Today On Rocky Top: Colts Don’t Regret Releasing Peyton Manning

Oct 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out in fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 35-19. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

From WBIR

"People are expecting big things out of the Lady Vols basketball team this year.On Monday, the SEC released its 2013-14 Women’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll, and the Lady Vols have been picked to finish on top.The reigning SEC regular season champions return three starters from last season’s 27-8 squad that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight squad, including SEC Co-Player of the Year Meighan Simmons and SEC Freshman of the Year Bashaara Graves. UT will be aiming for its 18th regular season league title."

From ABC News

"Tennessee and Virginia Tech will finally play a football game at Bristol Motor Speedway and expect to set a single-game football attendance record in what is being billed as the “Battle at Bristol.”Track and officials from both universities formally announced the plans Monday amid confetti and fireworks during a festive news conference at the 52-year-old racetrack. The game is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2016.“I full well believe we’ll play in front of the largest crowd to ever watch or have watched a football game — that’s college and pro,” Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver said."

From USA Today

"Jim Irsay easily remembers his conversations with Peyton Manning during the winter of 2012 when it seemed inevitable the Indianapolis Colts would part ways with their homegrown icon.Irsay and Manning put themselves in each other’s shoes.And Manning, at the time trying to rebound from four surgical procedures on his neck, could see the Colts’ future in Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.“He said, ‘You’ve got to take Andrew,'” Irsay recalls during an interview with USA TODAY Sports. “‘You have to. You’re crazy if you don’t.'”"

From Bleacher Report

"Ten months into his tenure as Tennessee’s football coach, Butch Jones has galvanized a starving fan base wanting to grasp anything positive.Though the Vols sit at 3-3 midway through yet another rebuilding season, excitement and hope permeates the program.UT’s recruiting class is currently rated second on Rivals and third on 247Sports. The Vols just broke out their “Smokey gray” uniforms and nearly pulled off an upset of SEC rival Georgia. And there is a considerable amount of national press that Jones may have UT finally back on the path to prominence, especially after that game againstUGA."