Today On Rocky Top: Vols’ Lack Of Bowl Experience An Issue?
By Zach Ragan
From Fox Sports
"Although the Volunteers are preparing for their 50th bowl appearance in school history, nobody on their current roster has ever played a down in a bowl game. The Vols (6-6) look forward to changing that Jan. 2 when they face Iowa (7-5) at Jacksonville, Florida, in the TaxSlayer Bowl, a game formerly known as the Gator Bowl.”It’s really huge,” Tennessee offensive tackle Kyler Kerbyson said. ”It’s a monkey off your back.”Tennessee’s fifth-year seniors were part of the 2010 team that lost 30-27 to North Carolina in double overtime in the 2010 Music City Bowl. But none of them actually played in the game.That lack of postseason experience represents a major contrast with Iowa, which is making its 12th bowl appearance in the last 14 seasons.Read more at Fox Sports"
From Bleacher Report
"In a surprise selection, the Tennessee Volunteers’ postseason fortunes went from an all-but-guaranteed blustery and cold bowl game somewhere in the mid-South to a berth in the TaxSlayer Bowl in balmy Jacksonville, Florida, against the Iowa Hawkeyes.With potential opponents ranging from the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Louisville Cardinals and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it looks like the Vols lucked out not only on location but also on their opponent.Read more at Bleacher Report"
From The Tennessean
"According to kenpom.com, a popular college basketball statistics website, the Tennesseemen’s basketball team has played the second most difficult non-conference schedule among SEC teams.Only Florida has played tougher competition so far. The Vols are gearing up to play No. 15 Butler (Sunday, 1 p.m., ESPN), the third team they’ll have faced from the top 15 this season.Read more at The Tennessean"