The Orange Bowl MVP

[VFL-82-JP]

I know a lotta folks here think Joe Milton is the absolute right choice for game MVP. I know a lotta other folks would've given the recognition to Aaron Beasley instead.

They both had a helluva night. As did Squirrel White and half the defensive line.

In my mind, Joe and Aaron share the award. I'll remember yesterday's game that way: two MVPs in a win over the 2nd reigning ACC champ we've beaten this season.

But if you really have to put it down to one, in my mind it's Beasley. Why? Because our defense won that game last night.

Clemson averaged 35 points per game this season, until they ran into our defense. Against us, just 14 points. That ties for the lowest offensive output all year long (they were also held to 14 against Notre Dame).

That is a 21 point decrement from their average. Or, putting it another way, they only got 2 TDs vs our lads when normally they get average 5 against everyone else. Our defense rocked last night, even if Hadden still doesn't know how to turn his head and find the ball.

Anyway, it's both Milton and Beasley. We can have our cake and eat it too. Just, great job Tim Banks and the defense, you carried us!

Go Vols!

 

[ptgrbn]

I know a lotta folks here think Joe Milton is the absolute right choice for game MVP. I know a lotta other folks would've given the recognition to Aaron Beasley instead.

They both had a helluva night. As did Squirrel White and half the defensive line.

In my mind, Joe and Aaron share the award. I'll remember yesterday's game that way: two MVPs in a win over the 2nd reigning ACC champ we've beaten this season.

But if you really have to put it down to one, in my mind it's Beasley. Why? Because our defense won that game last night.

Clemson averaged 35 points per game this season, until they ran into our defense. Against us, just 14 points. That ties for the lowest offensive output all year long (they were also held to 14 against Notre Dame).

That is a 21 point decrement from their average. Or, putting it another way, they only got 2 TDs vs our lads when normally they get average 5 against everyone else. Our defense rocked last night, even if Hadden still doesn't know how to turn his head and find the ball.

Anyway, it's both Milton and Beasley. We can have our cake and eat it too. Just, great job Tim Banks and the defense, you carried us!

Go Vols!

Maybe they should have an offensive and defensive MVP. It’s just like the heisman….for the most part it’s a top QB award

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

My wife even said Beastly was the MVP. The only person that made it quicker into the backfield was Klubnik.

 

[txbo]

Beasley certainly would have been deserving.
A backup QB throwing for 251 yards and 3 TDs is also a good choice.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Beasley and Milton shouldve been co-MVP's.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

AB started the game off strong for our defense and stayed strong while Milton gradually got the offense figured out. The defense kept Clemson at bay the whole night and never really allowed their offense to get right.

How anyone looks @ that as anything other than a defensive win is beyond me. Which of course makes Beasley the obvious choice for MVP, as he clearly led the defense.

Overall a great win and I am glad they didn't get that garbage time score. GoVols.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

MVP awards suck in team sports.

I'll go with the defensive line though.

 

[CAVPUT]

I know a lotta folks here think Joe Milton is the absolute right choice for game MVP. I know a lotta other folks would've given the recognition to Aaron Beasley instead.

They both had a helluva night. As did Squirrel White and half the defensive line.

In my mind, Joe and Aaron share the award. I'll remember yesterday's game that way: two MVPs in a win over the 2nd reigning ACC champ we've beaten this season.

But if you really have to put it down to one, in my mind it's Beasley. Why? Because our defense won that game last night.

Clemson averaged 35 points per game this season, until they ran into our defense. Against us, just 14 points. That ties for the lowest offensive output all year long (they were also held to 14 against Notre Dame).

That is a 21 point decrement from their average. Or, putting it another way, they only got 2 TDs vs our lads when normally they get average 5 against everyone else. Our defense rocked last night, even if Hadden still doesn't know how to turn his head and find the ball.

Anyway, it's both Milton and Beasley. We can have our cake and eat it too. Just, great job Tim Banks and the defense, you carried us!

Go Vols!

I'm gonna go with the entire defense. 101 snaps by clemson and they didn't break.

 

[NorCalVol67]

The love the crowd showed Milton last night was awesome.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

JP, there is one other candidate. Clemson's kicker scored -9 points for Tennessee. As Swinney pointed out in the postgame interview, Clemson had six scoring opportunities in the first half and managed only three points. Our defense fought heroically to keep Clemson out of the end zone and, in fact, was on the field for a mindboggling 101 plays. However, if Potter had been his normal, reliable self, we go into halftime with, perhaps, no more than a 2-point lead.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

I'm gonna go with the entire defense. 101 snaps by clemson and they didn't break.

Yes. In terms of sustained, 60-minute defensive grit, their performance reminded me a bit, although not to the same degree of dominance, of the way we played defensively in the 1986 Sugar Bowl against Miami.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Yes. In terms of sustained, 60-minute defensive grit, their performance reminded me a bit, although not to the same degree of dominance, of the way we played defensively in the 1986 Sugar Bowl against Miami.

You guys with the memories are amazing.

Seriously.