g8terh8ter_eric
No Disassemble!
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Tennessee VS. California Game Preview
Our Defense last year we all know was lack luster, but we all know it probably played its best against Cal last year. We have some fresh faces on the defensive side of the ball and that includes freshman and JUCO transfers. This year, we can't sneak up on Cal instead we have to show up and prove last year wasn't a fluke, especially on Defense.
Defensive Line Comparison
UT
Our defensive line last year was anything but spectacular. We had problems from the Air Force game on to the end of the year. We had one key loss early in the year with Justin Harrell going down with a partially torn biceps tendon during the Air Force game. After that, our run defense was basically non-existent for the rest of the year and our team gave up the most rushing yards last season than it had in a long time. This year though has the ability to be quite different. The return of form with J.T. Mapu will have alot to do with it. J.T. was never the same after he came back from his missionary trip, but with a lot of hard work this off-season has him in possibly the best shape of his life. Demonte Bolden and Walter Fisher have also stepped up along with Dan Williams, Chase Nelson, and freshman Donald Langley. This group has a lot of talent and determination and have set a goal of having 40 sacks this season with the rest of the team included and that's just 10 below the record 50 sacks they had in 2000.
Cal
With Brandon Mebane gone to the NFL, who will step up for Cal as their main disruptor?? In my attempt to dissect their returners stats from last year on the defensive line, I have found that Cal return a D-line that has ZERO sacks from what I can see. This definitely doesn't bode well for them to start out the year against our O-Line as a first game.
Advantage
Defensive Line Comparison
UT
Our defensive line last year was anything but spectacular. We had problems from the Air Force game on to the end of the year. We had one key loss early in the year with Justin Harrell going down with a partially torn biceps tendon during the Air Force game. After that, our run defense was basically non-existent for the rest of the year and our team gave up the most rushing yards last season than it had in a long time. This year though has the ability to be quite different. The return of form with J.T. Mapu will have alot to do with it. J.T. was never the same after he came back from his missionary trip, but with a lot of hard work this off-season has him in possibly the best shape of his life. Demonte Bolden and Walter Fisher have also stepped up along with Dan Williams, Chase Nelson, and freshman Donald Langley. This group has a lot of talent and determination and have set a goal of having 40 sacks this season with the rest of the team included and that's just 10 below the record 50 sacks they had in 2000.
Cal
With Brandon Mebane gone to the NFL, who will step up for Cal as their main disruptor?? In my attempt to dissect their returners stats from last year on the defensive line, I have found that Cal return a D-line that has ZERO sacks from what I can see. This definitely doesn't bode well for them to start out the year against our O-Line as a first game.
Advantage
UT. Maybe Cal will be alright as far as their D-Line goes, but going up against an SEC O-Line in UT's is gonna prove to be a bigger battle than I think they are up for.
Linebacker Comparison
UT
I got two words for you here, Rico McCoy. We all know that coming into this season he is extremely hyped and is going to deliver in this Vol fan's opinion. Look for this group to deliver as a whole as well. Mayo and White are fast and able as well and with Mayo returning as UT's third leading tackler and leader in sacks from last year, look for this group to really be fast sideline to sideline all year. On a side note, Ryan Karl still hasn't participated in either scrimmage and continues to be held in limited workouts. Overall, we have a special group of kids here and haven't had this type of speed available since Kevin Burnett and Kevin Simon were both healthy at the same time.
Cal
Cal also returns its leading sack artist in Zack Follett. Follett is a linebacker that can play both outside and middle linebacker very well. He also returns as the teams leading tackler for losses. Everyone in this group is solid and I think will be better than USC's core at the end of the year, for the Pac-10.
Advantage
UT. Speed kills and we have a ton of it at our disposal. It is a very close comparison here between the two groups, but I think its clear that UT has something to prove here from last year's defensive lapse. We will be led by an amazing group of talented players and if they stay healthy may see two of our LB's All-SEC and maybe one All-American.
