Vols Make the Grades

It's safe to say that no national media outlets will be reporting anything but bad news for the Vols.  Therefore, I am both happy and compelled to post that there are no acamdemic casualties for the Vols football team heading into the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech.  As usual around this time of year, both coaches and fans were scared that a few of UT's key players wouldn't make the grades to be eligible to play in their New Year's Eve bowl. 

Such casualties can really effect the outcome of a bowl game and the perception of the season.  For example, in 2006 the Vols had to sit 6 key players and ended up losing a close game to a Penn State team that they should've beaten.

However, there was some other news that came out today that is either fortunate or unfortunate depending how you look at it.  Junior DB Brent Vinson is no longer with the team.  Coach Lane Kiffin had stated during the season that  roughly 5% of the players weren't buying into the team's goals or philosophy.  Vinson appears to be the latest member of this group, as well as falling into the group of stud signees who never lived up to their hype on Rocky Top.  Vinson was rated a 5 star prospect by Rivals.com out of high school.

VOLS to play 2012 opener in Atlanta

Tennessee will open the 2012 football season in Atlanta in the nationally televised Chick-fil-A College Kickoff at the Georgia dome. The VOLS opponent will be the NC State Wolfpack.

When the Atlanta Sports Council and ESPN teamed up to create the game, they hoped that the annual SEC vs. ACC matchup would become the Daytona 500 of college football.

"I like it," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said. "You've got to play one major game that gets you on television. It's great exposure for our program."

Alabama upset Clemson in the inaugural game last year in Atlanta, televised on ABC. The teams got a reported payout of $1.9 million each for playing in the game.

The Crimson Tide will play Virginia Tech in this year's game, scheduled for Sept. 5.

UNC is negotiating a deal to face its own SEC opponent in the 2010 Kickoff game. The Tarheels have three possible opponents for the game -- LSU, Georgia or Ole Miss. However, due to the exposure the Crimson Tide got in last years game and their success recruiting the state of Georgia, Mark Richt is insisting that his Bulldogs get in the game. [Full read]