g8terh8ter_eric
No Disassemble!
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Tennessee VS. California Game Preview
We all know what is coming September 1st, 2007, it’s the return of the Big Orange and University of Tennessee Football. I am excited about the upcoming season as I know most of you on Volnation are as well. I wanted to take some time to break down this pivotal first game as it brings a lot to mind about last year. We all were left with a horrible taste in our mouths from the Bowl Game with Penn State, and most of us have still not gotten over it. The Cal game can bring some retribution but not complete resolution to the problems that we encountered at the end of the year. One of those problems was LaMarcus Coker getting suspended during practice week of the Bowl Game. We really weren't told what it was, but I am pretty sure that it was due to the fact that he violated the drug policy before the game. Now, Coker has been suspended indefinitely for his third offence with UT’s just recently revamped drug policy. Montario Hardesty has not been 100% or even 90% healthy since stepping foot on UT’s campus. He tore his ACL in the game with Ole Miss two years ago and even going into last season was not completely healed and still ached from the injury. Our Defense line was not up to standards last year and was sub par in stopping the run. Our secondary was a only a shimmer compared to years past. Well I guess you could say that last year’s record was accomplished by a scrappy team that dealt with a lot of problems on and off the field.
NOW, we have just landed one of our most talented classes in recruiting since maybe even into the Peyton Manning class. We acquired more athletes and speed burners than possibly since before Fulmer took over the program at UT. Eric Berry, who was one of the key pieces in this year’s class, apparently has caught the eye of everyone on campus and most of all the coaches’. I don’t think they have been this excited about someone who has stepped on campus, since Peyton himself graced the green grass of Neyland Stadium. Most of you are interested most in seeing our wide receiver core go to work this fall. It will be interesting to see how this battle unfolds for the starting rotation, but as of now Austin Rogers, Lucas Taylor, and Josh Briscoe have pretty much assured themselves a spot unless something unforeseen happens.
The first game with Cal will be a great game as it was last year with Tennessee winning 35-18. I hope that we can do what we did last year to them on their home turf, but I think it will be a better game than last year and will probably come down to the wire and have everyone praying on their porch steps (CBC knows what I am talking about).
Quarterback Comparison
UT
Erik Ainge is the unprecedented leader of this offensive team. It will be up to him to establish a tempo with reading Cal’s defense and keeping them unbalanced.
Cal
Nate Longshore, last year had a horrible game against a defense that I think Cal themselves under estimated, but this year he will be more ready. He had a great season after UT handed him a lopsided loss and stunned his team.
Advantage
Tennessee. Even though we goto Cal, you still can’t go against a senior QB who has played well on the big stage. Longshore has plenty of potential, but until he gets more experience under his belt he won’t prepared as much mentally as Ainge is to date.
Running Back comparison
UT
Well we all know about the situation here. Foster is healthy, but is somewhat prone to fumbling. Hardesty is now healthy, but can he stay that way. Coker is suspended and probably won’t be back in time for the Cal game. Lennon Creer is a great back but lacks the experience to carry a Division 1 SEC school on his back from day 1. Its very promising, yet very unnerving from a fan’s standpoint because of these very issues. So who will step up this year?? Who will carry the majority of the load?? Will the offensive line open up more holes this year??
Cal
Justin Forsett is a great back. He played behind one the best backs in the country in Marshawn Lynch and got a good education from Lynch in how to carry a team. He returns as the nation’s top YPC leader at 6.39 yards. So with that being said, he should have a good year.
Advantage
Cal. Until someone steps up and becomes our down for down back, then Cal has the advantage here.
Wide Receiver comparison
UT
Well we all know just how worried everyone is about this group of guys. Well let me assure some of you that we will be fine in this aspect. We have more speed than Florida does and possibly more play makers in this department. Let me assure you of this as well. Even though Gerald Jones, Kenny Oneal, and Brent Vinson are not talked about being starters right now, at least 1 of them will be our top receiver. I am not knocking Rogers or any of the other guys at all, but the other guys have too much playmaking ability to not contribute in a big way. Also watch for Denarius Moore to become something special if he keeps up what he is doing in camp as of right now.
Cal
DeSean Jackson is one of the biggest names in college football and has even been featured on the cover of ESPN the Magazine recently. Levelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan aren't too bad either with both of them combining for over 1200 yards and 90 receptions. These guys are shorter but they play taller.
Advantage
UT. I know we have no one proven as of this point in time, but its just a feeling here that because of Ainge's maturity it will rub off on our new guys and we will have a couple of Meachem-like plays from our guys.
Offensive Line comparison
UT
Our offensive line play when running the ball last year was subpar and even in some passing situations we were suspect on even the most simple blitzes. Well, the only known firm starters on the O-line is Ramon Foster at right tackle and Chris Scott at right guard. Most of the other positions will not be determined until the end of next week or possibly the start of the Cal game week. McClendon and Richard are having good camps but each are having consistency issues like they have had in the past.
Cal
Too be completely honest, I know little about Cal's O-Line. The one thing I do know is, you don't have 2 backs combine for almost 2,000 net yards and a QB that threw for over 3,000 yards if you are just a decent O-Line.
Advantage
Cal. I didn't want to give them the advantage here, but until UT regains their toughness on the line, we will still have problems running the ball.
Overall Offensive Advantage
Cal. I know some of you will be unhappy to read this, but our unproven running game and offensive line play just doesn't bode well for us at this point. Cal has a proven back in Forsett, and that right there could be the difference. We will also have a RB by committee during the game and I don't think that this will be to our advantage other than fresh legs. This is more of a paper advantage as well, because I can't just go with my gut feeling and make it a fair comparison. We have more playmakers I believe, they just haven't made plays on the big stage like the Jackson's and Forsett's of Cal have to this point.
I will post my defensive preview in the next couple of days. Have a great weekend guys and gals...:hi:.
