Really???

 This picture says it all.  The kicking game is just as important as any part of a football team.  UT dominated Alabama in all aspects of the game yesterday but couldn't pull out the W due to the kicking game.  The Vols outgained Bama's offense by nearly one hundred yards, Crompton played great, and the defense didn't allow a touchdown.  The Vols D hasn't allowed a touchdown in the last two games.  Can you say Monte Kiffin?

This game really hurts.  UT goes to Alabama, the #1/2 team in the country, and dominates all aspects of the game but still loses.  This would have been a huge win in Kiffin's first year.  You can't place the blame solely on the kicker or line for the field goals getting blocked.  You blame both.  Lincoln not being able to get a 49 yard field to the goal posts at the end of the half is weak.  'Hurt' or not that is weak.  You are a SEC kicker.  The blocked kicks are on both the kicker and line.  Yes, Cody got a big push, but the ball hit him in the armpit on the first kick.  I know that monster can't get jump more than 3 inches off the ground, therefore the first blocked kick wasn't more than six feet off the ground when it was crossing the line.  I don't buy into the fact that he had to kick it low to get to the goal posts.  He wasn't kicking a 60 yard field goal.  The kick was around 40-45 yards.  That should be pretty routine for a SEC kicker.  If you are hurt, don't play.

The push on the second kick was huge but Lincoln didn't kick it any higher after already getting one kick blocked.  The sad part is, I think if Cody didn't get a hand on that ball it looked like about 3 other guys would have.  Also, if you go back and watch the replay of that kick it looked like it was going badly left.  Lincoln might have got lucky that kick got block because I'm pretty sure he shanked it left.

I love this Vols team even though the record is a little ugly.  I think with the way they have played they have a good chance of winning out and finishing 8-4.

"I'd rather be a Tennessee Vol and lose every game than go somewhere else and win them all." -Wes Brown.  You sir are a warrior.  ALL ORANGE

On another note, I went to the LSU/Auburn game last night.  As I said, LSU would bounce back and have a big game.  31-10.  Chief's defense played like men and the offense finally scored some points.  LSU looked like a complete team for the first time all year.  They've got another big time game in two weeks at Alabama.  The SEC is a beast of a conference.  They are gonna have to win that game if they hope to get to the SEC Championship and beyond.