Two Keys to Beating WVA

#126
#126
Hard for me to be optimistic for this one. Grier is that good. His stats last year before getting hurt were insane. Only shot IMO is to play ball control and move the chains, bend but dont break on D. Win it at the end.
 
#127
#127
I think the pass rush, along with great man to man coverage, is going to be key in this one. This QB "game manager" stuff for WV, not so much. This is the Big 12 and they have their best players on offense along with some of the best offensive schemes in power 5 football. With Grier and company, they will score some points.

Oklahoma HC came out recently and told the football world that if Georgia was in their conference they wouldn't have a top 5 defense. This is absolutely correct. What people saw in the Rose Bowl semi would end up being a lot more of the same throughout the season.

Tennessee is going to need to play the turnover, field position game as well. But they certainly need to keep attacking the soft underbelly of a Big 12 defense. As Georgia also demonstrated, that shouldn't be that hard to find.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneVolNation, VolsnRavens, greenbacknative and 1 other person
#128
#128
bigorangecrush89 said:
Hard for me to be optimistic for this one. Grier is that good. His stats last year before getting hurt were insane. Only shot IMO is to play ball control and move the chains, bend but dont break on D. Win it at the end.
Click to expand...
The Vols will definately beat the overranked and overrated WV Mountaineers. If West Virginia were in the SEC they would be on the level of Arkansas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneVolNation
#129
#129
We will win if we are more physical on both lines of scrimmage and can tackle in the open field on defense. By no means am i saying I expect a Bama front 7, but we are playing a team which I believe isn't use to a smack you in the mouth over and over type of opponent. They'll definitely move the ball and score I just hope by the end of the 3rd they don't want us to hit them anymore. Gbo aight
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sowbug2000, Orangeredblooded and Pruitt Will Do It
#131
#131
I found this breakdown of the WVU offense with Grier under Holgorsen before the OSU game last year interesting...

1. Deep Dive into the West Virginia Offense

...and much more interesting after the game was played due to the result.

OSU handled WVU to put it lightly.

Another article about a different game with the same outcome in the won/loss column was Holgorsen at WVU vs. LSU but it was in 2011 before Grier was there. It may also be worth a glance even though he has modified his offense since then.

2. Football Strategy 101: Louisiana State vs. West Virginia
 
  • Like
Reactions: Volatility and Pruitt Will Do It
#133
#133
OneVolNation said:
I found this breakdown of the WVU offense with Grier under Holgorsen before the OSU game last year interesting...

1. Deep Dive into the West Virginia Offense

...and much more interesting after the game was played due to the result.

OSU handled WVU to put it lightly.

Another article about a different game with the same outcome in the won/loss column was Holgorsen at WVU vs. LSU but it was in 2011 before Grier was there. It may also be worth a glance even though he has modified his offense since then.

2. Football Strategy 101: Louisiana State vs. West Virginia
Click to expand...

And we are so similar to those two teams....
 
#135
#135
EZE said:
And we are so similar to those two teams....
Click to expand...

The only similarity needed is that we are playing against West Virginia and our team is made up of well-coached and talented players willing to execute plays to the best of their ability based on a winning strategy to beat them.

Chicken Little neither prevented nor scored any touchdowns, but the Tennessee Volunteers football team has done both and will again.
 
Last edited:
#136
#136
dcm3w said:
There's two ways for Pruitt's Vols to take down WVA.

Offensively:

1. Run game

Whoever starts at QB whether it be JG or Chryst will not have to be prolific but only a game manager. WVA's rush defense ranked 103 in the nation (sadly that'd 22 spots above ours). I think Tim Jordan will be starting but splitting a good amount with Chandler. I'm not sure if London will get a big role but I'm sure he'll get some carries. I think Jordan will be the X-factor and I predict he will have a big game. That will ultimately take the load off of whichever QB that starts.

Defensively:

1. Pass rush

Our pass rush last year was nonexistent and we ranked 90+ in the nation in sacks. We have to rattle Grier to win. We know their passing game is top notch and last year and the previous years, our pass defense was suspect at best. Even with the exceptional DB coach that Pruitt is, our DBs can only improve so much and our depth is thin with experience. There is a lot of hype with their offense and we need to make them go back to the drawing boards, second guessing themselves. Another interesting stat was that WVA ranked 115+ in turnovers lost. So, create pressure and they'll turn it over.

