Follow the action from Saturday’s big game HERE with The Commercial Appeal’s Jim Masilak beginning at 10 a.m. If you can be bothered–and if you’re not already at the game or the fair–feel free to send Jim your comments by clicking his name in the tiny blue type below. Hit refresh for the latest updates.

FINAL Tennessee 41, Memphis 7
That’s it. The Vols win their fourth in a row over the Tigers, and in convincing fashion. Thanks for all of your E-mails. I’m off to get the lowdown on this one.

1:59 — It took 59 minutes, but the Vols have finally been required to punt. Colquitt stretches his leg and knocks it 44 yards to the U of M 24.

1:56 — Glenn from Cordova is back for more, and he’s taking issue with the anonymous joker with the Brooks Brothers cracks: “Sounds like someone from Oak Hall,” he writes, stoking the nascent rivalry between the haberdasheries. “At least I gave my name. Have a good week. Tie’s in the mail.” Thanks, Glenn. No polka dots or golf patterns, please.

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 41, Memphis 7: And on the very next play, Hankins hooks up with Calhoun in the right corner of the end zone for the Tigers’ first points of the game. At least that’s something for the home fans to cheer about. Those who are still here, anyway.

FUMBLE!The Vols botch a handoff and the Derek Clenin recovers the fumble at the UT 21, gving the Tigers their best field position of the day.

1:50 — Anyone out there? If there is, know that the Tigers face third and 7 from their 23-yard line. The U of M is 1 for 9 on third downs after Duke Calhoun’s dive comes up just short at the 29. Gibson, whose leg has been the Tigers’ biggest–and really only–weapon, is back on to punt. He boots it a modest 40 yards this time to the UT 31.

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 41, Memphis 0: After a rare failed third-down conversion, Crompton hits Taylor down to the 10 for a first down. Yancey then bulls his way in for a 10-yard TD. This really has been quite an impressive performance by Tennessee, as evidenced by the mass exodus of Tiger fans to the parking lot.

1:43 — Jonathan Crompton enters the game at QB for the Vols, and promptly finds Quintin Hancock for a 27-yard gain to the Tiger 28-yard line. David Yancey then runs for three yards to the 25, and the Vols are poised to make this the biggest blowout in the history of the series. The Vols’ record win over the Tigers came in 1969, when they beat them 55-16. That 39-point margin is in serious jeopardy.

1:38 — As the Tigers plot their comeback, an anonymous writer responds to Glenn’s shameless plugs for his store. “Brooks Brothers? The only way Brooks Brothers would help the Tigers would be if they had Aaron Brooks and Derrick Brooks today.” Aaron Brooks? I know some Saints and Raiders fans who might disagree about the amount of help he’d provide.

1:36 — Hankins throws incomplete for Scott, and the Tigers face fourth down once more. Patrick Byrne is in at QB … but the Tigers take a timeout with 10:13 to go.

1:33 — It seems valued E-mailer Ralphie needs the TV to tell him this game is over as a contest. “Is this game out of hand? ESPN keeps showing highlights of Michigan State-Illinois. ILLINOIS, for goodness sakes,” he splutters. “Are there TVs in that pressbox and are you guys switching to other games now?” I’m afraid it’s none of your business what goes on up here, Ralphie. But I can tell you there’s no booze up here. At least that I’ve seen.

1:29 — Looks as if Glenn (see first half posts) has finally admitted defeat, not that I take any pleasure in pointing it out. “OK. Looks like I am out 5 bucks,” he pouts, before recovering nicely. “I will even make it a Brooks Brothers tie. But my Tigers are winning the punt contest hands down.” That they are, Glenn, that they are.

The Tigers D has kept the Vols punter off the field all day

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 34, Memphis 0: The Vols continue to convert on third down with frightening proficiency. They’re now 11 for 14, and Ainge follows that up with a 7-yard scoring pass to Bret Smith to add to the Tigers’ misery.

1:20 — Doss is stuffed for another 1-yard loss, and the Tigers will once more be forced to punt, something the Vols have yet to do today. While we’re waiting, here’s a line from, er, Bevo: “Hey, who were those blue-shirted guys stopping the Vols on the goal line??? If you’re looking for good news, you gotta see something good there.” The second and third question marks were as superfluous as that third helping of fair food I had last night. But to answer your rhetorical question–I’ll take any kind I can get at this point–I think it was South Panola.

