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I had to check my unofficial Tennessee Vols Football Schedule this afternoon, just to be sure it really is Bama week. Let’s see, the game after Mississippi State but before South Carolina — ok then, it is in fact, Alabama week.
So why doesn’t it feel like Alabama week?
Sure, we’ve had the “Make fun of Bammer with pictures” thread and the traditional “I Hate the Alabama Crimson Tide” post on the message board. But aside from that, it just doesn’t feel like the third (or fourth in this case) Saturday in October is just days away.
We’ve not seen the swagger from Tennessee fans heading into this weekend’s match-up, and understandably so. At 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference, I’m not sure many in the Vol Nation are being accused of overconfidence.
And yet, while depressing, that’s not my biggest concern. It’s the absence of “Bammer Trolls” from VolNation this year that is most surprising and honestly, the most upsetting.
The best I’ve come across was today when some poser tried to spam a paltry Bama board (that had only been around a couple of weeks) as “the best Alabama football site in the state”. While he exhibited the stubbornness of an Alabama fan, his attempt was weak.
For the most part, the Tide fans that I’ve witnessed this week on the interwebs have been downright, well, courteous. Even the spammer I mentioned above was uncharacteristically polite.
Hopefully, I’ve just missed the traditional invaders in crimson on VolNation.com this week. It is entirely possible that our super-duper moderating team has quickly dismantled any and all incoming enemy threats. But just for argument’s sake, let’s assume just for a minute, that is not the case. What or who could possibly be responsible for taking all the fun out of my week?
It’s not like Tennessee’s program has dropped to the level of a “directional school”, have they? Surely that’s not possible. It has to be something else. But what?
Maybe it’s just to early. The game is still four days away.
Maybe Bama fans have forgotten how to handle themselves when sporting such a high national ranking (#2).
Maybe they are scared.
No, more than likely, it’s a feeling of arrogant superiority — plain and simple. And why not? It’s not a game they have circled on the schedule since the Spring. It’s certainly not a revenge game, not after the shellacking laid down last year. It’s not even an underdog game for them.
Vegas believes Alabama is the better team, as do even the most fanatical of orange-blooded Tennessee supporters. Anyone and everyone is picking against the Vols. More so (or at least as much) than any previous game in the series that I can remember in some time. It’s disturbing to say the least.
What am I going to do about it you ask? Well, I’m just one man, and aside from hoping for a miracle, all I can offer are a few links that will remind you of better days.
–Your Favorite Alabama game memory
–Favorite Tennessee/Alabama videos
–Hatvol predicts a Tennessee victory[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
14 responses to “Is it Alabama Week Yet?”
Thanks for the shout out!
I absolutely HATE fan bantering. I like classy discussions/debates with opposing fans.
As an Alabama alum, I know that this game will be difficult, and that past games or performances by either team are IRRELEVANT.
I look forward to my trip to Knoxville, and know going into the game that rankings and hyperbole about the two teams will have absolutely NO IMPACT on the outcome.
Okay… Are you guys ready for that whooping just like last year?
Feel better? This will be three out of four years. Looks like we might not have a good game for at least another decade. Ho-hum…
I think its funny that you say becasue we aren’t making any noise as Bama fans that we are arrogant and think we are superior. What do you want us to do?….Come over here and scream and yell about how good we are? Wouldn’t THAT be the definition of arrogance?
@TREY, always so polite.
@dd4bama, I too would prefer the classy discussions. The question is, why does that suddenly seem to be more prevalent this year?
@Bama4pres, No – I don’t feel better. But thanks for trying.
@Big Balls, typically there are a lot of Bama fans that do just that around here every year at this time. They scream and yell about how good Alabama is – even when, in reality, they aren’t.
I’m not trying to make sweeping generalizations about all Alabama fans, but I’m certainly not seeing as much of the typical Alabama smack this year. I suppose with an undefeated record and #2 national ranking I expected a little more.
It’s the “quiet arrogance” that is different this year and that’s what I was trying to point out. I should have more clearly described it that way.
Now, listen closely when I say this. Its not that we are being arrogant. I think it may have a little more to do with Tennessee being less relevant than usual. Granted you guys may beat us come Staurday. But I don’t think that’s what’s bothering you. I think what bothers you is that you don’t have anybody to argue with. Its like you are saying “Hey dammit! We still matter!” Frankly, I’m more worried about Auburn this year than I am about Tennessee.
Vol.Freak…the reason I don’t post as Zuter is you banned me for “trolling.” If you’d bothered to look at my post history (11 months worth w/ 500+ posts) you would’ve realized that I indeed was not trolling and was just mixing it up a little like some of your own UT posters were. That’s fine, great knee-jerk reaction. I’m already in under a couple of different names. I don’t mind to really troll now since that’s what you’ve labeled me. Had I been allowed to keep my Zuter username, I wouldn’t have registered under other names and would have no desire to stir the pot.
Suck it!
@Big Balls, I’m really not looking for anyone to argue with since, honestly, I don’t have much ammunition this year.
It surely does have to do with Tennessee being less relevant than usual — absolutely. I’m certain that’s a major factor in the psyche of this game from both sides.
As for Auburn, I acknowledged the importance of the Auburn game in the article.
Actually, I don’t think we disagree on anything with the exception that you are focusing on the negative connotation of the word “arrogance”. Maybe if I had used “confidence” instead we could agree.
@Zuter, first off, I didn’t ban you. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again that it wasn’t me. Second, you were trolling. As I recall, you posted on an Alabama board something to the effect of “Hey watch me get the Vol fans riled up”. That’s trolling by definition.
We know exactly what user names people re-register under. It’s not like you are pulling the wool over our eyes as you seem to think. We’re just happy that you think so highly of us to stick around for so long. Contrary to what you might think, we encourage civil discussion from all sides.
p.s. It’s really hard to take someone seriously when they end a post with “suck it!”. How old are you?
I didn’t say all new accounts are with the same IP address or even physical address.
If your orange clad faithful weren’t so suicidal it wouldn’t be as much fun to stick around. Actually, I only care b/c the consequence was so heavy handed for the offense.
Since you spend so much time on TS look up my age it’s been posted several times. Also, check the other boards.
I don’t spend much time on TS. I get notified when someone links to one of our articles. The technology of the interwebs is amazing, isn’t it?
If you want me to know your age, why don’t you just tell me?
“The question is, why does that suddenly seem to be more prevalent this year?”
It’s the Saban effect. We, as fans, have bought into the process and normally try to b*tch slap ignorant Bama fans.
@TREY, I like to b*tch slap ignorant Bama fans too. I knew we could find common ground.
I’m only kidding.
Seriously though, the Saban Effect could be a factor in all of this. It also would make a great book title — very scientific sounding.
I’m 26, blond, blue-eyed and very busty.
LOL Freak! I personally like b*tch slap ignorant fans of any team.