If You Can't Stand the Heat, Stay Out of the Practice Facility

The Ducks have practiced the last two days inside the Moshofsky Center with the heat and humidity cranked up to 85 degrees and sixty per cent. The music is turned up full volume also, all in an attempt to acclimate the players to conditions inside Neyland Stadium on a night college football lives there. Rob Moseley reported that for Monday's practice, the first song played was "Rocky Top."

Here's hoping they don't hear that too many times on Saturday.

The Vols have a big offensive line, two speedy backs of their own, and a tight end on the John Mackey watch list, Ken Goe wrote today. The thinking is Coach Dooley and his staff may try to follow the blueprint of Stanford and Ohio State, controlling the ball and keeping the Oregon offense grounded.

Of course defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has a blueprint of his own, one he's used successfully on the Ducks a couple of times.

Preparation is crucial. The Ducks have to make themselves ready for whole new levels of speed and noise. There will be no cupcakes served at this party.