My husband was one of those who had that “gut feeling” that Tennessee was going to win last night. But he is also one of those who is adamant  that Fulmer must go. He was extremely angry about the officiating of the game. I even heard some conspiracy theory that the SEC was not going to let Tennessee beat Alabama. Some of the calls against the Vols might lead some to think that.

I think it had more to do with the gutless play calling. Everything was safe, too safe, no fire. Drew Edwards nailed it “Another big game brought more wasted opportunities for Tennessee’s offense.” in his article Miscues, missed chances condemning Tennessee. Opportunity knocked, even pounded on the door but Fulmer wouldn’t let it in.

How much more do you need, Mike Hamilton? How much more? Losing out the rest of the season? How much longer will you allow such a fine tradition to be battered into the ground? My gut hurts so bad I want to puke.

My hats off to Nick Stephens, he had some great passes. No interceptions, a couple close calls though. He probably would have been even better had Fulmer started playing him much sooner. Yet another bonehead move on his part. Too bad they ran Randy Sanders off, he could really be an asset to this young man. At least the “G-gun” was limited.

While the defense stood tough, there are some issues there too. The coverage there is also too predicable. But they did play hard for as long as they could. Plays on both sides of the ball are just old and stale.

The rumbling in this house are that Fulmer will be gone after this, sadly, I don’t think so. Some of the other rumblings are not fit for print. I had a momentary flash of Mike Hamilton burning up the phone lines trying to find a new coach, but it was just a brief glimmer of hope. It tough to be a Vol in Alabama.

The only shining star I saw all night was Nick Stephens – poise under pressure. What I did see once again, was a poorly coached team. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Stephens debut was not the time to use the “G-gun”. All it did was lose opportunities for first downs and possible touchdowns. The “G-gun” has become too predicable, Fulmer’s not the only one who watches game film. Yes, much to my whining, Gerald Jones did throw the ball, sorry I asked for it.

Speaking of watching game film, look at the difference between Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty. Hardesty is a hard charging, smash mouth runner. Foster looks like he’s afraid to get hurt, he runs like a girl. Neither got a whole lot done against NIU.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Mike Hamilton “suggested” to Fulmer that Stephens should be the starting quarterback.

I was offered tickets to this game too, I turned them down. I hedged my bet that it would be cheaper to order the pay per view than another trip from Birmingham to Knoxville, plus staying overnight in a hotel. And then there’s my own curse of the Vols losing whenever I go to the game on “gift” tickets.