Didn't proofread so sorry for grammar and spelling.
Click to expand...















Pruitt will have the Vols hungry, how that plays out will be interesting and may set the tone for the season.
Go Vols
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneVolNation and Pruitt Will Do It
#137
#137
More than 2 from me:

1. Limit the busts on D. It will happen.
2. Keep Sills bracketed. He will get his, I’ll take 13 catches for 120 yards and a td instead of 5 catches for 160 and 3 tds. (Captain obvious)
3. Hit Grier hard, confuse him with different looks, bring safeties, corners from all angles. He will throw for over 300 yards, but we damn well better make him hurt while doing it. I don’t think Pruitt will sit back and let them nickel and dime us .

Offense:

1. Ball control . Get 3-5 yards on first down. Extended drives, 3 downs we have the ball is just more time that Grier and Co. can’t make a play.
2. Allow the QBS to make easy throws to start, into the flat, hitch routes, get Wolf involved early along with Jennings.
3. Hit them in the mouth, be as physical as possible.
4. Once the run game is established take our shots down field.
 
  • Like
Reactions: orangebloodgmc and OneVolNation
#138
#138
Biggest advantage we have is no one will have ever seen this team play before. I believe WV will come into the game convinced they will put up more points than our offense can hope to score (i.e. a bit overconfident). If we can use ball control to limit their touches, play a hard-nosed and penalty free game we can wear them down and take this one.

Not sure how we match up but should be a lot more physical this year and that gives us a chance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: orangebloodgmc and OneVolNation
#142
#142
Although we'd like to jump on em early and shake their assumptions about this match-up, this game may well not be settled until very late, as it's gonna be hot and humid this time of year and it won't be until late in game that we see each team's fitness and depth.

Wait ... this isn't in a dome with ac, is it?
 
#143
#143
dcm3w said:
There's two ways for Pruitt's Vols to take down WVA.

Offensively:

1. Run game

Whoever starts at QB whether it be JG or Chryst will not have to be prolific but only a game manager. WVA's rush defense ranked 103 in the nation (sadly that'd 22 spots above ours). I think Tim Jordan will be starting but splitting a good amount with Chandler. I'm not sure if London will get a big role but I'm sure he'll get some carries. I think Jordan will be the X-factor and I predict he will have a big game. That will ultimately take the load off of whichever QB that starts.

Defensively:

1. Pass rush

Our pass rush last year was nonexistent and we ranked 90+ in the nation in sacks. We have to rattle Grier to win. We know their passing game is top notch and last year and the previous years, our pass defense was suspect at best. Even with the exceptional DB coach that Pruitt is, our DBs can only improve so much and our depth is thin with experience. There is a lot of hype with their offense and we need to make them go back to the drawing boards, second guessing themselves. Another interesting stat was that WVA ranked 115+ in turnovers lost. So, create pressure and they'll turn it over.

Didn't proofread so sorry for grammar and spelling.
Click to expand...

Been working for Bama for 10 years!
 
#145
#145
UT has more talent at every position except possibly QB. I say possibly because if JG wins the job then leads and manages the O well... he's physically more talented than Grier.

Their fans think this game is a lay up. I don't usually visit opposing fan boards but took a peek at one of theirs. They're talking being disappointed if they don't win by 30.

Personally... I think most of what was wrong with this team is gone now.

There's another thing that isn't being talked about much... and yeah, I know there's a particular poster who goes nuts when I talk about this... but Pruitt is managing to keep everyone healthy. There are some precautionary moves but no one is taking "health days". We aren't talking about half the team missing the first game or when key players will be back.

Coaching makes a BIG difference.

UT's chances go way up simply on getting to the game healthy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneVolNation
#147
#147
Will Grier, Will Ferrel, Will Smith, I'm taking the Vols by 17. Our front seven is going to destroy those boys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneVolNation
#148
#148
fade route said:
Are we seriously down to just Jordan and Chandler at RB? Jordan was unimpressive last year and Im not sure Chandler is built to be a 20 + carries a game back. Hope Banks comes in ready to compete
Click to expand...
Chandler has a lil sauce in em. That kid might take the first touch 76 yards.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top