We are better than Texas A&M

#26
#26
chatt-townVOL said:
After seeing the opening line yesterday, I really started feeling doubtful about our chances to win Saturday. On the surface, Texas A&M looks scary. However, last night I watched Texas AM vs S. Carolina, and I became much more optimistic. Yes, I'm aware A&M was missing several starters, but IMO South Carolina was the better team on the field. They both scored on the opening drive, then they both went stalemate. Neither team scored again until the 3rd quarter. Carolina shot themselves in the foot all game long. They moved the ball fairly easily on that "stout A&M defense", then they would stall out and fail to finish the drive. Also, they missed 2 field goals.

Knight is very suspect. They call him "one-read Knight" on their message boards. He freaks out under pressure, bad. They run a 4-wide set, but they don't have the QB to use it.

Also, something else to consider,

Recruiting class rankings for the last 3 years (using 247 composite):

2016:
Tex-18
Tenn-14

2015:
Tex-11
Tenn-4

2014:
Tex-6
Tenn-7

Average class ranking for the last 3 years:
Tex: 11
Tenn: 8

Also, and I rarely say this, we have the better coach. Sumlin made his reputation by lucking out with Manzeil/Evans, since then he has frequently been on the hot seat.

We have the better team, recruiting-wise. Barnett is better than Myles Garrett. Texas A&M was 8-5 last year. We haven't been beat in 11 games, and we're supposed to be scared of this team?

I'm not saying this is an easy win. But look at the data and watch a bit of film on them this season, they're not what everyone thinks they are.
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Most fans talk a big game but in the end they really just let the rankings tell them who to be scared of. I think we roll. No slow start this time.
 
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#27
#27
jakez4ut said:
defensive end Myles Garrett, wide receivers Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor —these are the guys that didn't play.

ignoring that is perilous at best. i haven't heard any updates for any of them for this week, but i'll be surprised if they're all 4 out again this week.
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A visiting Aggie fan seems to believe Jones was the only serous injury. So I'll plan on seeing the rest, unless there's a new development.
 
#28
#28
Barnett is not better than Garrett. He's very good, but a shade below. Which is why most 2017 draft mocks have Garrett in the top 2 if not #1.

The Aggies missing Seals Jones, their tackle, Garrett, and Speedy is a big thing. That's one side of the offensive line and 3 of our best play makers on offense and defense. Plus, Knight played his worst game of the season.

Imagine losing Barnett, one of your tackles, and 2 of your best receivers.

This one comes down to health (A&M is healthier overall - all 4 will be back), A&M is at home, and A&M has played better vs. slightly higher competition the whole year.

Am I saying TN can't win? Of course not. They are very talented and have a penchant for the big play. Honestly, I'm more scared of Dobbs than you should be of Knight.
 
#29
#29
ChattaTNVol said:
I may be wrong in this but I actually think that last play on Saturday changed everything. I do expect us to come out executing better in the first half this week. I don't think it's a matter of we haven't been playing with confidence - I think it's been a lack of focus in the beginning of games that has led to poor execution. Saturday's play of the year was one of those moments where the capacity and importance of focus and commitment to execution could have lasting implications for Team 120. I expect everyone to be more dialed-in from the start going forward. Something happened Saturday that is difficult to teach - and it's all mental. I think the team is more apt to "get it" now than any endless coaching might achieve. jmo.
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didn't we say that last week too? i know i did. i was wrong. until proven otherwise, we are who we are right now. and as good as we are, and we are good, if we go play the same way we've played so far this year....well, that's not a recipe for winning this game on the road, i'll just say that.
 
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#30
#30
chargervol said:
A visiting Aggie fan seems to believe Jones was the only serous injury. So I'll plan on seeing the rest, unless there's a new development.
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me too. with the injuries we have on defense, this is a game i do think we're going in to undermanned.
 
#31
#31
Bigorangejumpsuit said:
Chavis will blitz every play. Hope we're planning for this.
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I'm sure we're expecting this and designing a game plan to exploit their aggressiveness in the event they do continue to play as they have all year. I was a bit underwhelmed by Kendrick's assessment of their defensive line in the player's presser today. He sort of talked big and I'm wondering if our offensive linemen can back up his mouth. Maybe we're trying to encourage A&M's defensive front to come at us with all they've got. We'll find out soon enough.
 
#32
#32
We will have to have a good-very good day offensively to win this game, IMO. I think we could have some defensive problems; we've seen defensive problems off and on all year, we've got some soft spots, they've got weapons plus a QB who can run. They will score, sad to say, and we will have to score with them. Dobbs will have to have a good day, and we'll need some of the big plays that we saw against florida.

I fear that we could lose two straight, to be candid. We're playing a very good team on the road after two emotional wins, and then we play the no 1 team in the country.

