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Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 31: Kevin Cooper #45 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 31: Kevin Cooper #45 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

4. 2005 – South Carolina: 16 Tennessee: 15

This game established one coach at his new program and changed the direction of Tennessee football forever. Heading into the match-up, the Vols were 3-3 and the most disappointing team in college football. After starting the year ranked No. 3 in the nation, they had lost to the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.

To be fair to them, they did beat the LSU Tigers on the road. And all four of those teams were in the Top 10, so it was one of the most miserable schedules you could ever ask for. But this was their chance to try to salvage what they could of the season.

It was a night game at home, and, for more significance, the Vols were retiring Peyton Manning’s jersey. So there was a lot going on. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t do them any good. What had been a horrible offense all year continued to collapse, and turnovers and mistakes cost this team.

Tennessee lost this game 16-15. It was their first loss to South Carolina in 13 years. And the aftermath was brutal. Randy Sanders, the Vols’ offensive coordinator, announced he would step down at the end of the year the next Monday. Meanwhile, that signified the collapse of the program as it fell to 5-6 on the season, missing its first bowl game since 1988.

On the other side, this was the win Spurrier needed to prove he was the real deal. After a 2-3 start, this was his signature win to get to 5-3, and this team used the momentum to finish 7-5 his first season, which made a strong statement. So lots of things came out of this game that still had an impact on both programs.

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