This past weekend was full of story lines but few as interesting as two rookie coaches battling for respect.  The Tennessee/Auburn match up was the first chance to see which program got their money’s worth.  As far as media attention few rival the tour de force that is Kiffin.  His combination of poor judgment and no verbal restraint created enough preseason fodder to keep ESPN busy, whereas Chizik’s understated approach made it easy to forget Auburn had a new coach.  This is not the first time the two have met.  Kiffin was the Southern Cal offensive coordinator in the 2006 BCS National Championship Game played at the Rose Bowl. He matched wits with then-Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. The Longhorns won a shootout, 41-38 to claim the national title.  Now Chizik is 2-0 against Kiffin.

Chizik’s season has been like something from a Disney movie.   The guy no one believed in taking his team 5-0 in the daunted SEC.   You almost expect the “slow clap” started by a single fan when he returns to Auburn.   Despite the score (26-22) Auburn dominated Tennessee in every way.  Auburn beat Tennessee in rushing yards, total yards and time of possession. The Tigers also won the noise battle, keeping the 102,941 fans in their seats for most of the game, and the UT band on its hands.  They also won over some doubters. Nationally. Regionally. Statewide.   Chizik has turned quarterback Chris Todd into an excellent game manager who, along with the running tandem of Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb, have created a potent offense.  Just think, one more win and the Tiger’s are bowl eligible.  Anybody think they would hear that at week 5?

Kiffin on the other hand is facing a 2-3 record.   To put that in perspective over the past 16 years under Phil Fulmer UT only had 2 seasons where they lost more than 3 conference games.   In 25 games as a head coach, Kiffin is now 7-18 (5-15 with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and 2-3 with the Vols).  However, I do not think UT has buyer’s regret just yet.  Perusing the UT fan boards most fans lay the blame for this dismal season squarely at the feet of John Crompton.   Crompton was a Parade all American who left his best days in high school.   He single handily turned the UT Vol offense into the 117th ranked offense in the nation last year.  That is 117  out of 120 NCAA schools.   He was bad enough to get a head coach with a 152-53 record and a national championship ring fired.   Despite a great defense under Eric Berry and Monte Kiffin, Lane has stubbornly stuck with Crompton.  Following the belief that a team with two quarterbacks has no quarterback at all Kiffin alienated Spring game star BJ Coleman who eventually transferred to UT-Chattanooga.   Despite the fact true Freshman Nick Stephens has performed at least as well as Crompton, Lane has decided to stay with Crompton.   This stubbornness is bewildering, but should leave with Crompton.   The only optimism that UT fans have is the fact Kiffin has been a ferocious recruiter, in fact this freshman class is the highest ranked UT class in 5 years.  Still, UT fans have a short fuse and expectations for season 2 are going to be high.  Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, Urban Meyer, Mark Richt — every single one of those coaches had great second seasons. That’s when their teams made a seismic jump.   If Kiffin starts next season 2-3 you can expect some booing at Neyland.

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