21 Days and Counting

We are down to three short weeks until football season.  Today I’m going to quickly break down the season and basically make my prediction ons wins and losses for the coming year.

Montana.  The only reason we are playing Montana is because North Texas backed out.   That being said, I think this is  good game for this team to open with.  I think Tennessee wins going away.  The score may not be as bad as it could be because I think Coach Dooley will play as many people as possible and try to keep key players from getting hurt.

Cincinnati.  The Bearcats are picked near to finish in the bottom tier of the Big East.  This will be a better test for the young UT squad and I should be leaving Neyland happy around 7 pm.

Florida.  Is there a team Vol fans hate more than Florida?  Old school fans may lean toward Alabama or Auburn.  Those that were influenced by the General may even hate Vandy.  But if  you came of age during the 90′s, you hate Florida.  I think for once we are catching Florida at the right time.  I believe this could be Coach Dooley’s first signature win.  Win this game and Vol fans will almost automatically agree to give you a pass on some other game.  I think Tennessee wins this game.

Buffalo.  Turner Gill isn’t the coach anymore.  Not that it matters.  We could have been playing North Carolina.  Given what’s gone on in their program they might have proven as much of a test as Buffalo.  We win this one going away.

Georgia.  Now begins the toughest stretch of games of the year.  Georgia is a sexy pick to finish near the top of the SEC East.  In my best Lee Corso, I would say, “Not so fast, my friend.”  Georgia does not have a proven running back or wide receiver.  Their offensive line is suspect.  They have issues and quite honestly, Georgia has not been meeting expectations.  I think it’s a dog fight (forgive the pun) between UT, Florida and Georgia for that second spot in the SEC East this year.  This game is at home.  I’m picking Tennessee.

LSU.  This is the second game of the year I know that I will be attending.  Last year we played LSU even in Death Valley and won the game until we lost.  No game was more maddening.  No game caused me more heartbreak last year.  LSU is one of my picks to contend for a national championship.  I don’t think we win, but I think LSU knows they have been in a fight.  I do hope, though, that 3rd and Chavis rises up and bites them on this day.

Alabama.  Alabama is going to be strong, but they have new quarterbacks and they don’t have that go-to wide receiver.  Trent Richardson should be the workhorse of their offense.  They are going to have the usually strong defense.  I think the score will be close, but Bama will control this game.

South Carolina.  The Gamecocks have gotten strong since Steve Spurrier arrived in Columbia.  Not old school Florida strong, but strong nonetheless.  We have them at home.  Stephen Garcia is a bit of a mess.  I think Marcus Lattimore is  good back, but he’s not Herschel or Bo good.  He may not even be Mark Ingram good.  Alshon Jeffery has not begun his gas pumping career yet.  I think we compete well and an upset would not surprise me.  But I’ll pick South Carolina to win by a nose.

Middle Tennessee.  Homecoming.  Tennessee Walking Horse at halftime.  Win.

Arkansas.  I’m not sure how the loss of Knile Davis will affect Bobby Petrino’s offense.  We have better defensive backs this year.  That’s good because I’m sure we will need them.  I don’t think we get out of Fayetteville with a win.

Vanderbilt.  Understand that when I say I hate a team, I don’t hate the individuals.  I hate the entity they play for.  And I hate Vanderbilt.  Yes, I know we have dominated them and folks say I shouldn’t hate a team that we have only lost to twice in the last thirty years.  Doesn’t matter.  The General had one mandate when he became head coach in 1926.  Beat Vanderbilt.  If it was good enough for the General, it’s good enough for me.  We win again.

Kentucky.  I would like to make it to the Commonwealth to watch this game and being my own version of the Dixieland Delight tour (many thanks to Clay Travis for the idea and name).  Tennessee has won twenty-six straight.  Make it twenty-seven.  The Space Cowboy, Joker Phillips, will not be able to prevent Tennessee from continuing The Streak.

There you have it.  I believe that I just predicted an 8-4 season, 4-4 in the SEC.  That should put us at second in the East.  I will take that this year.