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Vols Fans Can Make A Difference Saturday Against Sooners

By Randy Sharber

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Vols fans can make a difference Saturday when Tennessee takes on Oklahoma.

Bob Stoops says that wherever Oklahoma plays the stadium is always full. He doesn’t think it will matter to his team how many people show up at Neyland. He was even a little irritated when asked if it could affect his players in some manner. No was his answer.

Stoops is no dummy. He has been to Neyland before. However, I have to say that this has the potential to be one of the loudest crowds in Neyland Stadium history on Saturday. Tennessee fans need to make sure that is a true statement.

Quite possibly the loudest that I have ever heard that stadium was the Auburn-Tennessee game of 1985. Bo Jackson’s Auburn War Damn Tiger Eagles came in to Neyland Stadium ranked number one. They left with a big L thanks to Tony Robinson and a host of Volunteer fans that were on their feet all night long.

That was long before the stadium was closed in. I am sure it has been louder since, but that was one of the best atmosphere’s I have ever been in at Neyland. It was electric. It must be that way Saturday.

Look, I am not naive enough to think Tennessee will win or lose because of the crowd. But the crowd can lift this Tennessee team when times are tough, and keep momentum going when things are going well.

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The crowd can definitely affect concentration and communication of the opposition. I have seen it too many times. Teams have to waste timeouts when they can’t hear or misunderstand signals. These timeouts are valuable in tight games. And this one will be tight.

The crowd must stay on top of Stoops and the Sooners from the time they come in to the time the game ends. By all means that does not give fans license for vulgarity or tasteless comments. But you can get on them the right way, and be loud doing it.

Tennessee’s Third Down For What will be extremely loud on Saturday. You can bet on that one. They should have an over and under on decibel levels attained in Vegas for this one. You can not tell me that the sound and vibration does not bother a quarterback. It is deafening on the field, and in pressure third down situations, that concentration must be on the game and not the crowd. But it happens.

The Checkerboarding of Neyland is spectacular. It is a welcome site for Tennessee fans eyes and the nation to see that unique orange and white displayed throughout the stadium. But that does not affect an outcome. Noise can if it is consistent and relentless.

As much of a hindrance as it is for the opposition, it is that much of a boost for the Vols Football team. Things are not going to go the Vols way every play of this game. It is going to get tough. Oklahoma is still Oklahoma. They are as good as any team in the country. The young Vols will need encouragement consistently.

The  Sooners will make plays, because that is what good teams and players do. They will stop Tennessee from making plays, because that is what good teams and players do. They will try to take the air out of the stadium when they do. Vols fans can not let this happen. They must stay up, and stay loud from start to finish.

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    • I don’t care what the score may be, but fans can not leave this team early. Here is something Vols fans need to realize. As important as this game is for Tennessee in all of our eyes nationally, it is really just a test to get ready for the important SEC schedule. It really won’t mean much if they win or lose with exception of moving up in the polls.

    If you walk out on this team if things get out of hand late, it will show this team what the fan base is made of. If you sit on your heels if and when the Vols are down at some point, this young team will know what the fan base is made of. I don’t think there is a chance that will happen with this fan base, but I just want you to think about it.

    You can not ask those young men to “give their all for Tennessee” on that day, and you not do the same. This is not Vanderbilt.

    So Stoops is wrong. Tennessee is different than the rest. He can talk of Notre Dame and Florida State. Those are great places of course, but more akin to Titans stadium this past weekend. No sir Bobby, this is Neyland, and it is different. You ensured that yourself that it will be now by opening your mouth.

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