This was the start of the two week gauntlet. First Tennessee was taking on the top team in the country with LSU coming into Knoxville, then traveled to face the second best team in the country in Tuscaloosa. Three of our top players were missing after Janzen Jackson was dismissed from the team and then Justin Hunter being injured and lost for the year. Follow that with the Tyler Bray injury and you had a recipe for a terrible outcome for Tennessee.
The more I started thinking about the game, the more I started to think about how during every national championship season there is always that one game that is close one you should have won bigger or the game where the team you lost to had no business being in the game. Why couldn't that be us? Why not now? The closer it got to kickoff, the more I honestly started to truly believe that at the end of the game I would be on the field helping to rip down the goal posts. It is frustrating to see the team you love have so much talent only to not have the depth and experience to close games out. The first quarter couldn't have started any better, and it only gave me hope that maybe this could happen. However Matt Simms threw and interception that was returned 95 yards to the Tennessee to set up a Jarrett Lee pass to Reuben Randle for a touchdown, putting LSU ahead 7 - 0 early in the 1st.
No matter how hype you are coming out of the tunnel, you still have to play the game. Sometimes the emotion just isn't enough.
LSU put another touchdown on the board after Tennessee had a three and out. Jarrett Lee found Spencer Ware for the touchdown this time and it looked as though Tennessee was starting to fade. Things looked to have taken a turn for the worse when LSU intercepted another Simms pass but luckily wasn't able to capitalize and the Vols came out on the next drive and surprised everyone. Tennessee had a 12 play drive that consisted of 8 running plays and covered 80 yards. FINALLY Tennessee had something that resembled a running game. Unfortunately that joy was short lived as LSU was able to close out the first half by driving down the field seemingly with ease, kicking a field goal to take a 17-7 lead into the locker room for halftime.
Things didn't get any better in the second half. LSU opened with a scoring drive that was highlighted by Jordan Jeffereson's first appearance in this game and capped off by Spencer Ware punching it in from a yard out. Tennessee tried to answer but after a Matt Simms pass fell incomplete, Matt Darr pinned the Tigers down at the LSU one yard line. LSU proceeded to absolutely define the term "cramming it down their throat." The Tigers went 99 yards in 17 plays without completing a pass making the score 31-7 Tigers and essentially ending the game. LSU would end up scoring once more making the final 38-7 but it was over as soon as Tennessee couldn't answer the bell after LSU made the game 24-7.
Tennessee is making improvements and no one can argue that point. However it is also extremely apparent that the Vols have a ways to go before they are competing with the top teams in the conference. One has to assume that next year the offense will be much better and the defense will improve and depth will build. The only sticking point is that the fans and administration stand behind this coaching staff and understand what they inherited. Obviously time will tell but I can't wait to see Dooley and his orange pants hoisting the SEC championship trophy in a few years and I have full confidence in his ability to make it happen.
Keep your head up, better days are ahead.
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