Hokies open as -4.5 point favorite

#1
volmanbill

volmanbill

The future is bright
Staff member
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
22,125
Likes
3,939
#1
Doesn't seem out of line based on our late season showing....but....I think the line will edge closer as the Vols get healthy and prepped for the game.

Some good stats here.
 
#2
#2
I'm suprised it's that close to be honest. Maybe Vegas has noticed that UT is going to be well represented by the crowd.
 
#3
#3
What do you think that it will close at? I love when UT is the underdog, we always play better.
 
#4
#4
i figured it would be higher than that. I like our chances with Monte havin a month to prepare. Were gonna have somethin for them on Defense
 
#9
#9
Honestly, we're overmatched. They're gonna run all over us with our 2 3rd string LBs starting. We can only pray Monte Kiffin has something planned.
 
#10
#10
I don't know why people ar so confident about this game. Yeah the ACC isn't a great conference, but I don't think our record would be any better than theirs if we were in it. This should be a close game and I think it can go either way.
 
#12
#12
TennesseeTopHat said:
I don't know why people ar so confident about this game. Yeah the ACC isn't a great conference, but I don't think our record would be any better than theirs if we were in it. This should be a close game and I think it can go either way.
Click to expand...

not to mention that the vols have a tradition of stinking up the peach (chik-fila)bowl.
 
#13
#13
their freshman rb has me nervous and running qb's have given us fits this year. I hope we dont get our butts beat.
 
#14
#14
Things we know to be true:

We have a talent edge over Va Tech
We have a coaching edge over Va Tech on both sides of the ball
Monte Kiffin > Brian Steinspring
We have a crowd edge over Va Tech
Va Tech has a history of poor bowl performance, with an all time bowl win percentage of 36%
Va Tech is an ACC team with a fairly easy schedule
Our season stats are very comparable to Va Tech, but we did it against tougher schedule, and we have a few outliers (UCLA) averaged in due to the poor start to the season.

Now you all can come up with some opinions about the game, but these items I stated are known to be true, and it is my opinion that gives us an overall edge.
 
#15
#15
samdavol said:
Two words Rod Wilks!:shhh:
Click to expand...

they banned wilks from playing in the bowl game. something about frank beamer was concerned with his players safety and well being....
I can't say that i blame him, one hit from wilks and your eating applesauce from a straw in a hospital bed just hoping you can walk again someday.
 
#16
#16
TNvol86 said:
Things we know to be true:

We have a talent edge over Va Tech
We have a coaching edge over Va Tech on both sides of the ball
Monte Kiffin > Brian Steinspring
We have a crowd edge over Va Tech
Va Tech has a history of poor bowl performance, with an all time bowl win percentage of 36%
Va Tech is an ACC team with a fairly easy schedule
Our season stats are very comparable to Va Tech, but we did it against tougher schedule, and we have a few outliers (UCLA) averaged in due to the poor start to the season.

Now you all can come up with some opinions about the game, but these items I stated are known to be true, and it is my opinion that gives us an overall edge.
Click to expand...

Not sure i agree with the talent edge. We have better talent at some positions but not overall IMO. I think we have played at a high level because the kids are playing at thier max-ability and our coaching staff is second to none
 
#18
#18
Line looks about right. Statisically, our teams couldn't be much closer. We all know VT has struggled with the SEC, going 2-4 since '98. Don't understand the knock on our schedule though. I know our final three games was as easy as it gets for a BCS team. But after our first 9 games we had the #1 SOS.
 