Fourth quarter

1:16 — That’s the end of the third quarter. The Tigers will face third and 3 at the 8 when play resumes. At the risk of overstating how one-sided this game has been the 59 yards the Tigers have “amassed” through 45 minutes are precisely 29 fewer than the Vols racked up on that TD pass from Ainge to Meachem. I’m just sayin’.

1:13 — The Tigers are finally showing a bit of resistance, stopping Hardesty twice inside the 2. That brings up fourth down, and as sure as the Bears are going to smash the Seahawks tomorrow night (counting chickens and all that), the Vols are going for it. But Hardesty is stopped again, and the Tigers take over on downs!

1:10 — The Vols continue to bulldoze their way down the field, and the Tigers really are looking quite helpless. As helpless as your intrepid reporter when confronted with talk of some Saturday night, er merrymaking. It’s first and goal at the 4.

INTERCEPTION! Hankins finally uncorks one down the field … and is picked off. Jonathan Hefney intercepts a pass intended for Maurice Jones at the UT 45.

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 27, Memphis 0: Tell the Tigers they’re going to Dunkyland. (Whatever that means. Ask the Grizzlies.) Ainge connects with Meachem for an 84-yard score. And the rout is on. That was the Vols’ second 97-yard drive of the game, by the way. Tennessee has unofficially racked up 429 yards thus far. Memphis has 52.

1:00 — Bret Smith drops a pass from Ainge, one of the few mistakes the Vols’ receivers have made today.

12:55 — It says it all about the Tigers’ performance thus far that punter Michael Gibson is the team’s No. 1, 2 and 3 star of the game. His second 70-yard boomer of the day is downed at the three. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s three he’s put down inside the 5 today. Not that it’s mattered much to this point: If he kicked them shorter, maybe the Vols wouldn’t have the ball so long.

12:53 — Joe Doss is finally in the game. Not sure it’s going to make much of a difference at this point. He’s dumped for a short gain after catching a short pass from Hankins.

12:50 — Not sure what honorary Memphis Edge intern Gary thinks about the game at this point, but he’s apparently had enough of ESPN’s array of adverts. “If I see those two bozos on the Sonic commercial one more time,” he blusters, “I’m switching over to HGTV.” I wonder if Martha Stewart can stop the run…

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 20, Memphis 0: Wondering why the Tigers were giving the Vols’ receivers so much respect and room? Here’s why: Ainge finds Swain between defenders down the left sideline, and he cuts inside for a 51-yard score. Wonder what Joe Lee’s making of all this…

12:47 — The Vols earn a new set of downs and Ainge, again throwing short to a receiver with a large cushion, hits Swain for 8 to the 49. Third and 3…

12:44 — Tennessee gets the ball to start the third quarter, and Ainge moves to 16-for-19 on the day with a short pass to Bret Smith. The Tigers could use a stop here–and I could use an E-mail. Or three. Please.

Second Half

Halftime banter part 2 — Serial E-mailer Gary — hey, two notes count for a lot here — thinks the Tigers need to do more to contain the Vols’ short passing game. “Too bad the Tigers aren’t facing last year’s Erik Ainge,” Gary writes. “They’re better on stopping the run, but he’s finding open receivers short … a lot.” The Tigers are allowing five yards per carry–not terrible–but that has added up to 125 yards, which can’t continue if the Tigers are to play their way back into it. Mind you, Ainge showed flashes of his sophomore self with that non-interception interception there in the first quarter.

Halftime banter part 1 — While the Tigers’ offense wasn”t on the field much in the first half, a valued reader calling himself Robert would like to see West and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner open things up in the second half. “I know he threw all those picks last game, but Tommy’s going to have to start letting Martin Hankins wing it if the Tigers are ever going to score again. Interceptions are the risk you have to take.” Too true, Robert. But first you have to get the ball.

HALFTIME Tennessee 13, Memphis 0 The Vols dominated play on both sides of the ball in the opening 30 minutes and have taken a deserved lead into intermission. Memphis had just two first downs in the first half and was outgained by a margin of 259-44, but the Tigers were unfortunate to have a TD taken away due to a dodgy offsides call.
If the Tigers are to repeat their heroics of a decade ago, it’s going to take one heck of a second-half effort. A collapse by the Vols wouldn’t hurt either.

