State is not going to be an easy game

[bpalmer28]

He’s fast af. He like singlehandedly won them the ASU game. Our safeties simply cannot get beat over the top by him at all costs.

Going to be a lot of complaints in the game thread about soft coverage!

 

[CBraswell]

They don't have the horses we do. It'll look close for a half and we'll pull away. QB can sling it for exactly one read just like your name Sake OP. After that one read, he's going to hold it too long and Josephs will feast.

I agree

 

[EastTNVol6240]

SEC on the road is never easy. I’m excited to see how JA handles it though. Should be his first real loud road test. Hoping we can get over the hump of losing 1 we shouldn’t.

 

[GVF]

Not to change saddles in the middle of a good ride, but the Oklahoma I saw at home against a hungry Auburn didn't look quite so tough against a middling SEC team. I have more hope of UT taking that game now.

 

[GA VOL]

I like the timing of this game. On the road, in a loud environment (thanks to those cowbells). Gives our team, especially the offense, an experience before heading into more hostile road games this year (Bama and Florida). We can see how the team handles the noise, learn, make adjustments. GO VOLS!!!

 

[camp_steveo]

I think I read somewhere that State has a porous O line. That could be a key for the Vols.

 

[sjt18]

Similar in style

The problem there is that UT's O has considerably more talent. There are FCS programs that run a similar style but who do not compare in talent to any SEC team.

If I were an opposing coach who could... I'd try to tempo UT considering the defensive injuries. However, if it didn't work and you give UT the ball back quickly... you could see 6 TDs on the board by the end of the 1Q.


Another point to consider coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of Banks. UT has gotten games under control against ETSU and UAB early on. Then those teams have scored and had success late. Is that because UT's first team rotation got worn down or was UT trying different things and playing guys they need to develop? I don't know that answer completely but they have emptied the bench in those two games.

Syracuse IMO was more a case of Banks being hyper-predictable when protecting a lead. He gets too conservative.

More depth is about all that would have helped vs UGA. My hope is that what we've seen late in the two blow outs is UT trying to accelerate development to provide more depth.

 

[JMSqb11]

Watched some of their highlights and State looks like a solid team.

I think they have some holes in their roster, but the QB can sling it and they play with pace like us. Our Defense will really be challenged.

I do think we have a very good opportunity against their defense. If we can execute at a similar level as we did against UGA, then we should outpace them, but I cannot shake the feeling it is going to be a shootout if our D gives up chunk throws.

Coward.

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

They d

No road game in the SEC is easy. I don't think they're going to be able to slow down our offense though, barring catastrophic injury. It will probably be a shootout but we have the horses on offense to handle it.

They do not have the depth at most positions to keep up with us either

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

This is my annual “I’m worried about this one” game

 

[Rickyvol77]

Watched some of their highlights and State looks like a solid team.

I think they have some holes in their roster, but the QB can sling it and they play with pace like us. Our Defense will really be challenged.

I do think we have a very good opportunity against their defense. If we can execute at a similar level as we did against UGA, then we should outpace them, but I cannot shake the feeling it is going to be a shootout if our D gives up chunk throws.

A terrible northern Illinois team shut them down for 2.5 quarters. Just stop

 

[Mccage]

One thing to add: I think we have a huge opportunity to gash them on the ground. We need a "get right" game there as UGA stifled the run game.

125 yds is getting stifled?

 

[DaddyChad]

The hard is what makes it great.

TWSS!!

 

[Tin Man]

TWHS!!

FYP

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Is any game in the SEC "easy"?

 

[BradstarVols]

I feel like it's going to be a blowout. Tennessee is just too good offensively and the pass rush is going to eat.

 

[Tin Man]

No more than we contained their’s though.

GA gained 198 yards on 55 attempts. 3.6 yards per carry.

TN gained 125 yards on 34 attempts. 3.7 yards per carry.

Jawja debuted 8 or 9 new running plays against Tennessee. I will opine, solid performance seeing so many plays for the first time.

 

[CNCVol88]

Another point to consider coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of Banks. UT has gotten games under control against ETSU and UAB early on. Then those teams have scored and had success late. Is that because UT's first team rotation got worn down or was UT trying different things and playing guys they need to develop? I don't know that answer completely but they have emptied the bench in those two games.

First game of the year and we had it hand so go vanilla so we don't put a lot on film before we have to.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

Going to be a lot of complaints in the game thread about soft coverage!

As long as we win, don’t care.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

I feel like it's going to be a blowout. Tennessee is just too good offensively and the pass rush is going to eat.

It could be. When we have had good QB play under Heupel, there’s at least been one SEC road blowout. Missouri 2021 and LSU 2022 come to mind immediately.

 

[LittleVol]

Watched some of their highlights and State looks like a solid team.

I think they have some holes in their roster, but the QB can sling it and they play with pace like us. Our Defense will really be challenged.

I do think we have a very good opportunity against their defense. If we can execute at a similar level as we did against UGA, then we should outpace them, but I cannot shake the feeling it is going to be a shootout if our D gives up chunk throws.

Our defense- even with the missing pieces- isn’t as bad as what it’s being made out to be.

- they still create turnovers
- they get stops in the redzone

This isn’t 2012 sunseri…

However- MSU can absolutely beat Tennessee.
I don’t know how they got so skilled so quickly, but we better be ready.

 

[BradstarVols]

It could be. When we have had good QB play under Heupel, there’s at least been one SEC road blowout. Missouri 2021 and LSU 2022 come to mind immediately.

I'm hoping there are multiple this year

 

[Volador]

State is not going to be an easy game​

NO game for the Vols is going to be EASY. NONE. ZERO. NADA. You're tripping on some really good Coca Cola if you think we have an easy game remaining. If we only played offense, I would change my tune however, our defense is struggling and they are simply not going to improve by leaps and bounds. Just ain't gonna happen. Lots of nail biters in our future but, doesn't mean that the Vols will not be victorious but to be safe, stock up on Pepto Bismal.

 

[CNCVol88]

Our defense- even with the missing pieces- isn’t as bad as what it’s being made out to be.

- they still create turnovers
- they get stops in the redzone

This isn’t 2012 sunseri…

However- MSU can absolutely beat Tennessee.
I don’t know how they got so skilled so quickly, but we better be ready.

They didn't get skilled. They beat an Overrate AZST.

 

[CAVPUT]

Watched some of their highlights and State looks like a solid team.

I think they have some holes in their roster, but the QB can sling it and they play with pace like us. Our Defense will really be challenged.

I do think we have a very good opportunity against their defense. If we can execute at a similar level as we did against UGA, then we should outpace them, but I cannot shake the feeling it is going to be a shootout if our D gives up chunk throws.

Don't see an "easy" SEC game on the schedule. Likely the norm from here on our. The idea of going thru this meat grinder of a league unbeaten or even just a single loss will be a tough, tough ask. 3-4 losses will be considered a solid season by this old vol fan.