OuterBanksVol
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With all the negativity about our team on the board lately, I felt like watching the last year's game in the swamp to refresh my memory about how things went down. It's available on YouTube if you're interested.
While it was painful to bear witness to the whole game again, I think the following messages could be taken from that game:
(1) Tennessee was clearly the "better" team. Yeah I know the score ultimately determines things, but watching this game, Tennessee really dominated Florida in almost every facet of the game.
(2) Dobbs didn't do much in the first three games prior to the Florida game in 2015, but was an absolute Beast in the swamp.. Debord unleashed him on so many running plays... Florida could just not stop him.
(3) Tennessee's offensive line pretty much dominated the Florida defensive line throughout the game. All that's missing from last year's game is Kerby at LT. And yes, Kendrick at RT even got beat pretty bad at right tackle but adjusted well during the game. Despite injuries to Hall and Thomas, I think our offensive line is actually a bit deeper than it was last year.
(4) Our offense pummeled their line running the ball straight up the middle. Both Dobbs and Hurd were just tearing up their line and gashing them. We had over 250 yards rushing, while leading up to the game Florida had averaged giving up only 47 yards running per game.
(5) Florida lacked - and still lacks - a go to star on offense. The points they scrapped for last year were, honestly, mostly a function of their remarkable 4th down plays.
(6) Our D line kept the Gator running game shut down - and this is with Maggitt out for the 2015 game. This year's line is even stronger with minimal losses, development of KMac, O'Brien, Tuttle and Vickers, plus the addition of Kongbo.
(7) Jumper was a starting LB last year in this game. Kirkland was out. Yes, the LB position is thin, but it held well by and large last year. Injuries are part of the game, so no need to make excuses before a single snap is taken.
(8) The team played a very clean game technically... one turnover, just one or two penalties.
(9) DeBord called a great game, and two well-timed trick plays worked great - a double throw to Jennings then back to Dobbs, and a jump pass by Kamara.
(10) 4th down KILLED us. The Gators were 5 for 5 including two successful attempts in their final drive. Conversions on 4th and 7, 4th and 8, 4th and 14... unbearable to watch again, and probably reason #1 why Shoop is now our DC.
All in all, while seeing the loss was bad, it has just reaffirmed my belief that:
(A) Tennessee has more talent on the field;
(B) DeBord like last year has called conservative gameplay to date this year, but will let Dobbs run wild this Saturday; and
(C) I HATE the Gators and believe that Tennessee will not only beat them this Saturday and break the stupid curse, but also that our team will FINALLY, FINALLY smack the living pajeezus out of these arrogant, smack-talking boys in a good ole fashion butt whoopin.
Tennessee 38 - Florida 17
September 19, 1998... last time the goal posts came down.
While it was painful to bear witness to the whole game again, I think the following messages could be taken from that game:
(1) Tennessee was clearly the "better" team. Yeah I know the score ultimately determines things, but watching this game, Tennessee really dominated Florida in almost every facet of the game.
(2) Dobbs didn't do much in the first three games prior to the Florida game in 2015, but was an absolute Beast in the swamp.. Debord unleashed him on so many running plays... Florida could just not stop him.
(3) Tennessee's offensive line pretty much dominated the Florida defensive line throughout the game. All that's missing from last year's game is Kerby at LT. And yes, Kendrick at RT even got beat pretty bad at right tackle but adjusted well during the game. Despite injuries to Hall and Thomas, I think our offensive line is actually a bit deeper than it was last year.
(4) Our offense pummeled their line running the ball straight up the middle. Both Dobbs and Hurd were just tearing up their line and gashing them. We had over 250 yards rushing, while leading up to the game Florida had averaged giving up only 47 yards running per game.
(5) Florida lacked - and still lacks - a go to star on offense. The points they scrapped for last year were, honestly, mostly a function of their remarkable 4th down plays.
(6) Our D line kept the Gator running game shut down - and this is with Maggitt out for the 2015 game. This year's line is even stronger with minimal losses, development of KMac, O'Brien, Tuttle and Vickers, plus the addition of Kongbo.
(7) Jumper was a starting LB last year in this game. Kirkland was out. Yes, the LB position is thin, but it held well by and large last year. Injuries are part of the game, so no need to make excuses before a single snap is taken.
(8) The team played a very clean game technically... one turnover, just one or two penalties.
(9) DeBord called a great game, and two well-timed trick plays worked great - a double throw to Jennings then back to Dobbs, and a jump pass by Kamara.
(10) 4th down KILLED us. The Gators were 5 for 5 including two successful attempts in their final drive. Conversions on 4th and 7, 4th and 8, 4th and 14... unbearable to watch again, and probably reason #1 why Shoop is now our DC.
All in all, while seeing the loss was bad, it has just reaffirmed my belief that:
(A) Tennessee has more talent on the field;
(B) DeBord like last year has called conservative gameplay to date this year, but will let Dobbs run wild this Saturday; and
(C) I HATE the Gators and believe that Tennessee will not only beat them this Saturday and break the stupid curse, but also that our team will FINALLY, FINALLY smack the living pajeezus out of these arrogant, smack-talking boys in a good ole fashion butt whoopin.
Tennessee 38 - Florida 17
September 19, 1998... last time the goal posts came down.
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