I’ll be back in a few minutes to entertain (or annoy) you some more. I’ve got a bottle of Coke and an overcooked hot dog with my name on it.

FIELD GOAL! Tennessee 13, Memphis 0: Wilhoit nails the 49-yarder with 17 seconds left to extend the Vols’ lead. While they once again let UT escape from the shadows of their own goal posts, this was a moral victory for a Tiger defense that couldn’t afford to give up seven points.

12:17 — Ainge finds Hardesty on the left, and he loses two yards as Dustin Lopez brings him down at the 32. Here comes Wilhoit for a 49-yard FG attempt. He’s already hit one today…

12:15 — That’s better from Tommy West’s Brand New, We’re Not Going to Get Beat By a Power Running Game Defense. Ainge tosses it right to Taylor, who is hauled down by McDonald for a 4-yard loss. It’ll be third and 14 from the 30 after a timeout…

12:14 — Tennessee has 1:41 to work with before halftime, and Ainge continues to work through the air, finding Lucas Taylor for 8 to the 29. Hardesty then runs right for 3 to the 26 and a first down. Quite simply, the Tigers cannot afford to give up another TD here before halftime.

12:10 — The Vols get out of Dodge again, Ainge hitting Meachem for an 18-yard gain to the 20. The pair then connect again deep over the middle for a big gain of 43 to the U of M 37. The Tigers take a timeout in order to regroup. They really need a stop here.

12:05 — The Tigers are heading the wrong way here. Gaither is dumped for a 2-yard loss, and Gibson is once again on to punt. It’s another fantastic punt, downed at the 1-yard line.

FUMBLE! Corey Mills causes Coker to fumble and Rubio Phillips recovers at the UT 48 for the Tigers. The U of M needed that in a big way. Now, can the Tigers do anything worth their good fortune? McCrary hobbled off on the play…

12:01 — Typical Tennessee here, attempting to muscle its way up the field via the run. Boring but effective.
In the meantime, to brighten my day, here’s a much-needed E-mail from Gary: “Just getting in to watch the game. On the radio, they seemed to be saying the offsides call on the Tiger interception return was a bad call. What’s the view up there?” The view up here, Gary, is that the Tigers wuz robbed. Mills didn’t look offside to the scribes up here, but the Tigers didn’t seem to argue it much, for what it’s worth.

11:59 — Ainge hits Brown on the right for a gain of 9 to the 34. Second and 1 with 6:33 to go until halftime, and Coker runs for 2 yards and a first down.

11:57 — Gibson boots his punt into the end zone for a touchback, but the Vols will start their next drive on their own 25 following an illegal procedure penalty against Memphis that, for some reason, will be marked off after the play.

11:54 — Oh, dear. Hankins throws a swing pass left to McCoy, who’s dropped by Demetrice Morley for a loss of eight to the U of M 45. On third and 22, Gaither runs up the middle for 6 to the UT 49, and there are some boos in response to the conservative call there.

11:53 — Just when it seems the Tigers might be finding their feet, they’re whistled for illegal formation. After a short run by Gaither, it’s second and 14 from the 47…

11:51 — With Doss being taught a lesson for being late to a meeting this morning, Gaither rushes for 8 to the UT 42, and all of a sudden the Tigers are in business here.

11:49 — Hankins hits tight end Brett Russell for 19 yards to the Tiger 43. That’s more like it for the home team, which needs to keep the ball for a while here to give the defense a break. On first and 10, Jamarcus Gaither rushes two yards to the 45.

11:48 — Tennessee has run 29 plays and gained 169 yards thus far. Memphis has had just six offensive snaps and gained a scant seven yards. Maybe West will take over the Tigers’ offense next…

TOUCHDOWN! Tennessee 10, Memphis 0 – Ainge caps a truly remarkable 17-play, 97-yard drive by rolling to his right and, after waiting an eternity, finds Jayson Swain alone in the end zone for a touchdown. Wilhoit adds the PAT and the Vols are in control here.

11:43 — Somehow or another the Vols got down to the 18. Ainge then finds Robert Meachem, who worms his way to the 6 for a gain of 12. First and goal…

SECOND QUARTER

11:40 — Here’s Glenn again, with a quite odd suggestion re: my query regarding a proper-like postgame destination. “Brooks Brothers have a 25% off sale today. I will be there after the game, but I have to be there. I’m the general manager of the store. But a great after-game meeting place. Free Coke and Popcorn too.” If you throw in some live music and a tie, I just might be tempted.

