Introduction
I had taken the above photograph on House Mountain, on Saturday, 10/16/2010 – my 71st hike there. I was at the lower middle bluff, looking west, of course. My 10/24/2010 article includes all seven photographs that I had taken. The orange glow, at sunset, was breathtaking. I hiked out in half-moon darkness.
Rocky Top still has an orange glow of victory, after the game last Saturday. My 9/18/2022 article reviewed the 9/17/2022 football games that Georgia and Tennessee played. On Saturday, 10/15/2022, my Georgia Bulldogs (Dawgs) and the Tennessee Volunteers (Vols) each played different teams, at 3:30 PM. I flipped back and forth between the TV stations – staying on the Georgia game mostly. It was a pleasant football Saturday.
The Georgia - Vanderbilt game ended earlier. Tennessee snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Alabama! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I watched the entire final half of the fourth quarter. As a Bulldog follower, the final minutes of the Tennessee - Alabama game were certainly entertaining and somewhat humorous! I did not endure the tension, frustration, then elation – as Tennessee fans did. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, however, did get tense, frustrated, then happy. Molly (our doggy) and I enjoyed witnessing her emotions! My wife still sips a little orange Kool-Aid.
Georgia (#1 AP/Coaches) vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 PM
Georgia's 100th homecoming game blew out Vanderbilt (the hapless “Commode Doors”), 55 to 0. Georgia dominated, allowing only 150 yards and gaining 579 yards in total offense. Early Sunday morning, I enjoyed reading “Bulldogs Blast Vandy In Homecoming Win,” on Georgia Dogs, 10/15/2022, 07:01 PM.
Georgia's first homecoming game, on 11/18/1922, was a loss to Vanderbilt: Georgia 0, Vanderbilt 12. (Source: “Homecoming Games,” on Georgia Dogs, 3/31/2009.) A hundred years later, the tale of two teams is different!
Great win, Dawgs! Win out the rest of the season! The final five games are 10/29/22 Florida, 11/5/22 Tennessee, 11/12/22 Mississippi State, 11/19/22 Kentucky, 11/26/22 Georgia Tech! The open date is 10/22/2022.
Tennessee vs. Alabama, 3:30 PM
The Vols' last win over the Crimson Tide was 15 years ago, in Knoxville – on 10/21/2006 (my youngest brother's birthday). The Vols won 16 - 13. In 2006, I was self-employed, as a life and health insurance “sales professional” (salesman). Dad (Earl Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) was still with us and doing well enough.
Fifteen years ago, Tennessee was ranked #7 in the AP poll. Alabama was not ranked. (Source: “October 15, 2006 AP Football Poll,” on College Poll Archive.) The Vols finished the 2006 season, under Phillip Fulmer, as AP #25, with nine wins, four losses. (Source: “2006 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results,” on Sports Reference.) The Crimson Tide finished 2006, under Mike Shula, unranked, with six wins, seven losses. (Source “2006 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results,” on Sports Reference.)
Coming into the 10/15/2022 game, Tennessee was ranked #6 in the AP poll and #8 in the Coaches poll. Alabama was ranked #3 in both the AP & Coaches polls. (The rankings are from ESPN week seven,10/9/2022.)
The day after the win, I read “No. 6 Vols Take Down No. 3 Alabama As Time Expires, 52-49,” UTSports.com, 10/15/2022, which states in part:
The Vols, who scored their most points ever in the 105-game series, improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the SEC, securing their first triumph over the Crimson Tide since 2006. In surrendering the most points since giving up 54 to Sewanee in 1907, UA fell to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Also of note, Tennessee has defeated four ranked teams for the first time in a regular season since 1998. That year, it took care of No. 17 Syracuse, No. 2 Florida, No. 7 Georgia and No. 10 Arkansas.
I also glanced at “Football History vs University of Alabama from Nov 28, 1901 - Oct 15, 2022,” on UTSports.com. The Vols have 39 wins, 59 losses, and 7 ties – from 11/28/1901 to 10/15/2022. The losing and winning streaks are shown.
After beating Alabama, Tennessee ranked #3 AP, #4 Coaches. Alabama dropped to #6 AP/Coaches.
Josh Heupel, 2021+ (ongoing, 13 wins - 6 losses), may be turning the Vols around! Since Phillip Fulmer (1992 - 2008, 151 wins - 52 losses), the “coaching carousel” has been: Lane Kiffin (2009, 7-6), Derek Dooley (2010-12, 15-21), Jim Chaney (2012, 1-0), and Butch Jones (2013-17, 34-29). Wait! I forgot to add Jeremy Pruitt (2018-20, 16-19)!
Conclusion
Great win, Vols! Win five out of your remaining six games – 10/22/22 UT Martin, 10/29/22 Kentucky, 11/12/22 Missouri, 11/19/22 South Carolina, 11/26/22 Vanderbilt!
On 11/5/2022, I plan, Lord willing, to wear my Georgia Bulldogs T-shirt as I watch my Dawgs beat you! Go Dawgs!
Would any Vol fan readers like to wager a friendly bet? I won't bet money. If the Vols win, I'll buy and wear Tennessee football shirts the next week. If Georgia wins, Vol fans who “bet” with me must wear pink shirts the next week.
Any Vol fans willing to bet?
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