Ah, Tennessee. Nothing looks more putrid in the fall than that hunting/construction orange and white pretending every year they’re actually going to be a threat.

Let’s take a look back over last year’s Volunteer season shall we?

We’ll start with the season opener. Granted, most SEC teams take an easier opponent to open the season and get all the kinks out and the Volunteers were no exception.

However, sadly, not all went well for the hicks in orange and white as your boy Clausen had two picks and could only muster 24 points against a Fresno State team that even Vanderbilt could have stomped.

Fast forward to the game that really mattered: Georgia-Tennessee. Well, let’s see what happened here.

According to the media guide, a costly fumble in the second quarter destroyed the entire game for ol’ Rocky Top, but after taking a quick glance at the box score I see the Bulldogs dropped 21 unanswered on you in the third …

So much for that theory.

Well at least you made a bowl game last year right? Nothing says victory like losing to Clemson in the prestigious Peach Bowl. You guys just must have been feeling nice to let Jasmin runover your defense for 130 yards and let Whitehurst look like a Heisman candidate, throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown.

But I digress. This year is another year, and I’m sure you’re eager to forget last year’s pathetic display. The year started well and, like usual, gave Tennessee fans false hope.

The Vols stomped UNLV and La. Tech. Congrats, let me shake your hands on those two victories, fellas. And you even squeaked out a win against Florida.

My, how the wheels fall off when the games start to matter.

With a prideful No. 8 ranking and a two-quarterback system that was sure to succeed, Fulmer and Co. looked poised to take on, and beat, the world.

I think we all know what happened next.

Auburn went into Neyland Stadium and crushed any chances the Vols had at an SEC East title.

Oh and don’t think we didn’t notice when your bonehead linebacker said in that butt-whooping that “the best team out there today was Tennessee.”

Sorry guys, but usually the best team out there wins. And last time I checked, you did lose by 24 points.

Oh, but it gets better.

As said bonehead linebacker was leaving the press conference, he said, and I quote, “Mark it down. We will see (Auburn) again. I promise you that.”

Sounds to me like somebody forgot to take his post-game nap before shooting off his mouth.

You’re right, Vol fans. You will be seeing Auburn in the SEC Championship game. But it’ll be from the complimentary tickets on the sidelines.

The best team in the SEC East will be playing in that game in Atlanta. And you’re in luck.

You get to see them crush you Saturday.

– Glenn Orman is the Managing Editor of The Red & Black.