KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With fourth-ranked Alabama headed to Rocky Top this weekend, coach Butch Jones is preparing Tennessee to face yet another Top 5 Southeastern Conference opponent in a game that will attract the season’s third sellout crowd of 102,455 to Neyland Stadium.
Following last week's Ole Miss game, several members of the Vols' offensive unit, including linemen Marcus Jackson and Coleman Thomas and quarterback Justin Worley, left Oxford feeling less than 100 percent (physically).
On Tuesday, Jones continued his practice with a watchful eye. It was practice as usual for most of his team, while others began the afternoon with precautionary rehabilitation.
"(Justin) is making progress and we'll see how it goes," Jones said. "Just like everyone, he's out there for practice but again, we'll see."
Jackson and Thomas are working on getting back to full strength.
"Marcus [Jackson] was out there and did what he needed to do. The rest was getting the rehabilitation that he needs," Jones said. "Coleman rehabbed the entire practice, so I think Marcus right now is a little bit ahead of Coleman in terms of availability. We fully anticipate Marcus going through full practice tomorrow. With Coleman, we'll have to wait and see how it goes after tonight's rehab and into tomorrow."
With the possibility of the offensive line seeing more fluctuation, the message to the team this week was clear: Be prepared to step in, step up and take advantage of the opportunity.
"The message is, `Prepare yourself'," Jones said. "I see a hunger, I see an excitement but again, we'll know a little bit more tomorrow. It's business as usual with video study and practice."
SATURDAY SOLD OUT
Saturday's game against Alabama is officially sold out. The season opener against Utah State on Aug. 31 and the Southeastern Conference showdown against Florida game on Oct. 4 also drew sellout crowds.
With the crowd of 102,455 on hand, it will mark the first time since the 2007 season that Neyland Stadium drew three or more crowds of that size.
The two games that weren’t sold out were Arkansas State and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
The attendance for a sellout has fluctuated over the last decade due to construction and seating adjustments at Neyland. In 2007, Tennessee welcomed more than 104,000 on five occasions.
TOPPING THE BILLBOARD CHARTS
In an effort to get the best talent in the state of Tennessee and to spread the Tennessee football tradition, new midstate billboards were unveiled on Monday.
"The mid-state area is a very, very strong recruiting base for us but the entire state of Tennessee is a very strong recruiting base for us," Jones said. "But again, you look at the individuals, particularly this past year's recruiting class from the midstate area, they are all making an impact on our football team. There is great high school coaches there, there is great players. We want individuals that want the opportunity to represent their home state institution and if they don't, we wish them well. But they are going to watch us win a lot of football games down the road."
Nashville native and freshman Jalen Hurd is proud of the new additions, which read "The Mid-State Stars: Giving Their All for Tennessee."
"That's pretty awesome," Hurd said. "I'm from Nashville and for that to be up in Nashville is amazing."
Derek Barnett learned about the billboards on Twitter and feels pride in representing the Vols as an in-state athlete.
"Nashville is a great place with a lot of great athletes," Barnett said. "Me and a bunch of my friends came from there, so I think it's cool. I see the billboard and I think there's a lot of talent still there right now. Being from that area I feel like I need to keep representing myself and this program well."
Jones emphasizes the importance of recruiting in state and what it means for a Tennessee student-athlete's future.
"There is something unique and special when you represent your home state institution," Jones said. "It is something that brings value, not just for three, four, five years of your career, it brings a lifetime value. That is where the Vol For Life program comes in. That is where you leave your legacy.
"You will end up working in this state when you get your degree from the University of Tennessee or you get your degree and go play in the National Football League and come back, you are going to make Tennessee your home. Everyone knows who you are, you see the treatment that our former players get in this state, their relevance, the magnitude of being a Vol For Life is very, very important to us."
STORIED RIVALRY NEW FOR SOME
The Tennessee-Alabama rivalry is one of the most storied in all of college football. With a large number of new players, Butch Jones has the task of instilling the importance of the rivalry to his young team.
"I've spoken about how we have to get back to making it relevant," said Jones. "They understand the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry. A lot of these individuals, we talk about the mid-state, they've grown up on this rivalry. They understand the magnitude of it."
Jones pointed out that the rivalry is important to more than just the team.
"This rivalry means so many things to so many people. Our former players, our students, everyone that's attended these institutions, there's a pride involved with it."
Jones believes the importance of the rivalry will never change, regardless of recent history.
"I believe it's one of the best rivalries in all of college football. It didn't take me very long to figure that out," he said. "So, in terms of the importance to us, it'll always be there. Everything, too, is educating the players on the importance of the rivalry and we do that."
One of the newest members of the rivalry is familiar with the history as he grew up in the Volunteer State.
"Tennessee-Alabama there is nothing like it," said Hurd. "I just hope to make an impact on the game."
Jones and junior Brian Randolph both firmly believe the home crowd affects the team's performance and can have an impact on the outcome of the game.
"I think our crowd has provided a great home field advantage for us; 102,455, our student body, everyone's been great," Jones stated. "The third down, everything, I think it's just creating that atmosphere."
Like Jones, Randolph is looking forward to the home field advantage Vol Nation provides.
"Oh yeah, playing at home always give us some extra energy, give us some juice," said Randolph. "Especially in the second half, I believe that will be evident. We will be coming out with a lot of energy playing in front of our home crowd. It's definitely good playing at home."
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)