Published: October 16, 2009 08:58 am      

ROCKY TOP BEAT: What a difference an SEC win makes

The sun has been brighter, the temperatures less chilly and the clouds less gloomy this week for Vol fans. What a difference an SEC victory over a border rival can do for the mental health for Tennessee supporters.

With Georgia firmly in the win column, the Vols can now turn their attention to Alabama with a week off to prepare for one of the best teams in the country.

Last week we had the coming out party for Jonathan Crompton and his receivers that had been among the missing since the opening game of the season. Crompton, who had been the target for criticism for the offensive woes this season, played a spectacular game, one that earned him the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

The offense has something to build on for the rest of the season but Alabama’s defense will certainly be a step up from Georgia’s and they will need to stay focused if they want to have success.

Just how good is the Alabama defense that the Vols will face next week? They have surrendered but 75 points and 1,308 total yards in their first six games. Two weeks might not be enough for the Vols to prepare for this stingy defense.

While the Big Orange was rolling over the Bulldogs last week, Vanderbilt was busy dropping a game to Army on the road.

Jim Butler’s favorite warriors are asking the fans to all wear BLACK to the game against Georgia tomorrow.

Might I suggest that they add BLUE to the wardrobe since that is probably what the Commodores will be (black and blue) after dealing with an angry Bulldog team coming off a dominating loss to the Vols. These two teams might just set an NCAA record for the number of penalties called in a single game.

Meanwhile, the Vols will take advantage of the off week falling at the halfway point of the season which gives the walking wounded a chance to recover.

The extra time to address the special teams’ woes that have plagued the Vols this season can’t hurt either.

While the players took advantage of the schedule break this past week, the majority of the coaching staff was busy racking up their frequent flyer miles visiting recruits throughout the country.

The 2010 class is still a top 10 or better class, but this staff has high hopes of making it one of the nation’s best before signing day.

The Vols will go into Tuscaloosa next weekend healthier and with a renewed confidence looking for their first SEC road win of the season. Things are finally coming together and "Rocky Top" never sounded sweeter than last week when they destroyed a good Georgia team 45-19.

With the season now headed in the right direction, is it possible to upset this highly ranked Tide team?  History isn’t with Lane Kiffin when you consider the last Tennessee head coach to beat the Tide in Alabama on their initial try was Bowden Wyatt back in 1955.

Monte Kiffin’s defense has shown they can keep the Vols in games especially if the offense helps to keep them off the field. Alabama could be coming off a very physical game with South Carolina who, despite their offensive problems, has a solid defense. ‘It’s time’ for the Vols to take advantage of an opportunity to shine on national TV and restore this rivalry to significance again. GO VOLS!!!

(Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears weekly.)