The Tennessee Fan's Guide to Not Losing Your Mind in September

By: Dallas Bowlin

Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host

All Vol Call In Show

Graphic | Dallas Bowlin

Game Week is here, and the Furman Paladins (whatever a Paladin is) are in the crosshairs of Tennessee fans who have waited months to cheer on the Big Orange.

With that being said, overreactions are kind of our thing. So, to help keep you a little sane, here is the Tennessee fan’s guide to not losing your mind in September.

Rule # 1: Do not determine Faizon Brandon’s career based on one throw.

Whether it’s a 75-yard touchdown pass down the field or a frustrating interception where the defense confuses the young freshman, chill. Take a breath.

Highs and lows will happen for any quarterback, especially a true freshman playing his first few games against grown men.

Rule # 2: Do not fire Jim Knowles after allowing a touchdown.

It’s OK. It will happen.

Teams will eventually find the end zone against Tennessee. Jim Knowles’ defenses have historically been a little rough in their first season under him. Could having a few veterans who are already familiar with the system help? Absolutely. But still, points will be scored.

It’s not the 90s anymore.

Rule # 3: Do not declare Tennessee national champions after beating Furman.

Don’t do it. Just don’t.

It could be 100-0. Please don’t.

You’re only setting yourself up for disaster and making yourself look foolish. The only result that should warrant an uproar would be the one that has me considering whether Neyland would really work as Knoxville SeaWorld.

Rule # 4: Do not declare the season over after a bad quarter (or loss) to Georgia Tech.

There is a world where Tennessee loses to Georgia Tech and still finishes the season 9-3. I think, realistically, we would all be pretty happy with that and would sign up for it the day after the hypothetical loss.

A bad first or second quarter doesn't declare the season over. Neither does a loss.

There are 12 games on the schedule. One of them won't determine how the other 11 play out.

Rule # 5: It’s just a game. Don’t go viral.

We’ve all seen the videos of fans overreacting, breaking a TV or throwing a fit after something goes wrong. It goes viral, and suddenly the entire fanbase is getting embarrassed because one guy couldn’t handle a bad quarter.

Remember: The internet lives forever.

You really don't want to be the guy Tennessee fans are talking about on Monday.