FROM THE HILL...

[Volstorm]

Get ready to root for the bad guys.

For many years the Tennessee-Alabama game has been considered to be one of the greatest southern rivalries of all time. Dubbed the “Third Saturday in October”, despite the fact it has been usually played on the fourth Saturday, it has been a contest in which passionate fans of both schools have been very proud, but yet very civil toward each other. At least that was the case when Alabama was winning. Since the Vols took over this series in 1995, Bama fans have been crying foul. Most of that anger and frustration has been aimed at Coach Phillip Fulmer, as evidenced by the legal proceedings over the past couple of years. Now I’m not going to bore you with the dramatics of the whole mess, but basically Bama cheated, got put on probation, and blame Fulmer.

Despite the average performance of the Vols over the past few years (mainly the offense), fans have been able to rally around one thing, the Alabama game. Last year during media days Coach Fulmer decided to take a stand against the legal nonsense perpetrated by former Bama coaches and their Bama-boosting lawyers by not attending. Fulmer’s comments solidified his presence with the Vol faithful, by calling out his accusers, and standing behind his choice to do the right thing. Because of his actions Fulmer will forever be vilified in the eyes of many Bama fans, at least until Bama wins again.

Get ready to root for the bad guys

All of this brings us back to the present game being played this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. This will be Fulmer’s first appearance to the Alabama campus since the legal circus over the past few years. Tensions are high as media and fans have touted this as the most important game in school history (or at least close to it). Bama is undefeated the Vols are down, and Bama sees Tennessee orange blood in the water. The Vols know that a victory will not only bring back their hopes for a decent season back, but it will lay a crushing blow to the pride of the Bama nation. In this year of “The resurgence of old powers” (Penn State, Alabama, etc.) Bama wants to prove that they are back, and the only way they will be able to do it, is to beat Tennessee.

Now not only are the Vols underdogs, but once again they play the role of the spoiler, the bad guy. In late September the Vols played the bad guy by beating LSU in their first home game after Hurricane Katrina. The outpouring of media attention was phenomenal, as sportswriters from around the country exclaimed how upsetting it was that Tennessee took away hope from the survivors of the hurricane by beating LSU. Well it didn’t seem to bother the Louisiana players on Tennessee’s team any. And the Vols can do it again by beating an Alabama team, which gives so much hope to the people of Alabama. Bama fans think that this victory will be prove that Bama is back, and knocks Fulmer down another notch. Well as Eli Gold said “Alabama will not be back, until people stop asking if Alabama is back.”

Bottom line, Bama has so much to lose, and Tennessee has so much to gain. Tennessee should be able to go out and play loose and the offense should be wide open. Let’s face it folks everybody has picked Bama to win (take UT and the points). They are undefeated, to them this is the biggest game in recent history, they want to win to avenge what has been (ahem) thrust upon them the last 5 years. If you think that this game is about a classic southern rivalry, you are kidding yourselves. The game has been taken to a whole new level whether we like it or not, and the Bama fans look at themselves as the victims, the good guys.

Well, if that’s the case, I’m ready to root for the bad guys.

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Oct 21, 2005 10:26 AM
The game has been taken to a whole new level whether we like it or not, and the Bama fans look at themselves as the victims, the good guys. 

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The sad part is, they're the only people in the nation who view it that way.

It really is embarrassing to the more mature Bama fans. I know, I have several friends down there. They're embarrassed by all the talk-show-callers.

The rest of the nation believes they got what was coming to them, regardless of how they feel about Fulmer's involvement. Most people would probably agree that he did the commendable thing.

 

[orangetd88]

 

[OWB]

Whew, when I first started reading that I thought that I was going to have to pull for bama.

 

[Volstorm]

Makes me wanna go watch Scarface again TD. Black UT hats on sale at Wal-Mart only $5.00.

 

[volinbham]

Say (Ma) hello (na) to my little friend

 

[BamasBack12]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Oct 21, 2005 10:26 AM
Get ready to root for the bad guys.

For many years the Tennessee-Alabama game has been considered to be one of the greatest southern rivalries of all time.  Dubbed the “Third Saturday in October”, despite the fact it has been usually played on the fourth Saturday, it has been a contest in which passionate fans of both schools have been very proud, but yet very civil toward each other.  At least that was the case when Alabama was winning.  Since the Vols took over this series in 1995, Bama fans have been crying foul.  Most of that anger and frustration has been aimed at Coach Phillip Fulmer, as evidenced by the legal proceedings over the past couple of years.  Now I’m not going to bore you with the dramatics of the whole mess, but basically Bama cheated, got put on probation, and blame Fulmer. 

Despite the average performance of the Vols over the past few years (mainly the offense), fans have been able to rally around one thing, the Alabama game.  Last year during media days Coach Fulmer decided to take a stand against the legal nonsense perpetrated by former Bama coaches and their Bama-boosting lawyers by not attending.  Fulmer’s comments solidified his presence with the Vol faithful, by calling out his accusers, and standing behind his choice to do the right thing.  Because of his actions Fulmer will forever be vilified in the eyes of many Bama fans, at least until Bama wins again.

Get ready to root for the bad guys

All of this brings us back to the present game being played this Saturday in Tuscaloosa.  This will be Fulmer’s first appearance to the Alabama campus since the legal circus over the past few years.  Tensions are high as media and fans have touted this as the most important game in school history (or at least close to it).  Bama is undefeated the Vols are down, and Bama sees Tennessee orange blood in the water.  The Vols know that a victory will not only bring back their hopes for a decent season back, but it will lay a crushing blow to the pride of the Bama nation.  In this year of “The resurgence of old powers” (Penn State, Alabama, etc.) Bama wants to prove that they are back, and the only way they will be able to do it, is to beat Tennessee.

