'Rocky Top' nauseates Missouri fan. Tennessee football defense, basketball sicken others | Adams

A Missouri fan who visited Neyland Stadium last week probably won’t come back. The 66-24 loss to Tennessee – and the musical accompaniment – left a bad taste in his mouth.

But all wasn’t lost. He got to be the leadoff hitter in my email column.

Jeff writes: I heard the same song 15 times before 4 p.m. Saturday as the Rocky Top team was scoring 66 points and gaining 724 yards against my team. We were counting.

The next time I hear the song, I will vomit in my mouth.

My response: Perhaps, you would have appreciated the song more if you had known the lyrics. It’s a love song about a man who has great affection for his homeland and a girl who is half bear and half cat.

Lex writes: Tennessee GOT lucky against Bama and Pitt… It also was lucky Georgia didn’t run up the score,,,, and your answer is to run up the score on the Also Rans left.

I think the Playoff Committee can see through your sophomoric thought process. Poor.

My response: I don’t have as high of an opinion as you do of the playoff committee. It probably will be swayed by my “sophomoric thought process,” poor as it might be.

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Luck often accompanies a team that’s capable of scoring 66 points. And if Tennessee scores 70 on South Carolina or Vanderbilt in the last two games, that’s their problem, not UT's.

Struggling defenses, Tennessee’s included, shouldn’t be coddled.

Marco writes: I cannot restrain myself. Our defensive coordinator and secondary coach need to be fired. This exhibition by our defense is horrible, uninspiring and needs to change now.

However, I LOVE our offense. Gotta Love Coach Heupel.

My response: That’s what I would call “not coddling a defense.”

UT’s defense isn’t all bad, though. It ranks 11th nationally in run defense.

Pass defense is another matter. The Vols rank 124th in passing yardage allowed.

George writes: Tennessee’s (basketball) effort and performance against Colorado was pathetic. No offense, defense, coaching, or enthusiasm. Played out of control whole game. Team is highly overrated and not worth price of admission. Plus, Tennessee has never had an inside game.

My response: I wouldn’t be too judgmental about a November game in college basketball. However, the outcome was surprising given the circumstances.

Colorado arrived in Nashville by way of Grambling, Louisiana. After losing to Grambling State on Friday night, the Buffs bounced back to defeat the Vols, who made only 25.4% of their field-goal attempts.

Ed writes: Can Hendon or Joe play basketball? We have absolutely no inside game. Colorado outplayed us today with an in-your-face defense and aggressiveness on the boards. If you live by the three, you die by the three! Bad when your football team scores as much as your basketball team.

My response: Bad for your basketball team. Good for your football team.

The way Joe Milton is throwing the deep ball, coach Rick Barnes should recruit him as his desperation-mid-court shooter.

Mark writes: Word on the street is that there is a book soon to be published, 'Reviv-Vols' that will chronicle the Volunteers’ 2022 season. I would like to encourage editor Chris Thomas to use as many of John Adam's articles as possible.

John's football IQ (Madden-like Mind), literary skills (I claim as the 'Faulkner of Football'), and sarcasm/humor abilities (that rivals Lewis Grizzard Jr.), make John's articles the perfect addition for this incredible football year.

I look forward to buying this book.

My response: Thanks, Mark. Your check is in the mail.

But next time, try to be a little more subtle in your praise. My supervisors might get suspicious that you’re a hired hand.

Robert writes: The new plush and high-priced seats along the west sideline were virtually empty for our Missouri beat down. Even when they do attend, that group seems uninvolved. What’s going on?

My response: I guess those fans didn’t help take down the goalposts after the Alabama game, either. Maybe, they’re in shock from how good Tennessee football has become.

In the best of all college football worlds, fans who have pricey seats but don't want to go

Mark writes: Just listened to the War Eagle AD on the current search for yet another Head Mensa Candidate. So, I am sorry, if that guy can hire a stud head coach, then I need to spend a lot more time with Jack.

What are the odds, that dude can hire the next SEC Super Star Head Coach, kind of like A&M? As soon as that guy said, "it takes a village to hire a coach," the loser sign went to HOT RED. Totally Awesome though. I almost feel sorry for those Auburn fans, but not quite.

Mark writes: Just listened to the War Eagle AD on the current search for yet another Head Mensa Candidate. So, I am sorry, but if that guy can hire a stud head coach, then I need to spend a lot more time with Jack. What are the odds, that dude can hire the next SEC Super Star Head Coach, kind of like A&M? As soon as that guy said, "it takes a village to hire a coach," the loser sign went to HOT RED. Totally Awesome though. I almost feel sorry for those Auburn fans, but not quite.

My response: I guess in your book that makes him a "village idiot."

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: 'Rocky Top' nauseates Missouri fan at Neyland