In any other year, that jump may be enough to hang your hat on, but this year was special. Why? Simple, the Pre-Season National Champs (and SEC Champs) Tennessee fell flat on their face. Over and over. It was so much fun to watch that I almost don’t even care we struggled so much on defense this year. (almost)
If you’re a regular listener of our show, you’ll know we don’t hold Tennessee in a high regard. They are cocky for having a good team back in 1998 (the last time they won the SEC). Or maybe it’s because they won the East Division in 2007. They also have no respect for Missouri, which would be understandable just looking at this year. However, since Mizzou joined the SEC, the Tigers have a better conference record than Tennessee’s losing record (Tigers: 19-21, Vols: 15-25).
I could go on and on about how, in total, Tennessee has been worse than Missouri over the last five years, but I wont. That’s not the point of this. The point is to enjoy how miserably Tennessee failed in the most overhyped year ever. Various prognosticators had Tennessee as #1 overall at various points heading into the season. Something Alabama fans laughed and then promptly checked the schedule and then simply replied “we’ll see after October.”
I leave you with sad Tennessee: