SEC PRIMER (Week 8): It's all yellow for Big Orange Country
STAFF REPORT
“I drew a line
I drew a line for you
What a thing to do
And it was all yellow”
Yellow – Coldplay
It’s true… you can take a lyric and use it however you want. In this case, this one fits Tennessee fans to a “tee.”
Not sorry for the pun since it works so well. Throwing things on the field is nothing new in any sport. Watched any international soccer lately?
Golf balls? Yeah, that’s a new one but always carry one just in case.
Mustard? How did that get past security? Did they sneak it in under their socks? Hat? Or did they have a medical condition that requires having it on hand for emergency situations?
Don’t forget – it’s Tennessee.
The home of the rally trash can.
Sure, we love the passion, the fervor and zeal of the fan base. But it can get spicy…. Yes, like mustard.
Do we blame Lane? He creates stir everywhere he goes, but no.
At Neyland, it’s a more of a whirlwind complete with fire and brimstone, especially considering where this program is at the moment.
Unfortunately, this will not go away anytime soon.
UT was once known as the second-best team in the Southeastern Conference but has fallen to near-insignificant status. Beyond their 14-game losing streak to Alabama (which most likely will increase by one game this Saturday), the Volunteers have lost any credibility as a contender. The record since 2015 is 19-31 in conference play.
In that span, they have challenged for the East title one time – finishing third with a 5-3 record.
The low watermark was in 2017 when the Vols failed to win a conference game, a first for the program since the SEC was formed in 1933.
The “Third Saturday in October” has little meaning, other than a great day for cigar shops in Alabama. You’ve probably seen the stat that since Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, Tennessee has enjoyed a cumulative lead a grand total of a little more than 17 minutes.
Now, the debacle of last Saturday hangs over the program, not to mention the announcement of former head coach Jeremy Pruitt’s plans to sue the program for buyout money or the entire athletic program’s dirty laundry will be plastered across the heavens.
Josh Heupel’s response to last week’s trashy display didn’t help matters. He heralded the fans, stating it was a great atmosphere and that only a “few” were throwing debris on the field.
“…. A slight delay (of more than 20 minutes). “Just a small group of fans… That’s a very few number…”
He might want to check with the trash supervisor and get a count on the tons of water bottles picked up after the game.
Big Orange Nation believes the Vols will be back to competing for championships soon. Believe it or not, that probably would be good for the conference having them back.
The land of Neyland, Majors and Manning can be what it once was but it might take a while and a little more humble pie before they get there.
SEC VOICE
It may not have the national relevance as it once did, but the Third Saturday in October still has meaning. Author Keith Dunnavant gives his views on the Alabama-Tennessee game.
SEC Schedule for Oct. 23 (Rankings are from AP)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-5) at Arkansas (4-3, 1-3 SEC)
11 a.m. CDT • SECN
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Southern def. Ark-Pine Bluff, 34-7; Auburn def. Arkansas, 38-23
What about UAPB/ARK
First game against an in-state school for Arkansas since 1944 (Ark-Monticello).
Razorback defense is allowing just 30.9 percent conversion on third down.
UAPB’s lone win came against D-II member Lane College in the first game of the season (1-5).
RRS PREDICTION: Arkansas 54, UAPB 7 (No line)
LSU (4-3, 2-2 SEC) at (12) OLE MISS (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
2:30 p.m. CDT • CBS
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
Series: LSU leads, 64-40-4 (Last meeting – 2020, @ LSU, 53-48)
Last Week: LSU def. Florida, 49-42; Ole Miss def. Tennessee, 31-26
What about LSU /OLE MISS
Home team has won 7 of last nine meetings in the series. LSU has won five straight and six of last seven meetings. Ole Miss last win came in 2015. Since 2008, winner gets Magnolia Bowl trophy.
LSU is a perfect 19-of-19 in the Red Zone with 14 TDs and 5 FGs. The Tigers are one of three teams nationally to hold that distinction.
