The phrase 'it's the end of an era' is an overused cliché, but it genuinely fits when the Tennessee Volunteers host Kentucky on Saturday. Of course, it is Phillip Fulmer's last game as Tennessee head coach. He has served the program well over the last 17 years, but his era is about to end.
Other than sending Fulmer out on a high note, there are other things that should motivate the Volunteers. Tennessee hasn't lost to Kentucky since 1984, and the end of that streak would put a dismal exclamation point on an already dismal season. Also, Tennessee is one of only two Division I teams (Ohio State is the other) to have never lost eight games in a season.
Kentucky is 6-5, but only 2-5 in SEC play. They have played stout defense in most games, but Vanderbilt scored 31 against them in their last game two weeks ago. Also, Florida laid 63 on them earlier in the season, but the Gators have been doing that to everybody lately.
Against Vanderbilt last Saturday, Tennessee played four quarterbacks and passed for only 21 yards. That is astonishing. If Tennessee can find a way to score 20 points, then the Vols will win. I just don't think that will happen.
The pick: Kentucky 17 Tennessee 12
Other SEC games: Georgia over Georgia Tech, Florida over Florida State, Clemson over South Carolina, Wake Forest over Vanderbilt, LSU over Arkansas, Alabama over Auburn, Ole Miss over Mississippi State
Last week: 1-3 (.250), Overall: 65-23 (.739)
4 comments:
I like Coach Fulmer, but I don't know what happened with him or the team the last couple of years. Joe Paterno has been around how long? But who knows what goes on the the rooms where the moneyed alumnae gather?
But 6 million dollars in a contract buy-out? Oh the irony.
If Kentucky can mount any type of offense, they will win. Because UT won't be able to score against them.
"Because UT won't be able to score against [Kentucky]."
Tenn: Four touchdowns (300+ total yards). KY: Touchdown, field goal.
I sure hope you didn't put any money on the UT-KY game, Anonymous.
Tenn. 28 UK 10. I said in my analysis that if UT scored 20 points they would win, and that is what happened. I went to the game, and it couldn't have gone any better. The rain and cold kept some people at home, but the send-off for Coach Fulmer was powerful and emotional.
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