Thursday, January 11, 2007
Corn from a Jar Podcast Episode 1: Bowl Disapointment, Fulmer Frustration, Hoop Dreams
Yeah, so, a podcast. I wanted to try my hand at this, please keep in mind that it's a work in progress. I wanted to release this during the week after the Outback Bowl so it would be more relevant. Also, it's too long, about 25 minutes. In the future I want them around 15, no more than 20. But to bludgeon a cliche, it is what it is.
Among the stupid things I say in this podcast, when trying to explain who I am and why I'm doing a podcast: "I write two blogs on the internet." As opposed to all those blogs on the bathroom wall at Weigel's. Anyway, in the future, these will probably be found at RTT, but I mention this site in the podcast, so I put the first episode here. If you do take the time to listen to all or part of this, I would greatly appreciate feedback.
Download: Corn from a Jar Podcast Episode 1.mp3
Show Notes:
I. Intro (music: "I'm Drinking Whisky Again," Rollin' in the Hay)
II. Outback Bowl
a. The slow start
b. Bret Smith
c. Foster's fumble
III. Fulmer Frustration
a. "Should Fulmer Retire" from RTT
b. Fan reaction from Tennessean article
c. The case for Fulmer
IV. Good news: Basketball and Football recruiting
V. Wrapping up and Outro (music: "Fine Leather Truck," The Gourds)
This Blog Doesn't Stink
And here's proof: Corn from a Jar is one of six nominees for best new college football blog of 2006. Pretty stout company there, alongside Card Chronicle, Fire Mark May, Conquest Chronicles, Saurian Sagacity, and Double Extra Point.
Overall, Tennessee blogs did pretty well, as Rocky Top Talk is among the Best SEC Blog nominees and Loser With Socks is up for Funniest Blog. Go Vols.
Various nominations in the four-part series can be found at MGoBlog, Burnt Orange Nation, EDSBS, Dawg Sports, and Rocky Top Talk, in that order.
Speaking of RTT, in case you didn't see the announcement over there, it is the new home of CFAJ. I'll be doing a proper farewell to this site soon, but for now head over to Rocky Top Talk and check out the hap's.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
The Real Test: SEC Play Begins in Basketball
Note to Bruce Pearl: get the oil changed in the EL Camino, check the tire pressure, and fill 'er up with gas, 'cause it's a long road ahead. Tennessee opens SEC basketball play on Sunday against Mississippi State, 4 pm EST, Jefferson Pilot Lincoln Financial (check local listings, good luck).
Preview, preview.
Just a quick look at how tough the SEC could be, in a sampling of rankings, four SEC teams (Florida, Alabama, LSU, and UT) are in the AP top 25 (and Kentucky's receiving votes), RealTimeRPI.com has four SEC teams (and Florida's not one of them!) in the top 20 and seven in the top 52, and Jeff Sagarin has the SEC as the second toughest conference with eight of the top 50 teams (Tennessee is #14, and Sunday's opponent State is #50).
How about this, the SEC East has the defending national champion, which isn't the same team as the defending division champion. And neither one of them is Kentucky. Love the SEC.
Also, I've given up on trying to tell the difference between the young, two headed monster of Duke Crews and Wanye Chism. Apparently, so has UTSports.com: Freshmen Wayne Chism and Duke Crews, who have emerged as starters, will be making their debuts in SEC play for Tennessee. Chism and Crews are combining to average nearly 19 points and 12 rebounds a contest." Just lump them together, it's easier on everybody.
In fact, from now on, I'm just calling them (him) DuWayne Chews.
DuWayne Chews
Go Vols.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Bowl Reaction
Ugly, ugly game against Penn State. I don't know what to blame it on. Too many steak dinners? No wake-up call at the hotel?
I've done some reaction posts at the FanHouse, including some numerology around the number 10 in this game, 3 reasons you can't blame Arian Foster, and how the program is in a similar situation as it was in in 1997.
As for the Roundtable picks, all of the Penn State guys were close to the final score as they all knew it would take a low-scoring game for PSU to win:
The Nittany Line: Penn St. 17 - UT 14
Black Shoe Diaries: Penn St. 24 - UT 17
Nittany Notebook: Penn St. 16 - Tennessee 13
PSU FanHouse: Penn St. 17 - Tenn 13.
Meanwhile, Joel and I expected Tennessee to like, score, and stuff. Silly us.
Basketball, anyone?
Monday, January 01, 2007
Outback Bowl Roundtable Round-Up
First of all, a huge thanks to Todd Sponsler (Penn State FanHouse), Black Shoe Diaries, The Nittany Line, Run Up the Score, The Nittany Notebook, and fellow Tennessee bloggers The 8th Maxim and Rocky Top Talk for participating.
