Are you ready to beat somebody with a name in major college football? Arkansas will hopefully do the trick. Orange Throat leads things off on this Friday!
We've spent a couple of days marveling at the lack of production 2 & 1/3 years into Brett Bielema's tenure at Arkansas, so today on the eve of the Arkansas game in Knoxville we take a closer look at Butch's body of work. So far, Butch's highlights include a win over an 11-2 South Carolina team in year one plus a bowl win over Iowa in year 2. He also has 3 1-AA wins, 5 non power conference wins and 5 conference wins against teams with a combined 17-32 record (courtesy Dr Sean Sinclair). That's not exactly world beating. When you consider this plus the fact that Tennessee is tied with Vandy for total wins since 2010, it's no wonder this place will come unglued tomorrow night if Tennessee can't get pull this game out.
I do want to remind you that we will be live at Hardee's today on Tazewell Pike. Can't wait to welcome Beano back to Terra firma.
Post Film Study along with the weather forecast, it's feeling like this game is going to be a straight coin flip tomorrow night. With the local forecasters calling for a downpour, this is a game that could literally go either way.
Orange Throat
'You are always good to remind us to celebrate life and what we have living in East Tennessee, so let us savor another football weekend, even though the weather may match our mood coming into this important game.
BEWARE OF WHAT YOU ASK FOR: Tony, you've been consistent in saying you can't judge the Butch Jones Era in Year 3 and I would add you especially can't judge it four games into Year 3. There are plenty of things to clean up with game management, but those things are more fixable than if we had a huge talent deficit. Some of the more despondent callers Saturday night and this week called for the firing of Jones, which is ludicrous.
Do you trust this administration to make a great hire? Who's available out there? I had an interesting discussion with a prominent South Carolina fan this week.
There's a growing sentiment that Steve Spurrier is going to hang it up and we talked for 20 minutes or so about a list of successors. Frankly, we had a very hard time coming up with compelling names. By all means, we'll continue to keep it real and tell it like it is on this blog but I'd like to think Butch Jones can improve on his weaknesses and be successful. He may have to make some organizational changes to get there, but a head coaching change is absolutely a last resort.
GLASS HALF FULL: The Vol running game picks up where it left off in Gainesville and controls the tempo Saturday night, and is complemented by a resurgent passing game that probes weaknesses in the Arkansas secondary. Mike DeBord and crew figure out Alvin Kamara needs at least 5 more touches per game and gets those to him in space. The Vol defense keeps outstanding RB Alex Collins contained and matches up well with the Razorbacks' depleted WR corps.
GLASS HALF EMPTY: John Jancek's troops continue to give up yardage in the passing game, this time to improved Arkansas QB Brandon Allen and that allows the Hogs' massive OL to keep us off balance with the run game. Josh Dobbs shows the ill effects of the punishing game against the Gators and is not nearly as effective in the run game and the same old problems are there in the pass game. God forbid, game management problems continue and the Razorbacks follow up on their improved performance against Texas A&M and steal a big win in rainy Neyland Stadium.
PREDICTION: (4-1 on picks). Tony, I don't think this Arkansas defense is very good and Brandon Allen is piling up good stats but not wins as the Razorback QB. The prospect of heavy rain makes this game especially unpredictable. After watching the A&M game film with Tony and the crew, I liked the Vols at the current -6.5, but that's on a dry Shields-Watkins Field. I'm afraid poor field conditions could negate the speed advantage the Vols enjoy, so I like the Hogs +7.5 if you pulled the trigger early in the week. Stay away from the total because it could be turnover fest in the weather and easy points could be scored. My best guess is the Vols in a squeaker, 23-20.
Orange Throat'
Throaty:
Great week!!! I'm feeling a tremendous night tomorrow in Neyland Stadium. This is a zero chance of loss tomorrow night. Every time I think I have this season figured out the script gets flipped.
IT NEVER ENDS 
STAFF HAS FARTHER TO GO THAN THE ROSTER
SINCE WE LAST SPOKE: 10-1-15
BIG ORANGE REARVIEW MIRROR:
-The Vols running attack looks as if it will be effective against every opponent on the 2015 schedule
-The Vols passing attack looks equally inept regardless of the opposition....
