Things to think about Vol fans

#1

Vols033

Momma said knock you out
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#1
1. Our terrible offense controlled the ball for about 10 minutes in the 4th quarter. Ball control could be key.

2. Demps and Rainey, though impressive against smaller schools, have rarely had success against big time programs. Against Miami, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma they avaraged just over 3 yards per carry last year. They had good games against LSU who was awful on defense last year, and Florida St. who can't figure out how to stop their offense.

3. Florida's receivers are unproven, meaning they need a playmaker to emerge on their team for big games.

4. If Tebow does have to carry the load, will he stay healthy? Our defense has shown that they are more physical this year than years past. If someone happens to get a clean shot on him, watch out. Tebow may have to wire his jaw shut too. Remeber 2007 when Tebow had to carry his team and they lost 4 games because he was banged up for a portion of the year.

5. Our kick coverage has been phenomenal in the first 2 weeks. It will be tough for Florida to kill us on special teams as they do every year.

6. Florida had to replace 2 great tackles this season. In their offense, to get runs on the outside like they do their tackles pull and don't even block the end so they can get into the second level and pave the way. Young lineman will make mistakes. Could Demps and Rainey be set up to get rocked if one of them misses a block on Berry?

These are not my opinions, just facts based off of some research. I am not saying that we will beat Florida. Only a crazy person would do so based off what we saw aginst UCLA. I am just merely saying that Florida has a few weaknesses that noone is talking about because we are so enamored with their greatness. Don't throw in the towel yet. We have a really good defense capable of making some big plays. If our offense simply doesn't get us beat and controls the ball, and if Crompton can just so find it in his heart to remember that his teammates wear orange for about 6 passing attempts, who knows. That's why they play the games. GO VOLS
 
#2
#2
Note on #2: Demps was a TRUE FRESHMAN and Rainey was a RS FRESHMAN in 2008. Even so, they combined to go for 1257 yards and 11 TD's. Just based on watching them in the first two games, both look better this year than last.

Note on #3: WR's have looked good against weaker competition. The one thing we don't have to worry about with this unit: Blocking. This is the best group of perimeter blockers that Florida has ever had, and if UT might be in trouble if the corners are consistently locked up on the edge with David Nelson and Riley Cooper. Demps and Rainey could break some huge runs.

Note on 6: The offensive line has been dominant, and is playing considerably better than the Oline did last year at this point in the season. UF is bigger, and more talented on the line this year, and they have a number of experienced players starting. Carl Johnson (6'5, 342) moved from LG (where he played well last year out of position), to LT where he has gotten most of the snaps. Marcus Gilbert, (6'5 320) is the start at RT and has a lot of experience getting time in 26 games and collecting 3 starts prior to this year.

But the strength of the line is definitely the middle, where the Pouncey Twins have a combined 40 starts on the offensive line. James Wilson is really the new comer to the line this year. Wilson (6'5, 329) is a RS SO that played in 10 games last year, and was the #1 guard prospect coming out of HS and the #12 player overall in 2007.

Edit: The tackles aren't young. Carl Johnson is a RS JR and Marcus Gilbert is a RS JR as well.
 
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#3
#3
As Witch Doctor says "Vol defense gonna make organ donors out of gators offense!"
 
#4
#4
Demps and Rainey are legitimate. That's not really debatable. We're just going to have to do our best to contain them.
 
#5
#5
Reply to all notes, Crompton looked great against Western Kentucky. Whipping Troy and Charleston Southern will not impress me. All those yards last year were gained against some very bad defenses, and I just said their o-line is still unproven against actual competition. I'm not saying they are bad players at all, just prove it to me before I go annointing someone with praises that Percy Harvin had such a large hand in getting for your team.
 
#6
#6
Also on #2: Bryce Brown who is supposedly all world had 42 total yards of offense on 13 touches on Saturday. Sometimes, true freshmen just struggle against BCS competition.
Doesn't mean that Brown stinks, it just means he doesn't have the savy of a Montario Hardesty yet. Or the strength probably.
 
