I just can't believe that Tennessee is an 18 point underdog to Ole Miss in anything. Vol Colonel is setting the tone for the week. Bo Wallace with three excellent games in a row is asked to do a lot. You can mark this down right now, Wallace is absolutely due for a so-so to bad game this weekend. Derek Barnett rattles him early and what happens? Here's a little secret for you, we're in every game that we play from here on out. Tennessee's defense IS that good. And you better start believing right now. Beat the rush in your neighborhood. Be the first to believe in these Vols. It might just catch on.
I'll give you another little secret, Alabama is very beatable and the Vols WILL have an opportunity to deliver a signature win for Butch Jones in year 2. We won't even remember Florida if that happens. Bama is beatable with that anemic offense. Think about it. Lane Kiffin comes back and Tennessee delivers the death blow to him after he delivered the death blow to us in 2010. Bama's offense is a complete mess and there is something missing on that team. They look sick. Ex QB McCarron called them out for a reason. That is a leaderless bunch that will be coming off two grueling games after getting knocked around by Texas A&M
Here's the deal in this league right now. Anything can happen from week to week. This volatility and unpredictability applies to the rest of Tennessee's games as well. Tennessee can beat or lose to anyone left in 2014 with the exception of Vanderbilt. The same holds true for the rest of the conference.
What I'm trying to say is that you can give up on the next couple of weeks but I'm not quite ready to go there.
It's not so much my belief in Tennessee's offense. Believe me, I don't believe in our offense but I really believe in Tennessee's defense. It has the ability to change games with turnovers and scores and we haven't seen that just yet. This leads me to believe that the levee will break at some point.
Evan Berry is one of those play makers. Get him on the field and do it now! If it's at running back, fine or wherever but do it! Let's have some fun with the rest of this season! It's go time. Bring out the damn Orange Dog if you want, I don't care.
It's time for this team to come of age. October is tough but it's not impossible to scratch out a win.
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Vol Colonel
'Today I'm going to take a brief look back at Tennessee's Homecoming win over UTC and take a look ahead to this week's game with Ole Miss. We'll also go around the SEC and I'll spew what I'm seeing and feeling around the conference after the weekend that was. Let's get down to it, shall we.
Our Volunteers got back on the winning track Saturday in front of a tremendous homecoming crowd in Neyland Stadium. The game was kind of like the weather Saturday, not always pretty. The most important thing to take away from Saturday's win, is that we're now 3 wins away from bowl eligibility. It's not going to be an easy path to get there, but we can get there. Seeing Missouri against Georgia Saturday gives me a lot more hope about getting a W against Pinkel's Tigers. You want to read something else that could make you think I have completely lost my mind? Right now, I want you to grab your phone, your tablet or computer, whatever device it is that you're reading this on right now. Hold it tight, so you don't drop it and break it.
I'm riding shotgun with Tony. I truly believe our Tennessee Volunteers will have a real shot to beat Alabama in Neyland Stadium in a couple of weeks. Go ahead and call me crazy if you want to. It would be understandable.
I did just witness what I thought was one of the worst offensive line performances in all of my years going to the games, this past Saturday against UTC. Think about it, our O-Line got whipped by the defensive line from Chattanooga. They got 5 sacks on us and we only averaged 2.9 yards per run. So have at it, call me nuts, because I really believe Alabama is going to be in for a 4 quarter game against our Volunteers come October 25th. Chew on this reasoning for a moment. First off, Bama doesn't run a spread. It's pretty much a pro-style set. They're not going to take us out of a comfort zone on defense. Their top WR Amari Cooper was banged up in that Arkansas game, but even if he's 100%, he's going to be covered by our shut down corner Cam Sutton. Their defense doesn't look as good as what they've put on the field over the last 4 or 5 years. The offensive line doesn't look as stout either.
Here's the real kicker. I don't think they have an identity on offense. A few weeks back, after Bama exploded on that bad Florida team and Blake Sims threw for around 450 yards. I thought to myself, man, 450 yds passing, that's not Bama like. Bingo! In trying to expand their passing game at Alabama, they've gotten away from what they do best and that's the power running game. Sims hasn't looked the same since that day against the Gators and they look out of place on offense. They managed just 14 points on an Arkansas defense that's not nearly as good as ours. Emotion and a rocking Neyland stadium will also be a factor, and let's not forget something Tony said on The 5th Quarter/Fan Reaction Show. Karma is a real you know what. We'll be waiting on you, Lane.