BEANO-RHYTHMS Players and coaches have to -as Butch Jones says- “snap and clear”. As a fan however I’m more likely to “clearly snap”. Therefore each week I will take just a second to describe what the results of the previous game have done to my Big Orange outlook....
WHAT WE LEARNED IN WEEK 4
LA ANNEXED ARIZONA: The Tinseltown twosome of USC and UCLA rolled into the the land of the Grand Canyon and cactus without falling in the ditch or having to pluck spines from their backsides....
WHAT WE WILL LEARN IN WEEK 5:
CAN ONE WEEK OF PRACTICE REGROW CACTUS? The above-mentioned Wildcats of Arizona and Sun Devils of ASU get a chance at redemption for last week’s abysmal PAC-12 start with games versus Stanford and UCLA respectively....
HOW STRONG HAS TENNESSEE’S SCHEDULE REALLY BEEN? The two villains of the last two Vol horror shows will be put to the test again Saturday....
WHAT VOL FANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ARKANSAS:
OFFENSE:
-Sr QB Brandon Allen has been asked to do more than expected through the air going 82-177 for 1141 yds with 7 TDs and 3 Ints
-The Hogs clearly miss injured SR RB Jonathan Williams but Jr Alex Collins is holding up his end averaging 125.5 ypg with 4 TDs
...[more]
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Jerry Glanville, fresh off our film study on Wednesday had some terrific thoughts as he left here and burned the midnight oil pouring over UT's loss
'One thing I saw on film from Tennessee's offense that I don't think you'll see again is that they ran Dobbs on two sweeps where he never faked to anybody and the linebackers chased him and turned him upside down. His running can only be effective when he has a back to fake the ball to. This is something that's happened to me when watching my QB on film at Hawaii so it can happen to anyone.'
The thing that I saw from UT on defense and again this happened to me at Hawaii is something they will adjust to and get right. (and by the way, we have good coaches on defense at UT). Tennessee was blitzing off the right side at Florida and our left defensive end got caught peaking inside. This can't happen otherwise you're going to give up big plays because they will run away from the blitz every time. This happened more than once. Tennessee must run what's called an O. The end MUST stay OUTSIDE on that play.'
On Tennessee's inability to get off the field on 4th down. 'We must figure out a way to get that defense better conditioned in the middle of the week in practice. I'd ask those defensive coaches from a Tuesday and Wednesday practice how many snaps did you get? If they say 35 we're onto something. IF they say 85 then we don't have the right problem pinned down. Don't just pick at what happened. Fix the problem. All defense is play recognition. The only place to get play recognition is on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in practice. You should always have a 4th down period on Thursday.'
What's different about 4th down.
'Tennessee has lost the definition of what 4th down is. By the very definition, it's a pressure down. Guess what? That means if I'm on defense I'm putting pressure on the QB. At a minimum I'm rushing 5 and probably bringing somewhere between 5-8 with the game on the line. The bottom line is that when you rush 3, you turn the game into a 7 on 7 situation and you don't want to go there.'
Was Tennessee in zone or man on that definitive 4th down play?
'Both. Because they started in zone but it turned into man when you gave that QB time to get comfortable in the pocket. It always works that way. Again, you're turning that play into 7 on 7 and that's not the way you want to go. If you go back and watch that play, Tennessee dropped a lineman off the rush and kept him there as a spy, then everybody else is back but the deepest guys are back far enough. At the most you should give up 10 or 12 yards on that play.'
Another great point Coach Glanville made was regarding how he would use Hurd. Coach said he would predominantly run him between the tackles simply because he's a bigger back and would take him several steps to get turned on the outside. Made total sense the way he put it. Really great stuff yesterday from Coach Glanville!
You can hear the entire Coach's Corner with Coach Jerry Glanville, presented by Kimball's Jewelers, by clicking here.
Link
Hatfield IX Time:
Hatfield's Nine
'Tennessee gets a shot to begin digging out of the emotional hole created by the Florida loss. Arkansas provides an opportunity to start down the road to recovery.