#7
#7
In 2008, the offensive line struggled against Miami and Hawaii. In 2009, the offensive line dominated Troy and CSU. CSU is a give me, but Troy is about as good as Miami and Hawaii last year. There is just a different feel to that unit because they were able to practice a lot more this year. Injuries were a huge problem in the off season on the Oline last year.
 
#8
#8
Also on #2: Bryce Brown who is supposedly all world had 42 total yards of offense on 13 touches on Saturday. Sometimes, true freshmen just struggle against BCS competition.
Doesn't mean that Brown stinks, it just means he doesn't have the savy of a Montario Hardesty yet. Or the strength probably.

To this I would say that no matter who you are, if your offensive line isn't blocking well for you, you're not going to have a good day as a tailback.

And about #1 - Ball Control is always key. The more we have the ball, the less chance they have of scoring. Thank God we have a good defense. I just expect them to get tired near the 3rd quarter. That is unless..... we keep the ball. Fewer 3rd downs is key.
 
#9
#9
I will not give due to a Troy team that got dominated by the Clawfense. I'll give you Bryce on that one, but we do have a senior tailback to lean on. Bryce is still more acclimated to busting some big ones against actual competion becasue he isn't 5'7 150 lbs.
 
#10
#10
In 2008, the offensive line struggled against Miami and Hawaii. In 2009, the offensive line dominated Troy and CSU. CSU is a give me, but Troy is about as good as Miami and Hawaii last year. There is just a different feel to that unit because they were able to practice a lot more this year. Injuries were a huge problem in the off season on the Oline last year.

Do You really believe that..or just trying to convince yourself? :eek:lol:
 
#11
#11
About Number 2.....UT is no longer a big time school. When teams like UCLA have success against Tennessee...I believe Demps and Rainey could very well have success against UT.

I would love to beat the Gators; however, our quarterback is terrible. Crompton is the worst QB in Tennessee history. Not being negative, but I was one of the thousands who witnessed it on Saturday against UCLA. If he struggles mentally against a mediocre team like UCLA at home in his own stadium.........I don't even want to think about what could happen Saturday.
 
#12
#12
Just FYI, Chris Rainey is 5'9, 180 and Jeff Demps is 5'8 185. Not big by any means, but certainly bigger than you think they are.

And just something else to think about.

Emmanuel Moody and Chris Rainey combined for 18 carries and 92 yards last year against Tennessee. Over 5 YPC.
 
#13
#13
It all comes down to one simple thing.
Turnovers.
The Vols cannot commit them. Not one or they are done.
This team is not yet ready to overcome turnovers against a team like Florida. That being said, I'm not sure this team can play a complete mistake free game.
 
#14
#14
Note on #2: Demps was a TRUE FRESHMAN and Rainey was a RS FRESHMAN in 2008. Even so, they combined to go for 1257 yards and 11 TD's. Just based on watching them in the first two games, both look better this year than last.

Note on #3: WR's have looked good against weaker competition. The one thing we don't have to worry about with this unit: Blocking. This is the best group of perimeter blockers that Florida has ever had, and if UT might be in trouble if the corners are consistently locked up on the edge with David Nelson and Riley Cooper. Demps and Rainey could break some huge runs.

Note on 6: The offensive line has been dominant, and is playing considerably better than the Oline did last year at this point in the season. UF is bigger, and more talented on the line this year, and they have a number of experienced players starting. Carl Johnson (6'5, 342) moved from LG (where he played well last year out of position), to LT where he has gotten most of the snaps. Marcus Gilbert, (6'5 320) is the start at RT and has a lot of experience getting time in 26 games and collecting 3 starts prior to this year.

But the strength of the line is definitely the middle, where the Pouncey Twins have a combined 40 starts on the offensive line. James Wilson is really the new comer to the line this year. Wilson (6'5, 329) is a RS SO that played in 10 games last year, and was the #1 guard prospect coming out of HS and the #12 player overall in 2007.

