I honestly don't know...

[orange+white=heaven]

..what caliber of a football team these Tennessee Volunteers are.


I'm reminded of Bear Bryant saying that he wouldn't know for sure what kind of team he had until he saw them play Tennessee. Well, the quality of play in the SEC has advanced light years since the 60s, but I find that I still need to see this saturday's game before I can better gauge what this team is really made of.

Are they more like phase one? The team that tiptoed through California before dissolving like Coffee Mate at Gainesville.

Are they more like phase two? The team that tumped Georgia in the recycle bin before fighting tooth and nail against a Mississippi State team that was bent on knocking the crap out of the Vols.


There are parts to this puzzle of a team that look very encouraging. Most especially on offense...

-The line has given up just two sacks. That stat leads the NCAA. These kids that had so much doubt heaped on them in the summer, have shown that they can definitely set a pocket for their quarterback.

-Lucas Taylor leads the SEC in receiving yards. The WRs have shown that they can produce.

- The running game, well read this bit, quoted from the TFP...

In their first three games, they averaged 113.7 yards on 29 rushes -- 3.9 yards per carry -- and lost twice. In their last three, they averaged 196.3 yards on 41 rushes -- 4.8 per carry -- and went 3-0.

... Couple that with the fact that Cut's offense is second in the SEC in time of possession, and things look pretty rosy on offense.

On defense...

-the line grew up a ton in the State game. That gave the LBs a chance to make some plays. Good to see.

-Youth in the secondary seems to be growing into the job. Also good to see.

Now here's the thing. All that being said, I still sit here uncertain of what this football team is actually capable of. And honestly, I'm not sure I'll be any more comfortable after Alabama.

Explain this to me someone. Please.

 

[DC Vol]

Most people are apprehensive because 2 top 10 teams in USC and UK loom on the horizon. Teams we have traditionally dominated and are looking for a "now is my time" statement. Factor in an always scrappy Vandy team and UT definitely has it's hands full. These guys need to bring their A game to every game and not let themselves get wrapped up in the "comeback". We need a strong on-the-field leadership presence not just from the coaches but the players as well.

I think if they can just keep themselves focused, they can take the rest of the games. I'm mostly nervous about UK, but we'll see.

 

[Cartervol]

Phil said it best one at a time. This team isn't good enough to get caught up in the what if's. It's simple really, we have to play well or we'll get beat. There isn't enough seperation talent or speed. Puncher's chance thats sums it up. Buckle your seats belts it could be bumpy or it could be smooth either way thats why you buckle your seatbelts.

 

[DC Vol]

Phil said it best one at a time. This team isn't good enough to get caught up in the what if's. It's simple really, we have to play well or we'll get beat. There isn't enough seperation talent or speed. Puncher's chance thats sums it up. Buckle your seats belts it could be bumpy or it could be smooth either way thats why you buckle your seatbelts.

I disagree, but only mildly. I think that this is a good team. They're young, and they're starting to mold as a team and settle into their individual assignments. We're starting to team tackle. There has been noticeable improvement as well as a rise in intensity. I'm optimistic, but I agree, they cannot get caught up in the "what if's", but I think it's mostly because they're young and weren't focused enough for the UF and Cal game, and laid down in the 4th at UF. I, honestly, would be surprised if that happens again under this team.

 

[Cartervol]

I disagree, but only mildly. I think that this is a good team. They're young, and they're starting to mold as a team and settle into their individual assignments. We're starting to team tackle. There has been noticeable improvement as well as a rise in intensity. I'm optimistic, but I agree, they cannot get caught up in the "what if's", but I think it's mostly because they're young and weren't focused enough for the UF and Cal game, and laid down in the 4th at UF. I, honestly, would be surprised if that happens again under this team.

If there is one thing i have learned in all my years of watching sec football it's this. Bring your A game and don't get caught looking ahead. This isn't one of our better defenses. Yeah we seem to have found a running game that will help. Alot of football left and running the table for this team in my opinion isn't likely. But we shall see.

 

[Lexvol]

..what caliber of a football team these Tennessee Volunteers are.


I'm reminded of Bear Bryant saying that he wouldn't know for sure what kind of team he had until he saw them play Tennessee. Well, the quality of play in the SEC has advanced light years since the 60s, but I find that I still need to see this saturday's game before I can better gauge what this team is really made of.

Are they more like phase one? The team that tiptoed through California before dissolving like Coffee Mate at Gainesville.

Are they more like phase two? The team that tumped Georgia in the recycle bin before fighting tooth and nail against a Mississippi State team that was bent on knocking the crap out of the Vols.