Quickly on going to Ole Miss this week. I really don't think we have a snowball's chance. I really hope we can do down there and not come home in an ambulance. Their defense is just nasty. When I think of their defensive line and the way they get after the QB and I think of our offensive line. I am really praying for Justin Worley's safety. Another thing I am really impressed with, is the coaching of Hugh Freeze. I knew he could recruit, but he really showed me something in having his team ready to go into battle at Texas A&M. Here you are coming off the biggest win in school history and the crazy week that was in Oxford and you have your kids up and ready to go at A&M. Even the best teams have emotional letdowns after a huge win like that, not to mention the fact it wasn't just a huge win, it was a program changing win. That shows me what kind of coach and what type of team they have. I hate to say this, but I think a victory for us this week, would be to go down there and not get anyone hurt.
Around The SEC East
Georgia - Very impressive win at Mizzou. Losing Gurley was a blow, but it doesn't alter what Georgia does offensively. They run the ball. Nick Chubb had 148 yards on the ground.
Missouri - From ranked to tanked. They looked awful and Maty Mauk had the worst start of his young career.
Florida - The countdown to Jeremy Foley firing Will Muschamp is on. I took great pleasure in seeing Les Miles and team singing the LSU alma mater on Florida Field. The look on the faces of all those disappointed Gators fans was priceless.
Kentucky - after a slow start they steam rolled UL Monroe. They're improved and I'm glad we get them at home, but look at who they've played. They've beat a who's who of scrub a dubs.
Vanderbilt - What a train wreck. They held on to upset Charleston Southern.
South Carolina was idle
Around The SEC West
Mississippi State - The best team with the best QB in the land right now. #1 with a bullet
Ole Miss - #2 with a bullet. I don't give a damn what some poll says.
Auburn - In my mind they're still a top 5 football team. They just went to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Alabama - The Lane Train is derailing that once powerful running attack. They look very vulnerable to me.
LSU - A big road victory for Les Miles and his young football team was just what the doctor ordered. Leonard Fournette had a breakout game rushing for 140 yards and two TD's.
Texas A&M - They sure don't look like the same team that was the rave of the nation after winning at South Carolina in September. They need to regroup after back to back losses.
Arkansas - They should have beaten Alabama. Critical miscues cost them this game. It would also help if they had a better QB. That guy looks bad.
That's all for now. I hope each and every one of you have a great week and Go Big Orange!
Your Vol Colonel'
On the Tennessee Women's Track and Field story that ran in KNS yesterday, one letter and not even a word. Y?
Dave Hart can't allow this to go on at the University of Tennessee. Now UT will be in the National spotlight for what? Women's Track and Field. If we're going to take a beating in the National press, let's do it for something worthwhile like an at risk football or basketball player of the male variety that can play and be a difference maker. Tennessee is on the wrong side of this issue nationally. What you do is you allow those gals to finish the year and you process them. That’s callous but how it’s done in every sport. You don’t just cut the cord on student athletes and ban them from your facilities while the semester has already started. Who signs off on something like this? It’s terrible.
Where is the track and field program going that it needs those scholarships that quickly? Is this coach from Penn State working on the greatest recruiting class in women’s track and field history that she needs these scholarships this quickly?
I believe you will see Chancellor Cheek get involved because he will be called on the carpet by some of the money people over what could turn into a national eyesore. Let the NY Times start digging on this along with ESPN and watch this mushroom. How will Dave Hart respond when he gets pinned down on this? How will Cheek (who doesn't have enough sense to get in from out of the rain) handle this? Because he's going to have to handle this. It just doesn’t read right. Nor does it sound right. Jay Bilas was ranting on Twitter over this issue yesterday and for good reason. This continues the narrative that college sports have become a one way street. It just makes no sense for Tennessee to partake and be a sordid example. Why do this? It's just not worth it.
Guys like Dave Hart must always ask the following questions in matters like this; what is my risk and what is the reward over this? Then again, did it even get to Dave Hart before the new coach executed this chop job? You just never know. Why are Tennessee's worst errors unforced errors? Why pick a fight with Debbie Jennings and Bud Ford? It just doesn't make any sense. Why do this now in this environment to these young ladies. EVERYTHING in major college sports is swinging in the direction of the major college athlete because they've been screwed for decades. Hey Tennessee, my university, get this right. Let those young ladies work out in those facilities and issue an apology for this and try to make it somewhat right by most involved. This is a horrible miscalculation on the part of someone over there and it really stinks. You can bet your bottom dollar that there will be some Olympic Level CYA going on in light of that story hitting the KNS. So, now you have an articulate parent that has accessed the media and it looks awful. And what did Tennessee gain in the process?
Keith Hatfield didn't get my memo that this is positive Monday.
Hatfield's Nine
'Tony,
Tennessee handled their business against Chattanooga in relatively businesslike fashion. They now embark on the brutal portion of the schedule.