1. Special teams will play a huge role in this game. Field position will dictate the flow of the game.
2. The Volunteer defensive line needs to rise to the occasion against a team that likes to grind things out on the ground.
3. Both offensive lines face a moment of truth tomorrow. Neither unit has performed as well as expected.
4. The weather will be a wildcard in this contest. It's always a pure guess to opine on which team will be effected the least by inclement conditions.
5. The official start of basketball practice is at hand. The first order of business for Tennessee is figuring out what to do at point guard.
6. Kentucky just keeps rolling on the recruiting trail. Wenyen Gabriel is just another five star addition to Big Blue.
7. Michigan State is poised to grab a top 5 class. Tom Izzo with five star talent at his disposal is a scary proposition for opponents.
8. Sports Illustrated still occasionally reminds us why they became an American institution. Their tribute to Yogi Berra was simply fantastic.
9. Arsenal needs to handle Manchester United this weekend. That is the only way to redeem their atrocious Champions League performance.
Go Vols!
Keith'
You can hear Keith today at 1pm following my daily show. He will no doubt be sheeping it up for the output of Rick Barnes thus far as our basketball ghost/head coach.
One thing I want to call to your attention before we go any further here is from one of our advertisers. Jiffy Lube Joe Gleason and his family and friends are doing a great thing this weekend.
' Tony B Radio Family:
Thanks for letting me get the word out on this on the eve of the Arkansas game.
We are very excited to see the outpouring of support for my dad, Pat Gleason, as well as so many others who are living with this horrible disease ALS....
Please join us 2pm Sunday at Lakeshore for the Ice Bucket Challenge, walk or ride to support the fight against ALS. Last year's outpouring of support has already helped make major steps forward! Help us keep the momentum going to find a cure! Thanks everyone who is helping make this event special.
Becky Duncan Massey
Con. Jimmy Duncan and the following elected/appointed officials will be participating Sunday: in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge/walk/ride at Lakeshore Park at 2 pm:
Mayor Tim Burchett
Rep. Eddie Smith
Senator Richard Briggs
Rep. Roger Kane
Rep. Joe Armstrong
Chief David Rausch, KPD
Chief Stan Sharp, KFD
Councilman Finbarr Saunders
Commissioner Ed Brantley
Commissioner Jeff Ownby
Commissioner Randy Smith
Judge Tim Irwin
Judge John Rosson
Judge Tony Stansberry
School Board Member Patti Bounds
Jane Jolley, Sen. Corker's office
Richard Bud Armstrong, County Law Director
Sherry Witt, Register of Deeds
Bo Williams, WATE TV
And the list is growing.
Please Join us!!!!
Thanks & Go Vols!!!
Joe'
Joe: Anytime my friend. In fact please join us today on the air and promote this as well. While I'm at it, thanks for supporting our community and thank you for supporting the show.
Brought to you on Thursdays by
We would like to thank. Jerry Glanville, Jerry Colquitt, 'X', Vol Colonel, Sleve Julio, Keith Hatfield, Tony Robinson, Robert Campbell, Mike Cofer, Dr Sean Sinclair DDS and Donnie Tyndall for helping this week with our film study. Hope you enjoy. As always, I would love to bring you film from this. In a perfect world we would do just that.
Tennessee-Arkansas Film Study
Arkansas Scouting Report (Games Watched – Texas Tech & Texas A&M)
Key Areas of Focus
Tennessee LBs and Safeties vs the Arkansas Pro Style Scheme – I was quite impressed with the multitude of styles and schemes run by the Arkansas offense. Arkansas will play in 21 personnel (2 backs, 1 tight end), 12 personnel, 13 personnel and 11 personnel also. Why is this important? This is important because the strength of this offense is their run blocking capabilities in the power running schemes from various personnel groupings. Arkansas possesses a massive offensive line. Both of their offensive tackles are future high round draft picks. The concerning part of this aspect of the game is the recent play of Tennessee’s linebackers against Florida. On film it appeared Coltin Jumper, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Darrin Kirkland didn’t play to par against the power run game vs 21 personnel or 12 personnel against Florida. Specifically, they looked slow to read keys which lead to them reacting to plays late and getting swallowed up by Florida’s offensive line leaving massive holes for Kelvin Taylor. This is a concern given none of Tennessee’s interior linebackers have prototypical size and they are still lacking experience in reading keys at the collegiate level in the run game. At times vs 12 personnel Tennessee even had issues lining up the defensive front correctly. 12 Personnel is Arkansas’ specialty.