11:38 — Runs by Josh Briscoe and Coker take the Vols into Tiger territory at the 42-yard line, and that’s the end of an interesting first quarter. Tennessee’s offense was on the field for 10:32 against West’s shiny new defense, which, as they say, has bent but not broken.

11:35 — Following a timeout, Ainge rolls left and hits Chris Brown for a first down out to the UT 42. The Vols are now 4-for-5 on third down conversions. But make no mistake, Ainge and the Vols were very lucky a moment ago, and probably should be behind now.

11:33 — Ainge, looking like the lost sophomore of a year ago, telegraphs a pass over the middle that a grateful Quinton McCrary accepts and returns 38 yards for a TD! …. But a questionable offsides call against the Tigers negates the score. A bitter blow for the home team there! Corey Mills was said to be lined up in the neutral zone. I guess.

11:31 — Facing third and 6 from their own 32, the Vols look confused amid the increasing noise from the Tiger faithful. Ainge calls timeout. No doubt his uncle Danny would be proud.

11:29 — First penalty of the game goes against Tennessee for holding. First and 17 from the 21, and Coker loses a yard on the play.
With a nice morning start, your correspondent–me, not Glenn–is thinking about where to go tonight to ice his sore hands. Any suggestions? I thought not…

11:27 — Third and seven for the Vols after Jayson Swain gets hauled down by a turf monster on an incomplete pass and Ainge hits Chris Brown for a short gain.
Ainge hits Bret Smith for 10 yards and another first down. If you’re keeping count, that’s six first downs for the Vols and none for the Tigers.

11:25 — The Tiger band strikes up “I’m So Glad” before Coker runs for two yards to the 5. On second and eight, Coker scampers around right tackle for a 10-yard gain to the 15 and a UT first down. Nice blocking up front and a nicer burst of speed from the freshman.

11:21 — Hankins throws incomplete on third down from the Tiger 24. The home fans wanted pass interference, but the officials weren’t buying it. Gibson on to punt, and Rufus downs a 73-yard beauty at the Vols’ 3-yard line.
Cue the noise from the Tiger faithful…and another momentum-killing media timeout.

11:20 — Our honorary correspondent for the day and betting man extraordinaire Glenn in Cordova reports that ESPN reports that Doss will sit the first half after missing a team meeting.
I might have heard that if it weren’t for the 180 billionth rendition of Rocky Top so far this morning.

11:19 — Hankins finds Ryan Scott on the left for a modest 4-yard gain. UT cornerback Antwan Stewart is injured on the play, resulting in an officials’ timeout. But Stewart is up and running off the field in no time.

11:16 — Quite pleased with himself after hitting his chip shot, Wilhoit blasts the kickoff into the end zone. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a touchback, and the Tigers will start their second drive at their own 20. Let’s see if it’s better than their first…

FIELD GOAL! Tennessee 3, Memphis 0: Wilhoit’s 28-yarder is up and good, and with 7:12 left in the first quarter the Vols draw first blood.
It seems Smith was seen on the sidelines pleading with West to put him in there on that first drive. But then, you would, wouldn’t you, if you’re a Thorpe Award candidate?

11:13 — Montario Hardesty runs twice to the 11, where the Vols face third and four…Ainge, doing his best John Elway impression, fires way too hard and incomplete for Lucas Taylor over the middle…James Wilhoit on for a 28-yard FG attempt.

11:11 — Third and 2 for the Vols from the 25…Ainge rolls right and hits Bret Smith for eight to the 17. There goes Rocky Top again, and I think I just saw a Tiger fan cut his bleedin’ ears off.

11:08 — Coker impressed last week against Marshall, scoring on an 89-yard run. Here he races up the middle for 12 to the Tiger 45-yard line. Then he gets four more to the 41, followed by a gain of seven to the 34. Let’s see what Tommy West’s new ‘D’ can do…

11:07 — Third and 1 from the 32 and Ainge passes complete to Brad Cottam, the former ECS standout, for a gain of 11 to the 43. Offsides against U of M is declined. Obviously.

11:06 — Coker takes the handoff from Erik Ainge on the Vols’ first play from scrimmage and gains 2 to the 25.

11:05 — Lots of empty seats in the Liberty Bowl as the fans, apparently held up in traffic, continue to filter in. Tigers to punt, and Tennessee takes a fair catch after Michael Gibson’s 43-yard boot to the Vols’ 23.

