Lane Kiffin Is Growing Up Quickly In The SEC

The young Tennessee head coach is taking a crash course in humility.

Going on the road in the SEC has a tendency to humble all newcomers. Though fans fully expect this young lad to have a setback before he has another growth spurt, he was on his best behavior this past week.

In addition to keeping his mouth under control during the bye week and in the week leading up to the Alabama game, he remained respectable during the game and for a short while thereafter.

Comments on the Lane Kiffin show indicate the little monster trapped inside wants out, but the more than reasonable adult side is prevailing.

Many fully expected Lane Kiffin to defy the Alabama request to wear the traditional visitor's white jerseys for the game at Bryant-Denny. Yet he did not. He respected the request of Alabama Athletic Director and kept the Orange home jerseys in the bag.

And for that, I for one, tip my hat and my keyboard to the young Tennessee coach. Mr. Kiffin, your team played exceptionally well in this 2009 installment of the greatest rivalry in college football. Hats off to you and your team.

Moreover, I'd like to thank the Tennessee fans that I saw before and after the game for the great respect they showed toward me and my fellow tailgaters. I am sure somewhere on the grounds there was a breakdown, but everywhere I could see, the fans on both sides were congenial and in good spirits.

There are a few readers who continue to troll sites of the opposition and hurl insults when they disagree with the author, but remarkably, that too is a minority, particularly when taking into account the number or readers that visit Bleacher Report.

The next two weeks will be like detoxification.

In my mind, I will be singing "Rocky Top" as if I were a Tennessee fan (ugh). It's a great song for a great team and fan base. I'm just not one, my loyalty is with Alabama. I hope some of you have the same problem with "Sweet Home Alabama".

Again, Hats off to the Tennessee team and fan base. Thanks to the Tennessee writers in the last week or two who provided great reads on memorable games in this series.

Let's look forward to the finish of this season and for the visit next year to Knoxville.