KNOXVILLE — Never apologize for winning a Southeastern Conference football game.
Not even at home. Needing overtime as a double-digit favorite. After blowing a late lead — that was hard-fought to come by — in the final minute.
No matter how ugly. Never apologize for beating an SEC opponent.
Considering a 13-year old Florida fan and a 68-year old Tennessee fan would have each seen the same number of wins — 11 — by their team against the other during their lifetime, the Volunteers should be especially grateful for any win over a Gators program that has continually found ways to frustrate and embarrass them.
A quick scan of results in the Southeastern Conference from the past two weeks alone, in the league’s new world where Vanderbilt continues climbing up the standings and mighty Alabama breathes a sigh of relief after escaping scrappy South Carolina at home, is all the reminder needed.