Get 1 Home Game a Year- Which Should I Choose?

[MemphisVol]

I've been offered Florida, Homecoming, and LSU this year- But first, some background:


Two years ago, after numerous "filler" games, my Dad & Infamous Stepmother invited me (and paid my way) to the Auburn game. They invite- and pay all expenses for- me to one game a year. Usually, It's a game against a weakling, because they've got really good tickets and lots of good friends their own age to share them with. Offering me the Auburn game was therefore a big deal.

You remember how that turned out. Not just bad, but bizarrely, embarrassingly bad.

A year ago, despite the Auburn disaster and numerous friends that would've jumped at the chance, out of the blue they offered me the Georgia game.

You remember how that turned out. See "Auburn", above (though it was merely embarrassing, not bizarre).

To make matters worse, there was a couple sitting in front of us and near the end the woman said, "What's really awful is that the only other big game I've been to in years was against Auburn last year." I began thinking maybe she was a jinx, and maybe she wasn't the only one.


So what should I do? Homecoming is not only a pretty safe bet for a win to break my two-year jinx, but I really love the rituals and general vibe of Knoxville that weekend. Florida and LSU have the potential to be legendary games, yet that also means it would truly suck-cubed if the Vols blew it, making me (thirds the charm) an official jinx to my Dad & Infamous Stepmom if they keep up this new thing of inviting me to big games......

 

[LetMeStay]

Florida game

 

[OWB]

Maybe you should just consider staying home Memphis... :ninja:

 

[OWB]

But if you don't want to stay home, I'd say Florida. Unless you can't stand the thought of missing the homecoming traditions.

 

[mattvols]

Florida

 

[MemphisVol]

I was leaning towards Florida, but for really weird, you-had-to-be-there reasons.

Why did you guys?

 

[LetMeStay]

classic matchup.

 

[therealUT]

I would say the LSU game this year. It will be late, and if we are entering that game with 1 or 0 losses, then that game basically decides if we are going to the SECCG. It will be huge.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

Initial response would be Florida. But after thinking for a moment I would agree with RealUT. Go to LSU. The Florida game will be great but if we can make it through as a decent team the LSU game will be just as good with added SEC East and West implications. Either way gotta say you are lucky to be there. Both will be great matchups.

 

[Jaytrain5]

I'd say Florida. It's a rivalry match-up, CBS telecast, and it's a night game...if we beat Cal and Air Force, the atmosphere in Neyland on Sep. 16 will be unbelievable! This game is more important (than LSU) for our SECCG hopes because it's an East Division rival. And all of Florida's recent trips to Rocky Top have been classics. 98's OT win...The controversial Fla. TD in 2000, and Wilhoit's 50+ yarder to win the game in 2004. I didn't mention our 17 fumbled center/qb exchanges in the rain in 2002 -- there's no need to dwell on the past.

Go to the Florida game.

 

[VOLracerx]

I say UF - our rivalry with them is much deeper and as a VOL fan that is one of those games that you have got to attend at least once in your life..BTW I live in Memphis and if you decide not to go I will be more than happy to be embarrassed on your behalf.

 

[kiddiedoc]

I can't believe that no one has even MENTIONED Alabama. I know there's a lot of youth on this board (myself sort of included. . .), but the long-time Vol faithful appreciate this rivalry most of all.

Florida will be an awesome environment - night game, lingering memories of the unforgettable 2004 matchup, and Chrissy taking snaps, of course.

Go with one of those. Whoever said that LSU will be just as big is high.

As for "Homecoming" festivities, I've never been too impressed. The game will be mediocre, at best. The crowd is usually lackluster. No rivalry. Pass on it.

 

[VOLracerx]

I would take Bama too but that wasn't one that was offerred to him.

 

[therealUT]

Go with one of those. Whoever said that LSU will be just as big is high.

Florida is barely even a UT rival. They are definitely no more a rival than UGA. The Florida game was always big for us during the Spurrier Era because that game was usually a Top 5 or Top 10 matchup. That will not be the case this year. UF will probably be around 13 or 14 in the country and we might be in the Top 25. If we win all of our games up to the LSU game, we will be in the Top 10 and LSU will most likely be in the Top 15. The game will have immediate SECCG and Bowl Game implications.

As to your mention of Bama, they will most likely come into Neyland with 2 losses (Ark and UF.) Where our offense could only get better from last year, they lost Brody Croyle and Prothro will not be back. Look for Bama to rack up another 6 points against our defense. If we cannot put more than 14 points on Alabama this year, then whether one picks the UF, Bama, or LSU game to go to, it won't matter...we will lose all of them.

