nicksjuzunk
Coming home soon.
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Date: Saturday, November 24th
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium West, Nashville, TN
Network: SEC
Well... Tennessee's game against Missouri did not go quite as we hoped for, with the Tigers absolutely dominating the Vols in every stage of the game except for interceptions thrown. It's a sour way to end things in Knoxville, but this week, the team travels to Neyland West, which we allow Vanderbilt to use for their home games. Vanderbilt should be thrilled to play the Vols. Let's be honest... it's the closest thing to a filled stadium they get to experience in Nashville, even if it is going to be a 60% Orange crowd. It's do or die time for both teams. Win, and you go bowling. Lose, and you go home... though Vanderbilt could get to a bowl at 5 wins due to their APR. For Tennessee however, the perception of this season rides on this game. Don't get me wrong, Tennessee should never define itself by wins against Vanderbilt, but things are not right in Big Orange Country, and for this season, this is a mark we need hit.
Keys to Victory:
1. 3rd down for wha... umm... first down conversions: Vanderbilt is a stale 121st in the nation in 3rd down defense... giving up the conversion on a fresh 45% of attempts. This should be a welcome change of scenery for the Vols who were a dismal 2 for 10 against Mizzou, and couldn't put together anything consistent on offense. Missouri, by the way is 24th in the nation. Tyson Helton needs to be good enough on first and second down to have a full playbook on 3rd down instead of only the old "heave it up to Callaway" play... which admittedly has been a joy to watch this year, or "throw it 1 1/2 yards short of the sticks for a 4th and 1". Key Point: 3rd down conversions.
2. Outrun the 'Dores: Vanderbilt is not strong vs. the run, ranking 96th and 195 yards per game. When they give up over 200 yards rushing, they are 1-6. When opponents are less than 200, they are 4-0. Tennessee wants to be on the +200 side of that equation. Vandy is 5-1 when coming up with 175 yards or more on the ground, and the Vol defensive front has allowed 200 rushing yards or more in five of the last eight games. When Tennessee allows over 200 yards rushing, they are 0-5. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a load to handle too. A bigger back, at 210, he's not quite hit Benny Snell like numbers, but he's been much more efficient with each touch. He averages a whopping 7.3 yards per carry and has big play potential, having rushes of at least 43 yards in 5 of the last 6 games. Unlike Snell, who has declined with the age of the season, Vaughn has only gotten stronger, with half of his rushing yards (481) coming in the last 3 weeks. Key Point: Rush for over 200. Don't let them rush for over 175.
3. Get Well Soon: JG and Callaway... we need ya. It would be nice to see Flowers return this week too.
4. For the love of all that is good and pure and orange... defend the pass: Kyle Shurmur is an annoying collection of human parts. I know nothing of his character, but I know that he has career days against Tennessee. In 2016, the infamous Dobbs 31-34 but still lost game, he threw for 416 yards. In 2017, he threw for 283 yards. Unfortunately, he's playing some of his best football... outside of a bizarre 326 yard outburst vs. Notre Dame earlier this year. Over the past 4 games, 9 TD, 1 INT and a completion % of 67%. This has coincided with the recent improvement in the Vandy running game, so to make it simple... Vanderbilt has recently improved all phases of their offense... joy.
Prediction: Ultimately, it comes down to defense. For a team that has just given up 50 points, you are probably ready to check out of this post, but hold on... In spite of Vanderbilt's recent offensive improvement, they're still not that great on defense. In spite of the 50 point melt down against the offensive genius that resides in the mind of Derek Dooley, Tennessee is still not that bad on defense. Tennessee is 43rd nationally, and Vanderbilt 98th. Vanderbilt is currently producing the more potent offense, but overall, I like the edge Tennessee can bring on defense with more of a traditional offense. When Tennessee has been blow apart, it has been the talent disparity of Bama and the uptempo offenses of WV, USCe, and Mizzou. That's not the Vandy game, and I think our dudes can stand toe-to-toe with their dudes, though Vaughn is going to be a big problem. Try to take away Vaughn, and force Shurmur to dink and dunk. Take advantage of forced passes to make turnovers happen, and the Vols have a game that is thoroughly within their grasp. Show up disinterested, and you can find your own way back to your hometown from Nashville.
