Their football stadiums famously bound by water, perhaps its fitting that Tennessee and Washington are increasingly popular choices to rejoin college footballs high seas this season.The hype is understandable when you survey the two rosters. The Vols return 18 starters from a team that won its last six games a year ago and bring back experienced playmakers at most of the key positions, including nine players earning preseason All-SEC mention. The Huskies return 16 starters from one of the youngest teams in the country a year ago, led by super sophomores Jake Browning at quarterback and Myles Gaskin at running back, and bring back most of the key pieces from the Pac-12s top scoring defense.Both schools won national championships in the 1990s and bring back long (and painful) losing streaks to divisional rivals that span a combined 23 games. Tennessee has lost 11 in a row to Florida, the Vols last win coming back in 2004 when Ron Zook was coaching the Gators and future Hall of Famer Phillip Fulmer had yet to be forced out by his alma mater. Washington has lost 12 in a row to Oregon. The Huskies havent beaten the Ducks since 2003, and most of those games havent been close. Oregons 12 straight wins have come by an average margin of 23.5 points per game.So while expectations may be skyrocketing for the Vols and Huskies, the reality is this: For either program to be whole again, skids that began before high-definition television became popular in this country need to end.The fact that Washington was picked ahead of Oregon (and No. 2 behind Stanford) in the North Division last week at Pac-12 media days caused a few ripples, to the point that Washington coach Chris Petersen was almost cringing when having to discuss his clubs place as one of the preseasons darlings.He even referenced the Pokemon Go craze to describe the hype, and then playfully chided the media.Last year, the preseason hype was that we wouldnt win four games, and they were dead wrong, said Peterson, whose Huskies went 7-6, including a win over eventual Pac-12 South champion USC and a win over Apple Cup rival Washington State. So Im really scared that you guys are dead wrong again, because you usually are.Its not that Petersen doesnt believe in his team. He would just rather not paint a preseason target on a team that still needs to learn how to win, and in truth, might still be a year away. As he pointed out last week, the Huskies were in every game they lost a year ago, with the exception of the Stanford matchup, and going from seven wins to championship contention is a monumental leap most teams dont make in a single year.Ultimately, though, the most telling gauge as to where the program is in Year No. 3 under Petersen will come on Oct. 8; Washington travels to Autzen Stadium to face Oregon, with the Ducks in the midst of an alleged downturn after having the audacity to win just nine games a year ago. Never mind that Mark Helfrich had his team in the national championship game the year before. And never mind that Washington has won nine games in a season just once (2013) since its Rose Bowl championship season in 2000.The door does appear cracked for the Huskies, who hardly need a history lesson in the Oregon-Washington rivalry, which really hasnt been much of one for more than a decade.If we go, you know, 10-1 or 13-1 or however many games we play, and that one loss is to Oregon, Washington senior defensive back Kevin King said, pausing and then sighing as if he didnt want to finish the sentence, that would be tragic.Yes, it certainly would be for those along Union Bay, where Washington last won a Pac-12 (then Pac-10) championship in 2000.We look at it like this is an opportunity that weve created for ourselves, King said. Special teams dont come around often, so weve got to seize the opportunity.As brutal as another loss to Oregon would be for Washington, another Tennessee loss to Florida might well cause a landslide on the banks of the Tennessee River.There hasnt been this much buzz, at least legitimate buzz, surrounding the Vols program since 2001. Coach Butch Jones, in his fourth season, has embraced the expectations and wisely so. Anything less than an SEC championship game appearance this season could make for a long winter on Rocky Top. The Vols won nine games a year ago, but three of their four losses came after they relinquished two-touchdown leads.And, yes, one of those collapses was at Florida, which rallied in the final minutes to stun Tennessee 28-27 on a 63-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-13 play.Floridas coach Jim McElwain reasoned afterward, I think theres a feeling deep down, you know, that we just dont lose to Tennessee, and they didnt.Its a feeling Florida players have trumpeted often this offseason as part of a Twitter spat that hopefully is just a precursor to what we will see on the field this Sept. 24 in Neyland Stadium.When the ESPN Football Power Index tabbed Tennessee as the top team in the SEC East this season, Florida defensive back Jalen Tabor took to Twitter to vent: Well make it 12 years in a row this year.Later, he went after Peyton Manning.Might as well bring the sheriff out of retirement, tweeted Tabor, who ironically enough was serving a one-game suspension last season and didnt even play against the Vols.Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd was quick to return fire with a tweet that read: 6-0, 190. Jst talkin for attention. Not gonna end well buddy.Tabor took aim at Tennessee again during the NBA Finals after Golden State routed Cleveland in Game 2. Tabor was discussing the Cavs loss on Twitter with teammate Quincy Wilson and tweeted: They aint trippin. They just cant hang, something like UT in the fourth lol.Even longtime Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley joined the fray when he compared the Vols to the Kardashians and wrote earlier this month that they had won another summer.And to Dooleys point, lost in all the hype surrounding the Vols is that Florida did win the SEC East championship a year ago in McElwains first season -- without a quarterback for much of the season and with a woefully inexperienced offensive line. The Gators are like a lot of other people around the college football world. They have to see it to believe it.Tennessee is Tennessee, and were Florida, Gators safety Marcus Maye said. So what you see out of that is what you get, and its been that way for a while.Jones message to his players has been that they need to own it, whether thats expectations, their style of play, the football program -- everything.Thats why you come to the University of Tennessee. Thats why you coach at the University of Tennessee, Jones said. You want those expectations.Tennessee and Washington are both trying to break strangleholds in their leagues. The past seven SEC championships have been won by Alabama, Auburn or LSU. The past seven Pac-12 championships have been won by either Oregon or Stanford.Shaking up those mini-monopolies will mean shaking off a pair of epic droughts.Only then will the Vols or the Huskies truly be back. Buy Air Max Australia . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Air Max Australia . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. http://www.cheapairmaxaustraliaonline.com/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Air Max Australia Cheap . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Cheap Air Max Australia . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. CLEVELAND -- The Latest on Game 6 of the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians (all times local):11:40 p.m.The Chicago Cubs have closed out a 9-3 victory over the Indians to force the World Series to Game 7 on Wednesday night in Cleveland.---11:30 p.m.With the Cubs leading 9-2, closer Aroldis Chapman has been removed after issuing a leadoff walk in the ninth inning. He got four outs and threw 20 pitches.The hard-throwing lefty has fired 62 pitches in the past three days. In Game 5 on Sunday night, he entered in the seventh inning for the first time since 2012 and pitched a career-high 2 2/3 innings to close out a 3-2 victory. In that one, Chapman fired 15 of his 42 pitches at 100 mph or faster.---11:20 p.m.Anthony Rizzos two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning has extended Chicagos lead to 9-2. Rizzo has three hits and teammate Kris Bryant has four.---11:15 p.m.Aroldis Chapman has worked a scoreless eighth inning to preserve Chicagos 7-2 lead. He got pinch-hitter Yan Gomes to ground into an inning-ending double play with the help of a difficult turn by slick-fielding second baseman Javier Baez.Looking ahead to a potential Game 7 on Wednesday night, that could be crucial for the Cubs because it limited the number of pitches Chapman needed to throw.---11:05 p.m.Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman has entered in the seventh inning for the second consecutive game. Before that, he hadnt been summoned so early since 2012.With his team leading 7-2, Chicago manager Joe Maddon brought in Chapman with two runners on and two outs. The hard-throwing lefty got Francisco Lindor to hit a bouncer to first and raced to cover the bag.Lindor initially was called safe on a close play, but the ruling was overturned after a replay review. Chapman came up limping a bit, but appeared to be OK and smiled as he playfully tossed the ball to Lindor.---10:35 p.m.Jake Arrieta has done his part to force a Game 7.The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine with three walks as the Chicago Cubs took a 7-2 lead over Cleveland into the seventh inning of Game 6.Arrieta gave up an RBI single to Mike Napoli in the third and a solo home run to Jason Kipnis in the fifth. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner also wriggled out of a jam in the fourth when he struck out Tyler Naquin with the bases loaded.Kipnis went 3 for 5 against Arrieta in his two World Series starts. The rest of the Indians were 2 for 34.