Date: Saturday, September 14th, 2019
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Network: SEC
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Tennessee remains at home for the final of it's opening
cupcake better than expected opponents. The Vols are 0-2 in a stunning unexpected twist that has Volnation reeling and confidence in Jeremy's Pruitt's abilities at a shocking all-time low... 2 weeks into season 2. Sigh. Somehow, we find ourselves searching for win number 1 when everyone expected to be tuning up for a showdown with Florida, which now appears to be another loss in the column before we even step foot on the bus, but let's focus on this week.
Keys to Victory:
1. Take Nothing For Granted: It happens. Every year, teams take certain things for granted... such as beating Georgia State... or being able to easily handle a mediocre team from Utah. Well... this is the Vols third chance to not take a victory for granted and to take their opponent and their own preparations seriously. If they have not put in the time to prepare for Chattanooga, it will be apparent very early in the day and it could be a miserable afternoon. But that could never happen... right? At least surely not twice in three weeks right? ... right??...
2. Improve the Passing Game: Whether you think JG can show the promise of last season or it's time to cut bait and roll with Maurer or Shrout, one thing is clear. Tennessee can not win games with the level of quarterback play they have been receiving from the position so far. There needs to be improvement, and it needs to happen yesterday... or last Saturday, if you give me that option. This should be an opportunity for JG to improve his confidence against a far lesser opponent and make the right calls. Whether they simplify the reads he has on any given play or eliminate half of the field, he needs something that is going to help him make quicker decisions. Ideally, we see three quarterbacks on Saturday and have a better idea of what we can expect from the back-ups should a change be needed or forced down the road. The Chattanooga pass defense is suspect so we should expect some fireworks with Calloway and Palmer finally getting some big plays while Jennings continues to dominate smaller players who can't match up with his physicality. Jacksonville State passed for 344 yards. Surely the Vols can match that... maybe :/
3. Defensive Continuity: The Tennessee defense played a very good game last Saturday vs. BYU till suddenly... they didn't. Unfortunately, football can be a game of inches, and a single missed assignment can erase the collective good work of an entire afternoon. After the 64 yard pass play to set up the game tying FG, the Vol defense wilted. Up until then, they played better but there is still a need to see a more cohesive unit across the board. The DL flashes but disappears and the LB play leaves much to be desire outside of Henry T. Getting Bituli back ASAP is important and the Vols still need to find the best combination in the defensive backfield with Nigel Warrior giving them nothing of note.
4. OL Road Grading: In the midst of our misery this season, there has been much improvement on the OL, but how much of that is due to playing against inferior players is unknown. The OL has one final week to impose their will and develop chemistry before heading down to Gainesville. Ideally, the coaches will settle in with their best 5 to begin the game and then rotate new players when (if) the game gets in hand. Play your best, then play the rest, but don't try to do too much of that at the same time.
Prediction: My predictions have been worth half a dog fart this season, so don't put much stock in it, but the optimist in me says this is the week the Vols put together a game that results in a victory. Week 1 was a fluke. Week 2 was mostly player execution issues. They were put in position to win but the QB missed too many plays, 4th down conversions failed and an inexcusable pass breakdown were the main issues. For the most part, the Vols look like they should when playing a team from Chattanooga and win a comfortable game in front of a smaller crowd in Neyland. Big game for Gray and Chandler. Big game from the QB position. Lots of yards, not a lot given.
TN 48
Chatt 10