This, to me, is the game to let it all hang out. If we can win this game, we should lock up the SEC East title barring a disastrous late-season performance. If we lose to bama, we have a good shot at playing them again. But we need to get to the SEC title game first.
 
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#33
#33
jakez4ut said:
me too. with the injuries we have on defense, this is a game i do think we're going in to undermanned.
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Yeah, I really want to be wrong but agree.
Last year, I was more nervous about Arkansas than I was Georgia. Sometimes it's just about the matchups and injuries.
 
#34
#34
chatt-townVOL said:
If South Carolina can hold them to 24 we can hold them under 30.
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They held them to less than 30 with A&M's offense being at less than full strength (missing starting WR's Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. I read somewhere that TAMU didn't travel 4 of their starters for the USCe game. They be starting a more complete team against the Vols this week.
 
#37
#37
zooguy said:
Barnett is not better than Garrett. He's very good, but a shade below. Which is why most 2017 draft mocks have Garrett in the top 2 if not #1.

The Aggies missing Seals Jones, their tackle, Garrett, and Speedy is a big thing. That's one side of the offensive line and 3 of our best play makers on offense and defense. Plus, Knight played his worst game of the season.

Imagine losing Barnett, one of your tackles, and 2 of your best receivers.

This one comes down to health (A&M is healthier overall - all 4 will be back), A&M is at home, and A&M has played better vs. slightly higher competition the whole year.

Am I saying TN can't win? Of course not. They are very talented and have a penchant for the big play. Honestly, I'm more scared of Dobbs than you should be of Knight.
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agree. and we don't have to imagine...we're down two starting line backers and our best DB, all of which are team leaders, and impact players.

Dobbs is the ace in the hole, he's balled out this year, and he'll need to continue that, the earlier the better, if we're going to have a shot at winning either of the next two games.

defensively, it's up to our D line. they've been outstanding at times, and underwhelming at others.

both teams have to fear the unknown a little bit, as neither team is very familiar with each other.

i think it's gonig to be a good game, both offenses will make plays. if i have to pick right now, i'd take aTm and the -6.5, i could see us losing by a TD.
 
#38
#38
jakez4ut said:
didn't we say that last week too? i know i did. i was wrong. until proven otherwise, we are who we are right now. and as good as we are, and we are good, if we go play the same way we've played so far this year....well, that's not a recipe for winning this game on the road, i'll just say that.
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I didn't and didn't see any reason for it last week. I think Saturday was different in so many ways. It was an amazing comeback against Florida but it was an even more amazing comeback against Georgia and I think the latter has a more profound and lasting impact on everyone - especially the players. Like I said, I could be wrong but I don't think so. We'll see. :)
 
#39
#39
I'm just very concerned with how A&M will attack Jumper and McDowell if we can't at least get one of DKJr/JRM back. They have done an admiral job thus far, but UGA gouged us repeatedly with play action to the TEs.
 
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#40
#40
zooguy said:
Barnett is not better than Garrett. He's very good, but a shade below. Which is why most 2017 draft mocks have Garrett in the top 2 if not #1.

The Aggies missing Seals Jones, their tackle, Garrett, and Speedy is a big thing. That's one side of the offensive line and 3 of our best play makers on offense and defense. Plus, Knight played his worst game of the season.

Imagine losing Barnett, one of your tackles, and 2 of your best receivers.

This one comes down to health (A&M is healthier overall - all 4 will be back), A&M is at home, and A&M has played better vs. slightly higher competition the whole year.

Am I saying TN can't win? Of course not. They are very talented and have a penchant for the big play. Honestly, I'm more scared of Dobbs than you should be of Knight.
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This is just not true

http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/264141-barnett-vs-garrett.html
 
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#42
#42
ChattaTNVol said:
I didn't and didn't see any reason for it last week. I think Saturday was different in so many ways. It was an amazing comeback against Florida but it was an even more amazing comeback against Georgia and I think the latter has a more profound and lasting impact on everyone - especially the players. Like I said, I could be wrong but I don't think so. We'll see. :)
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if there was anything that could give this team an adrenaline shot of confidence, it had to be beating FL for the first time in 11 years, especially in how we just came out in the 2nd half and blew their doors off. we crushed FL in the 2nd half.

the GA game was a sloppy affair that had not one, but two miracles happen within seconds of each other. i think most walk out of Sanford, happy as hell, but also wiping their brow saying "wheeeew".

either way, if it breeds confidence and it's the catalyst for them getting to where we think they can get to, i'm all for it. i just don't put as much stock in to it at this point, because we've had example after example this year to point at and say "yeah, now we see what we can do, everything's going to click now"....and it hasn't.

the results still the same, so i'm good. i'm just not buying in to this "NOW we're gonna be fine" notion, until i see it. just keep winning for as long as you can, and everyone will be fine.
 
#43
#43
jeff1vol said:
Barnett is BETTER than Garrett because he is a TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER!

