In Dutch it is called “De Zwakste Schakel”. In German it is “Der Schwachste fliegt!“ When Italians watch it, their name is “Anello Debole“, but the Spanish call it “El Rival Mas Debil!” As for we Americans, the show is synonymous with Anne Robinson’s voice when she says, “You are…….the weakest link!”
The “Link” franchise is the second most popular game-show franchise in television history, only to “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” No less than 34 countries have had versions of “the Weakest Link”. In all versions, the host wears black clothing with the intent of intimidating the players.
I couldn’t help but think of “The Weakest Link” as I watched Florida get upset by Ole Miss, Tennessee get stopped time after time until finally losing to Auburn, and as a finale, Georgia, wearing their version of all-black in order to intimidate the visitors getting their own lights turned out by the Crimson Tide. As I watched one SEC East team after another get beat by an SEC West team, I couldn’t help but think…..who in the East is the Weakest Link?
The answer used to be easy. It was Vanderbilt, of course. But under Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt is not to be taken lightly. In fact, Vanderbilt is 4-0, ranked #19 in the country, and is leading the SEC East. Maybe, just maybe, Vanderbilt is NOT the weakest link in the SEC East. In fact, it would be hard to argue this morning that Tennessee is NOT the Weakest Link in the East. Of course, South Carolina would have to be right there with them. But after yesterday, maybe the entire SEC EAST is the Weakest Link.
And the West? Well, the AP media love affair with the Tide has already begun, moving them over LSU (#3) with a ranking of #2. The USA Today poll has LSU #2 and the Tide #4. Auburn is #13 in the AP and #14 in the USA Today poll.
This sets up a very interesting scenario for the SEC. Alabama still has to play LSU and Auburn. Georgia still has to play LSU, Florida and Auburn. LSU still has to play Florida, Georgia and Alabama. And Auburn still has to play Georgia and Alabama. Now, throw in the fact that Auburn, Georgia and Florida have to play Vanderbilt, and things at the top are far from settled. Oh, and did I mention that Auburn, Alabama and LSU must play an Ole Miss team that went into Gainesville and took care of business? Or Alabama, Florida and Georgia must play an undefeated Kentucky team?
The game continues….and right now we don’t really know….who…..is the weakest link.
War Eagle!
WJLaneSR
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Orange Striped Socks
In 2004, my employer purchased a manufacturing operation located thirty miles east of Knoxville. Being a part of the due diligence and implementation team, I spent a great deal of time in that area. On a weekly basis, I stayed in the Cedar Bluff area of Knoxville. During this tour of duty along the Tennessee River, I found a retail establishment I frequented. It was a big men’s shop that not only tailors their own clothing, but also carries a lot of name brand clothing as well.
Oftentimes, when I was perusing the items-for-sale table, I would encounter a tall and/or large young man who was in need of new threads because of a road trip he was taking with his team. Of course, that team would be the Volunteers, and the threads would be slacks, a jacket, a new tie or some other attire. We would speak briefly about their team, what he was majoring in, or some other general topic. One person I never actually saw there, but who also was a regular to the shop, was Head Football Coach Phillip Fulmer.
The haberdasher who typically assisted me was also Coach Fulmer’s. Because he knew I was an Auburn fan, the clothing vendeur would ask me about the team, the fans, Tuberville, etc. He would also tell me stories about Phil Fulmer, including some of his idiosyncrasies. One such was the type of orange striped socks he prefers, because of his feet. I’m not sure if that is because of the way the alumni step on his toes because of underperformance, or because the shoes of General Neyland are just too big to “Phil”.
What I do know is that this week, Fulmer will be dressed to the nines in full orange regalia, and will be bringing his league of Vol-In-Tears (their emotional state following the dismantling that occurred at the hands of Florida) to the Plains. He will have on his lucky socks, and will hope that his team has more juice than pulp. Together, they will be facing an Auburn team that took a battering of their own, however much less humiliating.
Auburn has a chance to bounce back this week, after the bitter loss to LSU. One thing they will have to be able to do is run the football. This is the only way Auburn can expect to win big games. They also need some playmakers. People who will step up and make the big throw….make the big catch….make the big interception….make the big hit. Hopefully, that is what Auburn will do this week. If they don’t, it could be a long afternoon. But if they do, they will leave Tennessee staring down at their orange striped socks.
War Eagle!
WJLaneSR
Oftentimes, when I was perusing the items-for-sale table, I would encounter a tall and/or large young man who was in need of new threads because of a road trip he was taking with his team. Of course, that team would be the Volunteers, and the threads would be slacks, a jacket, a new tie or some other attire. We would speak briefly about their team, what he was majoring in, or some other general topic. One person I never actually saw there, but who also was a regular to the shop, was Head Football Coach Phillip Fulmer.
The haberdasher who typically assisted me was also Coach Fulmer’s. Because he knew I was an Auburn fan, the clothing vendeur would ask me about the team, the fans, Tuberville, etc. He would also tell me stories about Phil Fulmer, including some of his idiosyncrasies. One such was the type of orange striped socks he prefers, because of his feet. I’m not sure if that is because of the way the alumni step on his toes because of underperformance, or because the shoes of General Neyland are just too big to “Phil”.
What I do know is that this week, Fulmer will be dressed to the nines in full orange regalia, and will be bringing his league of Vol-In-Tears (their emotional state following the dismantling that occurred at the hands of Florida) to the Plains. He will have on his lucky socks, and will hope that his team has more juice than pulp. Together, they will be facing an Auburn team that took a battering of their own, however much less humiliating.
Auburn has a chance to bounce back this week, after the bitter loss to LSU. One thing they will have to be able to do is run the football. This is the only way Auburn can expect to win big games. They also need some playmakers. People who will step up and make the big throw….make the big catch….make the big interception….make the big hit. Hopefully, that is what Auburn will do this week. If they don’t, it could be a long afternoon. But if they do, they will leave Tennessee staring down at their orange striped socks.
War Eagle!
WJLaneSR
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