It's Nico's time

Tennessee is coming off a devastating and unexpected loss to the Razorbacks and the Vol faithful are starting to worry. Alabama took an "L" as well against Vanderbilt and the memes have been flying around. It marks the first time in history that two unranked teams beat two top 5 teams on the same day, a historic mark Volunteer fans would like to forget. While the fans will forget in time, I hope one person never forgets. That person is Nico Iamaleava. It's time for the hype to match the play. It is Nico's time.

We can armchair QB the game and comment on all the penalties, question the play calling, point fingers at the referees, you name it, but the bottom line is that Tennessee's star must be a star. This week is the most important in his young career. He is coming off his very first loss in a game everyone expected Tennessee to win. His response will be telling.

I expect that Josh Heupel is busy deciphering what went wrong. (Hint: penalties and play calling). I hope with all my orange heart that he has sat down with Nico and explained to his budding star that he is not solely at fault, but partially. At the same time, I hope Nico carries the burden of this loss to whatever degree necessary to start a fire in his heart. I hope the burden builds a hatred of losing to the point that he works harder and never settles for mediocrity again. I hope he sets an example for this team that the only correct response for losing is to get better. I hope he is pissed off.

Choosing Wisely

There are only two choices for this team and Nico Iamaleava.

1. Feel sorry for themselves, lick their wounds, and limp through another performance against Florida, hoping for a win.

2. Come out and beat Florida like a drum and put the rest of the country on notice that Tennessee is resilient, and mad.

Version 1, you can start checking the Tennessee Basketball schedule and hope Rick Barnes has his team motivated. We will end up in a bowl game named for a fruit and end up ranked 18th or so.

Version 2, Alabama, and Georgia better look out, and you could very well be hoisting another trophy to go with the one from '98.

I was there for the 1998 season. It was a succession of miracles that I will never forget and I am glad I experienced it. This is not 1998. Tennessee cannot count on miracles. Clint Stoerner did not fumble. It is character-building time. You lost. So what? Do not lose again, and if you do, go down swinging.

Go Vols!