The Tennessee Volunteers and Oregon Ducks played last season in Neyland, and it didn't go pretty for the Vols. Tennessee took advantage of Oregon slogging for most of the first half, even enjoyed a 13-3 lead early on in the second quarter. Then Oregon turned on the jets. Darron Thomas found David Paulson to tie things up before halftime, LaMichael James had an incredible 72 yard run in the third quarter to give Oregon their first lead of the game, then a Cliff Harris 76 yard interception return and a Kenjon Barner 80 yard punt return broke things open. The Ducks scored the last 45 points to win 48-13.
Apparently, Tennessee wasn't interested in playing a repeat matchup and is buying out of their road trip to Autzen. Rob Moseley of Duck Football with the report.
Chip Kelly, in noting that top opponents have been tough to book in Autzen, indicated Tennessee won't be playing here.
The Vols had been scheduled to play here in 2013, returning the trip Oregon made last season.
WEAK.
Tennessee just shelved a series with North Carolina in 2011-12, and it looks like they're either not playing Oregon because they're adjusting for the possibility of a 2013 SEC nine game schedule.
Or they're just scared. I like the "they're scared" explanation more.
Update. This turned out not to be true, so explanation two is clearly no longer satisfactory. CHIP!!!!