Edit: The tackles aren't young. Carl Johnson is a RS JR and Marcus Gilbert is a RS JR as well.

You all have played Charleston Southern, an FCS team and a terrible Troy team. Of course your line blocked well, ours did on our cakewalk. Our receivers were great in the first game too.
I know Florida is good and will win, but dont claim that your guys are so much better than last year based on playing two unbelieveable patsies.
 
#15
#15
Do You really believe that..or just trying to convince yourself? :eek:lol:

Come on. Hawaii was terrible last year. I easily think Troy 2009 is better than Hawaii 2008.

Miami, you could argue either way, but that offense for Miami was inept last year. Extremely inept.
 
#16
#16
About Number 2.....UT is no longer a big time school. When teams like UCLA have success against Tennessee...I believe Demps and Rainey could very well have success against UT.

I would love to beat the Gators; however, our quarterback is terrible. Crompton is the worst QB in Tennessee history. Not being negative, but I was one of the thousands who witnessed it on Saturday against UCLA. If he struggles mentally against a mediocre team like UCLA at home in his own stadium.........I don't even want to think about what could happen Saturday.

#3 in defense last year buddy. Our offense might stink, but our defense is outstanding. If Crompton throws it 25 times, we will lose. We just need to be creative in the running game to keep their defense honest. Keep the clock going, keep the passing attempts to a minimal, and keep them guessing with the running game and who knows. You don't need composure to hand the ball off.
 
#17
#17
Even against Hawaii's sad defensive front, the UF offensive line struggled last year. Missed assignments plagued the unit. It's clear that this unit is not having the same problems with consistency. They are doing what they are SUPPOSED to do against inferior competition: Annihilate them at the LOS.
 
#18
#18
#3 in defense last year buddy. Our offense might stink, but our defense is outstanding. If Crompton throws it 25 times, we will lose. We just need to be creative in the running game to keep their defense honest. Keep the clock going, keep the passing attempts to a minimal, and keep them guessing with the running game and who knows. You don't need composure to hand the ball off.

Considering that in 2007 and 2008, UT had crippling plays go against them just from a bad handoff, I have to disagree.
 
#21
#21
#3 in defense last year buddy. Our offense might stink, but our defense is outstanding. If Crompton throws it 25 times, we will lose. We just need to be creative in the running game to keep their defense honest. Keep the clock going, keep the passing attempts to a minimal, and keep them guessing with the running game and who knows. You don't need composure to hand the ball off.

That usually means running outside and quick dive plays. I agree that we will have to be inventive in our running game but that will not be enough. If it was simply a matter of trying to score enough points on a mediocre defense to counter a very potent offense it could work. Florida is a solid defense with plenty of team speed. I don't care how inventive we are with the running game we need competent QB play to beat them and I have no faith that Crompton will give us anything close.

Our defense cannot win us this game period!
 
#24
#24
Just FYI, Chris Rainey is 5'9, 180 and Jeff Demps is 5'8 185. Not big by any means, but certainly bigger than you think they are.

And just something else to think about.

Emmanuel Moody and Chris Rainey combined for 18 carries and 92 yards last year against Tennessee. Over 5 YPC.

What did Rainey do by himsel? 9 carries for 37 yards. About 4 yards per carry. Don't try to add others in to make yourself feel better about your mini backs. Also, Troy this year is way worse than Miami was last year. Like I said, no confidence in a team that gets handled by the Clawfense.
 
#25
#25
Also on #2: Bryce Brown who is supposedly all world had 42 total yards of offense on 13 touches on Saturday. Sometimes, true freshmen just struggle against BCS competition.
Doesn't mean that Brown stinks, it just means he doesn't have the savy of a Montario Hardesty yet. Or the strength probably.

In all fairness to our backfield, UCLA KNEW we were running and brought the heat on every play. 42 yards on 13 touches isn't so bad when you run against 8-9 guys in the box every play. As the QB play goes, so goes our offense...as much as we would love to, we can't run the ball on EVERY down.
 
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