1. The offensive line play still isn't showing much progress. There's no way Tennessee can compete the next two weeks without marked improvement across the front.
2. The Vol defense will have to carry the load against Ole Miss and Alabama. The hope is that they aren't on the field for 40 plus minutes in each game.
3. Going to College Station and handling Texas A&M removed any doubt about the legitimacy of Ole Miss. The Rebels are as good as anyone in America defensively.
4. Mississippi State took advantage of a wild home crowd and handled Auburn. Dan Mullen has his team playing at a championship level.
5. Baylor's comeback against TCU kept the Bears alive in the race to make the playoff. Their trip to Norman appears to be the major remaining hurdle on the schedule.
6. Notre Dame is a paper tiger. They aren't a championship caliber team.
7. Buffalo fans have to utterly loathe Tom Brady. He seems to throw four touchdowns every time he plays the Bills.
8. Tampa Bay is an embarrassment to the NFL right now. They have played arguably the two worst games I have ever seen in professional football.
9. Baltimore faces its playoff mortality tonight. Kansas City can essentially finish the deal tonight.
Keith'
Here's more good news from Ron Wright Wannabe
'Tony,
I think after Saturday I believe even more that Jones WILL get it done here. No, not from anything I saw against UTC but what I saw in other games. I was reminded just how many times one sees poor game management and mental errors from even the best programs in the nation. Miss St. tried a fake punt from their own 30 with a 21 to nothing lead! What?! Les Miles pulled a Les Miles and almost accidently ran out the clock at the end by running to football but still managed to win in his typical fashion. This despite his kicker telling him he was good from anywhere but the right hash mark. What did the Tigers do of course but run right to it! Alabama won even though they made several mental errors including jumping off sides on short yardage situations and running 12 men on the field after a time out! This is the genius Nick Saban at work. My point is I realized again just how much these things are magnified in one's mind when you are losing. I'm not sure anyone could point at any coaching decision that Jones has made to equal the ones pointed out. The problem is we don't have the room for error these other teams have.
I thought Malzahn was perhaps the new Spurrier in that he seemed ahead of everyone last year in regards to x's and o's but look what happened yesterday. Seems that losing Mason, key blocking back Jay Prosch and LT Greg Robinson has brought that offense back to earth. Bama has nothing but 4 and 5 stars on offense and...oh wait a minute seems they don't have a good leader at QB. We are half way through the season so why is a NICK SABAN coached team still making the mental errors his team does? It proves that in the SEC it isn't just enough to have talent or even good coaching to compete for championships but you better have those two or three KEY players. Miss St is perhaps the best team in the nation but what are they without Prescott? I would argue that not only does Tennessee not have those two or three key players to compete for championships but we don't even have the talent and experience of mid-level SEC teams just yet. LSU, UG(yeah they are mid-level when compared to west). A&M and the like have better, more experienced players than us. I think the second half of this season may be a rough one for UT but I am more at ease that better days really are coming. RWW'
Final Thought: Should the fact that Miss State is #1 in America while Ole Miss is in the top 5 at the midway point in the season trigger automatic sanctions from the NCAA. Both of those teams pass the eyeball test. Going to be a great 30 for 30 one day.
Final thought II: It was fun seeing my Eagles beat the Giants last night but seeing Victor Cruz literally crying in pain was really sad and difficult to watch. That is a brutal sport played by courageous people. He tore his patella tendon and Michelle Tafoya said it was the loudest and longest she ever remembered seeing an injured athlete scream.
Final Thought III: I don't know what the Titans are charging for football games in Nashville but that they had a semi-full house for that 'NFL game' with Jacksonville is voluble. The Titans should have to paper that house to get people to watch that slop. Awful football from two horrible teams.
Final Thought IV: Living Vol fan take a vote. This is a tremendous fan base and we celebrate college football in these parts. We had 90K for a game featuring what was once called a 1-AA school 7 days after one of the five most heartbreaking loses that we've seen in the modern era. This fan base is loyal, resilient and excellent all at once. That's why I love it here!
Final Thought V: Davis Tull take a bow! That was a great effort by that young man and come to think about it all of his Chattanooga teammates. I'm really proud of him today and I know that Uncle Chuck is too! Great job Davis Tull! Great job Mocs. As a caller told me on the Smartway/Dalton Bearing Fifth Quarter Saturday, if you have to play one of these buy games, why not keep the money in the family?
Tomorrow's topic for you to think about today.......How much would like to get a win over a signature program in the SEC? How far will you go? Would you take it by any means necessary? What am I talking about? Tomorrow I shall share it with you.
Keep looking up!
Tony
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