BGSU LOSES BOWL GAME!!!! YIPPIIIIIIEEEEE

Boling Green State University lost their bowl game 43-42 to Idaho today.

Yippie!

Vols everywhere should be rejoicing because BGSU, with its totally fake Orange color scheme, is coached by former UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson -- the man who single-handedly ruined Tennessee's offense in 2008 and helped caused the firing of long-time UT coach Phil Fulmer.

So hats off to Idaho -- now we can like you for something other than potatoes!

Let's celebrate by beholding these pick-em-up-trucks. The top'n was provided by Alison Powers, aka The Other AP, who spotted it at a gas station at Beach and Camden. The other'n I saw somewhere in Jaxburg but I forget where.

Jeff

Decision time?

It looks like Orange Nation has to wait a few more days to learn if junior defensive back Eric Berry decides to go pro. CLK says he's not gonna worry about it, so why should we?

OK.

In the meantime I've decided to share these two pix. The top one was provided by Times-Union writer David Hunt, who made his BOVB debut several months ago with a cool Orange VW van. Good job again, D.

The bottom pic was provided by my brother Rod in Knoxpatch. He said he snapped it on the Strip, probably after a football game.

Thanks guys.

J

T-t-t-trash Talkin

I was thinking of that Bee Gee's song "Jive Talkin" when wrote that headline. That's just an FYI.

What got me to thinking of that was the sweet UT trash truck (top pic) that James Rink submitted to the BOVB. It was photographed in Knoxville, he said. Ain't it grand? No debate there whether the vehicle is meant to represent the Vols and stuff.

James' submission reminded me that I had a couple old Orange truck photos in my phone, still, so I broke those suckers out and posted them here, too. The Allied moving van I spotted in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. I snapped the other photo in Knoxville in September, when I was there to see the dawning of the Lane Kiffin area as Tennessee opened its season against Western Kentucky (best football game I've ever seen; had way bunches of fun).

Anyhoo . . . thanks, James, for the most excellent Big Orange trash truck. Keep 'em coming.

Jeff

What I like about Georgia

I just wanted to give a shout out to GoVolsXtra.com for reminding me just how lucky Big Orange Nation is that the Vols are headed to a bowl game — even if it is in Georgia. Let's not forget that by this time a year ago, college football was over for us here on old Rocky Top.

A story the Web site published a few days ago quotes defensive end Chris Walker saying how he'd rather be working and sweating and preparing for another game vs. the alternative.

Amen.

And since the team is headed to Atlanta for New Year's Eve, I figured it was a good time to roll out these two OVs, which were sent to me by a reader from Savannah. Just goes to show there are some good things up in the Peach State.

Jeff

PS -- the VW: definitely Orange. The pickup truck: That's Florida red if I've ever seen it.

Orange vibes

All this talk of NCAA investigations into Tennessee's recruiting practices is gloomy stuff. I hope the organization does a thorough, fair probe and I hope it turns out Lane Kiffin and his staff did nothing wrong and stuff.

But let's not get overly focused on the negative. On the up side, the Vols are practicing for their upcoming bowl gig against whoever and it's great to have a few more stories to read about Big Orange football.

OV-wise, these two pix should boost anyone's spirits. The VW van I spotted during a recent lunch in Neptune Beach. I photographed the Orange cab in downtown Minneapolis back in September.

Jeff

Orange streak continues

Well, it was a miracle and probably sent every Vols fan into cardiac arrest, but UT held off Kentucky in OT to win 30-24. Luckily, I didn't see the game — doing so would have killed me or at least aged me to 406 instead of 46.

To celebrate, I mopped my kitchen floor this afternoon and gazed at this sweet Orange scooter that my friend Robb e-mailed me from New Hampshire. Thanks, R., it rocks.

Jeff

Fun ride

It's the last day of the season for the Tennessee Vols and what a ride it's been. Orange Nation is grateful to Coach Lane Kiffin for sticking it to Florida and Urban Whiner and for coaching us to several fun wins. Whether or not we go to a bowl game (and some say we will), here's to a fun ride this season!

Jeff

PS -- speaking of fun rides, feast your eyes on these Orange vehicles: Top, a P-39 Air Cobra I spotted at the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, and an Orange & White corvette provided by my brother Rodneyla.

Get on the Bus

Kiffin rocks. Go Vols. Beat Vandy. Here's an Orange bus I spotted in Knoxville back in September before CLK's first game as head coach. J

Keeping our Focus

The Young Ball Coach, Lane Kiffin, says the Vols will be focused on Ole Miss today and on nothing else. That's good news. In the meantime, let us focus on this super cool Orange jeep spotted by my nephew Patrick in Knoxville some time back. GO VOLS!

It's been a long time . . .

. . . So here's an OV to rebreak the ice. It's from my amiga Nancy aka @Yoga_MyDrishti!

