Tennessee Vols backup quarterbacks Gaston Moore and Jake Merklinger had a great suggestion this week that UT should seriously consider.
During the latest episode of The Players Lounge Tennessee , Moore and Merklinger, along with student assistant Phillip “Deez” Lund, suggested that “Spooky Rocky Top” should be played more often at games.
“I wish we could play it more,” said Merklinger.
“That song is tough,” added Moore.
“I think it’s a good third down song,” suggested Lund.
Tennessee has played “Spooky Rocky Top” on a couple of key third downs over the last couple of years.
In the win against Florida, for example, it was played in the fourth quarter on a pivotal third down (the Vols got a big stop).
There’s not a better third down song for the Vols to play in a big moment.
While I agree with Merklinger that Tennessee should play “Spooky Rocky Top” more often, I don’t think it should become the full-time third down song. It should be reserved for big moments in big games.
If it’s the second half of a close SEC game and the Vols need a third down stop, and the crowd is rocking, then it should be the go-to song (which might mean it’s used a couple of times in a big game). But if it’s a random third down in the first half of a non-SEC game, it shouldn’t be used. You don’t want the song to lose its effectiveness. Tennessee should use it more, but they definitely need to pick their spots.