Rather than including my own responses in this roundup, I'll just let you know that you can find them here, here, and here if you're interested.
Leading up to the Outback Bowl, I have asked Penn State and Tennessee bloggers to answer some questions about their team and their outlook on this bowl matchup between the Nittany Lions and Vols. One thing I didn’t anticipate was how long a round-up like this would be. It’s proboly too much to digest in one post, but it’s too late to chop it up, so this is what you get. What follows is a totally inadequate but better than nothing sampling of responses from the various blogs. Enjoy!
1) Rose, Sugar, Orange … Outback? While it is certainly the premier steakhouse-themed bowl, the game in Tampa is probably not most teams’ pre-season goal. That being said, as a (Penn St. /Tennessee) fan and blogger, on a scale from crushing disappointment to overwhelming glee, what is your reaction to playing in this game? Also, what is the fan base at large’s feeling about accepting a bowl bid that comes with a side of bloomin’ onion?
The Nittany Line: First off, let’s not poo-poo steakhouse-themed bowl games, there should be more of them. They certainly far surpass San Diego County Credit Union – themed bowls, and who doesn’t like a thick juicy steak every now and then, but I digress. Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle of the satisfaction scale.
Black Shoe Diaries: Overall I think there is a frustration among the fans that we can't seem to beat these elite teams on a regular basis. But now the season is over and I get a sense that Nittany Lion fans are reflecting on our situation and we're generally satisfied that we didn't see the drastic fall from grace we saw in 2000-2001 and 2003-2004.
Run Up the Score: As for the actual bowl itself, it's not the worst place to spend New Year's Day. Sure beats the Alamo or Music City Bowl.
PSU Fanhouse: To sum up, we have a championship caliber defense (16th in the nation overall and 11th in scoring) but a high school level offense. As such, we feel very fortunate to be in the bowl we are in. We don't deserve to be in a better bowl, but I think most PSU fans are disappointed nonetheless. Underwhelming excitement if you will.
8th Maxim: So if you told me Sept. 1st that Tennessee would be in the Outback Bowl I'd said alright that's cool. Now after watching the 2006 season unfold and answering that question again knowing what Tennessee can do then I'm not very excited.
2) Tennessee and Penn State last played in the Citrus Bowl following the 1993 season. Since then, both teams have had an undefeated season and both teams have had at least one losing season. Where is your program now as opposed to where it was then? Are things better, worse, or about the same as when these two teams last played? Not looking for a summary of the last 13 years, but rather an overall feeling of the program now compared to then.
The Nittany Line: Yes both had undefeated seasons but Tennessee was rewarded with a national championship and the Nittany Lions were screwed by the media – anger rising, must not break things – serenity now! serenity now!
PSU FanHouse: We have had more losing seasons in the last six years than we had in perhaps the previous 40-50 years. We have only been to 2 bowls in the past six years, compared to going to 30 bowls between 1967 and 1999.
Run Up the Score: No fan of Penn State or Tennessee is ever really happy with 8-4, and for good reason.
Black Shoe Diaries: The past two years we have recruited extremely well and we've had back to back winning seasons, so I would say we're back to where we were in the 80's and 90's where we competed for a National Championship once every three or four years.
8th Maxim: I guess you could say since 1993 Tennessee has been through a complete cycle and looking to climb that mountain again and it started this year. At least that's what I hope.
3) Now that we know how you feel about your own program, let’s look at the other side of the coin. As a (Tennessee/Penn St.) fan, what do you think of when you hear (“Nittany Lions”/ “Volunteers”)? Does this opponent strike fear in you heart, or barely cause a blip on the radar?
PSU Fanhouse: Tennessee doesn't strike fear in my heart, although most of us were rooting for a match-up against Auburn. The Vol passing game will challenge our secondary, which works well since the 94th ranked rushing offense likely won't find much yardage on the ground against the PSU D, ranked 10th in the country.
The Nittany Line: To be completely honest, I thought Tennessee was a better matchup then Auburn for Penn State. I certainly wasn’t balled up in the fetal position in a corner of the room when I heard the official announcement, but I’m not betting the farm on a Lions victory either.
Black Shoe Diaries: I think we're good enough that no teams strikes fear in our hearts. Our defense is tough and physical and will keep us in any game giving us a chance to win. When I think of the Volunteers I think great team speed and big plays. The media tells us the SEC is the fastest league in college football. I'm not sure how much that is true and how much of that is hype. The Big Ten has some fast teams too.