There are parts to this puzzle of a team that look very encouraging. Most especially on offense...

-The line has given up just two sacks. That stat leads the NCAA. These kids that had so much doubt heaped on them in the summer, have shown that they can definitely set a pocket for their quarterback.

-Lucas Taylor leads the SEC in receiving yards. The WRs have shown that they can produce.

- The running game, well read this bit, quoted from the TFP...


... Couple that with the fact that Cut's offense is second in the SEC in time of possession, and things look pretty rosy on offense.

On defense...

-the line grew up a ton in the State game. That gave the LBs a chance to make some plays. Good to see.

-Youth in the secondary seems to be growing into the job. Also good to see.

Now here's the thing. All that being said, I still sit here uncertain of what this football team is actually capable of. And honestly, I'm not sure I'll be any more comfortable after Alabama.

Explain this to me someone. Please.

It is attrition.....they can grind it out and win...but are they really anymore prepared to play Florida next year. It is hard to know if the Vols are getting better or if the competition is falling off slightly.

I have a feeling that Bama might bring our running game back to smaller numbers. I hope it doesn't happen.

 

[orange+white=heaven]

It is attrition.....they can grind it out and win...but are they really anymore prepared to play Florida next year. It is hard to know if the Vols are getting better or if the competition is falling off slightly.

I have a feeling that Bama might bring our running game back to smaller numbers. I hope it doesn't happen.

Well I don't think they can do that with just their down linemen. If they want to draw some help up, then I say have at it. I'd like to see the middle of the field open up for us finally. Haven't seen that yet...

 

[Lexvol]

Well I don't think they can do that with just their down linemen. If they want to draw some help up, then I say have at it. I'd like to see the middle of the field open up for us finally. Haven't seen that yet...

To further answer your original question...I think it is just a sense of malaise has set in. My brain is now hardwired to think that UT can handle a team that doesn't really have an explosive offense. Sure we could lose 16-14, but UT is unlikely to be embarassed.

 

[Heebs]

I really doubt that Bama can hold our offense to under 20. We've shown that we can be one dimensional, and still be effective. Especially in the passing game.

Just tell Erik to avoid Castille this year and if they load up 8-9 in the box, lets go over the top.

 

[lawgator1]

I think you are both teams: UT is perfectly capable of beating a solid SEC team, but also capable of throwing in a clunker or simply getting beat by a motivated opponent who plays well.

I think Florida is the same way this year and that neither of us has shown the consistency you want to see in a conference champion. Flashes of greatness followed by episodes of mediocrity.

That's why I think at this stage of the season that if you are looking for the SECE champions you are more likely to find them in Lexington or Columbia than in Knoxville or Gainesville.

 

[GAVol]

It is attrition.....they can grind it out and win...but are they really anymore prepared to play Florida next year. It is hard to know if the Vols are getting better or if the competition is falling off slightly.

I think it's a little of both. I think you'd have to be the blindest of the blind homers not to acknowledge that the way we look on defense has a lot to do with the competition we are facing. That being said, the front seven is clearly better now than in the first 3 weeks when we got nothing from our d-line and our linebackers were constantly getting lost in coverage and caught up in the wash trying to defend the run.

Offensively there is an obvious shift in focus away from that pseudo-Run and Shoot that we were running to a more run oriented attack where we either establish the run or die trying.

The biggest difference in my mind though is that in the last several weeks we haven't given up any big returns on special teams or handed the opposition any defensive scores. Nothing turns a game around faster than giving up non-offensive TD's, and we were doing it to the tune of 2 per game. As much as anything else, the health of Britton Colquitt has done wonders.

 

[Cartervol]

I think you are both teams: UT is perfectly capable of beating a solid SEC team, but also capable of throwing in a clunker or simply getting beat by a motivated opponent who plays well.

I think Florida is the same way this year and that neither of us has shown the consistency you want to see in a conference champion. Flashes of greatness followed by episodes of mediocrity.

That's why I think at this stage of the season that if you are looking for the SECE champions you are more likely to find them in Lexington or Columbia than in Knoxville or Gainesville.

Nah i don't see it happening. You will be happy after this weeks game in lexington and the only team left will be carolina. They won't win it with a freshman at QB i don't care how great spurrier is perceived to be. It's going to be either florida or tennessee with SC a outside possibility.

 

[Lexvol]

I think you are both teams: UT is perfectly capable of beating a solid SEC team, but also capable of throwing in a clunker or simply getting beat by a motivated opponent who plays well.

I think Florida is the same way this year and that neither of us has shown the consistency you want to see in a conference champion. Flashes of greatness followed by episodes of mediocrity.