To this point, it’s been an asset of the youthful linebackers to use their speed and natural athletic ability to make plays. This type of matchup vs a pro style running attack doesn’t favor youthful, undersized linebackers. Their tight ends are physical ‘in-line’ blockers when attached to the formation. The task for Jumpers, Reeves-Maybin and Kirkland will be to handle the heavy dose of runs from #3 Alex Collins while also having to defend play-action, boot legs and drop back passes all from the same looks as their running plays. QB Brandon Allen is excellent at faking especially when they get their run game going with Collins. Stay tuned.
Tennessee Nickel Pass Defense vs Arkansas Pass Game in 11 Personnel – This Arkansas wide receiving corp is excellent as a group. Between the QB, the tight ends and WRs #80 Drew Morgan, #6 Kendrick Edwards and #17 JoJo Robinson, they play extremely well together in this system. They all have play making ability and are excellent route runners. Whomever is lined up over #80 Drew Morgan will have a tough task covering him one on one as he is their ‘go to’ WR. Also keep your eyes on Tennessee’s Malik Foreman vs #17 JoJo Robinson. As the nickel back Foreman will also have his hands full. Robinson is exceptionally quick out of the break and can pose problems for Tennessee’s nickel back as it must draw attention to Drew Morgan in certain situations. My guess is they will attempt to isolate Foreman.
Tennessee Passing Game vs Arkansas Defense – This week, unlike last, is an opportune time to let it fly with the goal in mind of getting completions in yards by the chunk as did Texas A&M. Listeners know I am all about pass protection FIRST!!!! Well, this week you are not playing against a McCalister or Cox. Pass protection issues either by mismatches athletically or by virtue of facing lots of blitz, I believe won’t be an issue. Blitzes won’t be an issue in my opinion because athletically they don’t have the athletes at safety to gamble on a routine basis like that of Florida. Arkansas doesn’t have a dominant player as a pass rusher so Tennessee’s long developing plays shouldn’t be hindered unlike the Oklahoma game or Florida game. I believe Arkansas’ defense will stick to its guns and play Tennessee’s 11 personnel straight up for most of the contest unless it get in a bind. Which leads to my next point!
After listening to the great Jerry Glanville, it’s imperative they get Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara and John Kelly going from the first whistle. I believe there are potentially massive holes in this secondary, if Tennessee is willing to commit to our tailbacks to set up the pass.
My thought ultimately is that this will be a high scoring game. I look for Tennessee’s defense to get frustrated against this multi-dimensional pro-style offense of Arkansas given the need for excellent linebacker play in this type of contest. I also look for Tennessee to have lots of opportunities in quarters 3 and 4 on offense if it is willing to stick to the running game early.
Go Big Orange!
Jerry Colquitt
'Tony,
Clearly, the OC hire is a disaster....clue? Your extremely humorous description of MD pool cleaning skills. But one more serious....Climer column says DeBoard met with receivers to " reassure" them......sounds like he's probably close to losing them! Love your show.
Regards,
JB'
As Jayson Swain told me earlier in the week, the WR's have to be getting frustrated by this. ALL of those guys want every ball and always will. That's how guys get to this level to begin with. Tennessee's in a tough spot because as Orange Throat says, Dobbs isn't a great or even very good passer of the football. As for DeBord's pool cleaning skills, I believe his main duty at Michigan was keeping the ph in the pool in check. Then again, I kid because I care....perhaps too much. At this point laughter is all we have after a September that really has me spinning.
'It's been said that a 9 year old has better game management skills on an Xbox than Butch does. Somebody needs to get Butch an Xbox and a copy of NCAA Football 2014 for Christmas. He probably does not own one.
