nicksjuzunk
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After a much needed bye-week, Tennessee rolls into Columbia, South Carolina for a night game against the Gamecocks. The Vols look to have several starters returning to the line-up as the enter the easier part of the schedule. How are the going to fare against USC?
Keys to Victory:
1. How big a boy are ya? Well... Tennessee is clearly wearing big boy pants. Having played ranked opponents 5 out of the last 6 weeks (VT isn't ranked, but they should be this week), the Vols have measured themselves against some tough opponents, winning most, crapping away the A&M game, and Bama did what Bama does, against our beat up squad.
South Carolina? Well... they've played one ranked opponent (A&M), and two teams over .500 (KY & UGA). They lost each of those games, and also to a terrible Miss State team. 1-7 UMASS gave them all they wanted this weekend.
USC's 3 wins have come with a total of 14 points against teams with a 7-16 total record.
So any statistical analysis needs to keep in mind the fact that Tennessee has played the harder schedule... by FAR.
2. 2016 Reboot: Butch Jones is a master of motivation. I suspect that he is treating this bye-week as the beginning of a new season entirely. Given his mantra of "snap and clear", the bye-week made for a perfect opportunity to forget everything, for better or worse, that has happened, and to focus on the final 5 regular season games.
I'm not sure how many starters we will get back, but look for the team to be energized, and ready to finish strong. The 2016 season begins again on Saturday.
3. Shoop Shine: Let's be honest... we expected a little bit more from this Bob Shoop led defense. True, they have been gutted by injuries, but aside from that, they have not really been consistently dominant. I look for the Tennessee defense to soar in the defensive rankings as we finish out the season. USC ranks 126/128 in total offense. Vandy ranks 128/128. It's time to lock down, and chow down on the dregs, after going through the first half gauntlet.
On paper, USC's defense looks better than the Vols, but paper lies. Tennessee has played 5 teams in the top 56 total offense. USC has played 2. Those two teams torched them for 512(ECU) and 422(A&M) yard respectively.
4. Freshmeat for Barnett: As Derek Barnett continues to solidify his place as a legendary Vol, USC has conveniently decided to serve up a young, true freshman quarterback as tribute. USC gives up an average of 2.67 sacks per game... with that schedule. Look for Barnett to add to his total, and for other Vols to get in on the action. Shoop is going to dial up the pressure, and force this kid into mistakes, and it's going to be glorious.
5. Put the Chump in Muschump: Let's be clear about this. Muschamp hates Tennessee, and we should do well to return the favor. Let's take a little look at his heritage.
Grew up in Gainesville
Played at UGA
Coached under Saban
Spurned Tennessee... and recommended Dooley to Hamilton!!!
Coached at Florida... and won every single game against the Vols.
Classless comment about silencing Neyland after winning his final UF/TN game.
We've got 3 in a row against USC. We have 2 in a row against UGA. We just beat Florida. Now, it's Will's time to be the chump.
6. Dobbs Special: Since his freshman year, Dobbs has had USC's number. He always has something special for the Gamecocks, and they don't have nearly the athletes to deal with him. Look for somethings special from Dobbs this week.
Prediction: Williams-Bryce Stadium at night can be a hostile environment. The Vols will need to come in hot, and leave no doubt as to what the outcome of this game is going to be. They need to have a killer instinct, and not let this team stick around.
I think this team takes a collective exhale this week, and plays looser, and a lot better football than we have seen. The Vols roll, relatively easy.
TN 37
USC 10
Keys to Victory:
1. How big a boy are ya? Well... Tennessee is clearly wearing big boy pants. Having played ranked opponents 5 out of the last 6 weeks (VT isn't ranked, but they should be this week), the Vols have measured themselves against some tough opponents, winning most, crapping away the A&M game, and Bama did what Bama does, against our beat up squad.
South Carolina? Well... they've played one ranked opponent (A&M), and two teams over .500 (KY & UGA). They lost each of those games, and also to a terrible Miss State team. 1-7 UMASS gave them all they wanted this weekend.
USC's 3 wins have come with a total of 14 points against teams with a 7-16 total record.
So any statistical analysis needs to keep in mind the fact that Tennessee has played the harder schedule... by FAR.
2. 2016 Reboot: Butch Jones is a master of motivation. I suspect that he is treating this bye-week as the beginning of a new season entirely. Given his mantra of "snap and clear", the bye-week made for a perfect opportunity to forget everything, for better or worse, that has happened, and to focus on the final 5 regular season games.
I'm not sure how many starters we will get back, but look for the team to be energized, and ready to finish strong. The 2016 season begins again on Saturday.
3. Shoop Shine: Let's be honest... we expected a little bit more from this Bob Shoop led defense. True, they have been gutted by injuries, but aside from that, they have not really been consistently dominant. I look for the Tennessee defense to soar in the defensive rankings as we finish out the season. USC ranks 126/128 in total offense. Vandy ranks 128/128. It's time to lock down, and chow down on the dregs, after going through the first half gauntlet.
On paper, USC's defense looks better than the Vols, but paper lies. Tennessee has played 5 teams in the top 56 total offense. USC has played 2. Those two teams torched them for 512(ECU) and 422(A&M) yard respectively.
4. Freshmeat for Barnett: As Derek Barnett continues to solidify his place as a legendary Vol, USC has conveniently decided to serve up a young, true freshman quarterback as tribute. USC gives up an average of 2.67 sacks per game... with that schedule. Look for Barnett to add to his total, and for other Vols to get in on the action. Shoop is going to dial up the pressure, and force this kid into mistakes, and it's going to be glorious.
5. Put the Chump in Muschump: Let's be clear about this. Muschamp hates Tennessee, and we should do well to return the favor. Let's take a little look at his heritage.
Grew up in Gainesville
Played at UGA
Coached under Saban
Spurned Tennessee... and recommended Dooley to Hamilton!!!
Coached at Florida... and won every single game against the Vols.
Classless comment about silencing Neyland after winning his final UF/TN game.
We've got 3 in a row against USC. We have 2 in a row against UGA. We just beat Florida. Now, it's Will's time to be the chump.
6. Dobbs Special: Since his freshman year, Dobbs has had USC's number. He always has something special for the Gamecocks, and they don't have nearly the athletes to deal with him. Look for somethings special from Dobbs this week.
Prediction: Williams-Bryce Stadium at night can be a hostile environment. The Vols will need to come in hot, and leave no doubt as to what the outcome of this game is going to be. They need to have a killer instinct, and not let this team stick around.
I think this team takes a collective exhale this week, and plays looser, and a lot better football than we have seen. The Vols roll, relatively easy.
TN 37
USC 10