11:02 — Antonio McCoy returns the kickoff 31 yards to the U of M 33. T.J. Pitts, starting in place for Doss, runs for 1 to the 34.

KICKOFF…

11:00 — Glenn in Cordova writes in with this: “Five bucks says Tigers win.”
You’re on, Glenn. (Not that I care who wins. We’re impartial here at the CA, you know.) If you win, the check will be in the mail.
Vols to kickoff after winning the toss and electing to defer…

10:59 — This just in: U of M running back Joe Doss has been suspended. No word on whether it’s for the whole game or not. Perhaps he got caught in the awful traffic around the Fairgrounds?

10:58 — Where there’s smoke there’s fire? Here come the Tigers, running out onto the field through a smoking Tiger head and a few volleys of fireworks.
Harold Ford Jr. can rest easy. The Vols walk out to a far louder chorus of boos.

10:55 — Anyone out there? (Sound of silence, except for the U of M band, which is playing the alma mater as I write and as you don’t read this. Oh, and boos for U.S. Senatorial candidate Harold Ford Jr. That’s not very nice, is it?)
Five bucks to whoever sends the next E-mail…

10:45 — My CA colleague Phil Stukenborg has pointed out that this is the second year in a row that the U of M’s star player has failed to start against Tennessee due to a mysterious “injury.” Last year, DeAngelo Williams failed to start against the Vols, thus watching any Heisman hopes he might have had go up in smoke. Now Wesley Smith, who apparently has been having trouble picking up the new defensive system, has come up with a gimpy groin.
Interesting…

10:38 — The Tigers are huddling in the end zone before retreating to their locker room for some final thoughts and who knows what else.
I wonder if Joe Lee Dunn will be watching the game today. If you were the Tigers’ much-maligned former defensive un-coordinator, where would you go to watch the game? And no, I don’t believe they have TVs, much less ESPN, in the unemployed coaches’ line.

10:35 — It was just announced that Jamaal Rufus will start at right cornerback for the Tigers, with Brandon McDonald moving over to free safety. That means Wesley Smith won’t be starting for the U of M. Apparently, Smith has a groin injury. Ouch.
Oh, and there goes Rocky Top again…

10:30 — Nothing like scarfing down a press box Rendezvous BBQ chicken sandwich first thing in the morning, which your humble scribe did just a few minutes ago.
That after eating a catfish sandwich, an ear of corn and a slice of pizza pie last night at Ye Olde Mid-South Fair.
Since we’ve got a few minutes, what do you reckon is the best edible option at the fair? Pronto Pups? Funnel cakes? Beer?

10:22 — Just heard Rocky Top for the first of what will undoubtedly be a few million times before, oh, kickoff.

10:20 — With players from both teams out on the field for pre-game warmups and whatnot, a few more Vols emerged from the tunnel to a cacophony–OK, it wasn’t quite a cacophony yet–of boos from the home fans. This could be a tasty one.

10:17 — An anonymous Tiger fan who seems to lack David Wiley’s assuredness checks in to say that “I’m just hoping there’s more blue at the game than orange.”
A look at the sparsely filled stands tells me it’s about 50-50 at the moment.
Those of you kind enough to write in can include your name and location if you wish. Your subscription forms will be in the mail…

10:10 — We’ve got our first prediction of the day. David Wiley states with apparently total confidence that victory will go to the “Vols by 17!”
Well, what about it Tiger fans? Are you going to let this aggression stand?

10:05 — The first correspondence of the day–sorry, no prize for that other than my eternal gratitude–comes from Randal Byrd in Houston. “Having attended both Tennessee and Memphis, I have mixed emotions whenever they play each other. Here’s hoping for a great game; lots of excitement; good sportsmanship; and once again, I’ll try to figure out who I’m for.”
Can any of you good people help Randal decide who to support today? Send me your suggestions. Please. Yes, I’m begging, but it won’t happen again.

10 a.m. — Hello, howdy and, er, hi from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, where in about an hour we’ll begin to learn the answers to all our questions. Will University of Memphis defensive coordinator Tommy West be the second coming of Joe Lee Dunn circa 2004 or Joe Lee Dunn circa two weeks ago? Will East Carolina’s No. 1 quarterback, Martin Hankins, start throwing to receivers in blue uniforms again? Is LaMarcus Coker the answer for Tennessee at running back? And, most importantly, what did Phil Fulmer have to eat at the Mid-South Fair last night?
If you’ve got something witty to say, or even if you don’t, send me your comments about today’s game. Like, now.

