This is a gloat free column.
Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 28, 2004
I am not going to gloat. That's not my style.
At the behoovement of my boss who happens to sign my paycheck, I am not going to gloat that my Vols beat the Tide 17-13 on Saturday.
No, that's not me.
I am also not going to gloat about almost buying a Tennessee hat with an orange and white-lighted T that played Rocky Top when I was down in the Bayou this weekend.
No, I'm not going to do that.
I can also say that there will be no singing of Rocky Top this week.
There will be no singing of "Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me! Good ole Rocky Top. HEY! Rocky Top, Tennessee, Rocky Top, Tennessee!"
There will be none of that this week.
I'm not even going to revel in the fact that Tommy Gallion was on his cell phone trying to file suit against the University of Tennessee band for the incessant playing of Rocky Top.
I also will not say anything about the Alabama coach not having a marquee win this season.
Sorry, but Utah State and Western Carolina don't count as marquee wins.
I know some of the Alabama faithful would like to think so.
Wait – did I just type that out loud? My bad, I've got to stop doing that.
I refuse to even suggest that Mike Shula start looking into
www.uhaul.com or asking Ron Zook what kind of benefits come with the "Fired Coaches Initiative."
No, I'm not going to go there nor am I even going to suggest that Shula should ask his daddy for coaching advice.
What I am going to gloat about is that fact that my alma mater came within four points of knocking off the National Champions from a year ago.
Everyone calls Tiger Stadium Death Valley, and for three quarters Saturday night, it was just that – dead.
It was great, tiny Troy University has silenced one of the rowdiest crowds in college football.
Saturday being their homecoming just made it even better.
But, after the Tigers scored to go ahead, Death Valley was live and rocking. 80,000 plus screaming G-E-A-U-X Tigers!, at the top of their lungs will give you chills and a sickening feeling to know that your squad was minutes away from victory.
But I am still proud of my Trojans.
I will admit that this was a perfect weekend, despite the Trojans losing.
I had the opportunity to take the trip down with some friends and experience Louisiana.
It was an experience. Especially since we almost wound up in Arkansas. Me and my prot\u00E9g\u00E9 began wondering if there was still tickets left for the Hogs and Dawgs match-up, since he's a big UGA fan.
But that's another column for another time.
Just remember, when you get a parking pass in lot O, that means you're parking for free.
It also means that you should pack a lunch cause it's going to be a hike to civilization.
(Focus Grif, back to not gloating.)
The BoSox are up 2-0 on the Cards, Auburn won, Bama lost to Tennessee (but I'm not gloating about that) Florida lost and lost their head coach all in the same week, Troy had LSU on the ropes and then Notre Dame choked it up like Greg Norman nearly 10 years ago.
I've got to say, it was a good week.
"Rocky Top, you'll always be home sweet home to me."
Sorry, forgot to change my cell phone's ring.
It's that simple.
Griffin Pritchard is the Sports Editor of the Greenville Advocate. He can be reached via e-mail at griffin.pritchard@greenvilleadvocate.com or by phone at 382-3111.