Derek Dooley’s (pictured left, thanks Icon SMI) departure from Louisiana Tech only turned heads because of where he was going – and even then the general perception of his arrival to Knoxville was “who the heck is this guy?” (or, in some circles, “why is Tennessee getting the son of Georgia’s AD?”). Dooley has the misfortune of following Phillip Fulmer as Tennessee’s next functional head coach, since the only thing we can really count on from the Lane Kiffin Blip (Era implies a multi-year stint) is entertaining press. Fulmer, for all his faults, had a fantastic run in the 90s which serves in part as the reason Tennessee fans have been so frustrated these past few years.

Dooley …well, he may be successful, although I think he may be a bit in over his head for the next season or so. There’s a bit of a learning curve when going from the WAC to the SEC, pedigree or no, and given the difficulty filling the coaching positions so far (as of this writing, Tennessee still doesn’t have a defensive coordinator) it’s going to be a slower process than usual. The only mitigating factor – and it’s a big one – is that the Volunteers are so decimated by losses that it’s not going to make a ton of difference in 2010. Read the rest of this entry →

In retrospect, it’s my own fault I saved the Papa John’s bowl for last; of course I’m having issues with motivation when a bowl is pitting a couple of 7-5 teams against each other.  The most notable on-field incident between South Carolina and UConn is UConn’s triple-OT win over Notre Dame, made famous because of a) the name of the team they beat and b) the significance of their first win following the tragic death of Jasper Howard.  Aside from that, it’s a long way down; honestly, my first thought was South Carolina’s 7-3 wet turd of an opening game against NC State that presaged a litany of subpar Thursday night games. Read the rest of this entry →

Look, I don’t care: this is the Peach Bowl.  This is not the Chik-Fil-A Bowl, although they do make one heck of a sandwich.  This is one of the comparatively few bowls out there that actually has some kind of history, and if it’s good enough for the Rose Bowl to stubbornly cling to an outdated tradition and be mocked roundly, well, it’s pretty easy for me to do the same.

This year’s incarnation pairs a couple of teams who are strikingly similar; both rely on power running games and excellent defensive play (typified in part by a safety operating up in run support a large percentage of the time).  The difference lies in – go figure, knowing the teams – special teams: Virginia Tech has them, while Tennessee hasn’t had them in a while, up to and including this season. Read the rest of this entry →

Auburn RB Ben Tate (thanks Icon SMI)

Well, we’re finally here.   I’d say there’s drama on the line, but once you take away the rivalries, there’s nothing significant to be fighting over other than bowl position.  We know the SEC Championship matchup (as we’ve known for weeks, and quite frankly could’ve guessed back in September).  The SEC will have ten bowl-eligible teams.  It’s a minor miracle we have not only fantasy, but rivalry, to pull us through this.

Alabama @ Auburn (the Iron Bowl needs no introductions)

Alabama’s defense has been generally stifling all season – only Tennessee and Kentucky have even gotten over 300 yards.  Lest you think that Ben Tate and the Auburn crew will have success, remember what happened to the Arkansas offense: stifled on both the ground and through the air.  Chris Todd is no Ryan Mallett, which means it’ll be a long day for Darvin Adams, too. Read the rest of this entry →

Riley Cooper and Tim Tebow (thanks Icon SMI)

It’s playoff time, which means …well, it means you’re stuck starting the same batch of stiffs that got you there in the first place, but if you’re lucky enough not to have to deal with it– that’s why I’m here.  We’re skipping last week and moving onto the matchups.

Florida International @ Florida (yes, this is a game)

Keen fantasy buffs wet themselves a little bit when they found out about this game; really, at this point any UF player that might be on the wire (Riley Cooper and Emmanuel Moody, I’m looking at you) is worth a shot.  Cooper’s the key get here.  And if y’all don’t know about Tebow and Aaron Hernandez yet …well, how’d you make the playoffs, anyway? Read the rest of this entry →