MoonDog on 
« College Football’s Best Stadiums - Part 4 | Home | Chick Pic of the Day - Karolina Kurkova »
Big Orange Roundtable Vol(ume) 7
By MoonDog | August 21, 2008
Have you ever seen a mountain of cardboard? I’ve been living atop a mountain of cardboard for over a week now as my life is centered around corrugated products. Boxes here, boxes there. Can’t find anything.
But among the chaos there is a respite of sorts with this week’s version of the Big Orange Roundtable hosted by Fulmer’s Belly. With less than two weeks before the season opener against the Bruins, Jon & Don (those are stage names, used during their tag team wrestling days) have put together a fine list of questions for cardboard-loving people like me to answer.
At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other participating sites so please check back over the next day or so to view their answers. Later in the week Jon and/or Don will post the Big Orange Roundup.
Here we go with this week’s questions.
1. Knock on wood before answering this question, but let’s assume that Jonathan Crompton goes out with a season ending injury in the 1st half of the first game of the season. Should we just pack it up and wait until next season, or is there a glimmer of hope in any of the young backups?
With so many questioning the Vols ability to win games this season with Crompton under center, a season-ending injury - on the surface - would appear disastrous. But Tennessee has some advantages this season that would allow for such an injury.
All of us know Nick Stephens and B.J. Coleman have talent, but they lack experience. Our offense will be different this season with Dave Clawson calling the shots. He’ll be smart enough to pull either Stephens and Coleman aside and tell them they don’t have to be the second coming of Peyton.
We’re going to hand the ball to one of our three very talented running backs who will rip through defenses behind our big, strong and veteran offensive line. We’re going to mix in some play-action, a few screens, a swing pass here and there and the next thing you’ll know, the band will be playing “Down the Field” as we celebrate six points.
All a young QB will need to do is manage the game and limit mistakes. There’s more than enough talent on the offensive side of the ball for us to absorb a serious injury to Crompton.
2. Does Erik Ainge have a future in the NFL?
Yes. He will be the most prolific third-string QB in NFL history. His clipboard-holding skills alone will earn him high praise. Ainge may be in the league for a few years but I don’t see anything beyond that. I certainly don’t see him ever earning a starting role unless the first two QBs on the depth chart go down with injuries.
I personally never understood the admiration Vol fans seemed to have with Ainge. He was terrible at performing under pressure, he couldn’t move out of the pocket and he lost the Vols more games than I can count. Frankly, I was shocked he even got drafted this past spring.
3. Why in the hell did you decide to blog about Tennessee football? Aren’t there already enough Tennessee blogs?
I agree there are way too many sites focusing on the Vols. Therefore, I nominate Fulmer’s Belly as the site that should withdraw itself from the blogosphere. All those in favor say aye.
I don’t consider myself a fan site because I don’t cover the Vols exclusively, although I do give them a lot of focus. I’m no different than the rest of my fellow Vol fans though. There is a passion for the game and for the Volunteers that most of us probably can’t describe.
Everything about Volunteer football exemplifies what college football is all about. That’s why so many sites across the Internet focus on the Vols, making it one of the largest in the blogosphere.
4. If you could be one player in one game in Tennessee history, which player and which game would you pick? Why?
December 1, 2001. The Swamp. Florida vs. Tennessee. A game originally scheduled during the third week of September, the Vols-Gators matchup was postponed due to the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
Travis Stephens ran for 226 yards and two touchdowns and fourth-ranked Tennessee halted Florida’s two-point conversion try with 1:10 left in regulation to preserve a thrilling 34-32 victory over the second-ranked Gators.
The Volunteers ended decades of frustration at Florida Field, clinching the Southeastern Conference East Division title and a berth in the league’s title game against LSU.
There have been running backs that have gained more yards in a single game, but in my mind none were as exciting as Stephens’ performance that day. Our offensive line blew holes in the Gator defense and Stephens ran up and down the field, breaking two long TD runs.
5. Which is your favorite rivalry and why? (Not necessarily limited to Tennessee teams)
I know I’m supposed to claim Tennessee-Alabama, but I honestly believe the best rivalry in college football is Alabama-Auburn. These are two teams that absolutely hate each other and it shows when they get on the field.
Many claim Michigan-Ohio State is the best rivalry in college football, but those are people that haven’t watched an Alabama-Auburn game.
As for the the best rivalry between Tennessee and an opponent, I’ll say Alabama is still the most prominent, but its lost some luster over the past decade. The game I want to see the Vols win more than any other is against the Gators.
Please visit the other Vol sites:
Related posts
Tags: Gators, Crompton, Tennessee, Florida, Tennessee Vols Football, Big Orange Roundtable, MoonDog Sports, Vols, MoonDog, NCAA Football, Alabama, Auburn, Ainge, Stephens, Volunteers, UT Vols, Southeastern Conference, Tide, college football, fulmer's belly
Topics: NCAA Football, Southeastern Conference, Tennessee Vols Football |
4 Responses to “Big Orange Roundtable Vol(ume) 7”
Comments
The World According to MoonDog | The Ultimate Football Site
This isn’t your average sports blog. Get the latest football news, opinion and analysis from a former player with a unique insight. The ultimate football site covering the NCAA and NFL.
Copyright © 2007-2008 MoonDogSports.com and The World According to MoonDog
Entries 
and Comments
.png)
August 21st, 2008 at 11:33 am
[...] Comments Big Orange Roundtabl… on The Big Orange Roundtable Vol.…Thomas the Terrible on Ohio State & the Big 10 [...]
August 21st, 2008 at 11:36 am
You just identified yourself as being part of a minority of Tennessee fans — a small but devoted group comprising maybe 10% of the fanbase, which by my mind, means you can rightly claim to be one of the most knowledgeable members of Orange Nation. What did you do to earn this accolade?
You are one of only a handful of people who actually know the damn title of the Tennessee Fight Song. Surprise, surprise to everyone out there in webworld — it isn’t “Rocky Top.”
You have my undying respect.
Seriously, nice piece. Oh, and have you ever considered going to the recycling business — cardboard is king!
August 21st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
[...] Moon Dog [...]
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 am
[...] Comments Friday Random Musing… on The Big Orange Roundtable Vol.…Big Orange Roundtabl… on The Big Orange Roundtable Vol.…Thomas the Terrible on Ohio State & the Big 10 [...]