Jeff

No worries about UT season

A friend at work said he was amazed to hear me being so accepting of Tennessee's football losses this season.

So far the Vols have beaten Western Kentucky, Ohio and Florida, and lost to UCLA and Auburn.

The Florida game is counted as a win because we lost only by 10 points, not the expected ass-woopin we was sposed to get that day. I watched the game at a Gator-filled sports bar, and it was quiet as a tomb as the Vol defense repeatedly pounded Timmy Bob Tebow and rained all over drama queen Urban Whiner's feigned intensity. Best of all, T-shirts like these sucked up a lot of Gator money and are now resigned to thrift stores. Suckers.

No, after beating Florida, my season is made. Plus, I share CLK's no-worries philosophy, as reported on by GoVolsXtra.com. Kiffin's constant skewering of Urban Whiner all season helped land UT one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. All is well.

So I and the rest of Orange Nation are going into today's Georgia game with a sense of serenity. It's with the same sense of equanimity that I am posting this mish-mash of photos from my brother Rod (the canoe and lifter thingie) and my friend Larry (the Beetle). All are sweet, Orange vehicles. Thanks for sharing.

Jeff

Grand Prix for a grand occasion

OK so way back in June my colleague Tom Szaroleta e-mailed me these pix of his the 1975 Grand Prix he owned back in the day. It's so choice. Here's what he said:

"First two are just different angles. But the third one is yet another BOVB coup: It's the same Orange car, but it's pulling an Orange trailer! And the ultimate bonus: It was taken while I was moving from Ohio to South Carolina — and I believe it was shot at a rest top in Tennessee."

That's a coup, indeed, sir! And I'm sorry for holding onto the pix for so long, but I wanted wait for a special occasion to share this special OV. Today's UT-Auburn game in Knoxvegas is just that event.

Thanks!

Jeff

Gliders and such

The Vols defense, as GoVolsXtra's Mike Strange writes, was not much to look at Saturday against Ohio.

But these here aircraft, they are really something beautiful to behold. These pix were provided by my brother. He snapped them on his trip to the Smithsonian.

Jeff

Orangeyness

Tennessee takes on Ohio University in just under an hour. I'm not too worried about the game. But of course as a Vols fan I can't take anything for granted. So let's get one with the Universe by gazing upon these sweet OVs:

* The Porsche up top was photographed by Lauren Smart in Colorado
* Photographer Bruce Lipsky from Jacksonville provided the awesome El Camino.

Two beauties made even more beautiful by their Orangeyness.

Jeff

My retirement goal

If my retirement goal were to sell hot dogs outside Neyland Stadium, you bet your bottom dollar I'd use one of these here Orange carts. Ain't she sweet? This pic was provided by my nephew Patrick, who's a pretty cool dude (even though he hasn't even played Diablo 5 yet). But what's really cool is that this image launches a new category of vehicle here on the BOVB -- we ain't never had no Orange hot doggie carts before. Thanks P!

Jeff

"Vols beat Gators 13-23"

Yeah, you read that right.

Saturday's UT-UF matchup was sweet for Tennessee fans and bitter for Gator fans. No trouncing of the Vols, no heroics by Timmy Bob Tebow, no embarrassing loss for Lane Kiffin. The only thumping administered was to "Mr. Intensity," made to look like a chump by the Big Orange defense ("Coach, are they allowed to sack me so many times?") How embarrassing for Gator Nation that the Gators could lay a paltry 23 points on a team that doesn't even have a QB.

And behold, I'm not the only one who saw the UT's loss as a victory. The Knoxville News-Sentinel's Mike Strange columnized that "Never, I would propose, has Tennessee felt so upbeat after losing to the dreaded Gators."

I agree, except they ain't so dreaded.

Jeff

PS - thanks to my brother Rodneyla for providing these cool space vehicle images from the Smithsonian and stuff.

Today's the day

some pix to celebrate today's UT-FLA matchup. Provided by my brother (dump truck), my nephew Andrew (pickup) and my friend Gregg (helo) in Chicago. GO VOLS! (Oh, and if you wanna see some really good-lookin' Orange, click HERE HERE HERE).

UT vs. UF

Well, it's THAT week and here are some images provided by UF fan and TU photog Bruce Lipsky. If memory serves, he spotted these bikes while on pilgrimage to Gainesville. The good thing about these vehicles is that they show precisely what faux Orange really looks like (though I must say, the top left bike looks like it's sporting Tennessee, i.e. pure, Orange). Thanks for the pix, Brucey!

Jeff

avoiding a Funk

OK, so the Vols fell to UCLA 19-15 on Saturday. Big woop. And Jonathan Crompton threw 3,000 interceptions. No surprises there. The most important thing is UT is sticking with the double Orange stripes on the pants and the black shoes, plus the thick Orange stripe on the helmet. Plus, this is Coach Lane Kiffin's first season and we gotta expect a learning curve and stuff. And despite the fact that we've got Florida up next — in Gainesville, no less — doesn't need to send us into a funk. We'll just man up, take our lumps (win or lose) and move on.