I am 100% serious here.
Dale, Nashville'
I don't know Dale. Butch seems to be the type that would hit the reset button when a call goes against him. That final UT drive when he got sidetracked arguing with the refs was troubling. He needs to stop that if he's going to engender confidence around here.
'In the first four games, Malone has caught 9 passes, Jennings has caught 8, North has caught 4, and Pearson has caught 3 and Williams has caught 3 in mop-up vs. WC.
Therefore, Malone averages 2.25 catches per game, Jennings is 2 per game, North 1 per game and Pearson less than 1 per game. Williams averages 3 per game, but only for 1 game. I don't know that Williams even took the field against Florida. The week before he was Freshman of the Week at wide receiver.
They could be playing for a wishbone team and be receiving more catches per game than this.
Why would a highly recruited wide receiver want to play for a Butch Jones coached team in 2016 and beyond?
Mark, Chattanooga'
Great question. I hear Tee Higgins is monitoring Tennessee's progress for the rest of the year in light of his commitment. That would only make sense. It seems to me that we're not going to get full extent of what the passing game is capable of until we see Dormady play. Hate to say this but it's true. For those expecting UT to unleash an arial attack when he gets his shot, I wouldn't hold my breath. At Cincy, Jones didn't attack deep downfield with his offense and he had guys that could throw it too. Just thought I'd add this to the conversation in the spirit of keeping it real.
COMMUNITY CHEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Additional volunteers are needed at Community Chest of Knoxville Thrift Shop located at 1508 N. Central (corner of Central St & Woodland Ave, a block and a half from our FISH Northwest Pantry). Volunteers at the Community Chest help with receiving, sorting and displaying in the retail shop donations of clothing and household items. For more about the Community Chest go online and
check out their website. Proceeds from the Community Chest support the work and mission of FISH Hospitality Pantries.
For more information about volunteering at the Community Chest contact Jim Wright at (865) 207-8572 or
send him an e-mail. Thank you.
'Butch on balancing using analytics versus going with your gut during games: "We don't use analytics during the games. That's before the games. 99% of decisions made on game day are made in a controlled environment in a meeting room. Most situations are done that way like with most programs. We don't make decisions by chance."
I guess Butch is saying 99% of decisions are in a controlled environment, and his 1% at game time are uncontrolled trial experiments. I.e. he's a regular lab scientist.
Well, Thomas Edison turned trials into triumph.
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. But Butch Jones invented the light bulb up his a**.
MidState Heath'
Heath: I take it you're not a big fan of
Sergeant Charter. He needs to never mention analytics ever again. It's silly really. Football is not a matchup sport. Neither is basketball. That stuff is really silly. Every game is different. Analytics make sense in baseball. It's a matchup sport. Football is a feel game. Period.
'Tony:
DeBord cited the amount of time left in the game --- more than 10 minutes --- at the time when the Vols scored their final touchdown as reason why they elected to kick an extra point that lifted them to a 27-14 lead.
"Well, we have Mark Elder up in the box and myself and we're talking to Butch. That was a decision based upon time," said DeBord, who has been heavily criticized for Tennessee's struggles to get untracked throwing the football. "If less time, then we would have gone for two. But with that much time left, you do normally go for one. And I’ve been in that situation before and that's exactly what we did before, too. It's a decision that you make at that time. You don't know what's going to happen 11 minutes later."
What happened to the chart that Jones talked about? Most all decision are made not knowing what is going to happen the next minute, much less in the next 11 minutes.
The more they talk the deeper it gets.
Harry, Cordova'
Harry: I'll give Rocky Top credit. We are nowhere near being over that Florida loss. Not even close. And these poor coaches say silly stuff and it just makes people angrier. The assistants get mini-credit for trying to own this somewhat. These guys are learning that this place doesn't play when it comes to their Vols. Nor should they. Lots of time and money is invested in this. When the fan base literally gets their hearts ripped out and stomped on the ground, coaches are going get the message. I hope Butch Jones and his staff appreciate this now. We will not be fooled. Cincinnati this ain't my friend.
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