Volosaurus rex
Doctorate in Volology
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Perspective is something that comes only with the passage of time; you can not wish it into existence. I have been a faithful member of the Big Orange Nation since 1967, with less frequent exposure to our program during the preceding two years. During that time period, I watched Doug Dickey restore Tennessee to national prominence, then witnessed the decline of our program during the late Battle/early Majors era, and its ascension to even greater heights during the last years of Coach Majors' tenure and first half of Fulmer's career as head coach, only to bottom out again during the last five years. When you follow a program that long, you realize that every program goes through peaks and valleys.
Top 10 programs, which we are historically, are labeled traditional powers because their peaks are higher and more sustained and their valleys are shorter and less pronounced than most programs. Admittedly, we do not have as many SEC or national championships as Alabama, but we have not had to suffer through a 17-game losing streak (yes, you read that correctly) and, overall, a 20-game winless streak as Alabama did in 1954-56. Bama failed to win a game in 1955 (0-10) and the tidy bowl boys came no closer to victory that year than a 15-point loss to Vandy. Seven of those 17 losses were by shutouts and none of these whitewash defeats were by fewer than 20 points (Alabama Historical Scores). Tennessee fans who remember the painful 11-game losing streak (1971-1982) which we suffered at the hands of Bear Bryant will be delighted to know that Alabama won only one game against the Big Orange in the 13-year period from 1948-1960 (Tennessee vs Alabama 1948-1982). We were 9-1-3 against Alabama during that period.
I raise the latter points for three reasons: (1) Things can always get worse than what we have experienced during the last 5-8 years. (2-3) It's Alabama week and any opportunity to take a serious, legitimate dig at Alabama should be exploited.
Top 10 programs, which we are historically, are labeled traditional powers because their peaks are higher and more sustained and their valleys are shorter and less pronounced than most programs. Admittedly, we do not have as many SEC or national championships as Alabama, but we have not had to suffer through a 17-game losing streak (yes, you read that correctly) and, overall, a 20-game winless streak as Alabama did in 1954-56. Bama failed to win a game in 1955 (0-10) and the tidy bowl boys came no closer to victory that year than a 15-point loss to Vandy. Seven of those 17 losses were by shutouts and none of these whitewash defeats were by fewer than 20 points (Alabama Historical Scores). Tennessee fans who remember the painful 11-game losing streak (1971-1982) which we suffered at the hands of Bear Bryant will be delighted to know that Alabama won only one game against the Big Orange in the 13-year period from 1948-1960 (Tennessee vs Alabama 1948-1982). We were 9-1-3 against Alabama during that period.
I raise the latter points for three reasons: (1) Things can always get worse than what we have experienced during the last 5-8 years. (2-3) It's Alabama week and any opportunity to take a serious, legitimate dig at Alabama should be exploited.
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