OGbabyaviVol
Performing horse rectal exams for a living
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- Jan 31, 2010
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Your Tennessee Volunteers are in the playoffs! This is a whole new season now. The loss to Arky doesn’t matter. The win against Bama doesn’t matter. All that matters right now is going to Columbus and beating the daylights out of the Ohio State Buckeyes! Should we be playing this one in Neyland Stadium? Probably so, but who cares! Go into the horseshoe and have no mercy! Start fast and take it to them the entire 60 minutes (and more if needed)! Let’s look at what I think are the key points to our Vols winning this game.
1. START FAST AND RUN TEMPO!! I really believe this could possibly be a game that might be a 14+ point win (or loss), depending on how we start and what their mentality is with all that is going on with the fanbase wanting Day out. Do they play with their backs against the wall, like Georgia did against us, or are they hesitant/conservative with a fanbase ready to boo them at any and every chance they can get? This is where a fast start for us might be detrimental for them. We need a start like Vandy did to us, or like we did to Georgia. Also, I want to see us run the offense with tempo…A LOT!! I think it would be a massive advantage for us, as they haven’t faced our offense yet and especially not with tempo. I think if we come out of the gates with tempo, we might could jump on them early before they know what hits them.
2. Win in the trenches: these type games are usually won and lost in the trenches, and I don’t see this game being any different. This is where I see we have a major advantage. Our OL has been playing much better football the last few weeks, whereas they have been struggling due to injuries. Couple that with our strongest unit being the DL, and I see us being able to control the LOS on both sides of the ball, especially on defense. The only caveat for me remains how will the whistle be blown in this game. Can we actually get a fair whistle and the DL get some OL holding called for a change, or is it more of the same with our guys getting mauled without penalty? If we get a fair whistle, I see our DL dominating and putting Howard on his back all night, which will create some turnovers.
3. Run the football and stop the run: once again, another determining factor usually of how these games are decided. Should be a big advantage for us, as we are elite at running the ball and stopping the run. I think that has to be our game plan on defense: commit to stopping the run, and make Howard beat us throwing the ball. They do have elite WRs, but we have 2 elite CBs and an elite DL that can get pressure and create havoc. That’s exactly what we need to do all game. Don’t sit back and play soft. Have an aggressive game plan, and let’s come into the horseshoe with our hair on fire!
4. PROTECT THE FOOTBALL (especially on the first drive, please!!!): enough said here. Can’t go on the road to Columbus and turn it over multiple times and expect to win. We have to be protect the ball and have 0-1 turnovers.
5. Run Nico…A LOT! That’s a dynamic that will only add to our rushing attack. We can’t be scared of injury. We are lose and go home now. RUN THE QUARTERBACK! If we will do this consistently, I think we can move the ball well and put up too many points for them to overcome against our defense.
6. Last point is JUST WIN!! I don’t care how pretty it is or how ugly it is, just win the game!! Come in and play loose, relax, and realize all the pressure is on them, not us. No one will give us a chance to win. Play with a chip on our shoulder! Remember how much the committee had tried to screw us and take it out on the Buckeyes! Show them and everyone else that we are a team to be reckoned with in these playoffs. LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!
Prediction: Nico has really been coming on the last few weeks. He’s just the one to come into an environment like this and handle it like a champion and be cool as a cucumber. I think Heupel dials up tempo early and starts fast. I think he knows if we can jump early by maybe 14 or so, we might turn the crowd against them. I think that’s exactly what we do.
Vols 30
Buckeyes 16
GBO !!! 26 
