OGbabyaviVol
Performing horse rectal exams for a living
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- Jan 31, 2010
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We have arrived! The real season begins this week. We had a very successful week 2! Offense continued to roll with a new record for offensive output, and the defense looked pretty good. Of course, that’s how we should look against a FCS team. However, the biggest thing is that, as far as I know, we stayed injury free. Let’s hope we got some guys healthy to be able to play this week against UGA, especially Moi and maybe Sanders plays some snaps (who knows what is going on with him). Here are my keys to finally beating Georgia.
- Whoever wins the line of scrimmage, wins the game. This is a LOS league. We all know that and have known that for many years. If you look back in these big games, almost always the team that wins at the LOS on both sides of the ball wins the game. It’s as simple as that. Heup seems to have figured that out early on in his coaching career in the SEC. So what did he do? He invested in building up both sides of the LOS through recruiting and the portal. We dominated the LOS against Syracuse on the offensive side of the ball. This seems to be our best OL in a very long time. However, we are pretty banged up already this early in the season on the other side of the ball in the trenches (and at CB). We absolutely have to run the ball very well to win this game. Can the OL do to Georgia what it did to Syracuse? This is a whole different level of physicality they face. I am interested to see how they respond. If we can put up at least 150+ on the ground, then I think we win the game because of a later point I will make. The other side of the coin is can we slow down their rushing attack. They will look to run the ball early, often, and probably most of the game unless we are able to shut it down and jump out to a big lead. This is the ticket to win the game defensively. We HAVE TO shut down the run game for less than 125, and make Stockton throw the ball which he isn’t great at doing. The next step is the DL has to contain him when he does drop back to pass, as he will look to run at the first sign of pressure.
- GET OFF PRESS COVERAGE! The WRs have struggled against Georgia in years past. Kirby has made it known he will tell his DBs to hold and be physical until they are called for it (we already know they are never called for it). So, we need to be more physical, beat press coverage, and get open to help our QB out. If we don’t, they will stack the box and make it very difficult to run the ball. This will all equate to a loss.
- Joey, be smart and manage the game. We don’t need you to be great. We just need you to hit the open shots when they are available, and don’t make stupid mistakes trying to force it. If the run game is successful enough for at least 150+, then we should have some receivers open to throw to. I think we will institute him more in the run game to open it up. I expect a productive day from him. We need him to throw for 200+ and no INTs to win the game. With that said, I think Joey has a coming out party and announces he is a legit QB, throwing for 250+ and 2 TDs.
- NEYLAND, BE LOUDER THAN EVER! This needs to be a massive advantage for us. Stockton has never played in an environment like Neyland. We need to jump out early and keep the crowd engaged and rocking. If we can do that, I think Stockton will be rattled and make some mistakes. Put on more steam, Neyland!
Prediction: Our first big test of the year is here. We are banged up more than we had hoped already. However, I think Heupel has slowly been building this roster to beat Georgia. Look at the type of WRs we have. Look at the TEs and how often we are going with 12 personnel. We are playing Davis and Brame in the slot some to have bigger bodies out there. Heupel has known to win the SEC and contend for NCs, you have to beat Bama (accomplished twice already) and beat Georgia. In order to do that, he has seen he has to win the LOS in the trenches but also with his WRs and TEs. I think he has the roster in place to do that finally. He has slowly been closing the gap, and I think this is the year that the closure is finished. We have lost too many in a row, and I am somewhat in a see it to believe it mode; however, I live in Georgia and I can’t stand what I have endured with this fanbase since 2016 and especially since they have won 2 NCs. It’s time to take them down, and I would love to see us do it in a big way!
Vols - 30
Pups - 20
ONE TEAM, ONE HEARTBEAT! LETTUCE GO!
