Daily briefing: On Alabama-Tennessee, Purdue’s schedule and Appalachian State
Ivan Maisel’s “Daily Briefing” for On3:
Tide-Vols a rivalry worth keeping
Tennessee has not beaten Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2003. Tennessee has not beaten Alabama anywhere on God’s green earth since 2006. The 14-game winning streak has extended the Crimson Tide’s advantage in one of the SEC’s most historic rivalries to 58-37-8. It also has led some Vols fans to question why Tennessee must play Alabama every year. College football is a game that lends itself to short memories. Coaches tell players to play the next play. But in a sport that depends so much on tradition, long memories are important, too. Tennessee fans need to remember that Bear Bryant never beat Gen. Robert Neyland. They need to remember that the Vols went 10-2 against Alabama from 1995-2006. Yes, the Tide is No. 4 and the Vols are 4-3. But if this rivalry is lost in the expansion to 16 teams, the SEC will be the poorer for it.
Purdue still has a lot of work to do
I was as impressed with Purdue’s 24-7 victory at then-No. 2 Iowa as anyone. The Boilermakers (4-2, 2-1 in the Big Ten) obviously have an advantage over the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten West — until you look at Purdue’s schedule. It turns out Iowa was merely the first round in a five-round heavyweight fight. Purdue plays Wisconsin on Saturday, followed by a road trip to still-dangerous Nebraska, home for No. 9 Michigan State and then at No. 5 Ohio State. It all adds up to Iowa still having the shortest route to the West Division title. Minnesota, the other contender, must visit Kinnick Stadium on November 13.
App State proves how tough it is at home
If you stayed up late enough to see Appalachian State knock off No. 14 Coastal Carolina 30-27 Wednesday night, you saw the definition of clock management. With the score tied at 27, Mountaineers second-year coach Shawn Clark instructed his offense not to score a touchdown. Camerun Peoples kneeled at the Chanticleers’ 6 after a 5-yard run rather than give Grayson McCall the ball and a chance to tie. You also saw the definition of home-field advantage. The Mountaineers are 26-3 at Kidd Brewer Stadium since 2017. Yes, it’s 3,300 feet above sea level, but if altitude made that much difference, Colorado would be unbeatable at home, too (the Buffs are not).