Tennessee Football: Big Changes in Big Orange Country

Big changes were in the air, literally, Saturday night in Knoxville.  After the smoldering Summer of 2010, temperatures were forecasted to be at their coolest in nearly four months.  Ahh......finally, "It's Football Time in Tennessee!"

As fans entered Neyland Stadium's Gate 21 and Main Entrance on the west side, camera flashes were popping at the magnificent new facade just recently completed, in Phase 4 of renovations, to the 89 year old stadium.  I must say, she doesn't look a day over 40.

While the Volunteers readied themselves to run through the giant "T" formed by the Pride of the Southland Band and being lead by their third Head Coach in as many seasons, I reflected for a moment on the turmoil surrounding our beloved program over the last three seasons.  Gone was longtime Head Coach Phillip Fulmer, the Lane Kiffin experiment was one and done, and now, enter a Virginia gentleman with a law degree and a legendary SEC coaching lineage.  Gone were the detractors of Coach Fulmer.  Gone were the antics of a young, immature and unproven kid (reader insert choice).  It was just back to football, Tennessee Football, and it felt right!

The Vols opened the 2010 campaign against in state opponent UT-Martin.  It was the first ever meeting between the two programs.  50 points later for the Vols and 0 for UT-Martin, the Skyhawks probably hoped it would be the last.  The game was a typical SEC opener, "David versus Goliath."  Apparently, "David" plays for Jacksonville State this year, not UT-Martin.  More on that one later.

Tennessee returned to the West sideline for the first time since 1994.  The change was enabled by moving student section seating away from the East sideline.  SEC rules prohibit student sections directly behind the visiting team's bench.  Sitting on the West side of the stadium, the change gave me a bird's eye view of the Vols new leader, Head Coach Derek Dooley.  Coach Dooley is the son of the former, legendary Head Coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, Vince Dooley.  Coach Dooley showed fire and passion throughout the game.  Tennessee quarterback, Matt Simms must have felt like he was being cross examined by Coach Dooley after he failed to get a play off and was charged with a delay of game penalty.  The lawyer turned coach looked like a man full of conviction, seeking perfection and unwilling to settle for anything less.

Another noticeable change, for me at least, was the riddance of blaring rap music and the redundant, "Bawitdaba," by Kid Rock, each time the Vols kicked off in 2009.  Filling in for Kid Rock, were approximately 99,000 members of Volnation cheering in anticipation of the kick.  It seemed more like an SEC game and less like the Bonnaroo Festival.  I did hear "Southern Voice," by Tim McGraw at halftime, which seemed quiet appropriate since we are in the South and Tennessee is the Home of Country Music.

Meanwhile, did I really just hear someone say that Jacksonville State beat Ole Miss?  In an upset of Biblical proportions, Jacksonville State upset Ole Miss, 49-48, in double overtime!  In that game, "David" (Jax St.) toppled a guy name Jeremiah, Ole Miss QB, Masoli.  For the record, Jacksonville State does have one player on their roster named David.  Ironically, Masoli was originally scheduled to accompany another "Goliath" to Knoxville for the Vols September 11th date with the PAC-10's, Oregon Ducks.  Masoli transferred to Ole Miss earlier this year after wearing out his welcome with the Ducks.  Volnation will have to wait until November 13th for Jeremiah and Ole Miss, but the wait for "Goliath" will be short.

The biggest change coming to Knoxville, in this early part of the season, are the Ducks.  Compared to the Skyhawks, this quacky bird bunch is a totally different species, more like one of those prehistoric birds, the "tera-duck-tile."  The Green from Eugene will fly south to Tennessee, bringing the AP's #7 ranking along with them, for yet another first time meeting of programs.  This one figures to be a little tougher for the Vols than the last.  With receivers Gerald Jones out with a broken hand & Denarius Moore questionable with a tender ankle we may need to rename this one, "David versus Godzilla!"  Anybody seen King Kong lately?  If so, we made need to suit him up for a one night only special engagement!  For the record, Tennessee does have one player named David on their roster, David Oku, but no one named Kong!  It will undoubtedly take a monster-like effort to bring down the Ducks.  GO VOLS!!!