Second Place in the East

A post from ukn96 on the forums that deserves to be read by more than the forum users.

The battle for 2nd is coming on Saturday. Layla is bringing Lane, a reinstated (and “cleared”) freshman starting safety and the rest of the Tennessee Chain Gang to Commonwealth.

Are they visiting to see how a clean program should be built? Is Lane going to learn how to make sure his players weren’t arrested right before he proudly proclaims they have had no arrests that month? Is he going to learn from PawPaw what respect is?

His trash talking is what Vol fans want. The recent comment about there being no reason why the streak should not extend to 25 in a row was a clear indicator he is a warden the fans will love. As long as he wins. He may have a hidden talent too. How to convince the victim that the player should be able to play. After all…shop lifting is only a crime when there is enough evidence to convict. And possession of a $120.00 shirt you didn’t pay for is obviously not a crime in Volville.

So here they come to Commonwealth. A stadium with more ghosts than traditions. They are coming on senior day to extend the streak, and claim 2nd place in the East.

This is not David and Goliath as it was in years past. UK has proven they can end streaks, and make the plays when they matter. They have also proven they can brain fart at the wrong time. But this is not the same UK that played SC and MSU. Not the same teams that was embarrassed by FL, and happy to hang in there against Bama.

This team is led by Randall Cobb. A kid who was overlooked by the Pumpkins when he was playing in the shadows of Knoxville Prison. Rumor is that he didn’t have enough felonies to qualify for an athletic scholarship.

Like Cobb, this team no longer quits. They no longer make THE turnover to cost them the game. They get THE first down so they can line up in V formation. They have ended two streaks, and are going for #3.

Dinged and bruised they have played 10 straight weeks. This will be #11. A fans dream, a coaches nightmare. Either way, they are 7-4. Those of us on the bus believed they would be here, just not the way we arrived. Who would have thought we would win at Auburn and at GA?

The Felons are 0 fer in the SEC on the road. Hard to travel with that little bracelet on your leg, isn’t it? The Cats are 0 fer against the SEC at home. Yet another streak will have to end.

Commonwealth is ready. Extra locks and police. New safes for wallets and jewelry. Accommodations for the parole officers, and plenty of photographers for the arrival of Layla. Rumor has it that the shops at Fayette Mall and Lex Green are trying to prevent shoplifting by not allowing anyone wearing orange in their store.

Commonwealth will accept cash only from Vol fans. The Secret Service is looking for “funny money”, and will keep an eye on the players in and out of the tunnel. Al Gore’s “carbon credits” are not real currency either.

They Cats are ready. They will be bruised and playing hurt. But aren’t they all this time of year? I feel we will see a conservative offense early in the game, with Brooks trusting the D to keep them in check while Joker figures out Monte. Then we open it up.

Will Under Armor protect against a shank? THAT is the question I need answered.

After we end the 3rd streak of the season and secure 2nd place in the east, I will have 1 question for Lane.

Who’s your Daddy?