Tennessee Vols Football: Wishes Come True in Knoxville

Finally, Vols' fans got their wish—Nick Stephens replaced Jonathan Crompton at quarterback! Of course, that change came after Crompton passed for 310 yards, a career-high, and threw four touchdowns to lead the Vols to a 45-19 lead in the fourth quarter.

I had a wish fulfilled in that Tennessee absolutely crushed the Bulldogs for the second straight time at Neyland Stadium. I live in Georgia, and I actually have more friends who pull for the 'Dawgs rather than the Vols. So this one was especially sweet. The fact that I was there was just icing on the cake.

Another of the many wishes was a defense that created turnovers and made an opposing quarterback look like, well, the Crompton of the past.

The biggest wish to come true has to be an offense that finally was able to move the ball. I know Georgia is atrocious on defense; a fact that might cost Mark Richt his job after he didn't fire his terrible defensive coordinator after last season's defensive disaster. But Auburn's defense is not much better than Georgia's statistically either.

Coach Lane Kiffin's plan was to exploit the fact that Georgia was geared up for the run. He used that against the Dawgs by calling the most play-action plays I can ever remember seeing in a game. Crompton did his part by being accurate on the rollout and even deep downfield to a wide open receiver.

Somewhat lost in the shuffle was another spectacular display by the SEC's leading rusher, Montario Hardesty. He only rushed for 97 yards, but his 39 yard scamper for a touchdown in the third quarter began the final onslaught.

Kiffin finally came through on his promise to play more freshmen.

Nu'Keese Richardson played quite a few snaps; Marsalis Teague caught a touchdown pass; Bryce Brown scored a rushing touchdown.

Still, it was a stingy Tennessee defense that never allowed Georgia past the Vols 36 yard line.

Still, it was a huge interception early in the second half by Dennis Rogan that quickly turned the early momentum to Tennessee's corner.

Still, it was the 46-yard fumble recovery by Eric Berry that set up the touchdown for the final nail in Georgia's coffin.

Unfortunately, things are not all rosy in Knoxville. Tennessee's Special Teams play was, in the words of Lane Kiffin, "pathetic". Tennessee absolutely cannot allow kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Georgia was also able to get a safety via a punt block when Punter Chad Cunningham decided to prance in the endzone rather than to punt the ball quickly.

Vols fans, enjoy this win. You have two weeks to talk about it and brag to your friends. But do not make the mistake of thinking that this win means anything when it comes to Alabama on October 24th.

Alabama actually plays defense. Alabama's special teams is even better than Georgia's. Alabama has more than one offensive target to shut down.

Alabama is the best football team in the country right now.

Tennessee and Lane Kiffin may have really stumbled onto something with this new play-action/rollout they ran against Georgia. Doing that against the Crimson Tide will prove difficult.

Lane Kiffin's first SEC win was quite memorable and will be talked about for some time. Our wishes came true on this second Saturday in October, but that rivalry that used to be played on the third Saturday in October is going to take a lot more than wishing can provide.