If you want to go to the Bama game for the tradition or the UF game for the 'rivalry,' then go. However, those traditions and 'rivalries' will be the same every year. The LSU game in 2006 will mean a lot.

 

[lawgator1]

That is a tough one because you want to go to the game that means the most. If you beat Cal and AF, then Florida will be an exciting game.

But if you beat Cal, AF, Florida, and the rest of them, when you get to games later in the season those could be even more exciting because the stakes go up and up and up!!!

Also, if you should stumble versus Cal, the Florida game will have lost some of its lustre. But if that happens and you go on a big winning streak after Cal, then again the later games take on even more significance!!

I will say this. Nice problem to have.

 

[GAVol]

If it comes down to FLA or LSU, I'd probably go LSU since
1) You don't get many chances to see them in Knoxville
2) There's a chance that the Florida game will be a hot one (temperature-wise).

 

[vader]

Go to Florida. I am afraid I might not be able to make it to a game this year and I've got season tickets. :cry:

 

[OWB]

Go to Florida. I am afraid I might not be able to make it to a game this year and I've got season tickets. :cry:

That's not good. :bad: Hopefully you'll be able to make a couple at least.

 

[Lexvol]

I think I would pick the Fla game. Worst case scenario is that UT is 1-1 going into that one, and it is the SEC opener. If you wait until LSU there is a slight possibility that Vols will have given up on their season.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Florida is barely even a UT rival.

Are you for real?

And, as for Bama, I don't care if they haven't won single game when they come to town. It's a big one. And, for many, the biggest. To (mis)quote Lee Ann Womack: "I really hate Bammer; I'll think of a reason later."

Sorry about mentioning that game, anyway. I was busy and just skimmed the thread before replying.

 

[therealUT]

Are you for real?

And, as for Bama, I don't care if they haven't won single game when they come to town. It's a big one. And, for many, the biggest. To (mis)quote Lee Ann Womack: "I really hate Bammer; I'll think of a reason later."

Sorry about mentioning that game, anyway. I was busy and just skimmed the thread before replying.

If Florida is a big rival, as you state, then seeing them any year is pretty much the same. I understand that Bama is a huge rivalry, if I had 1 game a year to go watch, I would pick Bama in a year they were highly touted. LSU will be the team to beat in the west this year. I would rather watch us knock them off and set our hopes on the SEC CG.

 

[Jaytrain5]

If Florida is a big rival, as you state, then seeing them any year is pretty much the same. I understand that Bama is a huge rivalry, if I had 1 game a year to go watch, I would pick Bama in a year they were highly touted. LSU will be the team to beat in the west this year. I would rather watch us knock them off and set our hopes on the SEC CG.

LSU will be stout...no question, there's a ton of talent. I'll take a Tuberville coached team over a Miles coached team anyday though, so I think Auburn is the team to beat in the West.

Also, a victory over LSU helps our chances at a spot in the SECCG, but a victory over our East Division rivals is far more important in getting to Atlanta. So the UF and UGA games are bigger.

Lastly, Florida is definitely a rival. The only bigger rival is Bama.

 

[therealUT]

LSU will be stout...no question, there's a ton of talent. I'll take a Tuberville coached team over a Miles coached team anyday though, so I think Auburn is the team to beat in the West.

Also, a victory over LSU helps our chances at a spot in the SECCG, but a victory over our East Division rivals is far more important in getting to Atlanta. So the UF and UGA games are bigger.

Lastly, Florida is definitely a rival. The only bigger rival is Bama.

I go on record as stating the following: Bama is our biggest rival. In the '90s UF was our second biggest rival. In this decade, UGA is our biggest rival. UF is on their way down. UGA is on their way up.

Also, I would disagree with your assessment of Tuberville.

 

[Jaytrain5]

I go on record as stating the following: Bama is our biggest rival. In the '90s UF was our second biggest rival. In this decade, UGA is our biggest rival. UF is on their way down. UGA is on their way up.

Also, I would disagree with your assessment of Tuberville.

I didn't offer much assessment...only stated that I'd take him in a heartbeat over Les Miles. I question the competence of a coach that tries to call a timeout to stop the clock after a change of possession.

 

[therealUT]

I didn't offer much assessment...only stated that I'd take him in a heartbeat over Les Miles. I question the competence of a coach that tries to call a timeout to stop the clock after a change of possession.

Point taken.