That Gaudy Orange
Unearthing a CFB time capsule in Knoxville: 100,000 cigars; a Tennessee River baptism & Dixieland Delight.
It was the most hyped CFB Saturday in a long while, and nearly every game absolutely delivered.
It began in Knoxville. Where the Volunteers took out 15 years of frustration on their hated rivals from Alabama in the third Saturday in October.
Tennessee jumped out to a 28-10 led early in the second quarter, which quickly unraveled as the Tide rolled back with 18 unanswered points to tie the game in the third.
Hendon Hooker connected with Jalin Hyatt for a 60-yard touchdown pass to respond, but the Vols missed the extra point. Then after Alabama scored to go up one, Hooker found Hyatt again for a 78-yard TD pass. Hyatt had five TDs on six catches and was the main reason for Tennessee’s victory, despite the Vols only having 22 minutes of possession.
However, it looked like this one was going to slip away from Rocky Top at multiple points. When Alabama had a fumble return TD to go up 49-42; when they intercepted Hooker in the end zone and returned it 82 yards with four minutes left; or when Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young got ‘Bama back in field goal range with seconds to play.
Yet, the CFB Gods showed mercy on the Vols each time. Specifically with a defensive pass interference penalty to wipe out the interception and a 50-yard miss FG to the right.
Vols fans tearing down the goalposts prompted the craziest conspiracy theory by ‘Bama fans yet—asking for the destroyed goalposts to be retrieved from the river and measured to confirm that they were not wide enough. Something about missed kicks is Nick Saban’s kryptonite.
Then two perfect passes by Hooker to set up the game winning, 40-yard kick.
And, I am almost certain, that kick was blocked by Alabama. But the Gods had already determined the fate of this one and the ball fluttered like a feather across the crossbar.
Cue the field storm. One hundred thousand fans decked out in that gaudy orange.
Cue the cigars. Lighting up 15-year old stogies that engulfed Neyland Stadium.
Cue the goalpost tear down. The first time in a long time that I can recall a true goalpost dismantling complete with the loud crack of metal and splash in the river.
Cue Dixieland Delight. A controversial song that takes place in Tennessee by the band Alabama, which both fanbases lay claim to.
In my lifetime, I faintly remember the checkerboard painted end zones of Tennessee. I remember loving their orange and hearing the tales of Peyton Manning. But they’re as foggy and dismembered as a smoke filled back room with left over cigar butts and a dusty ‘98 title banner.
Last Saturday was like opening a CFB time capsule and being re-introduced to an entire new slate of traditions and Tennessee being reborn again to recapture the glory of the ‘90s (where they could never figure out rival Florida).
The Volunteers keep checking off major accomplishments off their schedule against teams that have been ghosts Tennessee has literally been chasing for decades:
Beat Pitt (first win ever)
Beat Florida (first win since 2016; 8-25 since 1990)
Beat LSU (first win since 2005)
Beat ‘Bama (first win since 2006)
Up next is the defending national champions Georgia. Tennessee has not beaten the Bulldogs since 2016 and is 6-16 against them since 2000. Even with the huge win over Alabama, the game in Athens on November 5th is likely a must win to even qualify for a spot in the SEC title game. Otherwise, the Vols will be leaving their national title hopes up to fate.
But as already proven, fate has smiled as brightly as an orange-lit cigar on Tennessee.
The Poison Frog
Meanwhile in Fort Worth, TCU conducted a 14-point, fourth quarter comeback to stun Oklahoma State in double overtime 43-40. Max Duggan was a star.
For Mike Gundy, Spencer Sanders and the Cowboys; however, it was yet another collapse in an underwhelming performance of what many in Stillwater were hoping could be a historic year.
Now TCU is in the driver’s seat not only for the Big 12 title but also for the CFP. The question is, in the deepest conference in CFB, can they stay there?
Rising Utes
This is CFB at its best. When the Pac-12 after dark games matter.
Utah vs USC had everything right down to the end. Explosive offensive fireworks; questionable officiating calls and a dynamic ending.
Cam Rising used back to back quarterback draws on fourth and goal and the ensuing two-point conversion to give Utah a 43-42 lead with seconds to play. Caleb Williams could not pull off any heroics for the Trojans even after the refs gave USC a few extra seconds on the clock due to an inadvertent whistle.
And Rising did not hold back when asked about how much he enjoyed beating Lincoln Riley after a bad recruitment.
SEC Playoff
We have been discussing the three-SEC team playoff possibility for weeks now. Well, don’t forget bout Ole Miss. Four SEC teams—Bama, Tenn, Ole Miss and Georgia— could all end the year with one loss.
Across Sports
Michigan took a step forward with a dominating 41-17 victory over Penn State behind 418 rushing yards.
Syracuse and Clemson took care of NC State and Florida State respectively, setting up a major showdown this Saturday. Illinois and Purdue stay atop the Big Ten West; UNC beat Duke in a thriller; Ole Miss stayed perfect and in the top 10 (with Lane Kiffin trolling ‘Bama in the process); Kansas lost their second straight game; Stanford got their first FBS win over Notre Dame; and the clock struck midnight on Sun Belt darlings JMU and Coastal Carolina.
And the craziness permeated to the professional ranks. In the MLB, the Astros went 18 innings in Seattle; Cleveland won on a walk-off (before Judge hit a HR in game 5); the Padres upset the Dodgers and the Phillies upset the Braves.
In Arrowhead, Josh Allen and the Bills found a way to stop Patrick Mahomes and beat the Chiefs 24-20 in the closing minutes. Can they hold onto that No. 1 seed in the AFC?
Chasing 70
One of the greatest stories in CFB is super fan Ben Chase going for the ultimate CFB road trip record by attending 70 games this season. He only has two rules:
He must drive to each game
He must stay to the end of each game
I caught up with Ben after game No. 25 (Baylor vs West Virginia) last week to interview him on the Bears Illustrated Podcast.
Until next time, enjoy the chase this Saturday.