8th Maxim: When you say Penn State, it doesn't really strike fear in my heart or anything but I respect them and know that JoePa will always have his team ready and we should never take them lightly.
Run Up the Score: I always kind of liked Tennessee. I dated a girl from Tennessee in high school (we actually watched that Citrus Bowl together), always dug Smokey, and admired the fact that 100,000+ would wear that obnoxious orange in unison. We've had some success against the Vols during my lifetime, so they don't particularly scare me as a program. I think they're the better team this year, though. I imagine that PSU and UT fans have more in common than they think, so it should be a good time down in Tampa.
4) It’s hard to keep up with what every team is doing during the regular season, but by now we’ve had time to look up some stats and get at least a general feeling about the opponent. Based on that, what do you know about (Penn State/Tennessee) that might cause you to worry? Are there any specific players on offense, defense, or special teams that might cause match-up problems for your team?
PSU Fanhouse: I think the most concerning thing about Tennessee is that that they only lost by one point to Florida. That is followed closely by a four-point loss to a pretty good LSU team. Stir in a pretty impressive win over Cal and there is plenty to be concerned about.
The Nittany Line: Penn State’s only bad defensive performance came against Notre Dame when they chose to sit back in zone and let Brady Quinn pick them apart, I fear they may try and do the same against the Vols. Ainge could have a field day.
Nittany Notebook: But if Penn State actually puts a defensive gameplan together, as they evidently didn’t do against ND, I think they have a fairly good chance at at least containing the Tennessee passing attack and if they can do that, it will be a nice low-scoring game that Penn State has a much better shot at winning rather than a shoot out.
8th Maxim: I like to think our speed to the outside (that be our running backs or our linebackers) will shine. I'm sure Conner and Pouslouzy (sp) are good athletes but I just don't see them running down Coker to the outside. Also, I don't see the DB's from Penn State getting off the blocks of our Wide Outs on running plays. I also think there is an advantage with our WR's against their DB's.
Black Shoe Diaries: But while Penn State may not be accustomed to this mythical "southern speed", I wonder if the Tennessee wide receivers have had anyone hit them in the mouth as hard as Penn State is going to.
5) Moving from the boys on the field to the men on the sidelines, these two teams have the longest-tenured coaches in their respective conferences. As a Penn St. fan, what is your impression of Phillip Fulmer? [Editor’s Note -- Most of these questions I designed to get a level feeling of the game from both team’s side. With this question, however, I will admit an ulterior motive: I have a pretty good idea of what Southern fans think of coach Fulmer. I wanted to see what fans from a totally different section of the country think of Phil. The answers are very interesting, I think.]
The Nittany Line: I think Fulmer is a pretty respectable coach on the field, he seems to always have his team ready to play and they are well prepared (last season being the exception). Tennessee has always been one of the powerhouses in recruiting and I think Fulmer has a lot to do with that.
PSU FanHouse: This is just an impression but I think one that a lot of PSU fans hold--and that is that Fulmer is a good coach, wins a lot of games, but graduating players is not a high priority of his.
Nittany Notebook: Fulmer is a great recruiter, a decent coach and a questionable character. He gets the job done but I wouldn’t want him representing my university.
Black Shoe Diaries: Fulmer is a good recruiter and an ok football coach. But I wouldn't let my kid play for him. I guess I lost all respect for Fulmer during the tutor scandal when it was discovered that tutors were writing papers for Tennessee players. I was amazed that Fulmer kept his job after that ... Fulmer's players have been in trouble with the law on several occasions and I don't see any signs of change. Just this year some players were involved in a bar fight. I'm not saying these things don't happen at Penn State because they do, but not on the scale and frequency you see at Tennessee. [Eds. Note -- At some time in the future, I am going to take the time to point out how Mike is wrong in some of those assumptions, I just don’t have the time now.]
6) Each team has played one of the BCS Championship Game participants, and we’ve each played some bottom-feeders, too. Based on what you know about the opponent, how does (Tennessee/Penn State) compare to the teams that you faced during the regular season?
The Nittany Line: I would liken Tennessee to Notre Dame with a more athletic defense.
PSU FanHouse: The Volunteers are better than any team we beat this year. This game is our last chance to legitimize this season. If we lose, we will not have beat a ranked opponent all season.
Black Shoe Diaries: The team ranked closest to Tennessee that we played would be Notre Dame. There is a lot of similarity there on offense. Great passing game and ok running game. But I expect Tennessee will have a defense.
Nittany Notebook: Of Penn State’s opponents, Tennessee probably compares best to Notre Dame. They both have a strong passing game and a questionable defense.