TN 24
Vandy 20
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium West, Nashville, TN
Network: SEC
Well... Tennessee's game against Missouri did not go quite as we hoped for, with the Tigers absolutely dominating the Vols in every stage of the game except for interceptions thrown. It's a sour way to end things in Knoxville, but this week, the team travels to Neyland West, which we allow Vanderbilt to use for their home games. Vanderbilt should be thrilled to play the Vols. Let's be honest... it's the closest thing to a filled stadium they get to experience in Nashville, even if it is going to be a 60% Orange crowd. It's do or die time for both teams. Win, and you go bowling. Lose, and you go home... though Vanderbilt could get to a bowl at 5 wins due to their APR. For Tennessee however, the perception of this season rides on this game. Don't get me wrong, Tennessee should never define itself by wins against Vanderbilt, but things are not right in Big Orange Country, and for this season, this is a mark we need hit.
Keys to Victory:
1. 3rd down for wha... umm... first down conversions: Vanderbilt is a stale 121st in the nation in 3rd down defense... giving up the conversion on a fresh 45% of attempts. This should be a welcome change of scenery for the Vols who were a dismal 2 for 10 against Mizzou, and couldn't put together anything consistent on offense. Missouri, by the way is 24th in the nation. Tyson Helton needs to be good enough on first and second down to have a full playbook on 3rd down instead of only the old "heave it up to Callaway" play... which admittedly has been a joy to watch this year, or "throw it 1 1/2 yards short of the sticks for a 4th and 1". Key Point: 3rd down conversions.
2. Outrun the 'Dores: Vanderbilt is not strong vs. the run, ranking 96th and 195 yards per game. When they give up over 200 yards rushing, they are 1-6. When opponents are less than 200, they are 4-0. Tennessee wants to be on the +200 side of that equation. Vandy is 5-1 when coming up with 175 yards or more on the ground, and the Vol defensive front has allowed 200 rushing yards or more in five of the last eight games. When Tennessee allows over 200 yards rushing, they are 0-5. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a load to handle too. A bigger back, at 210, he's not quite hit Benny Snell like numbers, but he's been much more efficient with each touch. He averages a whopping 7.3 yards per carry and has big play potential, having rushes of at least 43 yards in 5 of the last 6 games. Unlike Snell, who has declined with the age of the season, Vaughn has only gotten stronger, with half of his rushing yards (481) coming in the last 3 weeks. Key Point: Rush for over 200. Don't let them rush for over 175.
3. Get Well Soon: JG and Callaway... we need ya. It would be nice to see Flowers return this week too.
4. For the love of all that is good and pure and orange... defend the pass: Kyle Shurmur is an annoying collection of human parts. I know nothing of his character, but I know that he has career days against Tennessee. In 2016, the infamous Dobbs 31-34 but still lost game, he threw for 416 yards. In 2017, he threw for 283 yards. Unfortunately, he's playing some of his best football... outside of a bizarre 326 yard outburst vs. Notre Dame earlier this year. Over the past 4 games, 9 TD, 1 INT and a completion % of 67%. This has coincided with the recent improvement in the Vandy running game, so to make it simple... Vanderbilt has recently improved all phases of their offense... joy.
Prediction: Ultimately, it comes down to defense. For a team that has just given up 50 points, you are probably ready to check out of this post, but hold on... In spite of Vanderbilt's recent offensive improvement, they're still not that great on defense. In spite of the 50 point melt down against the offensive genius that resides in the mind of Derek Dooley, Tennessee is still not that bad on defense. Tennessee is 43rd nationally, and Vanderbilt 98th. Vanderbilt is currently producing the more potent offense, but overall, I like the edge Tennessee can bring on defense with more of a traditional offense. When Tennessee has been blow apart, it has been the talent disparity of Bama and the uptempo offenses of WV, USCe, and Mizzou. That's not the Vandy game, and I think our dudes can stand toe-to-toe with their dudes, though Vaughn is going to be a big problem. Try to take away Vaughn, and force Shurmur to dink and dunk. Take advantage of forced passes to make turnovers happen, and the Vols have a game that is thoroughly within their grasp. Show up disinterested, and you can find your own way back to your hometown from Nashville.
TN 24
Vandy 20
