Rashaan Gaulden wasn't exactly celebrating as he raised his hands toward the sky.
The Tennessee defensive back might have been glad that his team just scored on an interception return against Alabama, but a different emotion prompted his gesture as he gave Crimson Tide fans a double-barreled, one-finger salute.
"There was just a lot of frustration that led up to that," Gaulden said.
Welcome to the dog days of college football, that point in the season when summer hopes smash headlong into the brick wall of reality.
USC isn't alone in feeling the sting after its humbling loss to Notre Dame. Tennessee's defensive touchdown against top-ranked Alabama represented a lone bright spot in a 45-7 loss that now leaves the Volunteers at 3-4.
"I hurt for the players," embattled coach Butch Jones said.
Similarly bleak stories are unfolding across the nation this week as marquee programs realize their seasons are slipping away.
