Larry Burton Larry BurtonSenior Writer, Featured Columnist
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Senior Writer Written on October 21, 2009 This year's Alabama team has the majority of last year's starters on the field again. The same can be said of Tennessee. Therefore, if you want to know how this weekend's game will go, let's look backward.
Last year coming into this game the Alabama QB was coming off two less-than-stellar weeks and had an interception in each game previous to the Tennessee game.
Sound familiar?
Tennessee had not only one of the best defenses in the SEC, but in the country. Many thought it would be a close, defensive struggle of a game.
Sound familiar yet?
Tennessee was expecting to rely on two great runners to grind out yardage and help open up some passing plays. You mean like Hardesty and Brown this year?
Alabama came in expecting to run two veteran running backs down the throat of the Vols and get a freshman they thought had a lot of promise some carries too. That freshman is now one of the leading rushers in America.
Two of those three are back at Alabama this year and we have a new freshman we think has a lot of promise that will get some carries too.
Hmmmm, interesting.
The game was over by halftime.
Tennessee was crushed on defense and had its manhood stripped by men in Crimson running over them all day. Three different backs rushed for a combined total of 175 yards rushing, mostly right up the middle. The quarterback, who had been having some not so great weeks, was 17 of 24 for 198 more yards and nary a mistake.
The rushing game Tennessee was hoping for went for 36 yards all day and lost its manhood right along with the defense.
For such a seemingly low-scoring game, it was a thorough butt kicking for the Tide as they won easily, 29-9. Tennessee finally scored a fourth quarter touchdown when it went against Alabama's third string defense.
Alabama held the ball for over 10 minutes more than Tennessee and this was in the Vols own stadium in a must win game for their coach and team.
Now, virtually the same two teams meet again, but this time in Alabama's home stadium. Both teams come into this game in about the same circumstances as last year's.
Just like last year, Alabama is undefeated,having escaped a couple of close calls. Like last year, Tennessee is simply doing anything it can to try and scrape up some respectability and hopefully eek out the worst possible postseason bowl.
Last year the Vols weren't even that lucky.
If you're a Volunteer fan, the scenario you have just been reminded of may make you swallow hard as you think about the similarities.
The Tide fans are just hoping for more of the same.
The people in Las Vegas are shooting for an outcome of similar proportions. Last year the Tide won by 20. This year the betters are saying Alabama will best Tennessee by 17 or 18.
Will the game indeed be a mirror image of last year's sad saga for the men in orange?
Only time can tell for sure, but I wouldn't bet against it.
298 articles written
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204 fans
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Senior Writer Written on October 21, 2009 This year's Alabama team has the majority of last year's starters on the field again. The same can be said of Tennessee. Therefore, if you want to know how this weekend's game will go, let's look backward.
Last year coming into this game the Alabama QB was coming off two less-than-stellar weeks and had an interception in each game previous to the Tennessee game.
Sound familiar?
Tennessee had not only one of the best defenses in the SEC, but in the country. Many thought it would be a close, defensive struggle of a game.
Sound familiar yet?
Tennessee was expecting to rely on two great runners to grind out yardage and help open up some passing plays. You mean like Hardesty and Brown this year?
Alabama came in expecting to run two veteran running backs down the throat of the Vols and get a freshman they thought had a lot of promise some carries too. That freshman is now one of the leading rushers in America.
Two of those three are back at Alabama this year and we have a new freshman we think has a lot of promise that will get some carries too.
Hmmmm, interesting.
The game was over by halftime.
Tennessee was crushed on defense and had its manhood stripped by men in Crimson running over them all day. Three different backs rushed for a combined total of 175 yards rushing, mostly right up the middle. The quarterback, who had been having some not so great weeks, was 17 of 24 for 198 more yards and nary a mistake.
The rushing game Tennessee was hoping for went for 36 yards all day and lost its manhood right along with the defense.
For such a seemingly low-scoring game, it was a thorough butt kicking for the Tide as they won easily, 29-9. Tennessee finally scored a fourth quarter touchdown when it went against Alabama's third string defense.
Alabama held the ball for over 10 minutes more than Tennessee and this was in the Vols own stadium in a must win game for their coach and team.
Now, virtually the same two teams meet again, but this time in Alabama's home stadium. Both teams come into this game in about the same circumstances as last year's.
Just like last year, Alabama is undefeated,having escaped a couple of close calls. Like last year, Tennessee is simply doing anything it can to try and scrape up some respectability and hopefully eek out the worst possible postseason bowl.
Last year the Vols weren't even that lucky.
If you're a Volunteer fan, the scenario you have just been reminded of may make you swallow hard as you think about the similarities.
The Tide fans are just hoping for more of the same.
The people in Las Vegas are shooting for an outcome of similar proportions. Last year the Tide won by 20. This year the betters are saying Alabama will best Tennessee by 17 or 18.
Will the game indeed be a mirror image of last year's sad saga for the men in orange?
Only time can tell for sure, but I wouldn't bet against it.
