nicksjuzunk
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For approximately 40 weeks of each year, we wait... waiting for that time, when for 3 1/2 hours, everything else in our busy lives takes a temporary backseat to thunderous roar of the Volnation working itself into a frenzy.
That time, is nearly upon us, and for the first time since 2012 :ermm:, expectations are high on Rocky Top, though 2012 ended up being the relative bottom for this proud program.
The Vols open up the 2015 season in Nashville against the mighty Falcons of Bowling Green State University. In a interesting irony, most of the players competing for BGSU were recruited by their former head coach Dave Clawson, who of course was assumed by many to be the head coach in waiting when he was hired by Philip Fulmer, and subsequently burned the offense to the ground with his Clawfence, ending the Fulmer era and setting Tennessee on a path of suffering which has continued until this exact point in time. Somewhat of a full-circle? We shall see...
Bowling Green
Bowling Green runs an uptempo offense similar to what Art Briles runs at Baylor that features a large target at WR in Chris Gallon. 4 1/2 years ago, (I never forget), I4Jay ominously stated,
Truth be told, the offense is not going to be much of a problem for Tennessee's defense to handle.
As for the defense, Vol fans should be gearing up for some fun. I'm not going to try to dig up reasons why we should be concerned, because quite frankly, we've got this easily. Against their only ranked opponent last season, (#19 Wisconsin) BGSU yielded 68 points.
Keys to the Game:
These are not really keys, but things you can probably expect to see. In later games, we will examine keys to victory.
1. Blitzkrieg Offense: Bowling Green is about to have a serious problem. Their fast paced offense is going to run straight into our defense, and get stopped really fast. Short possessions will give the ball back to Tennessee and their weak defense is going to have an awful, awful time trying to keep enough wind to stop the Vols. Shoot... our offense is going to have conditioning problems. The Vols will score... early, often and as long as Butch wants to put points on the board.
2. Not so fun-damentals: Don't get me wrong. Scoring points is awesome, but the offense will be pared down to absolute bare minimum, as the coaches use this as a glorified scrimmage to really hone the "bread and butter" plays for the season. Mike DeBord will likely have the plays typed on the back of a business card. I expect Tennessee will establish the run game, and Hurd and Kamara will have MONSTER games. Dobbs will pass occasionally, maybe ending with 180 or so yards. If receivers get loose for big ones, that will obviously be higher. Very vanilla, but needed for the upcoming tests.
3. Defensive Shuffle: The Tennessee defense is good enough for Jancek to try some different combinations and throw some younger guys in there to see how they respond. Look for a ton of defenders to get a look, especially as the game gets in hand. Experience is key.
4. Quinten's time: The Vols have no intention of redshirting two quarterbacks this year, meaning if Butch feels he is ready, Quinten Dormady will get some snaps in the 4th. Within seconds, the Football Forum will have 3 threads about a quarterback controversy.
5. Safety First: The Vols will try to walk the delicate balance between getting important repetitions for starters, and keeping players fresh and healthy for upcoming games. With depth being a major concern for some positions, safety first, please.
Prediction: Bowling Green struggles to produce any offense against a stifling Vol defense, suffering from many 3 and outs, which gasses their defense. Tennessee's offense is methodical, and the running game looks exceptional. Dobbs looks improved from an accuracy and strength standpoint, but has a few misfires that keeps about 2% of VN posters complaining about him. Butch calls the dogs off in the 3rd quarter, and BGSU notches some cheap points against the back-ups in the 4th.
Tennessee 44
BGSU 17
That time, is nearly upon us, and for the first time since 2012 :ermm:, expectations are high on Rocky Top, though 2012 ended up being the relative bottom for this proud program.
The Vols open up the 2015 season in Nashville against the mighty Falcons of Bowling Green State University. In a interesting irony, most of the players competing for BGSU were recruited by their former head coach Dave Clawson, who of course was assumed by many to be the head coach in waiting when he was hired by Philip Fulmer, and subsequently burned the offense to the ground with his Clawfence, ending the Fulmer era and setting Tennessee on a path of suffering which has continued until this exact point in time. Somewhat of a full-circle? We shall see...
Bowling Green
Bowling Green runs an uptempo offense similar to what Art Briles runs at Baylor that features a large target at WR in Chris Gallon. 4 1/2 years ago, (I never forget), I4Jay ominously stated,
Well played old chap.I have a bad feeling we will be seeing Gallon somewhere down the line, and he will be a very tough cover.
Truth be told, the offense is not going to be much of a problem for Tennessee's defense to handle.
As for the defense, Vol fans should be gearing up for some fun. I'm not going to try to dig up reasons why we should be concerned, because quite frankly, we've got this easily. Against their only ranked opponent last season, (#19 Wisconsin) BGSU yielded 68 points.
Keys to the Game:
These are not really keys, but things you can probably expect to see. In later games, we will examine keys to victory.
1. Blitzkrieg Offense: Bowling Green is about to have a serious problem. Their fast paced offense is going to run straight into our defense, and get stopped really fast. Short possessions will give the ball back to Tennessee and their weak defense is going to have an awful, awful time trying to keep enough wind to stop the Vols. Shoot... our offense is going to have conditioning problems. The Vols will score... early, often and as long as Butch wants to put points on the board.
2. Not so fun-damentals: Don't get me wrong. Scoring points is awesome, but the offense will be pared down to absolute bare minimum, as the coaches use this as a glorified scrimmage to really hone the "bread and butter" plays for the season. Mike DeBord will likely have the plays typed on the back of a business card. I expect Tennessee will establish the run game, and Hurd and Kamara will have MONSTER games. Dobbs will pass occasionally, maybe ending with 180 or so yards. If receivers get loose for big ones, that will obviously be higher. Very vanilla, but needed for the upcoming tests.
3. Defensive Shuffle: The Tennessee defense is good enough for Jancek to try some different combinations and throw some younger guys in there to see how they respond. Look for a ton of defenders to get a look, especially as the game gets in hand. Experience is key.
4. Quinten's time: The Vols have no intention of redshirting two quarterbacks this year, meaning if Butch feels he is ready, Quinten Dormady will get some snaps in the 4th. Within seconds, the Football Forum will have 3 threads about a quarterback controversy.
5. Safety First: The Vols will try to walk the delicate balance between getting important repetitions for starters, and keeping players fresh and healthy for upcoming games. With depth being a major concern for some positions, safety first, please.
Prediction: Bowling Green struggles to produce any offense against a stifling Vol defense, suffering from many 3 and outs, which gasses their defense. Tennessee's offense is methodical, and the running game looks exceptional. Dobbs looks improved from an accuracy and strength standpoint, but has a few misfires that keeps about 2% of VN posters complaining about him. Butch calls the dogs off in the 3rd quarter, and BGSU notches some cheap points against the back-ups in the 4th.
Tennessee 44
BGSU 17
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