Simple as that.
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Well, I'm a Fightin Texas Aggie, so I'll beg to differ with you. They are two great players.

I wish we played TN every year rather than SC. Being from Texas (and now living in the Knoxville area), the two fan bases are very very similar. You guys won a Championship in 1998; we were in the Sugar Bowl that year. We fired Slocum, you fired Fulmer. Both of us haven't been relevant nationally since then. Both of us are up and coming teams. Heck, both QB's have similar stats over their careers.

And, General Neyland did go to Texas A&M. Course, we got Sam Houston from you guys. I think we got the better of that trade.
 
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#44
#44
Missing CamS hurts but I am more worried about our LB situation. Our pass rush is good enough to protect our secondary but our linebackers were exposed by GA. We will have to do a better job on offense of keeping the ball and dominating the time of possession. This means Josh Dobbs has to run the ball. If he gets hurt that makes it hard for us to do well the remainder of the season. You're the coach do you protect Dobbs at risk of losing this game. I would run him as little as possible and see how the game is going. I would try to keep the game close and win it at the end. Hopefully our offense of line has a good game and are running backs can do the job.
I love John Chavis but his defenses haven't played well aginst mobile quarterbacks. If we do open a can of Josh Dobbs in them I think our offense can score quickly.
 
#46
#46
Missing CamS hurts but I am more worried about our LB situation. Our pass rush is good enough to protect our secondary but our linebackers were exposed by GA. We will have to do a better job on offense of keeping the ball and dominating the time of possession. This means Josh Dobbs has to run the ball. If he gets hurt that makes it hard for us to do well the remainder of the season. You're the coach do you protect Dobbs at risk of losing this game. I would run him as little as possible and see how the game is going. I would try to keep the game close and win it at the end. Hopefully our offensive line has a good game and are running backs can do the job.
I love John Chavis but his defenses haven't played well aginst mobile quarterbacks. If we do open a can of Josh Dobbs on them I think our offense can score quickly.
 
#47
#47
TheBigOne10 said:
I'm just very concerned with how A&M will attack Jumper and McDowell if we can't at least get one of DKJr/JRM back. They have done an admiral job thus far, but UGA gouged us repeatedly with play action to the TEs.
Click to expand...

Agree. My biggest concern in this game.
 
#48
#48
jakez4ut said:
if there was anything that could give this team an adrenaline shot of confidence, it had to be beating FL for the first time in 11 years, especially in how we just came out in the 2nd half and blew their doors off. we crushed FL in the 2nd half.

the GA game was a sloppy affair that had not one, but two miracles happen within seconds of each other. i think most walk out of Sanford, happy as hell, but also wiping their brow saying "wheeeew".

either way, if it breeds confidence and it's the catalyst for them getting to where we think they can get to, i'm all for it. i just don't put as much stock in to it at this point, because we've had example after example this year to point at and say "yeah, now we see what we can do, everything's going to click now"....and it hasn't.

the results still the same, so i'm good. i'm just not buying in to this "NOW we're gonna be fine" notion, until i see it. just keep winning for as long as you can, and everyone will be fine.
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Again, I don't think it's confidence we're lacking. It's humility on the part of some of our guys. Lack of humility leads to lack of focus and, subsequently, poor discipline and execution. Being a bit cocky is not always a good thing. We have too many guys who have been playing a bit too cocky and consequently we've been doing things that CBJ repeatedly describes an "uncharacteristic" of our team. We need some humility. If we didn't gain any internal humility with the way that game ended then I don't think anything changes either. However, I think it's human nature that most would be humbled a bit after Saturday - if, in fact, you do have good character. The bolded part of your comment is where I think we gained from the Georgia game. It may not be universal but I think it makes a difference overall. jmo.
 
#49
#49
sjt18 said:
The UT game that showed up for the 2nd half of UF can beat anyone in the country if they play 4 qtrs. If UT again fails to show up in the first half.... the next two games are not going to go well.
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I read that same thing going into the UF game, then again going into the UGA game.

I'm starting to think the players are seeing how many points they can spot a team and then come back on them.

Seriously though, I agree with you. I'm just not certain the players do.
 
#50
#50
81Orange said:
Missing CamS hurts but I am more worried about our LB situation. Our pass rush is good enough to protect our secondary but our linebackers were exposed by GA. We will have to do a better job on offense of keeping the ball and dominating the time of possession. This means Josh Dobbs has to run the ball. If he gets hurt that makes it hard for us to do well the remainder of the season. You're the coach do you protect Dobbs at risk of losing this game. I would run him as little as possible and see how the game is going. I would try to keep the game close and win it at the end. Hopefully our offensive line has a good game and are running backs can do the job.
I love John Chavis but his defenses haven't played well aginst mobile quarterbacks. If we do open a can of Josh Dobbs on them I think our offense can score quickly.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's time to get Daniel Bituli a little more involved in the LB rotation.
 
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