Just 24 days ago it appeared the Tennessee Volunteers had been all but eliminated from contention in the SEC East race.

The Vols had just been blown off the field in Tuscaloosa, and every team in the division outside the state of Tennessee was playing better than UT at that moment.

It would take a stumble by Florida and no more losses by UT for the Vols to have a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

The remaining schedule appeared far too daunting for UT to run the table with games against South Carolina, Arkansas and Kentucky still to come, and most thought it highly unlikely the Gators would drop a game down the stretch.

Then the Vols took care of business against South Carolina and Arkansas, while Florida fell to Georgia.

Now all it takes is two more wins, against a pair of teams UT historically dominates, and the Vols get a shot to win the SEC.

And for me, it's bittersweet.

Of course, as a student at UT, I want the team to be as successful as possible.

I am pulling for them to get a shot at LSU and to end the Tigers' national title hopes just as the Tigers did to UT in 2001.

But following the Vols' no-show at ‘Bama, I did the unthinkable: I gave up on my team.

I bought concert tickets for the first Saturday in December, and while it is a concert I am very excited about, it is not a purchase I would make if I had it to do over again.

I'll chalk this up to experience, however, as I have learned my lesson.

No matter how dim the light at the end of the tunnel, never make other plans for a day when your team could be playing for a championship.

And thank god for DVR. 

Jayhawk Love

A large portion of the media has used a lack of schedule strength as an excuse not to rank Kansas as the nation's top team.

I don't see why they're being bashed so much because, to me, their schedule has been every bit as tough as that of Oregon.

The Jayhawks have two conference road wins over teams that are already bowl eligible and two more road wins over conference foes that could become bowl eligible with one more win.

Two of those wins came at Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, environments that are perennially tough to play in.

One of the wins came at Kansas State, a team that had just won at Texas and is the biggest rival for Kansas.

The fourth of those wins came at Colorado, and let's not forget Oklahoma lost in Boulder earlier this year.

Oregon has been questioned by nobody, however, mainly because of the teams they have beaten.

Granted USC and Arizona State are probably better than any of those teams Kansas has beaten, but both of those wins for the Ducks came at home where the team rarely loses.

Except they did lose at home once already this year: to a California team that looks worse and worse each week.

The lone quality road win for Oregon came at Michigan, one week after Appalachian State won at the Big House.

So forgive me for not understanding the claims of Kansas playing no one of note.

That's just not true, and as the only undefeated major conference team they deserve the top spot.

Heisman Watch

5) Jamaal Charles, Texas, Running Back

4) Tim Tebow, Florida, Quarterback

3) Chase Daniel, Missouri, Quarterback

2) Pat White, West Virginia, Quarterback

1) Dennis Dixon, Oregon, Quarterback

Last week I had Darren McFadden on top, but his having a chance was contingent upon his team being competitive.

He failed to make a statement against UT, and his team was blown out, so this week he's off the list.

Dixon simply moves up a spot from second last week, but I'm not as sold on him as the favorite as some people are. He's been great, but he hasn't been Heisman-great in my eyes. Just the best we've seen so far.

White moves up to second, and his touchdown run to beat Louisville could serve as the moment that catapults him into contention.

Daniel might have the best chance to overtake the top two as he could have two excellent chances to make a statement. Missouri closes the regular season with a game against Kansas, and should Daniel lead the Tigers to a win they will get another shot at Oklahoma.

Tebow has been dominant, but his team's three losses and his youth keep him from being in the true race for the top spot in my eyes.

Charles has been an absolute stud over the past three games in leading Texas to wins in each game. He gets the honorary fifth spot that I'm reserving for the player not getting enough love.