University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS LOOKING FOR FAMILIAR ROAD RESULT
October 20, 2005 | Football
Oct. 20, 2005
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Nine times in the last eight seasons, Tennessee has faced road opponents ranked inside the nation's top 10. Big crowds, hostile environments, tricky travel conditions -- life among the college football elite is exciting but difficult away from the friendly confines.
Yet despite the odds, UT has left town with six monumental victories. The slogan "two out of three ain't bad" strikes a familiar cord with the Vols under Phillip Fulmer.
Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Tennessee tries to make it 2-for-3 in 2005 when it faces Alabama in an SEC clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"It's a chance to play against an Alabama football team that's very gifted and very talented," Fulmer said. "I talked to the team about the history of this game and the series and all the great players who have played in it and all the great games and many of the moments that people continue to talk about for years and years and years."
Recent flashbacks show upset road victories against Florida in 2001, Miami in 2003, Georgia in 2004 -- three games of note where the Vols were not expected to stay within single-digits of their lofty opponents. This season, Tennessee has split a pair of road duels against top 10s -- dropping a 16-7 decision at Florida and winning 30-27 in overtime at LSU despite not traveling to Baton Rouge until the day of the game.
This year's Alabama edition looks like Tennessee's best opponent to date. The Crimson Tide currently stand No. 5 in both major polls and are undefeated at 6-0. Alabama also looks to make amends for nine losses to the Vols in the last 10 meetings, including five consecutive in the state of Alabama.
"On both sides of the ball Alabama is a very gifted football team, as is reflected in their record," Fulmer said. "They're leading the conference in many categories. They're a very experienced football team, which is their first strength that they have, but they're also a very talented football team."
"Our team is working hard to get themselves ready. We plan to play really well - hopefully play our best football game down at Alabama."
