“Do you think Abernathy will overtake Foreman at nickel this week?” – Collin Linville
Daniel: It sounds like it’s heading in that direction reading between the lines of some things we’ve heard from the coaching staff this week. I’m not necessarily saying that Abernathy will be the starter, but I’d expect at least split reps with the real possibility of Abernathy taking over more and more going forward.
Houston: Micah actually played a little bit against Kentucky, and I expect his role to increase this week and over the remainder of the season. He has all of the tools that you look for, it’s just a matter of time before he understands the system and can get in there and fly around without thinking too much. Ideally, Foreman can provide solid depth in the future, and Abernathy can take the job moving forward.
“Any chance other helmet designs show up like the orange chrome?” – Dale Neblett
Daniel: I would be surprised at this point. I think they believe the Smokey Mountains on the gray helmets is enough of a change for now, but I’ll defer to our periphery of the game expert Houston for this one.
Houston: I doubt we see any this year, but I would think that in the coming seasons there will be a couple of additions to Tennessee’s uniform pack.
Kevin: I told Houston the other day on RTI radio that I used to be a traditionalist in regard to Tennessee uniforms, but i’ve moved on from that phase in my life and now I want to see all of the ridiculous combos that exist. I’m all for the chrome helmet, and I want a full on black uniform at some point too.
“Why have the orange pants apparently been mothballed? #FreeTheOrangePants (no I will not give up on this),” – Chad Fields
Daniel: I’m not a huge orange pants fan. Can we still be friends?
Houston: The player staff apparently votes on the uniforms…so, maybe it’s a generational thing.
“Did Jack Jones play at UK? Saw Crowder at RG. He’s not listed on participation chart too. But neither was Dormady.” – @CTHVolFan
Daniel: Good eye there. I assumed that he did as a backup, but I went back and watched some of the fourth quarter and I can’t identify Jones out there. And you’re right that he’s not on the participation chart either. That must just be an oversight on Dormady.
“Has Steve Spurrier ever coached a team that he DIDN’T quit on?” – @LoneNutVolFan
Daniel: I see what you’re saying, but I’m not going to knock a guy who stayed 12 years at Florida and then over 10 at South Carolina. That’s rare in coaching these days. But I would’ve liked to have seen him stay on the rest of 2015 so he could have kind of a farewell tour. He always did things his way though, so I can’t blame him too much.
Kevin: That’s a valid point, but to echo Daniel’s point it’s hard to hold a grudge against Spurrier considering he took both South Carolina and Florida to their highest possible ceiling. South Carolina was literally nothing before he arrived, and I suspect it’s going to take them a minute to get back to where the OBC had them.
“Even if this team rallies because Spurrier is gone, what’s their best case scenario finish? How good can they be?” – Nathan Skinner
Daniel: I think South Carolina is playing a little better under Shawn Elliott as proven by their win over Vanderbilt and what I thought was a decent effort in a loss at Texas A&M last week. Overall, this is still a mediocre-to-bad football team though. The Gamecocks should take care of business against The Citadel. Outside of that, it’d take a pretty big upset to get any more wins this year. I’d say their ceiling is 5-7 at this point, but I’ll predict 4-8.
Houston: They have one win left on their schedule. I think USC is just ready to get to the offseason at this point and get a new coach in there.
“Besides @SugarlandsShine (of course it’s the best) what’s your go-to celebration drink of choice in the fall?” – Blake Richmond
Daniel: Two Coke Zeros. Gotta get to writing the postgame content.
Houston: Give me a couple of flavorful, quality beers and I’m in business.
Kevin: After a win over UGA when I was in college I took 4-5 jager bombs in the span of five minutes and then threw up a pretty substantial amount in the bathroom of a local bar. Since then, i’ve just stuck to beers in the post game hours.
“Can we just have an empty visor on the sidelines and somehow have someone throw it down!?” – @420Works
“Question: How much golf has @SC_HBC played in the last month? – Travis Russell
Daniel: I love that idea and I think Tennessee should volunteer Derek Dooley’s old stool to set the visor on. And, Travis, I’m sure you can measure the rounds by the dozens for Spurrier, but I’m not sure he wasn’t playing that much even when he was coaching.
“If you had no attachment to UT whatsoever, which SEC school would you have wanted to attend (Mine was South Carolina)?” – Doug Brooks
Kevin: One of our better questions Doug, well done. Georgia has always been a lot of fun to visit, and Daniel makes a good point about the benefit of a Vanderbilt education. I used to think Ole Miss was cool but i’m not sure I could handle living in Mississippi, same goes for either school in Alabama. Columbia (SC) is a city I wouldn’t want to live in, and i’d rather defecate myself in public than live in Gainesville. LSU would be an absolute blast, but I’m probably just not enough of a good ol boy to get the most out of it. I’m choosing Georgia, with Vanderbilt as a close second.
Houston: No.
Daniel: If money were no object, Vanderbilt for me. There’s no way I can really see myself enjoying that football experience, but I’d at least go to see some other good teams and then I’d travel around the SEC a few weekends of the season – always knowing I was just three hours from Knoxville. Pros would be a great education and being in my hometown, so if it couldn’t be UT, I’d go Vandy.
“In all seriousness, is it justified how high (-17) the betting line is? Is SC that bad, or are Vols that good?” – Alex Clark
Daniel: I wouldn’t touch it. Tennessee certainly win by more than that, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable making that bet. UT is certainly playing better than A&M at this moment, but talent-wise, I think they’re similar in a lot of ways, and South Carolina was able to make that long trip to College Station last week and keep it within seven. Also, Tennessee has only defeated South Carolina by 17 or more one time since 2000. So while it could happen, don’t bet on it – literally.
Houston: It IS justified, but it’s still pretty high. I think that Tennessee is rolling right now and South Carolina is going to struggle to stop the Vols at all on Saturday. South Carolina has the ability to score, but not enough to make this game competitive…They may, however, cover the -17, especially if it rains a lot.
Kevin: I’m on a bit of a skid with my picks, but I wouldn’t touch this spread with a ten foot pole. Media outside of Knoxville and apparently Vegas has fallen back in love with the Vols, but I wouldn’t put my money on 17.
“Of the pool of 6 bowls is the Outback considered the “biggest, most prestigious” one?” – Caleb Castleman
Daniel: Technically, no, all six of those bowls (Outback, TaxSlayer, Music City, Liberty, Texas, Belk) are supposed to be on even footing in the eyes of the SEC. But, yes, if you’re asking my opinion, I think the Outback is still perceived as the biggest and most prestigious one. I’d rank them 1. Outback 2. TaxSlayer three-way tie at No. 3 for Music City, Texas and Belk and then Liberty last.
Houston: I’m with Daniel…I’d be happy with any of them, but going to Florida again would be great.