That's why I think at this stage of the season that if you are looking for the SECE champions you are more likely to find them in Lexington or Columbia than in Knoxville or Gainesville.

I have given the malaise some thought. It really keeps coming back to this. Nothing I can see this year, short of winning each remaining contest convincingly, and playing LSU very closely in the CCG, can make me think they will be any more prepared to played the Gators next year.

 

[lawgator1]

I think it's a little of both. I think you'd have to be the blindest of the blind homers not to acknowledge that the way we look on defense has a lot to do with the competition we are facing. That being said, the front seven is clearly better now than in the first 3 weeks when we got nothing from our d-line and our linebackers were constantly getting lost in coverage and caught up in the wash trying to defend the run.

Offensively there is an obvious shift in focus away from that pseudo-Run and Shoot that we were running to a more run oriented attack where we either establish the run or die trying.

The biggest difference in my mind though is that in the last several weeks we haven't given up any big returns on special teams or handed the opposition any defensive scores. Nothing turns a game around faster than giving up non-offensive TD's, and we were doing it to the tune of 2 per game. As much as anything else, the health of Britton Colquitt has done wonders.

FYI, as of now, South Carolina and Kentucky rank 10th and 12th in the SEC, respectively, in rushing defense.

 

[orange+white=heaven]

I think you are both teams: UT is perfectly capable of beating a solid SEC team, but also capable of throwing in a clunker or simply getting beat by a motivated opponent who plays well..

After Georgia, I thought this opinion spot on. After MSU, I've begun to see the seeds of our youth maturing some. If true, this bodes well for the chance of getting more consistent play. Still, I'm unconvinced at this time.

That's why I think at this stage of the season that if you are looking for the SECE champions you are more likely to find them in Lexington or Columbia than in Knoxville or Gainesville.

This may indeed be UKs moment in the sun. I'm not buying South Carolina though.

 

[Cartervol]

I think it's a little of both. I think you'd have to be the blindest of the blind homers not to acknowledge that the way we look on defense has a lot to do with the competition we are facing. That being said, the front seven is clearly better now than in the first 3 weeks when we got nothing from our d-line and our linebackers were constantly getting lost in coverage and caught up in the wash trying to defend the run.

Offensively there is an obvious shift in focus away from that pseudo-Run and Shoot that we were running to a more run oriented attack where we either establish the run or die trying.

The biggest difference in my mind though is that in the last several weeks we haven't given up any big returns on special teams or handed the opposition any defensive scores. Nothing turns a game around faster than giving up non-offensive TD's, and we were doing it to the tune of 2 per game. As much as anything else, the health of Britton Colquitt has done wonders.

You are dead on with this. On the road it is crucial that you don't give up those plays and you cant settle for field goals. It has a way of biting you in the rear.

 

[orange+white=heaven]

The biggest difference in my mind though is that in the last several weeks we haven't given up any big returns on special teams or handed the opposition any defensive scores. Nothing turns a game around faster than giving up non-offensive TD's, and we were doing it to the tune of 2 per game. As much as anything else, the health of Britton Colquitt has done wonders.

Great points, these. More ammo for thinking positively.

 

[lawgator1]

I have given the malaise some thought. It really keeps coming back to this. Nothing I can see this year, short of winning each remaining contest convincingly, and playing LSU very closely in the CCG, there is little that this team can do to make me think they will be any more prepared to played the Gators next year.

Next year? I am sure this is no surprise to you but right now I am totally buying into the hype surrounding the '08 Gators. Assuming that we stay major injury-free and that we don't suffer huge NFL defections (surely a possibility), there aren't going to be many teams that match up well with Florida next year.

As to this year, I see what the other pster is saying about Florida being in decent shape if it can beat Kentucky this weekend, leaving South Carolina as its main test. But I think Florida winning this weekend is no given and I am positive that Spurrier will leave nothing in the play book if its Florida v. South Carolina in November for the lead in the SECE.

 

[Cartervol]

FYI, as of now, South Carolina and Kentucky rank 10th and 12th in the SEC, respectively, in rushing defense.

Is that respective?

 

[jakez4ut]

GOOD THREAD FOLKS.

some very interesting points brought up......i think if we combined GAVol, OWH and Lex, we might have the most astute sports fan on Earth........

here's what i see, and i haven't seen the MSU game yet, have the replay on DVR and hope to watch it tonight, but i have seen all the other games and have read enough about the MSU game to know the gist of what happened.

