Page 51 - Cityview Jan-Feb 2017

THE HYPE BEGAN in earnest in mid-summer when ESPN released its Football Power Index on July 11. The computer model indicated Tennessee would be favored to win every game on the Volunteers schedule. All of them, including a mid-October date with the Crimson Tide of Alabama. The ESPN story cited national pundits and polls that had Tennessee an “overwhelming favorite” to win the SEC East.The hype continued to build until the third week of August when Tennessee was revealed as No. 10 in the countryin the Coaches Poll and No. 9 in the Associated Press poll. That was enough for some Tennessee fans to make reservations in Atlanta for the SEC championship game and clear a place to put the trophy.Week one nally arrived. ESPN came to town to provide a national television audience for the opener against an overmatched Appalachian State team. Appy State built a signi cant advantage in time of possession and outgained Tennessee in rushing by 1.3 yards a carry. The game went into overtime and the Vols won on a serendipitous fumble in the end zone by Josh Dobbs. The gnashing of teeth and questioning of Tennessee coaches soon followed.There was plenty of hype le as the largest crowd to ever attend a college football game convened at the “Battleat Bristol” as the Vols took on Virginia Tech. In front of 156,990 fans, Tennessee quickly fell behind, 14-0. Though Tennessee eventually defeated the Hokies 45-24, falling behind early would become a theme for the season.The following week, Tennessee played the Ohio Bobcats, who were 27.5 point underdogs to the Vols. But with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter, Tennessee clung to a 21-19 lead. Though the Vols continued to win, one began to get the sense that the season was not going well.JANUARY FEBRUARY 2017 49