Secondary Comparison
UT
I was worried more about our secondary last year than anything else last year and it showed. They were inconsistent all year long, and couldn't defend the deep ball for anything, and losing a wonderful player and person in Inky Johnson did make the year any easier for this group of guys. Even though last year was a disappointment I think this year will be different. We have a freshman in Eric Berry that is challenging everyone to step up, including Hefney. Apparently, we have had the best battle in starting jobs from this group in recent memory. It also appears that Jarod Parrish will hold on to the starting strong safety position as McKenzie transitions into the fast style of play that is the SEC. Marsalous Johnson and Antonio Gaines also to appear to have starting rotation positions locked up as well, but nothing is in stone as well all know. This is an explosive group and I honestly don't think we will miss Morley all that much if any. EB is going to start from day one, whether it be left or right side as a corner.
Cal
Syd'Quan Thompson and Thomas DeCloud are the two best returning secondary members for Cal. The thing is they only have 1 INT between the two and around 100 tackles for the two combined from last year. They are also young which isn't something you want have when replacing a guy like a Daymeion Hughes or a Brandon Hampton. This group has potential but will it be a factor against a senior SEC QB??
Advantage
UT. This is a no brainer here. When you return a 2nd team ALL-SEC and Lott Trophy watchlist player like a Jonathan Hefney to lead a group of guys, then you are in good hands. Cal just has too many question marks for their secondary coming into this game, and I think that Ainge and our receivers will eat them up as long as we don't get the drops.
Look for my special teams review coming up in the next couple of days. Hope everyone has a great Monday...:hi:.
Linebacker Comparison
UT
I got two words for you here, Rico McCoy. We all know that coming into this season he is extremely hyped and is going to deliver in this Vol fan's opinion. Look for this group to deliver as a whole as well. Mayo and White are fast and able as well and with Mayo returning as UT's third leading tackler and leader in sacks from last year, look for this group to really be fast sideline to sideline all year. On a side note, Ryan Karl still hasn't participated in either scrimmage and continues to be held in limited workouts. Overall, we have a special group of kids here and haven't had this type of speed available since Kevin Burnett and Kevin Simon were both healthy at the same time.
Cal
Cal also returns its leading sack artist in Zack Follett. Follett is a linebacker that can play both outside and middle linebacker very well. He also returns as the teams leading tackler for losses. Everyone in this group is solid and I think will be better than USC's core at the end of the year, for the Pac-10.
Advantage
UT. Speed kills and we have a ton of it at our disposal. It is a very close comparison here between the two groups, but I think its clear that UT has something to prove here from last year's defensive lapse. We will be led by an amazing group of talented players and if they stay healthy may see two of our LB's All-SEC and maybe one All-American.
Secondary Comparison
UT
I was worried more about our secondary last year than anything else last year and it showed. They were inconsistent all year long, and couldn't defend the deep ball for anything, and losing a wonderful player and person in Inky Johnson did make the year any easier for this group of guys. Even though last year was a disappointment I think this year will be different. We have a freshman in Eric Berry that is challenging everyone to step up, including Hefney. Apparently, we have had the best battle in starting jobs from this group in recent memory. It also appears that Jarod Parrish will hold on to the starting strong safety position as McKenzie transitions into the fast style of play that is the SEC. Marsalous Johnson and Antonio Gaines also to appear to have starting rotation positions locked up as well, but nothing is in stone as well all know. This is an explosive group and I honestly don't think we will miss Morley all that much if any. EB is going to start from day one, whether it be left or right side as a corner.
Cal
Syd'Quan Thompson and Thomas DeCloud are the two best returning secondary members for Cal. The thing is they only have 1 INT between the two and around 100 tackles for the two combined from last year. They are also young which isn't something you want have when replacing a guy like a Daymeion Hughes or a Brandon Hampton. This group has potential but will it be a factor against a senior SEC QB??
Advantage
UT. This is a no brainer here. When you return a 2nd team ALL-SEC and Lott Trophy watchlist player like a Jonathan Hefney to lead a group of guys, then you are in good hands. Cal just has too many question marks for their secondary coming into this game, and I think that Ainge and our receivers will eat them up as long as we don't get the drops.
Look for my special teams review coming up in the next couple of days. Hope everyone has a great Monday...:hi:.
