the university of tennessee biggest rival
Tennessee's Lamonte Turner (1) dribbles the ball during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) makes a dunk during Tennessee's home basketball game against Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) puts his glasses on during a game between Tennessee and Louisiana in Thompson Boling Arena Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. The Tennessee rivalry is held in highest esteem by the older generation of Alabama fans. Biggest Rival: Florida. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 106-87. - The Mocs shot 46.3 percent (31-67) from 3pt range in last year's series sweep. The Vols have not beat the Gators since James Wilhoit kicked the Vols to victory in 2004. In contrast to the two rivalries mentioned above, Tennessee actually holds the edge in their all-time series against the Bulldogs, with a record of 21-19. Vote in the poll at the end of this post, but first let’s take a look at Tennessee’s biggest rivals, and why they should be considered. Auburn (men’s basketball): UT and Auburn have revived their basketball programs about the same time. Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes yells at Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) after a play during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Surest bet for the 2019-20 season: Hardaway will get the loudest, longest boos in Thompson-Boling Arena. But I do know how much it means to a lot of the fans, especially for the people who grew up understanding the Tennessee tradition and the rivalry, how that works. Search UT. Tennessee holds lead in the all-time series with a record of 73-29-5, The rivalry between Tennessee and Georgia has lacked some of the drama of the Vol’s other rivalries, but it’s always a pivotal game between these two SEC east powerhouses. Past History: These two teams first met … So while Tennessee doesn’t fall under the “pipe dream” umbrella, rivalries are still part of how the Vol’s season is defined. Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) shoots the ball past Wake Forest center Olivier Sara (30) during a game between Tennessee and Wake Forest at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defends against Samford guard Myron Gordon (4) during a game between Tennessee and Samford at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Center in Louisville, Ky. Tennessee's Lamonte Turner (1) takes a shot while defended by EKU's Nick Mayo (10) and EKU's Tre Kind (12) during the second half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Tennessee has big rivalries with Kentucky, Georgia and Vanderbilt, but the two big ones, particularly on the football field, are Alabama and Florida. Tennessee and Florida will face off on September 21 this season, in Gainesville. ALL THE TIME.Like this story? Discover the majors and programs offered by University of Tennessee and the types of degrees awarded. 3 Purdue on Thursday, March 28; Here, Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) celebrates the overtime win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Alabama and Auburn compete annually in the Iron Bowl, but there’s a good chance that Alabama fans look upon the Volunteers with greater disdain than they do the Tigers. The fans truly make this rivalry, especially in recent years since James Franklin took over as coach at Vanderbilt. (Photo: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel ). Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) yells from the bench at a referee during the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. That, combined with the leaked video of Derek Dooley’s “If there’s one thing Tennessee does” speech after a victory over the Commodores, has made this rivalry very intense. To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs. Powered by Minute Media © 2021 All Rights Reserved. The definitive source for all Rivals news. When new Memphis coach Penny Hardaway was critical of the Vols and Barnes after Tennessee’s victory in Memphis last December, this rivalry suddenly became extremely important to UT fans. A young Tennessee fan cheers during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. UT is in the best football conference in America, the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt forward Matthew Moyer (13) shoots as Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defends during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. No. Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dribbles the ball as Tennessee Tech guard Jr. Clay (4) defends during a game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 29, 2018. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Georgia Bulldogs football has more than its fair share of rivals, with ancient series played against regional opposition, … Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) is fouled by Lenoir-Rhyne guard R.J. Gunn (21) during Tennessee's basketball game against Lenoir-Rhyne at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Subscribe Subscribe now! If UT hopes to regain national prominence in the sport again, it first needs to beat South Carolina for the SEC title. Tennessee's Jordan Bowden (23) on a 3-point attempts before Missouri basketball coach Cuonzo Martin on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. They will be going for their fourth consecutive victory in November. South Carolina (football): This has become Tennessee’s most competitive SEC series. But the Wildcats’ longstanding success in the sport makes the UT-Kentucky game more significant than ever. Vanderbilt broke through last season, defeating the Vols 41-18, in an embarrassing performance for the Vols, that would be Derek Dooley’s undoing. The Vols nearly beat Georgia last season in Athens, putting up 44 points on the Bulldogs defense, but a late fumble by Tyler Bray sealed the win for Georgia. Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) hangs off the rim after dunking the ball during the second half of the Tennessee Volunteers' home basketball game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, December 2, 2018. Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) shoots a layup during a game between Tennessee and Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Fans reach for a parachuting plush bear during Tennessee's home SEC game against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Heading into the game, more things seem to be working in … Tennessee defeated EKU 95-67. Tennessee most recently defeated Florida in 2009, under Lane Kiffin, a 45-19 win. Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) defends Arkansas' Mason Jones (13)during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them. But two victories in three tries against Kentucky probably were relished almost as much by the UT fan base. Well, to have a great rivalry you first need two great teams. Alabama’s Terrence Cody blocked Daniel Lincolns 44-yard game winning field goal attempt, as time expired, securing the 12-10 win for the Crimson Tide. The Alabama-Tennessee rivalry, or as it’s more commonly known “The Third Saturday In October”, definitely deserves consideration as the Vols biggest rivalry game. The teams haven’t played since the Lady Vols canceled the series after the 2006-07 season, but it will be renewed in 2019-20. So which of these four teams do you consider Tennessee’s biggest rival? Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dunks during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Follow him at: @johnadamskns. VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers. The rivalry hit a crescendo in 1997, when then Florida head coach Steve Spurrier, took a shot at the Vols (after Florida had beat Tennessee and Peyton Manning several years in a row) saying “you can’t spell citrus without UT”.