The Austin Peay game is a perfect example of what can happen in college football when a team isn't dialed in against a lesser opponent. Give credit where it's due. Austin Peay's coach had his team ready to play. Even so, that's no excuse for Tennessee performance last Saturday. Tennessee was looking ahead to Florida. There's no denying that. But I don't think the lightning delay is getting enough discussion in that debacle. For me personally, was tuned in and ready for kickoff. I know a lot of people don't get excited for games like that but I get excited every time the Vols take the field and I was anticipating several explosive plays. Then the worst announcers to ever call a Tennessee game announce the lighting delay right when the game was supposed to kick off. Naturally all of that excitement turned to frustration and by the time the game kicked off, I never came close to reaching the excitement level I had just a half hour earlier. Now imagine you're a player on the team. You were already out for warmups and got a glimpse of the sellout crowd. You were probably ready to have a great night against lesser competition. Maybe pad some stats. Then right before it's time to run through the T, the lightning delay hits. I can only imagine the reaction of the players being similar to mine, only probably magnified. It's hard to get that level of intensity back when you lose it. Especially when you think you're going to win easily. I think the deflating lightning delay and not being able to run through the T played a substantial factor in what happened.
Florida Game Preview
Florida Game Preview
Florida Game Preview
The Austin Peay game is a perfect example of what can happen in college football when a team isn't dialed in against a lesser opponent. Give credit where it's due. Austin Peay's coach had his team ready to play. Even so, that's no excuse for Tennessee performance last Saturday. Tennessee was looking ahead to Florida. There's no denying that. But I don't think the lightning delay is getting enough discussion in that debacle. For me personally, was tuned in and ready for kickoff. I know a lot of people don't get excited for games like that but I get excited every time the Vols take the field and I was anticipating several explosive plays. Then the worst announcers to ever call a Tennessee game announce the lighting delay right when the game was supposed to kick off. Naturally all of that excitement turned to frustration and by the time the game kicked off, I never came close to reaching the excitement level I had just a half hour earlier. Now imagine you're a player on the team. You were already out for warmups and got a glimpse of the sellout crowd. You were probably ready to have a great night against lesser competition. Maybe pad some stats. Then right before it's time to run through the T, the lightning delay hits. I can only imagine the reaction of the players being similar to mine, only probably magnified. It's hard to get that level of intensity back when you lose it. Especially when you think you're going to win easily. I think the deflating lightning delay and not being able to run through the T played a substantial factor in what happened.