Speaking of funk, check out this partially Orange pickup truck provided by travel writer Judy Wells! I imagine she snapped this pic at The Players golf thing in Ponte Vedra Beach. Clearly it's celebrating golfer Fred Funk. Cool. Let's leave the funk to the pix and off the football field and GO VOLS!

Jeff

Morange from the Smithsonian

My bro had an eye for Orange at the Smithsonian recently. Feast your eyes on these OVs.

Jeff

Orangegasmic

What a beautiful weekend for Orange lovers.

One, I invented a new term: Orangegasm. It came to me when I thought of all the cool things I was going to buy at the UT bookstore in Knoxville.

Two, Tennessee's first game in the Lane Kiffin era was a huge success. We trounced Western Kentucky 63-7. Best of all, all but one of the TDs the team scored occurred right in front of me, by brother and friends.

And even Oklahoma State -- which wears an unauthentic shade of Orange, but it's close -- beat Georgia . . . and it's always good when Georgia loses.

Time to celebrate with this awesome Grumman Gulfhawk, a 30s-era Navy carrier fighter, decked out here in a beautifully-Orangegasmic paint scheme at the Smithsonian. My brother Rodney-la provided it, along with many others yet to come in the coming days and weeks on the BOVB.

Jeff

Orange karma

My friend and virtual yoga mentor Nancy Alder (her Twitter handle is @yoga_mydrishti) of Connecticut sent me this pic the other day. "Saw this and instantly thought of Orange car blog," she tweeted.

It's a beautifully worn and Orange delivery van. I'm grateful. Yet I feel funny because here is a great person, one of our inspiring leaders on NamasteBookClub, thinking about OVs and this admittedly silly blog in the middle of her day. She's the second yogi who's submitted an OV pic and I wonder if I'm going to come back in my next life as a tangerine or something. ;-)

Well, whatever happens with that, this van rocks as a pre-game image. It's big and it's Orange. I just want to pile into this thing and drive down to Neyland Stadium on game day -- which I can't believe is tomorrow.

GO VOLS!

Crazy last few days

The last few days have been nuts at work and at home as i prepare to leave for Knoxville to see the opening of the Lane Kiffin era.

In fact, I gotta run as I am late to work right now.

In a perfect world, I'd have this sweet Orange bike provided by coworker Catie Fry. Thanks Catie! (Now, can you make it materialize at my front door??)

Getting giddy

OMG. One week to go. Seven days. From today. Yes, then we'll be able to proclaim that "It's football time in Tennessee!"

The cynic in me (the same one who saw the Homecoming debacle with Wyoming last season) adds: How long till proclamation turns to resignation this season?

We'll worry about that when the time comes. For the time being, I think it's safe to say one of the most exciting, interesting and weird off seasons in UT football history is drawing to a close. I for one am getting a little giddy at the prospect of attending the first game in the Coach Lane Kiffin era.

Speaking of giddy, the bicycle pictured here gives me a similar feeling. It was provided by my friend Gregg McAllister, a frequent BOVB contributor who spotted it near the Chicago Tribune building in downtown Chicago recently.

"It's a pretty sweet Orange bike, as you can see," Gregg said in his e-mail to orangevehicles@gmail.com. "The only possible explanation is that it must belong to some Vols fan. All other explanations defy reason."

It is indeed a perfectly Orange vehicle (and dadgum if the seat ain't Orange, too!). Let's hope the 2009 season turns out as beautifully as Gregg's photo.

Jeff

London calling

I gotta jet to work asap but I wanted to post this sweet Orange cab my brother Rod captured in London. WTG, bro! Another first for the BOVB.

Jeff

ps - i am not ONE BIT jealous my brother is in London. Nope, not at all. How much jealousy do i have? Zilch, nix, nada, none. You get the idea.

Are these vehicles?

So GoVolsXtra.com posted some big news today: Jonathan Crompton will be Tennessee's starter this season.

I just don't know what to make of that. Last year Crompton laid egg after egg on the field. But maybe that was because of the crappy offense by UT's former offensive coordinator, whose name shall never be uttered again on the BOVB.

I guess only time will tell.

Likewise, I'm not sure what to make of these photographs. They were provided by regular contributor Lauren Smart of Colorado. They are clearly a pure, Vols Orange. But are they vehicles?

The chair swivels, which means it can take you in circles. The couch, though? Hmm, I guess you can take naps on it, and naps can transport us to anywhere our dreams can take us.

I'll leave it to BOVB readers (all eight or nine of you) to decide.

Jeff

Wowee

Check out this sweet ride submitted by the TU's master copy chief dude (yes, that's his official title) Steve Cotter. I have no idea what it is, not being a car guy myself. Ideas, anyone?

Jeff