Tennessee found an inspirational tune last football season.
Georgia did not, while Alabama coach Nick Saban was oblivious to the Southeastern Conference’s new rule.
For the first time in its 82-year history, the SEC allowed piped-in music between downs in an attempt to energize fans — especially the students — in key situations. Tennessee capitalized quickly, turning the DJ Snake and Lil Jon rap hit “Turn Down For What” into “Third Down For What” and blaring it whenever foes inside Neyland Stadium faced a third down.
“‘Third Down For What’ really, really stimulated our players, and I thought it added another environment,” third-year Vols coach Butch Jones said this spring. “You look at all the great venues across college football, and they are fan-activated venues. You also have to get fans in the stands and get your student body in the stands, so that’s why you have to make sure they have an involvement in the game.
“If not, they’ll just stay at home. Student-body attendance is down almost everywhere in the country, but it’s not at Tennessee.”