nicksjuzunk
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Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, TN
Network: ESPN
Tennessee completes a tumultuous football season that landed the right side up in Jacksonville on January 2nd vs the Indiana Hoosiers. This season did not begin the way any of us envisioned, but the Vols managed to peak at the right time, stay focused and were just enough better than their last 5 opponents to earn a well deserved trip to Florida for Bowl season. In fact, Tennessee has the second longest winning streak in the SEC behind LSU, but who's counting? Indiana, on the other hand, hasn't won a bowl game in 28 years. Georgia hasn't won a NC since 81', but I'm getting off track.
Indiana has 8 wins, but not a single win vs. a Bowl team. There best win is probably over a 5-7 Nebraska team which disappointed weekly. Tennessee didn't necessarily slay giants this year, but there were times this year that Mizzou was a good team. Kentucky had their moments and Mississippi State and South Carolina did as well. Basically, Tennessee has more quality wins over an infinitely more difficult schedule. Let's see how they stack up.
Keys to Victory:
1. Peyton... who?: Indiana offense goes through Peyton. Fortunately, though this Peyton was named after our Peyton, he's not necessarily the same player (whew!) Peyton Ramsey has filled in for former Tennessee commitment Michael Penix and has kept their offense humming to the tune of a 70% completion percentage and the 12th ranked passing offense nationally. He will be facing a strong Tennessee defense however that has is ranked 19th nationally in pass defense. Ramsey is a pretty good QB but look for the Tennessee defense to be up to the task. The Vols DB's will be looking to shut down WR Whop Philyor, who has an all-conference name. Philyor has a Whopping 1,001 receiving this year so he will be a handful.
2. Can They Run?: How much Indiana will be able to generate on the ground is a question. Stevie Scott missed the final game but is expected to play and Sampson James is working through an ankle injury. If Indiana is forced to be one dimensional in the passing game, it will play in the Vols favor.
3. Release the Hound: Jauan Jennings will be caged during the first half due to his suspension from the SEC... sitting there... simmering like a pot of chili with beef ribs and Guinness Stout bubbling up... yeah, so he's going to be ready to go in the second half and ready to finish his career on a high note. He needs 58 yards to top 1,000 on the season which he should be able to achieve if JG is playing at his best. Callaway needs 384 yards to top 1,000 so while we are shooting for stats, we might as well get his as well.
4. Sustained Drives: The offense needs to generate long sustained drives to keep the defense fresh. Indiana is 5th nationally in time of possession and if the Vols have frequent 3 and outs the defense may find themselves not only on the wrong side of the scoreboard but worn out on top of it, and those are two things you don't want in your sundae. Look for Chaney to call a balanced game and try to establish the running game to control the clock. The physicality of the Vols OL should play a huge part in Tennessee putting up huge points.
Prediciton: You should have two motivated teams showing up which means this will be a competitive game. Most analysts have this one as a tight, high scoring affair. I could see that. I could also see the Vols running away with this one, but I don't see Tennessee losing it in the end.
TN 42
IN 24
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, TN
Network: ESPN
Tennessee completes a tumultuous football season that landed the right side up in Jacksonville on January 2nd vs the Indiana Hoosiers. This season did not begin the way any of us envisioned, but the Vols managed to peak at the right time, stay focused and were just enough better than their last 5 opponents to earn a well deserved trip to Florida for Bowl season. In fact, Tennessee has the second longest winning streak in the SEC behind LSU, but who's counting? Indiana, on the other hand, hasn't won a bowl game in 28 years. Georgia hasn't won a NC since 81', but I'm getting off track.
Indiana has 8 wins, but not a single win vs. a Bowl team. There best win is probably over a 5-7 Nebraska team which disappointed weekly. Tennessee didn't necessarily slay giants this year, but there were times this year that Mizzou was a good team. Kentucky had their moments and Mississippi State and South Carolina did as well. Basically, Tennessee has more quality wins over an infinitely more difficult schedule. Let's see how they stack up.
Keys to Victory:
1. Peyton... who?: Indiana offense goes through Peyton. Fortunately, though this Peyton was named after our Peyton, he's not necessarily the same player (whew!) Peyton Ramsey has filled in for former Tennessee commitment Michael Penix and has kept their offense humming to the tune of a 70% completion percentage and the 12th ranked passing offense nationally. He will be facing a strong Tennessee defense however that has is ranked 19th nationally in pass defense. Ramsey is a pretty good QB but look for the Tennessee defense to be up to the task. The Vols DB's will be looking to shut down WR Whop Philyor, who has an all-conference name. Philyor has a Whopping 1,001 receiving this year so he will be a handful.
2. Can They Run?: How much Indiana will be able to generate on the ground is a question. Stevie Scott missed the final game but is expected to play and Sampson James is working through an ankle injury. If Indiana is forced to be one dimensional in the passing game, it will play in the Vols favor.
3. Release the Hound: Jauan Jennings will be caged during the first half due to his suspension from the SEC... sitting there... simmering like a pot of chili with beef ribs and Guinness Stout bubbling up... yeah, so he's going to be ready to go in the second half and ready to finish his career on a high note. He needs 58 yards to top 1,000 on the season which he should be able to achieve if JG is playing at his best. Callaway needs 384 yards to top 1,000 so while we are shooting for stats, we might as well get his as well.
4. Sustained Drives: The offense needs to generate long sustained drives to keep the defense fresh. Indiana is 5th nationally in time of possession and if the Vols have frequent 3 and outs the defense may find themselves not only on the wrong side of the scoreboard but worn out on top of it, and those are two things you don't want in your sundae. Look for Chaney to call a balanced game and try to establish the running game to control the clock. The physicality of the Vols OL should play a huge part in Tennessee putting up huge points.
Prediciton: You should have two motivated teams showing up which means this will be a competitive game. Most analysts have this one as a tight, high scoring affair. I could see that. I could also see the Vols running away with this one, but I don't see Tennessee losing it in the end.
TN 42
IN 24
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