Choose one area UT must excel in to win Sat.

#1
volfan2024

volfan2024

“Wanna play ball scarecrow “
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#1
I know alot of emphasis has been placed on Ainge, but to me if UT doesn't turn the ball over (at all), we'll have a legitmate shot to win.Thoughts?
 
#2
#2
i agree...no turnovers is a must.

no penalties.

make the plays you are supposed to. NO need to foce anything.

don't want to be too conservative, but no need to have any unnecessary risks either.

1st down on offense. if we are truly going to be able to run the ball, i would like to see us average at least 4 ypc.

We can not be put in obvious passing situations too often. if we get predictable, we get dead.

2nd and short should be the montra for the evening...2nd and 4 or less would be great.

on defense, don't give up the big play. HOlding them to FG's isn't a bad thing. we can be a bend don't break, and must be able to keep the running game in check. they'll get yards, but they can't get chunks of yards at a time. if they are averaging 5+ ypc it will be a long night.

and finally, i think we may actually have an edge in special teams. we could really benefit from a well played feild position game. big thing though is no mistakes in this phase. fumbled punts etc...can't happen.
 
#3
#3
This is just my opinion, so take it for what its worth:

I think our run defense needs to excel more than any other area. Here are the reasons I think so:

1.) One-dimensional - Cal plays in the PAC 10, which is notorious for being a passing conference. However, Cal is not your prototypical PAC 10 team, as they have 2 very good runners and they won't hesitate to run it down our throats. If we can keep Cal's rushing attack in check (you can decide what that encompasses), then they will need Longshore or Ayoob to beat us, which I don't think can happen. Not with our secondary, not with their QBs.

2.) Clock Possession - The more Cal successfully runs the ball, the more time our defense will be on the field. The major issue for UT this season on both sides of the ball is depth. The longer our D is out there, the more the inexperienced players will play. If we stop the Cal rushing attack, we will control the clock, keep our players fresh, and in turn, our BETTER 1st team will beat their 1st team.

3.) Confidence - If and when our run D shows that Cal isn't going to be able to pound it on us, they will probably panic a little. Cal knows they have one of the better rushing attacks in the nation, but when stopped, they don't have a ton to rely on. Last season, they only rushed for 79 yards or so against Oregon State, and lost by a FG. Rush for 79 yards about Tennessee, and they'll lose by 17+. Stop the rush, kill their confidence.

So, stopping the run will make Cal one-dimensional, it will keep our 1st team players fresh, and kill Cal's confidence.
 
#4
#4
Point production.

:p

Personally, I want the running game to come out strong, take some pressure off of Ainge. He's got to be able to handle it, but he doesn't need all of it.
 
#5
#5
This is why this game is so damn exciting! 3 replies, 3 different areas to excel. I LOVE IT! :)
 
#6
#6
We've got to be able to run the ball consistently, and we've got to stop them from running the football early. That's my opinion anyway.
 
#7
#7
VolinArizona said:
This is just my opinion, so take it for what its worth:

I think our run defense needs to excel more than any other area. Here are the reasons I think so:

1.) One-dimensional - Cal plays in the PAC 10, which is notorious for being a passing conference. However, Cal is not your prototypical PAC 10 team, as they have 2 very good runners and they won't hesitate to run it down our throats. If we can keep Cal's rushing attack in check (you can decide what that encompasses), then they will need Longshore or Ayoob to beat us, which I don't think can happen. Not with our secondary, not with their QBs.

2.) Clock Possession - The more Cal successfully runs the ball, the more time our defense will be on the field. The major issue for UT this season on both sides of the ball is depth. The longer our D is out there, the more the inexperienced players will play. If we stop the Cal rushing attack, we will control the clock, keep our players fresh, and in turn, our BETTER 1st team will beat their 1st team.

3.) Confidence - If and when our run D shows that Cal isn't going to be able to pound it on us, they will probably panic a little. Cal knows they have one of the better rushing attacks in the nation, but when stopped, they don't have a ton to rely on. Last season, they only rushed for 79 yards or so against Oregon State, and lost by a FG. Rush for 79 yards about Tennessee, and they'll lose by 17+. Stop the rush, kill their confidence.

So, stopping the run will make Cal one-dimensional, it will keep our 1st team players fresh, and kill Cal's confidence.
Click to expand...
yeah, scratch that bend dont break crap i spewed...we need to get 'em off the feild as much as we can and as often as we can. good point az.
 
#10
#10
I think TN has to protect the football and I think a big play in the kicking game could make or break us. Cal is really really good from everything I have read. I hope it's not an impossible task. The last five home games against top 10 teams have not even been close. We have got blown out everytime.
 
#11
#11
Obviously, the running game is a factor. It is in every game.

Our special teams really need to step it up from last year. They were horrible last year, worse the the offense. If we can keep them pinned back inside their30-35 yard line consistently, we'll have a great chance to win. Of course, doing that also means few turnovers on offense.
 
#13
#13
VolinArizona nailed it.

That's a good point also oklavol... and one of the reasons I am very optimistic. I think UT will be able to get it to the TE's and WR's against Cal's secondary. This will keep their LB's from flying up in run support and open up lanes for the RB's.
 
#14
#14
The area we need to excel in is the scoreboard. Offense... defense... doesn't matter how we do it. As long as we score more points than Cal... 1-0 and a #12 national ranking.
 
#17
#17
i don't see us running the ball at cal with success....we must take advantage of their young secondary in the first half to open up running lanes in the 2nd half and therefore control time of possession...ainge and our receivers need to come out fast and furious in this ballgame. i agree with azvol that the pressure needs to be placed on the cal passing game for them to beat us...our secondary should be a strength this year...we will see. go vols!
 
#20
#20
The Game will be won in the match-up of Cal's front 7 vs. Tennessee's O-Line. Secondary is how Tennessee's QB performs, regardless which one is in the game.
 
#21
#21
Field position. When we have to go 90 yards every time and they have to go 50 yards every time, it makes our job that much more difficult. UGA kills us on this alone. We seem to always be backed up on the goal line when they always seem to be on the symbol at mid-field.
 
#22
#22
CSpindizzy said:
Field position.
Click to expand...

AMEN! If we don't do anything other than convert a few more first downs to keep the offense on the field and not give up chunks of yardage with bad Special Teams play, it will be a vast improvement.
 
#23
#23
GAVol said:
AMEN! If we don't do anything other than convert a few more first downs to keep the offense on the field and not give up chunks of yardage with bad Special Teams play, it will be a vast improvement.
Click to expand...


Do I hear an echo? LOL
 
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