8th Maxim: I would compare Penn State to Alabama with a little better running attack and a worse passing attack. Alabama had a pretty solid defense but when Alabama's offense was needed it just wasn't there. If I was going to make a list of "In my mind" the hardest teams you have or will face this season Penn State would be 7th behind Florida, LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Cal.
7) Up to now, we've all been pretty civil about our concerns around this game. Now that Christmas is behind us and it's actually game week, it's time to take the gloves off and talk some smack. Tell everybody why your offense is going to light up the scoreboard against those weak-ass defenders from (Knoxville/State College).
The Nittany Line: Any Nittany fan that thinks this offense is going to light up Tennessee needs a gaggle of therapists observing their everyday behavior because they may be an endangerment to themselves and others.
Nittany Notebook: Penn State’s offense isn’t going to light up the scoreboard. Frankly, I think there’s a better chance of the Mayan doomsday prophecy coming true than Penn State’s offense wreaking havoc on Tennessee’s defense.
Black Shoe Diaries: Talk smack? About the Penn State offense? Oh hell. I can't do it. There is nothing exciting about Penn State's offense. It's as vanilla as their road uniforms.
PSU FanHouse: I have wracked my brain trying to come up with something to say here that doesn't sound like Pamela Anderson discussing quantum theory. Quite frankly, our offense sucks. They sometimes even make that sucking noise when they are on the field.
Rocky Top Talk: UT's backs will likely be held in check. No matter. Ainge in Orange will hit Robert Meachem time after time after time until Penn State finally devotes more attention to him, at which time Ainge will spread the love to Swain, Smith, and Cottam. Our line may not be able to run block, but they can pass protect, and that will be sufficient, thank you very much.
8) On the other side of the ball, let everybody know how your defense is going to beat all manner of hell out of the (Tennessee/Penn State) offense. Special teams smack is encouraged, too.
The Nittany Line: Tennessee will be facing a two-time Bednarik, one time Butkus winner and he wasn’t the best linebacker on the team this year. Poz, Connor, and Lee will be the best linebacking group the Vols have faced this year.
Nittany Notebook: Penn State will shut down Tennessee’s run game, even without Ed Johnson, and force them to live and die with the pass.
Black Shoe Diaries: Just three more guys I want to introduce you to. Their names are Posluszny, Connor, and Lee. You can call them Pain, Anger, and Death. When you go under center for your first snap of the game you'll probably snicker at the three slow looking linebackers. By the end of the game you'll be asking yourself, "Dear God, which one is blitzing this time?"
PSU FanHouse: Our punter can so outkick your punter.
Rocky Top Talk: Mark it down. Two ints, one each for the Jonathans.
9) Ultimately, what we've been working towards here: a prediction. Score at least, but other specific visions of carnage are welcome, too. Loser buys the steak.
The Nittany Line: I thought Outback was buying the steaks! Corporate bastards ... Final score Nits 17 – Tennessee 14.
Black Shoe Diaries: Tennessee gets less than 75 yards rushing; Penn State gets 5 sacks; Final Score UT 17 PSU 24
Nittany Notebook: The only way PSU can win this one is if it’s low scoring. Prediction- Penn State 16, Tennessee 13
PSU FanHouse: I think we create some opportunities (field position or turnovers) that allows us to somehow win this game. Projected final score: PSU 17 - Tenn 13.
Rocky Top Talk: Hmm. At the risk of looking like a complete fool (again), let's say Tennessee 27, Penn State 16. Three TDs and two field goals for the Vols, and a bushel full of yards and time of possession for Penn State resulting in only one TD and three easy field goals.
Unofficially, Brian Cook, NCAA FanHouse: Penn State can only bend so long before breaking, and Anthony Morelli is bound to throw a pick or three. Tennessee 27, Penn State 17.
And finally, yours truly picks Tennessee 30, Penn State 17. When I made my pick on my FanHouse post. it cam out 30-1. I hope it was obvious that it was a typo.
Unintentional Hiatus Over...
... hopefully. In the midst of holiday travel, un-decorating the house, and taking care of the young 'uns, nothing has gotten done around here. In the meantime:
Tennessee 101, Tenn. Tech 77.
Tennessee 93, ETSU 88.
The basketball Vols head into SEC play at 12-2, meaning a .500 season in conference will probably seal a NCAA berth.
Oh, and football. Bret Smith ain't playin', if you didn't know. Lots of food at this bowl, not surprisingly. And thanks to Brian Cook for previewing this game, lord knows I haven't had time.
Go Vols, and good to be back.