Tennessee-Akron Preview: Reinflating the Big Orange Balloon

Akron Zips vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Saturday 22 September 2012 | 7:30 pm EDT

Neyland Stadium (102,455) | Knoxville, TN | CSS; ESPN3

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Nearly all of the air is out of the Big Orange Balloon.

It wasn’t simply that Tennessee lost to Florida at home last Saturday – the day that ESPN Gameday came to Knoxville to cover the hype that had reached levels not seen for a UT football game since the late ’90s / early ‘oos.

It was more about how that game was lost.

The kids are alright

The ink is barely dry. The crap shoot is now just beginning. For the most part, it will take a long time before we know what the dice will show. Except for the fact that Tennessee snagged three JUCOs, all likely to be contributors on day one. Wednesday was 2012 National Signing Day. It was significant. Derek Dooley and (a mostly new) staff are to be congratulated for a very respectable showing.