There are too many syllables in eighty-five for a celebratory chant about Tennessee’s pre-season power ranking.
“We’re 85, we’re 85” just doesn’t sound right, even if The Athletic says it is so. It is a long, long way down from “We’re number one!”
Eighty-five is, in fact, a bad number. Can you believe Georgia State, Rutgers, Marshall and Arkansas State are rated ahead of the Volunteers? So are Buffalo, Tulane and Kent State.
If it is any consolation, Vanderbilt is 112th.
There must be days when Josh Heupel reassesses the situation and asks himself what the heck am I doing here? His answer to himself?
“Because it’s Tennessee, man. This is an iconic brand, one of the greatest in all of college sports and in all of college football. This fan base is unsurpassed. It’s as passionate and as fierce as any fan base in America.
“Neyland Stadium is one of the great cathedrals in all of college sports, man, and the opportunity for me to be here, represent this program, be the caretaker, to build it in the right way, one in which Tennessee people who care will be proud of the way we play, the way we compete, the way we represent Tennessee football outside the game, all of Vol nation across the country.
“Just so excited to showcase what we’ve done and how we’re going to continue to build this thing”
The 1-2-3 procession of Derek Dooley, Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt created this absolute mess. They led the Vols into the lower echelon of the Southeastern Conference, in the general direction of the Commodores. NCAA violations compounded the problem. Internal investigation cost some talent. The transfer portal invited the mass exodus.
Somehow, Heupel has maintained a positive attitude. Not one sentence has he wasted on public poor-mouthing, whining or asking for mercy-me. He and the players talk as if they see the proverbial light. I don’t see it yet but I’m looking.
Maybe something will happen tomorrow evening that will provide illumination. Bowling Green is ranked 125th.
Best I can tell, nothing like this has ever happened at Tennessee. I was looking and listening in 1953 when Harvey Robinson replaced the legend as coach. Robert R. Neyland was a tough act to follow. Harvey had the added difficulty of being told to keep all the veteran assistants, three of whom wanted the job he had.
Bowden Wyatt came in with a strong wind behind him. He had been a Vol all-American end and a conference championship coach at Wyoming and Arkansas. He inherited tailback John Majors, fullback Tommy Bronson, tackle John Gordy, end Buddy Cruze and a very strong supporting cast.
On short notice, Jim McDonald followed Wyatt as coach. Jim didn’t have a chance. As soon as Bob Woodruff gained strength as athletics director, Doug Dickey was told to make travel plans.
Dickey, 32, had never been even a coordinator. He exceeded expectations. He put the single-wing in the museum, transformed a linebacker into a quarterback, recruited some great linemen and almost made it to the moon.
Bill Battle, at age 28, got the chance of a lifetime, coaching a championship team. His 11-1 start was proof positive. In reality, this really good man was not ideally suited for SEC jungle warfare.
Majors probably should have been the replacement for Dickey. By the time John was called home, there was a major rebuilding job waiting. He eventually got it done.
Phillip Fulmer was awarded a strong team with Heath Shuler at quarterback. Fulmer won a hundred more games than he lost and added the priceless national championship.
Fulmer was paid to go away. Tennessee took a tumble. Lane Kiffin, plenty smart, was a poor fit, wild and reckless, instability personified. Dooley was overmatched. Jones was a carnival barker. Paul Finebaum called him that out loud for millions to hear.
The final score isn’t in on Pruitt but, believe me, it isn’t going to be good.
The Vols are coming off three losing seasons in the past four years. Low expectations are the best thing in Heupel’s favor. That doesn’t help sell tickets but it should encourage patience.
The schedule is not impossible. If the realistic goal is 6-6, Pittsburgh is the early key. Both teams see it as a probable victory.
South Carolina at historic Neyland Stadium on Oct. 9 looks like a must win. Nov. 6 at Kentucky appears to be the pivotal date. Unless several Wildcats are in jail, they will almost certainly be favored.
If you dare look at early odds, Tennessee is a 15.5-point underdog against Florida in the Swamp. Georgia is favored by three touchdowns for the mid-November visit. Missouri and Ole Miss will be favored. I will practice my power of positive thinking and address Alabama at some later date.
Dr. Danny White is atop the short list of Heupel advantages. They know each other. The coach can count on the athletics director for full support. White, in turn, has the total endorsement of the UT administration.
All that adds up to not much except all should be pushing and tugging in the same direction. Support does not provide many loopholes or short cuts. Heupel and his staff must recruit under a microscope.
And recruit they must – carefully, precisely. Roster depth is one of the major problems.
There you have it, my outlook. Expectations are minimal. This season will be one step toward better days. The Vols will score some points. The challenge is not overwhelming. The team might even be fun to watch.
Marvin West welcomes reader comments or questions. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com