---10:05 p.m.Jason Kipnis is doing what he can to bring the Cleveland Indians back.The All-Star second baseman hit his second home run of the World Series in the fifth inning against Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, pulling the Indians to 7-2. Kipnis doubled and scored in the third for Clevelands first run, and his shot over the wall in left gave Progressive Field a jolt.Still, the Indians have their work cut out. Arrieta went 15-0 in the regular season when given at least six runs of support.---9:55 p.m.LeBron James and his teammates on the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers have arrived at the ballpark and are sitting in a suite. They played a 6 p.m. game at Quicken Loans Arena just across the plaza, beating the Rockets 128-120.If they win it, weve got to come back and win it again, too, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said about the Indians.---9:40 p.m.The Indians are on the board but still trail 7-1.Jason Kipnis doubled off the left-center wall leading off the fourth inning for Clevelands first hit against Jake Arrieta. One out later, Kipnis scored on Mike Napolis single.Cleveland had a chance for more, but right fielder Jason Heyward made a tough catch to rob Jose Ramirez of a hit, and Arrieta struck out rookie Tyler Naquin with the bases loaded to end the inning.---9:15 p.m.Addison Russell is having himself a night in Game 6.The 22-year-old shortstop has six RBI through three innings, including a grand slam off Cleveland reliever Dan Otero that gave the Chicago Cubs a commanding 7-0 lead.The six RBI for Russell have tied the record for a World Series game.Aided by an Indians misplay in the outfield, Russell hit a two-run double off starter Josh Tomlin in the first to help the Cubs jump in front 3-0. Russell then drove Oteros third pitch to center field for the first World Series grand slam since Paul Konerko connected for the Chicago White Sox in 2005 (Game 2).It was the first grand slam by a Cubs player in the World Series and the first given up by an Indians pitcher.Mickey Mantle was the only player younger than Russell to hit a grand slam in the World Series.The Cubs are looking to become the first team since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates to rally from a 3-1 Series deficit by winning the final two games on the road.---8:55 p.m.Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta is cruising so far.Staked to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, Arrieta has struck out four and allowed just a walk to Francisco Lindor through two innings as Chicago tries to force a Game 7.Arrieta received the best run support of any National League pitcher this season. The Cubs averaged 6.8 runs during his 31 starts. When they scored at least three, Arrieta was 18-4.---8:20 p.m.The Cubs wasted little time getting to Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin.Chicago touched up Tomlin for three runs in the first inning, all with two outs. Kris Bryant hit a 433-foot homer to left field, putting Chicago up 1-0. It was the first home run off Tomlin this year on an 0-2 count.Bryant also homered during Game 5 in Chicago on Sunday night to help the Cubs stave off elimination.Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist followed with singles and both came home on Addison Russells pop-fly double to right-center. The ball fell between center fielder Tyler Naquin and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall when they failed to communicate properly.---6:55 p.m.Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon looks back fondly on the last team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in the World Series to win Games 6 and 7 on the road.Maddon grew up in eastern Pennsylvania but was captivated by the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, who stormed back to top the Balltimore Orioles in seven games to win it all.ddddddddddddThe Pirates rallied around the disco song We Are Family and rode the play of stars Dave Parker and Willie Stargell. They did it in style, too, wearing bright yellow jerseys and striped caps that the Pirates even used as their throwbacks during Sunday home games this season.Maddon said he was never really a Pirates fan, but he loved the uniform. He also remembers the team being tight knit, not unlike this group of Cubs who have reached the Fall Classic for the first time since 1945.---6:30 p.m.Joe Maddon wants the Cleveland Indians to pitch to slugger Kyle Schwarber.The Cubs manager is hoping that bumping Schwarber up to second in the lineup will do the trick.Schwarber hit fifth in Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland as the designated hitter, going 3 for 7 with two RBI in his first major league games since April. He had only one plate appearance in Chicago as a pinch hitter because he hasnt been cleared to play defense following surgery on his left knee.Maddon says that if he let Schwarber hit fifth again, he doesnt think the Indians would pitch to him at all. By putting Schwarber in the second spot, Schwarber has protection because hes hitting in front of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist.