If we hear that Tennessee is back one more time, we will scream. Seriously. Could they be great this year? We will see. LAST YEAR There was an awful lot of hype that the Vols would beat Florida (when, let's face it, you couldn't have had a better opportunity) and cause Missouri a hell of a lot of problems. They failed both tests. They abused Alabama offensive co-ordinator (and their turncoat former coach) Lane Kiffin, and failed there too. Yes, we know they won four out of their last five including spanking Iowa in their bowl game...but look at the opposition. The only ranked team the Vols Read more [...]

There were no backflips after Tennessee's fantastic 2015 recruiting year, head coach Butch Jones said, adding that 2014 was an overachievement from a team that didn't bring back anyone on the offensive and defensive lines. "Contrary to reports, there were no back flips, and there were no somersaults, but I think in the world of college football, you're judged by wins and losses, but also you're judged by does your team overachieve or under achieve. And I thought last year's football team, team 118 overachieved." He added that overachievements have also been seen in the classroom, where he Read more [...]

On Tuesday we told you what we're expecting from SEC West coaches on the schedule. It should be a lot of talk about the schedule, quarterbacking and good running backs. Of course, we'd love them to talk about LSU and Alabama's penchant for getting people arrested, shitty defensive co-ordinators, and their hot wives/daughters/do-nothing husbands-in-law, but it's probably not going to happen. Anyway, this time it's time for your SEC East coaches. FLORIDA What Jim McElwain will probably get asked: How he's settling into the job ("I love it down here. It's a change from the Rockies"), how Read more [...]

Unsurprisingly, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is the top-ranked coach in college football, USA Today has reported. Despite a season where he didn't win his bowl game and lost to Auburn, Saban - who's Crimson Tide team is now the top-ranked team in the nation - still earned $7.1m in total pay in 2013 - including a base salary of $6.9m. Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin was the second-most paid in the SEC and the fourth-best coach in college football, pulling in $5m in base salary, and $5.006m total. LSU's Les Miles earned $4.3m ($4.369m total), and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier earned $4m ($4.016m Read more [...]

If someone told you at the start of the year that the Ole Miss versus Auburn game would be the biggest game of the football season to date, they'd send you back to the crackhouse with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. But it's true: War Eagle's visit to The Grove will represent the clash of two of the four teams in the College Football Play-Off Committee (Auburn was voted No.3 and Ole Miss No.4), with the loser seemingly going to get booted out of contention. College Gameday, after visiting SEC schools - including two Missisippi schools- three times in four weeks - has decided to go up to Morgantown for Read more [...]

Tennessee has dismissed redshirt freshman running back Trayvon Paulk after police reported that he had hit his girlfriend at a party, according to reports. The Chatanooga Free Times press reported: "According to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Paulk was accused of assault, though his ex-girlfriend, 18-year-old Chelsea Reese is refusing to prosecute or take out an order of protection. He will not be charged....While at a party on Saturday, Paulk and Reese began arguing when he "became very agitated and struck her in the mouth with his fist....Reese had cuts to her lips but refused medical treatment." Tennessee Read more [...]

Let's be honest: It hasn't been the greatest few years at Tennessee. The fans on 'Rocky Top' haven't had a winning record since 2009, and one double-digit win season in seven years. In other words, UT fans have spent a lot of time finding game tailgates as a chance to catch up and hate life together. Neyland's a pretty easy ticket now. Butch Jones coming in last year, though, has threatened to turn things around. Tennessee was perhaps the best 5-7 team in college football, and this year, recruiting's going well and smiles might just be returning again. LAST SEASON Tennessee had a winning Read more [...]

Butch Jones, the Tennessee head coach, was at his second SEC Media Days get-together, and here are some of his memorable quotes, which have been gained off Twitter. On the UT receiving corps: "We are the original wide receiver U" (apparently, it's not....it's Pittsburgh) Who's going to be QB?:  "We like the progress with [current QBs] Justin Worley, Joshua Dobbs and Nathan Peterman, but we're not naming a starter". On the fact that Tennessee's playing Alabama every year because of the 6-1-1 schedule, which has infuriated some coaches: "What makes college football special is the rivalries". Young Read more [...]

Tennessee back-up quarterback Riley Ferguson isn't expected to return to Knoxville, his coach Butch Jones has said. "As of right now, based on our recent conversations, we do not anticipate that he will be a member of our football family moving forward," Jones told the News Sentinel. No-one really knows why Ferguson is planning to leave - aside from the fact that it may be something to do with him wanting to be closer to home - but there is a feeling that his departure could cause Jones a headache, particularly with there only being three quarterbacks on the roster - senior Justin Worley, Read more [...]

Tennessee wide receiver Alton 'Pig' Howard has taken a leave of absence and won't play in the spring practice period with the team, say reports coming out of Knoxville. The News Sentinel-owned GoVolsExtra  site said "Howard has been away from the team due to “personal reasons” and his long-term future with the Vols had not yet been decided." Howard had 44 receptions and 3 TDs in 2013, which led the offense-light Volunteers. He also had 388 receiving yards. He is thought to be the Vols No.2 receiver behind Marquez North coming into the Spring. BOTTOM LINE: This isn't going to make Read more [...]