Guitar Shots to the Head: Who’s Your Daddy?

There has been a lot made of the Tennessee defeat last Saturday. It was a quite a change visiting UT forums and finding an upbeat fan base after a loss. No one seemed to be on suicide watch, I didn’t read any “I broke my remote” stories, and I didn’t read “they quit” in any of the posts. I could tell by viewing that UT fans were smiling while they were typing. Why was everybody so upbeat?

Tennessee fans had several reasons to be giddy after that game, and I can’t speak for the fans, but I can tell you why I was so happy.

I will never have to watch Timmy run all over my beloved Vols….ever again. Watching him make third down conversions over the years has been an ice pick to my eyeballs. Frankly, I’ve grown weary of the experience. UT fans have waited for one of our players to get pad level on Timmy and knock him out. Turns out, such a feat is easier said than done. The Vols never got him, but it looks like his eligibility finally will.

That is not to say that we didn’t pressure Tebow. For all of Meyer’s excuses after the game, few people are talking about the real reasons that Urbie didn’t open up his game plan a little more. It is because he couldn’t. Every time Tebow tried to settle in the pocket, he had a defensive end pulling him to the ground before he could find a receiver. It wasn’t because Tennessee was bringing the kitchen sink either. They actually got enough pressure from their front four, and covered receivers well enough to get sacks from their defensive line.

So who’s your daddy? Lane’s is Monte Kiffin. The elder Kiffin led defense held Florida to half their averages across the board.

I smiled when I realized that as long as Monte is the defensive coordinator Tennessee will not be out schemed. I knew it already, but it is very nice to see.

While handing out my game balls, it would be unfair to dismiss the offensive contributions as well. On Saturday, in the Swamp with the Vol’s quarterback and offensive line issues, every first down was a victory for the Vols. With each run and swing pass I could feel the air being sucked out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium right there from my recliner. So my smile got bigger every time they moved the sticks.

Don’t get me wrong, like most of you, I’d rather leave the moral victories to Vanderbilt. Actually, I take that back. I’d prefer that the word victory and Vanderbilt not appear in the same sentence. I’ll leave the moral victories to the South Carolina fans. That is really all they have in their trophy case.

UT didn’t win on the field last Saturday. However, they have 21 commitments for next year’s football team. The remaining spots seem to be highly coveted. Players around the country are actually lining up to play for the Vols again.

Best of all, thinking about Florida fans burning those vengeful t-shirts behind the stadium is a very happy thought. Urban Meyer and Florida fans learned a valuable lesson. Monte Kiffin is Lane’s daddy. It is best if you leave Lane’s discipline to him. You simply don’t have the resources to get the job done. Hence, you will not wipe the smile off of my face.

Who’s your daddy?

Go Vols!