nicksjuzunk
Lurking
- Joined
- May 29, 2009
- Messages
- 35,560
- Likes
- 112,832
Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Network: TBA
Tennessee returns to Knoxville after letting a quality win slip through their fingers in South Carolina. October was not kind to the Vols, but November appears to be much more manageable. Things seem like they will certainly get kicked off the right way with a trip from the visiting Charlotte 49ers.
Keys to Victory:
1. Develop the passing game: If Tennessee is going to win this game, they are going to need to pass. I know... you think this is ridiculous. This is Charlotte, for the love of Todd, but you need to understand that Charlotte is not a sub-FBS joke. Now, they are not going to steamroll, but this is a team that is only giving up 90 yards rushing per game. When the Vols only average 141, it's clear that the path to victory is through the friendly skies, and not pound the ground. Now, the Vols should be able to easily surpass the 90 yards average that Charlotte gives up, but don't expect Tennessee to get 200+.
It's interesting to see Charlotte only ranks 110th in the nation in TFL per game, at 4.8 (basically even with Tennessee's 5.0), so you would expect the TFL's to be better with that stingy rushing defense. They are pretty middle of the road in rushing the passer, averaging 2 sacks per game, but needless to say, JG needs to remain clean.
Look for Tennessee to continue to work on weak points in the passing game that the SEC schedule doesn't necessarily afford them to work on.
2. I shot the Shirreffs: For most of the year, the quarterback was a 5'11" freshmen, which sounds delicious for a hungry DL, but he's out for the season, and now they have a former 3* Miami QB graduate transfer, Evan Shirreffs, leading the charge. He's not that great. Charlotte gives up nearly 3 sacks a game, and they have not played an SEC level opponent yet, so I'd say the Vols should be ready to eat. Tennessee has not been kind of hot and cold getting to the quarterback, but this should be a week where they can get it done. Speaking of which, the secondary should be able to capatilize on the pressure, with Shirreffs throwing 3 INT's compared to 2 TD's.
3. OL... again: Another week, another opportunity to improve.
4. Don't Overlook: Fans are taking this game for granted and worrying about the rest of the SEC games. The team can't afford to do that. They need to be ready to go.
5. Play Youth as Needed: Personally, I'm not sure how dominant Tennessee is here. Given the opportunity, it's a good chance to see if some younger players can give you a boost on a Saturday. Can Banks get some snaps at LB? Does Shrout get a shot? Some more Murphy? CFA with some extra carries? Honestly, I don't think we see a lot of this. I think you only see things that they think is going to help them when this season. CFA should get more touches. I don't think you see Shrout. Banks may get a couple of blitzes, but don't look for the bench to empty.
Prediction: I think it is a rather uninspired performance, imperfectly sandwiched inbetween some important games. There are some big plays hit on offense, and the defense does make some big plays of their own, making it somewhat entertaining, but leaving fans who are hoping for a 49-0 dismantling with 4th stringers becoming superstars frustrated.
TN 35
Charlotte 10
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Network: TBA
Tennessee returns to Knoxville after letting a quality win slip through their fingers in South Carolina. October was not kind to the Vols, but November appears to be much more manageable. Things seem like they will certainly get kicked off the right way with a trip from the visiting Charlotte 49ers.
Keys to Victory:
1. Develop the passing game: If Tennessee is going to win this game, they are going to need to pass. I know... you think this is ridiculous. This is Charlotte, for the love of Todd, but you need to understand that Charlotte is not a sub-FBS joke. Now, they are not going to steamroll, but this is a team that is only giving up 90 yards rushing per game. When the Vols only average 141, it's clear that the path to victory is through the friendly skies, and not pound the ground. Now, the Vols should be able to easily surpass the 90 yards average that Charlotte gives up, but don't expect Tennessee to get 200+.
It's interesting to see Charlotte only ranks 110th in the nation in TFL per game, at 4.8 (basically even with Tennessee's 5.0), so you would expect the TFL's to be better with that stingy rushing defense. They are pretty middle of the road in rushing the passer, averaging 2 sacks per game, but needless to say, JG needs to remain clean.
Look for Tennessee to continue to work on weak points in the passing game that the SEC schedule doesn't necessarily afford them to work on.
2. I shot the Shirreffs: For most of the year, the quarterback was a 5'11" freshmen, which sounds delicious for a hungry DL, but he's out for the season, and now they have a former 3* Miami QB graduate transfer, Evan Shirreffs, leading the charge. He's not that great. Charlotte gives up nearly 3 sacks a game, and they have not played an SEC level opponent yet, so I'd say the Vols should be ready to eat. Tennessee has not been kind of hot and cold getting to the quarterback, but this should be a week where they can get it done. Speaking of which, the secondary should be able to capatilize on the pressure, with Shirreffs throwing 3 INT's compared to 2 TD's.
3. OL... again: Another week, another opportunity to improve.
4. Don't Overlook: Fans are taking this game for granted and worrying about the rest of the SEC games. The team can't afford to do that. They need to be ready to go.
5. Play Youth as Needed: Personally, I'm not sure how dominant Tennessee is here. Given the opportunity, it's a good chance to see if some younger players can give you a boost on a Saturday. Can Banks get some snaps at LB? Does Shrout get a shot? Some more Murphy? CFA with some extra carries? Honestly, I don't think we see a lot of this. I think you only see things that they think is going to help them when this season. CFA should get more touches. I don't think you see Shrout. Banks may get a couple of blitzes, but don't look for the bench to empty.
Prediction: I think it is a rather uninspired performance, imperfectly sandwiched inbetween some important games. There are some big plays hit on offense, and the defense does make some big plays of their own, making it somewhat entertaining, but leaving fans who are hoping for a 49-0 dismantling with 4th stringers becoming superstars frustrated.
TN 35
Charlotte 10
