ALL IN THE GAME: The games just get more meaningful

November 1, 2012

ALL IN THE GAME: The games just get more meaningful

By Jim Butler Chronicle correspondent The Crossville Chronicle Thu Nov 01, 2012, 01:42 PM CDT

CROSSVILLE — This will be a really big weekend for the Vanderbilt Commodores as they travel to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. This is probably a must-win game for them to make it to a second consecutive bowl game. Conceivably they could win all four of their remaining games and probably should, but that is not the way that things usually happen for Vandy.

Three of the games are on the road and the other is against Tennessee, who has shown signs of being a fairly good team. If they are ever going to put it all together, it will be against my team. If that happens then so be it.

In Vandy's last game against a cupcake opponent, they started off so slowly that probably most teams would have beaten them. They drew six flags in the first 17 plays against a totally outmanned bunch of Minutemen from Massachusetts.

Tennessee played valiantly against Spurrier and the Gamecocks but they still have problems closing the deal. They were hurt early on by a bad call and a no-call, the type of things that normally happen to the Commodores. When you're in a losing mode and on the road in the SEC, that will happen with some frequency.

Hopefully South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore will be able to overcome what was a terrible looking injury. It was definitely a clean hit but he was just caught in a bad position.

This weekend should be somewhat easier for the Volunteers as they take on the Trojans of Troy. UT must be very careful though, because Troy is capable of some very good football.

Just how badly did the loss in Columbia hurt Derek Dooley's chances at remaining the Vol's coach? One true Volunteer fan confided to me that he thought they should let the coach go and loosen the purse strings to secure a really topnotch coach. He feels that would pay big dividends and, in fact, pay for itself, much as the Saban deal at Alabama has done. The longer the wait the tougher it will be, as the Tennessee job is not as appealing as it once was, and it continues to lose its luster. Tennessee may not be able to afford a big name coach like James Franklin.

The Detroit Tigers pulled a quick disappearing act, didn't they? That sweep totally caught me by surprise but, when it comes to games, we just don't know and it is just a game.

It appears that the Georgia Bulldogs will sneak into the SEC East title again. The Gators looked very inept in that contest and I never did think they were deserving of their high ranking. Their quarterback is just not ready yet.

Someone please tell me that Notre Dame will not make it to the big one. I almost got sick listening to Brent Musburger as he espoused their greatness in their win over Oklahoma and he is trying to promote their linebacker Manti T'eo (that's close) to the Heisman. I had to turn away from that telecast.

I want to offer my belated congratulations to Stone Memorial head basketball coach Neil Capps. He is certainly deserving and has all the essentials for being successful — integrity, a great work ethic and knowledge of the game. Good luck Coach Capps.

I hope that each of you received all treats and no tricks. Get ready for the weekend and I'll let you know if Jon Gruden calls to let me know about the Tennessee coaching job.

Go Jets! Go Panthers! Go USA!

(Jim Butler is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears regularly.)

Text Only

Sports Columns

ROCKY TOP BEAT: Former Vols sacrificed for their country
Fans that attend football games at Neyland Stadium have probably noticed the newest addition to the retired jerseys, No. 45. Of course that was Johnny Majors’ number and he joined seven other honored players with retired jerseys on the facade between the upper deck and the lower deck this past season.

May 23, 2013
Tennessee Orange/White game is in the books
The 2013 Orange/White Game is in the books and for now, the immediate hopes and dreams of Team 117 could rest on an improved defense. It is also going to depend on offensive players that either missed the game with injuries or are not yet on campus.

April 25, 2013
Rowan adds PrepXtra award to his 2013 honors
Stone Memorial senior Brock Rowan added to a growing list of honors Thursday, as he was named to the PrepXtra Boys First Team by the Knoxville NewsSentinel.

April 25, 2013
ROCKY TOP BEAT: UT Orange and White game kicks off Saturday
I can’t believe the Orange-White Game has arrived already. Tomorrow, Neyland Stadium will be the site for what has been an annual rite of spring for the Vol Nation. Fans will get their first glimpse of the new coaching staff and the players that will give their all for Tennessee in the fall.

April 18, 2013
Rocky Top Beat: Lady Vols extends NCAA home court record to 52-0
The Lady Vols ran their record in NCAA Tournament games played at Knoxville to 52-0 this past week after winning their two opening round games. Oklahoma City is the next stop, where the Lady Vols will play Oklahoma University on Sunday at 3:35 p.m. CDT on ESPN 2.

March 28, 2013 1 Photo
It is sweet 16 for March Madness
March Madness has entered the round of 16 or Sweet 16 as many refer to it, and "how sweet it is" to have a couple of "Cinderella" teams on both sides of the ball.
The Florida Gulf Coast University Golden Eagles and the Delaware Blue Hens have moved into the "Sweet 16" round of both the men's and women's tournaments this weekend.

March 28, 2013
All in the Game: Are the ladies taking over some sports?
Though the female kicker didn't do well at all at the NFL combine, she at least did get the opportunity to try out. Danica Patrick did win the pole at the Daytona 500 and also finished well in the event. Is she going to be a factor in the Sprint Cup series or was the Daytona performance just a fluke? Some think that it was somewhat staged to help promote NASCAR, which has staggered a little in their ratings.

March 7, 2013
Oh Good Greif: Spring sports dodging bad weather to prepare for the season
"It's beginning to look a lot like...." You know the rest of it, but that came to my mind Wednesday as the snow fell, forcing schools to be closed for another day. This puts a damper on spring sports practices, as the regular seasons for baseball, softball, tennis, boys soccer and track and field begin next week.

March 7, 2013
Rocky Top Beat: Vols, Lady Vols waiting for selection weekend
The Lady Vols and the Vols both failed to win on the road last weekend. The men almost suffered a fatal blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes with their second loss to Georgia but, with a weak tournament field this year, they lived to fight a while longer.

March 7, 2013
ROCKY TOP BEAT: Only 267 days until Vanderbilt-Tennessee game
It was nice to have Jim Butler back “in the game" again last week. I can’t imagine anyone being more devoted to the Commodores, no matter how misguided that loyalty turns out most of the time. Now, with one successful football campaign in the books, the stakes are sure to rise this fall in regards to that Big Orange rivalry.

February 28, 2013
More Sports Columns Headlines

Sports Columns

Search Results

ALL IN THE GAME: The games just get more meaningful

Site Map

Contact Us