I've sat back for a couple days since the Vols lost the SEC Championship Game to gather myself before writing this column. I didn't want to let my emotions get the best of me.

I've heard all the talk blaming this loss on one player, and I'm pretty sick and tired of it.

I'm not here to defend Erik Ainge. He made a pair of terrible decisions in crucial situations that are inexcusable for a senior quarterback to make.

But is not the only person at fault here.

It's nearly impossible to be effective against a defense as talented as LSU's is when your offense is one-dimensional.

Obviously, UT found success running the ball using Gerald Jones in the "G-Gun" formation as the freshman had just two carries for 39 yards. The problem with that is it was only used twice.

I understand a team can't run the same play over and over again, but the Vols should have used that look until LSU showed they could stop it. Darren McFadden used the same package to torch the Tigers a week before.

With the exception of Jones' two runs, the Vols had absolutely zero success on the ground. The offensive line opened no holes for Arian Foster to run through, and Foster is not talented enough to turn nothing into something on his own.

Foster finished with just 55 yards on 21 carries. As a team, minus Jones, the Vols had 25 carries for 55 yards. That is not good enough to win against a good team.

It came as no surprise to me, though, as this offensive line has failed to get any push in the running game at any point in the season unless the passing game was working, too.

The group has been propped up by the fact that Ainge has been sacked just three times, but I'm starting to believe that had more to do with Ainge's throwing the ball away than the play in the trenches.

Tennessee would not have been in this game without Erik Ainge. I'll go out on a limb and say this was a 7-5 team without the senior quarterback.

I don't think this team beats Kentucky, Vanderbilt or South Carolina without Ainge, and the team would not have had its way with the likes of Georgia and Arkansas without its experienced signal caller.

Did he make a couple poor plays that hampered the Vols' title aspirations?

Sure.

But was he the only reason the team lost as many would like to make it seem?

Hardly.

Ranking the Bowls

Here is a countdown of what I believe will be the best games to watch of the bowl season.

I'm not going to bother listing games on New Years' Day because all fans know to camp out on the couch for those.

I'll also leave out the BCS games. Don't miss those either.

Just don't bother...

22. Nevada vs. New Mexico, New Mexico Bowl - This one is so bad I don't even have a sarcastic comment for it.

21. Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic, New Orleans Bowl - Apparently these are two high-scoring offenses. Who knew?

20. Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State, Humanitarian Bowl - The blue turf will be the most entertaining part.

19. Rutgers vs. Ball State, International Bowl - This will be Ball State's first ever bowl game. It will be obvious.

18. Boise State vs. East Carolina, Hawaii Bowl - At least the coaches will be wearing Hawaiian attire.

For hardcore fans only...

17. UCLA vs. BYU, Las Vegas Bowl - These two teams played in week two with the Bruins coming out on top. The Cougars are 9-1 since.

17. Oregon State vs. Maryland, Emerald Bowl - Yvenson Bernard leads the Beavers, while the Terps have a two headed rushing attack in Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball.

16. Penn State vs. Texas A&M, Alamo Bowl - Be prepared for very few points in this game. Two traditional powers, though.

15. South Florida vs. Oregon, Sun Bowl - Since losing Dixon, Oregon has been tough to watch. USF makes this watchable though.

14. California vs. Air Force, Armed Forces Bowl - Cal absolutely fell apart after October. AFA's option is always fun to watch.

13. TCU vs. Houston, Texas Bowl - TCU was believed to be a top-25 team entering this year and has talent. Houston's offense provides sparks.

You better have a good excuse...

12. Alabama vs. Colorado, Independence Bowl - Two teams that really need a win here. ‘Bama can ill-afford to end up below .500, while Colorado is starting to rise back to prominence.

11. Tulsa vs. Bowling Green, GMAC Bowl - If you're like me, you like offense. There will be plenty of it here. Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith is a player to watch.

10. Connecticut vs. Wake Forest, Meineke Car Care Bowl - I'd have never pictured these two teams ever making a bowl, but here they are. They're both headed in a good direction program-wise.

9. Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, Papajohns.com Bowl - Southern Miss should come out inspired in head coach Jeff Bower's last game. Cincinnati's coach, Brian Kelly, could be moving on to a bigger and better job after just a year with the Bearcats.

8. Kentucky vs. Florida State, Music City Bowl - Kentucky brings a great offense and no defense to Nashville. Florida State brings a great defense and no offense. I only live 45 minutes away from LP Field. Look for me on television.

7. Boston College vs. Michigan State, Champs Sports Bowl - This will be the last college game for the guy I believe is the best senior quarterback in the country, Matt Ryan. Michigan State is returning to a bowl for the first time in a couple years.

Only miss if your life is in danger and even then try to find a TV...

6. Purdue vs. Central Michigan, Motor City Bowl - The scoreboard won't stop lighting up when these two teams collide. The offenses run systems that score a lot of points, and the defense are pretty bad.

5. Utah vs. Navy, Poinsettia Bowl - This is the first bowl game and will be the first college football game in over two weeks. Navy's offense is worth watching, while Utah won seven straight before falling to BYU in the season finale.

4. UCF vs. Mississippi State, Liberty Bowl - UCF's Kevin Smith needs 181 yards to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record. That sounds steep, but Smith had 284 yards in his last game. He's probably the best player you've never heard of.

3. Clemson vs. Auburn, Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Clemson has playmakers and explosiveness all over on offense, but Auburn's defense is one of the country's best. These two teams also recruit a lot of the same places. Watch out for some serious hitting. This one could be an SEC-style football game. 

2. Arizona State vs. Texas, Holiday Bowl - Two amazingly talented offenses should provide a lot of points in this one. The Sun Devils probably deserved a BCS bowl, while Texas was likely headed to the BCS before falling to Texas A&M.

Just trust me, this one will be great...

1. Indiana vs. Oklahoma State, Insight Bowl - I think I'm the only person outside of Indiana or Oklahoma that is this excited about this game. Indiana is a feel good story and has one of my favorite players in wide receiver James Hardy. OSU has an explosive offense and one of my favorite coaches in Mike Gundy. Too bad it's on NFL Network on New Years' Eve, meaning no one will get to see a truly great game.

Heisman Watch

1. Kevin Smith, UCF
2. Tim Tebow, Florida
3. Darren McFadden, Arkansas
4. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
5. Colt Brennan, Hawaii

Smith isn't being mentioned by anybody, but he has over 300 more rushing yards than anyone else and has scored 40 more points than anybody else. He has a realistic shot at setting the NCAA single-season rushing record, and he's done it against some good teams including Texas.

Tebow or McFadden will probably win the award, and there will be no argument from me. They've both been outstanding all season long.

Crabtree and Brennan put up big numbers in systems, but Crabtree's season is the best by a wide receiver I can remember and Brennan came up biggest when his team needed it.