Coach Doug Mathews
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The Big Orange will bus to Nashville Friday for Saturday’s game against the Commodores in a series that has actually become a rivalry over the past decade. And we should expect another close game as these two teams match up well against each other. Both are 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the SEC. And one will become bowl eligible with a win.
Vanderbilt comes into this game off a well-played overtime win in Nashville over Ole Miss. The Vols self- destructed in Knoxville last Saturday with turnovers and sloppy play in a loss to Missouri that wasn’t competitive from the first snap on. A minus 17 yard total offense first quarter set the tone for the day.
I really don’t think last week’s loss will have much to do with this game. For the first time since the Florida game the Vols made a boat load of turnovers and badly lost the field position game that is so necessary for this 2018 team to play well if they expect to win. Taking care of the ball and playing the kicking game well should return this week. Of bigger concern is the health of #2……reports seem positive coming out of practice but we saw last week how important he is to this team.
A quick quiz….with the exception of Florida what do all of the teams Tennessee has lost to this year have in common? West Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Missouri…..they all have an experienced quarterback that can throw the ball deep and are hard to pressure because they recognize where the pressure is coming from and where to go with the football. Additionally Tennessee has been unable to generate pass rush without blitzing linebackers, secondary players or both. Kyle Shurmur is one of those quarterbacks and this gives Vanderbilt the edge IMO.
This is why field position will play such a big part in this game. If Tennessee can make Vandy start drives 70 or more yards from the Volunteer goal line that would mean two things……we aren’t turning the ball over and we are playing the kicking game well. It also would mean we should win the game.
I count eight Vols who will start or play a lot in this game from the Middle Tennessee area Daniel Bituli, Ryan Johnson, Kyle Phillips, Jauan Jennings, Alontae Taylor, Ty Chandler, Theo Jackson and Brent Cimaglia. Along with several younger players none of the above will want to come home for Christmas and hear about a loss…..now that is motivation.
The Vol game plan will be what we have seen the past six or so games…..we just need to execute it better than we did last week. I expect the offensive line to play better. Vanderbilt is not that strong in the defensive front and our running game and pass protection should be better. Look for a lot of runs and play action pass from the offense. On defense….not a whole lot of pressure except in definite run situations.
Next week’s Talk and this Sunday’s “Big Orange Sunday” show will look at why I think this team will be significantly better overall next year….a view you probably haven’t heard before. There are some good things happening with this program that aren’t readily apparent nor talked about much. I will address those this Sunday.
Have a great weekend and if you are in the Vanderbilt area Saturday morning 9-11 stop in at Double Dogs in Hillsboro Village and say hello. I will be doing Forklift Systems Football Saturday show there and Double Dogs is opening early at 9 for those who want to come in.