Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee: Game Preview, Prediction and Players to Watch | Bleacher Report
Tennessee Keys to Victory
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Chain game
At first glance, Tennessee's 4.3 yards per first-down play average against Appalachian State doesn't look so poor.
But factor in the 67-yard Joshua Dobbs touchdown pass to Josh Malone, and that skews it considerably. On the other 27 plays, the Vols averaged just 1.9 yards.
That won't get it done against the Hokies, and Dobbs knows it.
"First-down efficiency is going to be huge," Dobbs told VolQuest's
Paul Fortenberry and Rob Lewis. "We're playing a very aggressive defense. We're going to see all different kinds of pressures, man coverage on the outside. It's going to be about winning one-on-one matchups and identifying the defense we're given."
The Vols were about as vanilla as you can possibly be on first downs. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord called 10 passing plays out of the 28, and 14 of them were Jalen Hurd runs. Most were on zone plays between the tackles. Everybody in the stadium knew what was coming.
UT must be better on first down. If the Vols get behind the chains, VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster will dial up the pressure on Dobbs and make Saturday night difficult. The Vols have to mix it up better against the Hokies.
Jump ahead
When Cameron Sutton fumbled his first punt return and the Mountaineers turned it into a touchdown, it gave them belief.
The Vols can't give that to a team as good as the Hokies.
As was the case last week, UT is the more talented football team. But the Vols can't make the same mental errors that get them behind in the game. Fuente is a good coach, and Foster is one of the best coordinators in all of college football. If the Hokies get ahead and get momentum, they could get going.
The crowd will be predominantly orange, and if Tennessee gets off to a hot start, it could get loud and rocking. That's the best way to forget about App.
Prediction
Wade Payne/Associated Press
There are so many unknowns for both of these programs following the first week.
After the Vols were ranked so highly in the preseason and everybody speculated they'd be dynamic on offense, they sputtered against Appalachian State as the Mountaineers controlled the tempo by running the play clock down and capitalizing on turnovers.
While Fuente needs time to get his program established, he's got some nice offensive pieces, and there were spurts where the Hokies looked good. Still, it was a mixed bag against Liberty.
Both of these teams have a ton to prove, and Tech is known for rising to the occasion in national-spotlight games. That's why a talented Tennessee team can't overlook the Hokies. That didn't seem to be an issue with all UT's senior leadership entering the season, but it's in doubt after the opener.
If Evans can pose problems with his feet and the Hokies can get off to a hot start, this is going to be a battle. It would behoove UT to silence any doubts early, open up the offense and strike a balance.
Creating havoc on defense is something Shoop's group needs to do, too.
It was an ugly Thursday for the Vols, but having nine days to prepare for the Hokies should be a benefit for Jones and Co. Look for UT to bounce back and wind up 3-0 before playing Florida in two weeks.
But it still won't be easy.
Prediction: Vols 27, Virginia Tech 17
I agree with this 100%
Go Vols
