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10 times Tennessee Vols athletics raised fans hopes too high

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 12: Lane Kiffin, head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers talks in the press conference after a game against the UCLA Bruins on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 12: Lane Kiffin, head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers talks in the press conference after a game against the UCLA Bruins on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images /

5. Preseason No. 3 football ranking in 2005 turning into 5-6 season

In 2004, the Tennessee Vols football team had to replace four-year starting quarterback Casey Clausen, and in the process, they relied on two true freshmen, Erik Ainge and Brent Schaefer. However, both suffered season-ending injuries, so Phillip Fulmer had to close the year out with Rick Clausen, Casey’s younger brother. Amidst all that turmoil, they went 10-3 and won the East.

With all but two starters back and Ainge getting healthy, UT started 2005 ranked No. 3. But 21 offseason arrests, Schafer’s dismissal, the offensive line getting out of shape, and then Fulmer not committing to a quarterback. laid the foundation for disaster. Ainge started the season in a 17-10 win over the UAB Blazers.

However, after a 16-7 loss to the Florida Gators, Clausen led a 21-0 comeback to win at the LSU Tigers and became the full-time starter. Amidst a brutal schedule, the Vols lost to eventual SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs, they gave one away to the Alabama Crimson Tide in a 6-3 loss, then they lost to Steve Spurrier’s first South Carolina Gamecocks team and Charlie Weis’ first Notre Dame Fighting Irish team. All the while, Fulmer kept alternating between Ainge and Clausen.

At 4-5, UT’s collapse was complete with a loss to Jay Cutler’s Vanderbilt Commodores, their first loss to them in 23 years. Finishing at 5-6, they missed their first bowl game in 17 years. Fulmer reshuffled his offensive staff in the offseaon, most notably replacing offensive coordinator Randy Sanders with David Cutcliffe. It was a wasted year on defense, which was elite all season.

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