Tennessee: An Embarrassment to the SEC Championship

Tennessee is representing the East in the SEC Championship. 

Yes, seriously.

I know what you're thinking.  Wasn't Tennessee embarrassed 45-31 by an average Cal team, shellacked 59-20 by Florida, then dismantled 41-17 by abysmal Alabama? 

Unfortunately, yes.   

Before you get caught up in Tennessee’s “resilient” quadruple overtime win over Kentucky, understand that the Wildcats ended the season with five losses—and were nowhere near a top 25 ranking. 

Remember, too, that Kentucky lost to every other East team not named Vanderbilt.  Before we get into the Kentucky game, though—let’s revisit a few of Tennessee’s recent wins:    

In a crucial late October game, Tennessee kicker Daniel Lincoln lined up for a game-tying 43 yard FG attempt in the closing seconds of regulation against South Carolina.  He hooked it left—and the game was over. The Gamecocks celebrated their 501 yards of offense and 31 first downs in Knoxville. 

Not so fast.  A false start gave the Vols another chance—and wouldn’t you know it, Lincoln nailed the 48-yarder to send the game into overtime, where Tennessee watched the normally reliable Ryan Succop miss a chip shot within 40 yards to end the game. The Vols escaped with a 27-24 win.  

Speaking of missed field goals, just two weeks ago, Tennessee nation had to hold its collective breath when Vanderbilt kicker Bryan Hahnfeldt’s 49 yard field goal grazed the wrong side of the uprights—nearly giving Commodore fans a chance to celebrate in Rocky Top.     

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