Randy Smith
Fifteen years without a win over your most bitter rival is tough....really tough. That's what Tennessee fans were facing on Saturday as the unbeaten Volunteers hosted unbeaten Alabama at Neyland Stadium. This series has been more about frustrating losses for Tennessee than anything else.... losses so frustrating they caused long-time UT grads to throw their class rings in the river or in the parking lot. Oh, there were a few great moments for the Big Orange, like the four straight Tennessee wins from 1982-1985 and the Peyton Manning years at Tennessee with a seven game win streak from 1995-2001.
But since the last Volunteer win in 2006, until Saturday frustration has been the key word.
Johnny Majors was 4-12 against Alabama, but Phillip Fulmer was much better, winning 12 and losing just four times. Since Fulmer's last win over 'Bama in 2006, Tennessee is 1-15, and that one win came this past weekend. The emotions that Tennessee faithful exhibited on Saturday ranged from tears....to euphoria and even an occasional fight with butt-hurt Alabama fans. The scene inside Neyland Stadium following the Vols' win was the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed in sports.
There was video of former Vol great Al Wilson with tears streaming down his cheeks when the game winning field goal by Chase McGrath crossed the goal post, sending the 'Bama winning streak and ultimately those same goal posts into the Tennessee River. There were choruses of, "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama . We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama....we're from Tennessee!" They began in the Tennessee locker room and carried out to the thousands of Big Orange faithful hanging around and enjoying every single minute of the celebration.
Then, there were the stogies - the traditional victory cigars that have become a vital part of this rivalry. It's a part that has been missing from the Tennessee perspective for 15 years. Players lit up, coaches lit up and yes fans lit up. Fans inside Neyland Stadium as well as fans all across the Volunteer state. (Even my wife Shelia and my daughter Christi lit stogies. However, they quickly brushed their teeth.) Were there tears rolling down my cheeks? Yes there were. Especially when I saw video of my grandson Coleman and my son Davey crying from the sheer joy of a Tennessee win over Alabama It was a celebration for the ages. One that will not soon be forgotten by Tennessee fans.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com