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image via Alison P. McNabb / Tennessee Athletics
Like most catch phrases in sports, this one tends to get overused. But anyone who watched the Tennessee Volunteers dismantle the Iowa Hawkeyes in Friday’s TaxSlayer Bowl witnessed a statement win if there ever was one.
The stakes weren’t as high. The odds weren’t as long. But there was still something about Friday’s game that harkened back to the iconic 1986 Sugar Bowl victory, another statement win to be certain. Back in 86, the gritty Vols’ message was to Miami and all the other highfalutin programs of the world: You’d best not underestimate us, because Tennessee Football is a force to be reckoned with. A statement the ensuing two decades would, indeed, validate.
While today’s Volunteers may not be on par with the No. 4 ranked Sugar Vols, their primary statement was made just as emphatically.
Tennessee Football is back.
Here are 9 other statements the Vols made in Jacksonville:
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3 Responses
Agreed.
Have Following Will Travel
(for those old enough to remember…)
While, I definately feel good about the way the season ended, and the direction I believe the program is going, I’m going to hold off a little longer proclaiming the program back.
I too remember the jubilation of the SugarVols, and the momentum that we were supposedly riding but I also remember what a flop the 1986 team was. I’m sure Oklahoma felt they were back after laying it to Bama last year. I also remember thinking we turned the corner after 1979 Notre Dame and 1982 Alabama games.
One of the reasons for my caution is still lack of experienced depth. I can’t imagine we will be as lucky as Ohio State next year if Dobbs goes down.
I’m not trying to be negative at all, I just prefer to say ” so far so good” at this time.
Vols are my team have since 1978 go vols I’m die hard fan win or lose I’m a vol. Butch will show he’s the man for big orange!