nicksjuzunk
Coming home soon.
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Tennessee heads west to somewhere in Missouri to face a high flying Mizzou offensive machine. The Vols finally broke a long losing streak, getting my Southern Miss in an effort where the defense stepped up with timely turnovers, and the offense did just enough to get by.
Missouri, on the other hand has a dynamic offense that is hard to stop. The truth is though, they have not been unstoppable, and some rather mild teams have both slowed down their offense and had enough points to win. Let's see what the matchup has for us this week.
Keys to Victory:
1. Magic Show: Bob Shoop notoriously promised a magic show last season. The only magic Vol fans saw in the 2nd half of the season was making the defense disappear. The Vols have been much better on the defensive side of the ball this year, though the offensive ineptitude somewhat masks that statistically.
The Vols still rank 3rd in the nation in pass defense, thanks in part to non-passing teams, but in part to actual good play on the back end. Facing a Mizzou offense that is 14th in that nation with 315 yards per game will be an interesting test. Oh yeah... Missouri averages 5 yards per carry, and the Vols are 122nd in the nation against the run.
In a 3 game stretch, South Carolina, Purdue and Auburn held Mizzou to an average of 10 PPG. Shoop needs to bring the magic show.
2. Run KFC: With reports of JG maybe being out for this game, Tennessee will rely heavily on the running game. Kelly, Fills-Aime, and Chandler will get plenty of carries, but the maligned Tennessee offensive line needs to do work against a talented and disruptive Missouri DL. If the Vols can't establish the run game, this one is over. Missouri is 88th in run defense, so there is potential here.
3. QB Episode IV... A New Hope: I know, he's technically 3rd string, but I'm counting Sherriron Jones ahead of him before he transferred out, as he likely would have been ahead of McBride. It's a Star Wars play on words... deal with it.
Will McBride has filled this fanbase with a new hope, after exploding onto the scene last week for 13 yards of passing and 7 yards on the ground. Yep... it's that kind of year on Rocky Top. Regardless, he will have a chance to exploit a soft passing defense (106th) and if the coaches are smart... which is debatable, they should implement the short passing game with some bubble screens slants, and TE work out in the flats. He's just not going to have the time to put a lot of air under it, but he will take a couple of shots.
Prediction: I think the Vols play this one closer than some Tennessee fans predict. Missouri is inconsistent, and it's hard to tell what you are going to get. I actually like what our defense can do here, but my concern is on the OL and with young McBride.
Missouri 24
Tennessee 17
Missouri, on the other hand has a dynamic offense that is hard to stop. The truth is though, they have not been unstoppable, and some rather mild teams have both slowed down their offense and had enough points to win. Let's see what the matchup has for us this week.
Keys to Victory:
1. Magic Show: Bob Shoop notoriously promised a magic show last season. The only magic Vol fans saw in the 2nd half of the season was making the defense disappear. The Vols have been much better on the defensive side of the ball this year, though the offensive ineptitude somewhat masks that statistically.
The Vols still rank 3rd in the nation in pass defense, thanks in part to non-passing teams, but in part to actual good play on the back end. Facing a Mizzou offense that is 14th in that nation with 315 yards per game will be an interesting test. Oh yeah... Missouri averages 5 yards per carry, and the Vols are 122nd in the nation against the run.
In a 3 game stretch, South Carolina, Purdue and Auburn held Mizzou to an average of 10 PPG. Shoop needs to bring the magic show.
2. Run KFC: With reports of JG maybe being out for this game, Tennessee will rely heavily on the running game. Kelly, Fills-Aime, and Chandler will get plenty of carries, but the maligned Tennessee offensive line needs to do work against a talented and disruptive Missouri DL. If the Vols can't establish the run game, this one is over. Missouri is 88th in run defense, so there is potential here.
3. QB Episode IV... A New Hope: I know, he's technically 3rd string, but I'm counting Sherriron Jones ahead of him before he transferred out, as he likely would have been ahead of McBride. It's a Star Wars play on words... deal with it.
Will McBride has filled this fanbase with a new hope, after exploding onto the scene last week for 13 yards of passing and 7 yards on the ground. Yep... it's that kind of year on Rocky Top. Regardless, he will have a chance to exploit a soft passing defense (106th) and if the coaches are smart... which is debatable, they should implement the short passing game with some bubble screens slants, and TE work out in the flats. He's just not going to have the time to put a lot of air under it, but he will take a couple of shots.
Prediction: I think the Vols play this one closer than some Tennessee fans predict. Missouri is inconsistent, and it's hard to tell what you are going to get. I actually like what our defense can do here, but my concern is on the OL and with young McBride.
Missouri 24
Tennessee 17