One of my favorite quips is that "Tennessee and Memphis have a rivalry much like the Hammer and the Nail--you always know which one's gonna take the beatin'." Ever since the University of Tennessee started playing the former Memphis State University in 1968, they have won 95% of the games. Oh sure, there have been a couple of squeakers- a one point game or maybe a margin of 4 points, but for the most part, the Vols have beaten their little brother on the western end of the state by at least 2 touchdowns on average.
Of course, their is that old axiom of the 'exception to the rule'. That exception would be the Nov. 9, 1996 game--one that Volunteer fans still cry foul over to this day. Trailing 14-7 against a Peyton Manning led Tennessee team, Memphis WR Kevin Cobb took a kickoff back 95 yards, with a slight interruption. Cobb gets hit, flips and catches himself with his elbow, which SHOULD HAVE BEEN (but wasn't) called down. His knee never touches the ground, which is disputed by many Big Orange fans, no whistle is ever blown-- and Cobb runs his way to the endzone and into the hearts of every Memphis fan to ever live. The final score is 21-17, the Tigers' ONLY win over Tennessee and finish 4-7 for the year.
Even worse, the Tiger faithful tear down the goalposts in front of what had became a defacto UT home crowd at the Liberty Bowl after so many years. #6 Tennessee finishes 10-2, gets spun to the Citrus Bowl with a team that included four 1st Round Picks in that year's NFL draft. Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer still calls it one of his worst defeats.
Cobb spent a few years in the CFL, Arena League and even played for the XLF's Memphis Maniax before he started his coaching career in metro Atlanta.
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