Ole Miss QB Matt Corral ranks in Top 10 nationally in total offense (363 ypg), passing efficiency (169.2) and points responsible (134) and yards per pass attempt (9.39).
Ole Miss ran a school record 101 plays in the win over Tennessee. The Rebels rank second in the nation in plays run per game (80.5)
Corral threw his first interception of the season against Tennessee after 233 pass attempts, a school record.
RRS Prediction: Ole Miss 34, LSU 30 (Ole Miss favored by 9)
Mississippi State (3-3, 1-2 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-5, 0-3 SEC)
3 p.m. CDT • SECN
Nashville, Tenn. • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,350)
Series: Miss ST leads, 14-7-2 (Last meeting - 2020, @ Miss St, 24-17)
Last week: Alabama def. Miss St., 49-9; South Carolina def. Vandy, 21-20
What about VANDY/MISS ST
MSU has not lost to Vandy since 2004 and has outscored the ‘Dores 104-34 in four straight wins.
Three defenders registered 10 or more tackles in the loss to Alabama, a first this season.
Soph. Mike Wright made his first start at QB for the Commodores last week, passing for 206 and a TD. He replaced Ken Seals, who was injured.
The Vandy D allowed just 117 yards rushing against SC, fewest allowed this season.
RRS Prediction: Miss St 28, Vanderbilt 20 (Miss St favored by 20.5)
Tennessee (4-3, 2-2 SEC) at (4) Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
6 p.m. CDT • ESPN
Tuscaloosa Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077)
Series: Bama leads, 58-38-7 (Last meeting – 2020, Bama, 48-17)
Last week: Ole Miss def. Tennessee, 52-51; Alabama def. Miss St. 49-9
What about UT/BAMA
Since 1959, at least one or both teams have been ranked in this game every year but three – 1968, 1984, 2000. The highest ranked team has won 85 percent of the time.
Nick Saban has never lost to Tennessee as the head coach at Alabama. He is 14-0 at Bama and 16-1 overall (all other games at LSU). He also has a 51-3 record in the month of October and has a 28-0 record at home.
Tennessee has already passed its points total of 2020 with 275 points (215 points last year).
UT QB Hendon Hooker had two TDs and 341 yards of total offense before leaving the game with an injury in the fourth quarter against Ole Miss. He is listed as “day to day” by UT.
Bama WR Jameson Williams had his third reception of 75 yards or more last week. He’s the first since Amari Cooper in 2014.
Bama QB Bryce Young leads the SEC in passing TDs (24), points responsible for (146) and passing efficiency (180.0).
Since Saban arrived at Alabama, Tennessee has led a total of 17:38 minutes in the 14 losses. (Per ESPN)
RRS Prediction: Alabama 44, Tennessee 20 (Bama favored by 25)
South Carolina (4-3, 1-3 SEC) at (17) Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2 SEC)
6:30 p.m. CDT • SEC Network
College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
Series: A&M leads, 7-0 (Last meeting – 2020 – A&M, 48-3)
Last week: Texas A&M def. Missouri def. North Texas, 35-14; SC def. Vanderbilt, 21-20
What about SC/A&M
A&M has won the last two meetings by a combined 78-9 and has not allowed a TD to the Gamecocks since 2018.
A&M’s Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane combined for 292 yards rushing against the nation’s worst run defense last week. They also combined for three TDs.
SC has won one game in the state of Texas – 1957 vs. Texas and is 1-6 overall. The Cocks are 0-4 vs. A&M.
The win over Vanderbilt was SC’s 100th victory in the SEC since joining in 1992.
SC has 10 interceptions including one last week against Vandy.
RRS Prediction: Texas A&M 42, South Carolina 17 (A&M favored by 20)
OPEN: Auburn; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Missouri
RRS RECORD: Last week: 5-2 (5-2 vs. spread); Season: 53-16 (27-32 vs. spread)