Lex, i'm like you, i get the feeling that getting through the FL and Cal games was more like "whew, i'm glad we got those out of the way" like we knew there were other things we'd be rather doing, other things we'd be more comfortable with. I don't think we could beat Cal or FL right now either. would they be as embarrasing? probably not, but in the end, and L is an L.

OWH, i think you answered your own question last week. the thing that is missing is consistency. good or bad. just when we thought the roof had finally caved in, we rip GA and just wonder....."where did that come from?" and that's the problem....you really just don't know with this group, and we've been this way for a few years.......can you be consistent at being inconsistent? if so, i think we're it.

GAVol.....i agree with you, i think the D line has gotten a little better. I also think the type of offenses we've faced have better suited what they do. the secondary has benefited from not having any percy harvin's or desean jacksons et al to deal with, nor a tebow or longshore type qb. so the level of competion has come "back to our level" in some regards.

you are also correct not to overlook the special teams improvement. feild position, turnovers have been drastically better, and when you are playing teams like FL or Cal that have the kind of atheletes they have, you can't help them the way we did.

so what does that all mean for the outlook of the rest of the season? well, i don't know either. i do feel like we've got some momentum now, but that only lasts as long as your next game. Offensively, if we control the ball, protect the qb and continue to run like we have, we should be fine.

defensively, well, as stated, i don't see anyone left on the schedule like Cal or FL, so then it just depends on stopping the run getting off the feild.

still a long way to go though. and don't look now, but should we win this weekend, we will have another chance to defend Neyland against a top 10 team coached by steve spurrier. yikes.

we're in the meat of the schedule now folks.....it's likely to remain interesting the rest of the way, provided we keep winning that is.......

 

[Plano Vol]

My heart says the team's confidence is growing each week and the Vols will continue to improve....I personally think that Ark is the potential roadblock, not SC or the KY jelly boys.

My head say "What will be in the surprise package this week?".

What do you guys think of UT's player development? What do we do right? What do we do wrong? Is development a facet of our improvement?

Y'all are bang on on attrition and consistency. I was very concerned that MSU would cause an injury that would impact us down the road. Once again, we should beat bama (I think) but they may stab us from the grave by causing injuries (damn them for what they did to Tony Robinson).

You see the lack of consistency each week....EA goes sailing over the receivers, AR drops an easy six. Recently we've been able to rise above the miscues but can we continue? I know we can't be perfect but I yearn for the Andy Kelly days and the methodical, almost mechanical performance of the offense.

Good read guys, I like to see what this group thinks.

 

[lawgator1]

Consistency is an issue for just about everybody this year, it would seem. Just ask Michigan, Auburn, USC, and others how easy it is to have a litle bit of an off week and some significant underdog come along and take advantage of it.

 

[Cartervol]

My heart says the team's confidence is growing each week and the Vols will continue to improve....I personally think that Ark is the potential roadblock, not SC or the KY jelly boys.

My head say "What will be in the surprise package this week?".

What do you guys think of UT's player development? What do we do right? What do we do wrong? Is development a facet of our improvement?

Y'all are bang on on attrition and consistency. I was very concerned that MSU would cause an injury that would impact us down the road. Once again, we should beat bama (I think) but they may stab us from the grave by causing injuries (damn them for what they did to Tony Robinson).

You see the lack of consistency each week....EA goes sailing over the receivers, AR drops an easy six. Recently we've been able to rise above the miscues but can we continue? I know we can't be perfect but I yearn for the Andy Kelly days and the methodical, almost mechanical performance of the offense.

Good read guys, I like to see what this group thinks.

We are healthy. Hopefully we stay that way. Peyton would have been my choice for methodical. But andy kelly's a good choice too.

 

[Plano Vol]

I chose Kelly because some of the recent drives I've seen bring him to mind. A more balanced attack.

Of course, the long bomb at the MSU game brought PM to mind. I haven't seen too many of those of late and it was most excellent to have a reminder.

 

[orange+white=heaven]

OWH, i think you answered your own question last week. the thing that is missing is consistency. good or bad. just when we thought the roof had finally caved in, we rip GA and just wonder....."where did that come from?" and that's the problem....you really just don't know with this group, and we've been this way for a few years.......can you be consistent at being inconsistent? if so, i think we're it........

I think you'll enjoy watching the MSU game tonight.

I caught a glimmer of something I really liked in the D-Line in that game. Bolden, Williams, Ayers, Mitchell and company started to show me a little meanness. If they can build on that flash of really physical play, if that glimmer is not a mirage, then something resembling a consistently tough defense might yet be possible.

Problem is, as I said, I remain unconvinced.

Bama is a really good test that comes at a really good time I think...