There is no doubt that James Franklin has created a buzz about Vanderbilt, leading to an optimism about the state of Vandy's football team that hasn't been seen since the Jay Cutler era. Combine this with Tennessee having just played the most brutal gauntlet I can remember anyone playing in the SEC since divisional play began in 1992, and we have a lot of people (Vegas included) thinking that Vanderbilt has a chance to beat Tennessee.

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Well, I guess now's as good a time as any to start the inevitable - who do we get? I'll admit, I don't know basketball as well as I know football (no snide remarks, please :)), so who do we want? Who can we get? Who's on your dream list? Who's on your 'aw, HELL no' list? I;ve heard good things about the head coaches at Belmont and Butler - who else is there out there?

There are currently two teams in the SEC with 4-6 records (1-5 in conference); coincidentally, they played each other this past weekend. Two teams with identical records, but the perceptions of their fan bases couldn't be further apart.

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Most of the arguments against Kippy that I've seen are that we need a 'flashy' coach, one to make a splash, get us in the news. Well I got news for you folks - 'Flashy' just skipped town on us. From all accounts Kippy has honor, integrity, can coach and recruit, and most importantly, he 'gets' the culture of the University of Tennessee. Can anyone give me a solid, tangible reason that Kippy shouldn't be HC?

But only because he doesn't get to play the Dawgs twelve times a year. 

I found out yesterday that a co-worker of my wife had 4 (!) extra tickets to the game, and the whole family was going. It was the first game for my daughters (5 and 7), and wow, what a game. The place was rockin, and Dawg fans were freakin' despondent. I'm hoarse, have a monster headache, and am happier than I have been in months. There are truly few better things in life than beating Georgia.

GO VOLS!

After reading many glowing reports of our hospitality, both before and after a tough loss, I started wondering: what team's fans, in y'alls experience, have been the best visitors? Oddly enough, for me it would be Bama. Every interaction I've had with them in Knoxville has been universally positive, no matter who beat who.

Oh, and since it's Florida Week and we don't have a lot to look forward to, you can discuss the worst fans, too. I won't tell if you don't. :)