Vols have a shot, but it’s a long one
Last Saturday was a big day for Tennessee football fans, with the Vols clinching the SEC East title after slipping past Kentucky in four overtimes 52-50.
It was probably the most exciting game the Vols have played all season, and if you have any type of heart or blood pressure problems then I’m sure you had to make a few trips to the medicine cabinet.
The Vols are now ranked 14th and finished the season with a five-game winning streak, which earned them a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship on Saturday.
Now the big question is, can the Vols make a game of it against LSU. Despite the Tigers’ slip from No. 1 after falling to Arkansas, I’m not sure the Vols’ defense can contain the Tigers.
With the exception of Georgia, who the Vols beat, Tennessee has given up a lot of points against three good teams, all of which led to losses. California scored 45 points, while Florida posted 59 and Alabama put 41 points on the board.
Tennessee has been called the underdog for most of the season, and with good reason. The Vols have had problems on defense, at times the offense has looked out of sync and quarterback Erik Ainge hasn’t lived up to his preseason billing.
The biggest winner from Tennessee’s win over Kentucky has to be the Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia might not be playing for the SEC title, but now they have a chance of playing for the National Championship. It’s a longshot, but not having to play LSU and the possibility of losing to the Tigers, keeps their BCS hopes alive. So in reality Tennessee did Georgia a big favor in winning the SEC east.
The Bulldogs moved to No. 4 after downing Georgia Tech 31-17, and with the win they now hold a 10-2 record.
All the Bulldogs need is for Oklahoma to beat No. 1 Missouri and for Pittsburgh to beat No. 2 West Virginia. OK, that’s a little much to ask for if you’re a Bulldog fan, but considering all the crazy upsets that have happened in college football this season, it could very well happen.
Considering the Bulldogs have won their last six games in convincing style and their only real struggle down the stretch came from Vanderbilt, which started their six-game winning streak, then Georgia might be if not the best, but the hottest team in college football right now. Most likely Georgia won’t be playing for a national title, but it’s still hard to understand how the Bulldogs have a shot and aren’t playing for the SEC title.
If Tennessee beats LSU, how far up the polls would they jump? I guess it really wouldn’t matter they would still be going to the Sugar Bowl. But for this team to finish in the top 10 would be a good ending to an otherwise up-and-down season.
One step at a time, though. First the Vols have to bring their best game of the season to Atlanta this weekend. Defensively they can’t give up the big plays and offensively they have to make the big plays.
The Vols have a team pledge which says, ‘I will give my all for Tennessee today.’ If they plan on making the trip to New Orleans, giving their all will be the their only chance to win the SEC crown.