Before Jim Masilak gets cranked up and blogging, here are some numbers to kick around before the Tigers and Vols kickoff:

* 19-1 — The oft-mentioned one. Tennessee’s record in the series.

* 14-1 — UT coach Phil Fulmer’s record against Conference USA foes.

* 18-2 — Fulmer’s record against in-state opposition.

* 10.5 — UT freshman running back LaMarcus Coker’s average yards per rush.

* 68.9 — The percentage of UT quarterback Erik Ainge’s passing yards accounted for by receivers Jayson Swain and Robert Meachem.

* 23-5 — Memphis’s record under coach Tommy West when scoring 30 or more points.

* 22.0 — Memphis’s scoring average against UT in two games against the Vols under West.

* 19.5 — Memphis’s scoring average against UT in the past five games in the series dating to 1996.

It probably won’t be hostile, but sports reporter Jim Masilak is taking over TheMemphisEdge.com Saturday morning to bring you live goings-on at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Along about 10 a.m., come check out Jim’s blog. He’ll spend the entire Tennessee-Memphis game writing live details on the game and mixing in commentary from fans who send him their thoughts. Since it’s TheMemphisEdge.com, expect it to be a little, well, edgy.

So come game time — and even before — get your laptop in front of the television, dial up ESPN on your TV and TheMemphisEdge.com on your computer and join in the fun. Jim will be waiting for your comments.

Some thoughts going into week five:
Auburn dodged a huge bullet at South Carolina last night, and I get the feeling the Gamecocks might be the SEC team that ends up in the Liberty Bowl.
If you had to project SEC bowl teams right now, and granted it’s an early projection, you’d take Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina from the East, and Auburn, LSU, Arkansas and Alabama from the West.
Since South Carolina was in the Independence Bowl last year, it won’t go back there if it qualifies. If Carolina finishes at 7-5, it will be here in Memphis or in Nashvile for the Music City Bowl.
Say this about Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. He might have been loco with the way he handled his quarterbacks in the 90s at Florida. But the new Spurrier at Carolina this decade seems a lot more settled and a lot more patient. What he’s doing with Syvelle Newton, who had almost 300 yards of total offense against a good Auburn defense, is remarkable.
Elsewhere around the league this weekend:
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Race No. 3 of the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup heads to Kansas this weekend here are some things to watch for:

Who’s hot: Despite running out of gas last in last week’s race, Matt Kenseth has still finished in the top 10 in seven of the last eight races. Denny Hamlin lost two spots in the standings, but still gained points from the week before with his ninth top 10 finish in the last 10 races. Jeff Gordon has quietly come alive with five top five finishes in the last six races.

Who’s not: Kyle Busch holds that honor. He’s started the Chase horribly and needs to get hot real fast if he wants to contend for this title. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has yet to make a splash. He’s got two mediocre finishes and is yet to lead a lap in the Chase.
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McFarlane Toys is at it again, says Bartlett & Cordova Appeal reporter Jody Callahan, who has his finger on the pulse of such things. He reports:

After making basketball action figures of Memphis Grizzlies Pau Gasol and Jason Williams (back when he was a Grizzly, that is), and crafting not one but SIX Elvis figures, the company is immortalizing another adopted Memphian in plastic.

This time, it’s NBA great Jerry West, now the head honcho of the Grizzlies. As part of its NBA Legends series, the company has created a figure showing Jerry West in his old purple Laker away uniform (and boy, were those shorts SHORT).

The figure is out now, and, in fact, was sitting on the shelf at Toys R Us Wednesday morning.
Better hurry, though. They only had a few.

I’m getting blitzed by the sports talk shows in Knoxville and they seem to be deeply concerned about how the Tennessee Vols will handle Saturday’s game against Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

The reasons:

1) The Vols’ 31-30 escape against Air Force Sept. 9.

2) The Vols’ 21-20 loss to Florida at home Sept. 16.

3) The sluggish early play against Marshall last weekend in Knoxville, before pulling away to win 33-7.

4) Tiger coach Tommy West assuming control of the defense after last week’s firing of coordinator Joe Lee Dunn.
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