Binational, Bi-sport Rivalry Weekend

Neyland Scoreboard
Originally uploaded by ermd2000

This weekend offers a pair of games in series that have lost their luster just a bit in recent years. The most important is Tennessee-Alabama, with the Vols having their second chance this year to take on top-ranked squad on the road. This time, an upset is in the offing. A dominating performance from the defense, complemented by some timely passes from a newly confident Jonathan Crompton, will upset Saban's apple cart and put some buzz back into the third saturday in October (at least, it's usually on the third). Go Vols. GO VOLS!

Further south, we have the Clásico in Mexican soccer tomorrow, with Chivas and América squaring off in the country's most storied rivalry. Unfortunately, it's been I believe six seasons (the Apertura in 2006, if I remember correctly) since América was halfway decent, and of course now that they are playing well this year, Chivas is playing its worst soccer of the decade. Chucho Ramírez says América is better man for man, and it's hard to refute that opinion. Still, I'm optimistic for an upset: tomorrow, the Goats down the Eagles.