Now not only are the Vols underdogs, but once again they play the role of the spoiler, the bad guy.  In late September the Vols played the bad guy by beating LSU in their first home game after Hurricane Katrina.  The outpouring of media attention was phenomenal, as sportswriters from around the country exclaimed how upsetting it was that Tennessee took away hope from the survivors of the hurricane by beating LSU.  Well it didn’t seem to bother the Louisiana players on Tennessee’s team any.  And the Vols can do it again by beating an Alabama team, which gives so much hope to the people of Alabama. Bama fans think that this victory will be prove that Bama is back, and knocks Fulmer down another notch.  Well as Eli Gold said “Alabama will not be back, until people stop asking if Alabama is back.”

Bottom line, Bama has so much to lose, and Tennessee has so much to gain.  Tennessee should be able to go out and play loose and the offense should be wide open.  Let’s face it folks everybody has picked Bama to win (take UT and the points). They are undefeated, to them this is the biggest game in recent history, they want to win to avenge what has been (ahem) thrust upon them the last 5 years.  If you think that this game is about a classic southern rivalry, you are kidding yourselves.  The game has been taken to a whole new level whether we like it or not, and the Bama fans look at themselves as the victims, the good guys. 

Well, if that’s the case, I’m ready to root for the bad guys.

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Haha, this game the biggest in school history?? You're kidding. Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this. I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much. Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game. Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care. I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is. You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself. We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta. Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta. That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too. "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys." It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you?? Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired. By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

 

[VolBeef88]

Originally posted by BamasBack12@Oct 21, 2005 5:33 PM
Haha, this game the biggest in school history??  You're kidding.  Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this.  I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much.  Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game.  Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care.  I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is.  You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself.  We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta.  Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta.  That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too.  "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys."  It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you??  Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired.    By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

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Hey little bammer, just go to your bammer sites and you will see just how big this game is for the blammer nation. I have been chicking bammer sites since the early spring and UT has been one of the major topics. So go sell your story elsewhere. And btw get ready to shed a tear!

 

[OWB]

Originally posted by BamasBack12@Oct 21, 2005 6:33 PM
Haha, this game the biggest in school history??  You're kidding.  Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this.  I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much.  Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game.  Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care.  I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is.  You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself.  We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta.  Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta.  That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too.  "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys."  It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you??  Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired.  By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

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Nice, you represent your team so well. You're a classy fella aren't ya? Don't try and hide it. I bet class is oozing out of your ears.

 

[volmanjr]

another great one from The Hill!

 

[volinbham]

While Alabama the team may bounce back from a loss, the Bammer nation will be devestated by it -- it will be sweet :biggrin2:

Read the thread - nuff said

Whaaaalabama

 

[hmanvolfan]

Originally posted by BamasBack12@Oct 21, 2005 5:33 PM
Haha, this game the biggest in school history??  You're kidding.  Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this.  I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much.  Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game.  Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care.  I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is.  You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself.  We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta.  Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta.  That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too.  "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys."  It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you??  Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired.  By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

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Your cavalier attitude leads me to think that you are not so confident in getting the win. When you say that you can get to Atlanta "even if you lose", are you saying that maybe you will lose? Seems to me that there are a lot of folks in Alabama that ain't so sure about this game. Look out, we're coming for # 10.... :devilsmoke:

 

[Volstorm]

Haha, this game the biggest in school history?? You're kidding. Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this. I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much. Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game. Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care. I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is. You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself. We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta. Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta. That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too. "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys." It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you?? Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired. By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

Boy, I must have hit a nerve if you felt the need to take out a half page post on it. Go back to reading your Curious George books bammer.

 

[RockyTopEmpire]

Think that guys needs more friends...maybe dancing pepper man will give him a chance epper:

 

[orangetd88]

Originally posted by volinbham@Oct 21, 2005 5:09 PM
Say (Ma) hello (na) to my little friend 

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Nice!

 

[orange4ever]

I work with alot of bammer fans and they are not near as confident as some that come on this board.

GO VOLS

I live in TN and work in bammer.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Originally posted by BamasBack12@Oct 21, 2005 5:33 PM
Haha, this game the biggest in school history??  You're kidding.  Alabama has played in SO many big games, so many bigger than this.  I wouldn't put this game in the top 20, don't flatter yourselves by thinking this game means that much.  Sure, it means a lot because we're undefeated and it's the UT game.  Some Bama fans want to win because of Fulmer but most don't really care.  I'm a Bama fan, I live in Alabama so I know what the general mood is.  You can hype this up as being "the biggest game ever in the universe" and say that Bama fans only care about Fulmer and that he turned us in, but you're only kidding yourself.  We want to win this game, but if we don't we're 6-1 and we can still win the West and end up in Atlanta.  Right now, that is the main goal, to make it to Atlanta.  That was a nice little article you wrote though, I like the way you ended it too.  "Well, if that's the case, I'm ready to root for the bad guys."  It's a clever little one-liner, isolated from the last paragraph, I bet you thought you were just a little sportswriter writing that didn't you??  Maybe you are, but if so, your article sucks and you should be fired.  By the way, thanks for the suggestion but I think I'll be taking Bama and the points.

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*cringing as the sensible Bama fans around here blush with embarassment*