#19
#19
We had ahistory of poor performance under Phil's watch. I do not think these guys will allow the team to sleepwalk into the GA dome. If nothing else these guys played at max effort this year. If all else fails then bring out ROD!!!!:
 
#20
#20
I feel like every time we are suppose to beat someone on our schedule we struggle to do so. so stop saying we will beat them. It will be a 4th quarter battle.
Go Vols

Ps: EXAMPLEs UCLA, OL PISS, Aubrunnnnnnns cows?:rock:
 
#21
#21
TNvol86 said:
Things we know to be true:

We have a talent edge over Va Tech
We have a coaching edge over Va Tech on both sides of the ball
Monte Kiffin > Brian Steinspring
We have a crowd edge over Va Tech
Va Tech has a history of poor bowl performance, with an all time bowl win percentage of 36%
Va Tech is an ACC team with a fairly easy schedule
Our season stats are very comparable to Va Tech, but we did it against tougher schedule, and we have a few outliers (UCLA) averaged in due to the poor start to the season.

Now you all can come up with some opinions about the game, but these items I stated are known to be true, and it is my opinion that gives us an overall edge.
Click to expand...

1. I don't think we have a talent edge over VT. 2. Our bowl performance has been abismal over the past 12 years, especially against the ACC (recent blowouts).
3. They have an easier schedule but they did play Bama and Nebraska. 4. They have a running quarterback and a very good back and we have 3rd stringers in at linebacker (serious problem). TN can win but they are going to have to bring their A game to do it. If they don't it could be an Ole Miss type blowout.
 
#22
#22
Titans4Vols said:
Honestly, we're overmatched. They're gonna run all over us with our 2 3rd string LBs starting. We can only pray Monte Kiffin has something planned.
Click to expand...

Wrong... Georgia Tech found a way to win against them and only gave up one big run that was the chunk of their RB's yards. Tech's DT's are essentially walk-ons. They're miserable. At best.

If Georgia Tech can do it with their miserable DT's and LB's, then Tennessee can do it with Brown, Williams, Hughes, Walker, etc and the second/third string LB's.

It'll be a good game, but I don't see them "running all over" the Vols.
 
#23
#23
I'm not to worried.
ACC is overhyped and over rated.Great offenses usually, terrible Defense.

Techs D this year isn't the staple its always been.
 
#24
#24
When we played those peach bowls we fell down into them. I mean, we had 10 wins in one of those. When you fall into a bowl, all hell can break loose. Look what Utah did to Bama last year after the SEC Championship. If your heart isnt in it, you're done.

We're playing better now, and I like our chances. As to the person earlier who asked if we played their schedule would we have a better record, hell yeah we would. This is the SEC, our 7-5 teams can tear apart anyone the ACC has to offer.
 
#25
#25
jed said:
1. I don't think we have a talent edge over VT. 2. Our bowl performance has been abismal over the past 12 years, especially against the ACC (recent blowouts).
3. They have an easier schedule but they did play Bama and Nebraska. 4. They have a running quarterback and a very good back and we have 3rd stringers in at linebacker (serious problem). TN can win but they are going to have to bring their A game to do it. If they don't it could be an Ole Miss type blowout.
Click to expand...

1. We do have a talent edge over VT. It isn't as big of an edge as it was a few years ago, but still an edge despite the injuries. That said, Ryan Williams is very good and could probably play at a lot of SEC schools.

2. Our bowls appearances have been bad lately, yes. But theirs have been worse.

3. They should be commended for playing Bama. I've long said that Va Tech needed to play better OOC games due to the fact they play in an easy conference, and they're finally starting to do that it appears. Nebraska was also a good add for their schedule, but if you watched the game (I did, as I was actually near Va Tech that weekend and the bar I was watching Tennessee/Florida at also had the Nebraska game on at the same time), it was a very unimpressive, last second win against a mediocre team. I don't know the stats, but Nebraska dominated in total yardage. That Nebraska team lost to Iowa State the next weekend, at home.

4. I'm not too worried about Tyrod Taylor, but their running back is legit good. He is far and away their biggest threat, but as long as we stop him we should be good.

As long as Tennessee doesn't turn the ball over, and doesn't give up special teams plays, Tennessee wins. Special teams is the only place where Va Tech has a clear advantage over us. We don't yet know how good Lane Kiffin's bowl prep is, but I can't imagine it is worse than Fulmer's. Especially with Monte Kiffin having a month to prepare.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top