Randy Smith
It's the third week in October which means this weekend is the third one of the month as well. Unless you just moved to the South or if you don't have a clue about college football, you fully understand what that means. The third Saturday in October means it's time for the Tennessee-Alabama game. Saturday's game in Tuscaloosa marks the 102nd time the two longtime SEC powers have met on the gridiron, with 'Bama holding a 56-38-7 edge. The Crimson Tide has won 12 straight games; the longest streak for either team in the history of the series.
The top-ranked Tide is heavily favored in Saturday's contest, which for longtime Tennessee fans brings about the need for distraction. In other words, something to take our minds off the potential butt-whipping we are likely to receive on Saturday. I have chosen several things to take my mind off the game this weekend. My wife Shelia and I took our grandsons to Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains. We spent a day at Dollywood and returned home to watch the Vols score a 20-10 upset of Mississippi State at Neyland Stadium. Fans all felt good about the Vols following the victory but we all knew what was looming this weekend. So, I found some other ways to distract myself from the 'Bama game.
I watched the Major League Baseball Playoffs but I became so frustrated over the play of my favorite team, the New York Yankees, that suddenly became no distraction at all. Then my wife and I spent the day in the mountains of North Georgia at an apple farm, buying fruit and fried pies. Next, we watched two of our granddaughters play softball this week at Middle Valley. But it was just one night and when that game was over, I immediately started thinking about the impending doom that awaits in Tuscaloosa.
To be totally honest, there are not enough distractions to take your mind completely off what lies ahead. So, I've decided to meet it head on. On Saturday morning, I'll get out the best orange shirt I have and prepare for the game. I will go watch my grandsons play flag football, then come home and watch some other games before the Vols and Red Elephants take the field at 9 p.m. eastern time. I will say to myself, "We're gonna hang with 'em for at least a while." I will close my eyes and remember back to the days of Tennessee's last winning streak over the Tide. Beginning in 1995, Tennessee won seven in a row and 10 of 12 match ups with Alabama under Coach Phillip Fulmer. When that highly successful streak came to an end, the series stood 44-38-7. It was still in favor of Alabama but was more indicative of how competitive this series has been through the years.
On Saturday, Alabama goes for win number 13 in a row over the Volunteers. The Tide is favored by 36 points to throttle the Big Orange, and could very likely win by many more. It will be hard to watch but watch it I will. I will cheer for Tennessee and pull for them to make as many good plays as possible. Because, that's what you do when you're a Vol For Life.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com