wants to play the game in 3-4 years when the tables are turned. I think we all know the answer to that question.

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

I would like to play them, just not in the GA dome

 

[ROCKYTOP09]

I would start tailgating now for that one
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[MikeHamiltonFan]

They can spin it that we are scared of them, but they know they are not going to a bowl game in 2011 so there is no downside for them losing to us. They would blame it on lack of scholarships or whatever, jetlag...They know if we lost to them it would really hurt us.

 

[BuckheadVol1]

You think Tennessee could compete with Southern Cal in 2011?

Absolutely. Bash if you want but I do not see why not. Yes, many questions to be answered but I think we would be ready!

 

[Eberry]

I say if we play them in.... 2012. That way everyone wants to play them more than anything and all that anger of 2 years builds up? Ayeee? Thumbs up?

 

[BuckheadVol1]

Everyone clearly wants "revenge," but no way would we be getting that in a year...They'd crush us.

Yep, just like Flurdah and Bama. :crazy:

 

[BuckheadVol1]

I would like to play them, just not in the GA dome

Completely agree with this.

 

[crusse10]

Yep, just like Flurdah and Bama. :crazy:

USC's the one with a coach known for being able to run up the score, not us...

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

I think we can all admit we would be pumped for this game. What a way to open the season.

 

[goatmaster]

Everyone needs to stop being scared. Last year all i heard was about how Alabama and Florida was going to destory us.