---5:45 p.m.Terry Franconas first two managing jobs in the major leagues were Philadelphia and Boston, cities not exactly known for their hospitality.The Indians manager joked that the next obvious stop would have been Beirut. Francona says there were a lot of times when he thought his name was You suck! because he heard it so often from the Red Sox and Philly faithful during tough times.Instead, Francona ended up in Cleveland, about two hours from where he grew up in western Pennsylvania. Now in his fourth year, Francona says he sees a lot of similarities between the city and the team hes led to the brink of a championship.Francona says the city kind of reminds me of our team a little bit. They got pushed around, now theyre starting to push back, and Im happy for them.---5:25 p.m.Tuesday night isnt the first time Indians manager Terry Francona has been looking for a little bit of magic in Game 6 of a World Series.Francona joked that he once won a stash of cash when Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hit his famous home run off the foul pole in the 12th inning of Game 6 in the 1975 World Series to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds, forcing Game 7.Francona says that when the ball hit the foul pole, he went bananas. When his father mentioned that he didnt know his son was a Red Sox fan, Francona replied: Im not. I had the (final score) at school. I won $100.---4:50 p.m.Indians manager Terry Francona could run for mayor and win. Not everyone in Cleveland knows his face, though.Before heading to Progressive Field earlier than usual on game day, Francona, who typically rides a scooter to the ballpark, was helping one of the employees at the hotel where he stays while in Cleveland. The worker had no idea she was talking to someone famous.She said: `Man, this place is crazy. Who do you want to win? Francona said.He said he looked at her with a straight face and said, Ill go with the Indians.Francona will win his third World Series title if the Indians can finish off the Chicago Cubs. He captured two championships with Boston, helping the Red Sox end an 86-year drought in 2004.---3:55 p.m.Carlos Santana is back at the top of Clevelands lineup.After playing two games in left field and one at first base in Chicago, Santana is batting first as the designated hitter. With the World Series back in Cleveland, the teams are playing under American League rules again.Manager Terry Francona also put Game 3 hero Coco Crisp in left field and moved Tyler Naquin to center, bumping Rajai Davis out of the lineup. Crisps pinch-hit RBI provided the only run in Clevelands 1-0 win in Game 3. Crisps only start of the series came in Game 2 against Chicagos Jake Arrieta, who will take the mound for the Cubs on Tuesday night.Cleveland right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall will bat sixth after dealing with some stomach discomfort before Game 5 on Sunday in Chicago.---3:30 p.m.Kyle Schwarber is batting second for the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the World Series.Schwarber injured a knee on April 7, had surgery to repair torn ligaments and was out until the Series opener. He batted fifth as the designated hitter in the first two games against Cleveland. Because he does not have medical clearance to play the field, he was limited to pinch hitting in the three games at Chicago. Overall, he is 3 for 8 in the Series with a double, two walks and two RBI.Center fielder Dexter Fowler remains in the leadoff spot, followed by Schwarber at DH, third baseman Kris Bryant, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, left fielder Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell, catcher Willson Contreras, right fielder Jason Heyward and second baseman Javier Baez. Game 2 winner Jake Arrieta is on the mound.Heyward is making his third straight start after a four-game benching. He was 2 for 31 (.033) with one RBI in the postseason before getting two hits in Game 3. He is 3 for 11 in the Series.---2:35 p.m.Cubs manager Joe Maddon can ditch the stocking cap for Game 6. The World Series has heated up.The temperature is expected to be in the 70s when the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs play Tuesday night at Progressive Field, which was bathed in sunshine in the hours leading up to first pitch.For Game 5 at Chicagos Wrigley Field, Maddon donned a blue ski cap as the Cubs rallied on a chilly night to win 3-2 and extend their season. It was 43 degrees at first pitch that night and whipping winds made it feel much colder.The Indians will gladly take the warm weather. Their season opener on April 4 at Progressive Field against the Boston Red Sox was postponed by snow.Seven months later, on Nov. 1, Cleveland is enjoying unusually warm autumn weather. ' ' '