nicksjuzunk
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It's over.
Now, Western Carolina.
Western Carolina returns 11 starters on offense, and 9 on defense, making them a very experienced squad. However, they don't really play big boy football, so there is a huge talent gap.
Last season, their only decent opponent was Alabama, whom they lost to 48-14. It is interesting to note, that at one point, the game was 17-14, so they tested Bama early, but the inevitable happened.
Keys to Victory:
1. Snap and Clear: I am certain of one thing... Western Carolina is ready to play this game. Lower level teams dream of beating a Power 5 conference team. With Oklahoma having just beaten the Vols in Neyland, Western Carolina is dreaming big. It's not a stretch to imagine many of their players being Tennessee fans growing up as well, given the proximity to Knoxville and their recruiting grounds. If Tennessee is caught looking ahead to Florida, or still has their head in the Oklahoma game, a disaster could certainly happen
2. Earth to Passing game... come in...: The Tennessee air attack has been somewhat non-existent in the first two games. Dobbs has struggled with accuracy, and whether that is affecting the play calling or not, the plays have not been dialed up to get the ball into the hands of our play makers. WCU has a strong secondary, so now would be a good time to try and work on the passing game before we hit the brutal stretch of the schedule. If you can't pass on WCU, the Florida game is going to be a bad time. I'm not creating a QB controversy, but I'd like to see QD get some playing time with the ones, and see if the passing game opens up. Sure, this creates a QB controversy, but oh well... we need wins, and forward passes are cool.
3. Run and Pull: If the game is in hand (not ala Oklahoma, but REALLY) pull Hurd and Kamara and get some rest before the SEC schedule begins. With no proven passing game, we are going to rely on our two top RB's a lot, so it's better to save them to extra contact and let John Kelly explore the college game a bit more.
4. Take a Jump(er) of faith: I'm sure Colton Jumper is a swell guy, but he is not cutting it at MLB. It's time to try something new. Surely, out of Bryant, Weatherd, Bynum and Kirkland, someone can do better. Find him... do it.... now.
5. Kick the habit: I don't know what has got into Medley. There are many things that cost us the Oklahoma game. Many "one things" that could have one the game. A missed FG attempt is one of them. Be sure of this... if Medley does not straighten his kicks out, it will cost us 1-2 more games. I'd love to see Medley kick 4 in this game. Of course, that means the offense is failing at some point, but 4/4 would be a happy trade-off for me. He needs confidence moving forward.
Prediction:
The team comes out somewhat flat, and WCU sticks around for the first half. The talent gap is apparent though, and the Vols pull away for a comfortable, though not satisfying win.
TN 44
WCU 20
Now, Western Carolina.
Western Carolina returns 11 starters on offense, and 9 on defense, making them a very experienced squad. However, they don't really play big boy football, so there is a huge talent gap.
Last season, their only decent opponent was Alabama, whom they lost to 48-14. It is interesting to note, that at one point, the game was 17-14, so they tested Bama early, but the inevitable happened.
Keys to Victory:
1. Snap and Clear: I am certain of one thing... Western Carolina is ready to play this game. Lower level teams dream of beating a Power 5 conference team. With Oklahoma having just beaten the Vols in Neyland, Western Carolina is dreaming big. It's not a stretch to imagine many of their players being Tennessee fans growing up as well, given the proximity to Knoxville and their recruiting grounds. If Tennessee is caught looking ahead to Florida, or still has their head in the Oklahoma game, a disaster could certainly happen
2. Earth to Passing game... come in...: The Tennessee air attack has been somewhat non-existent in the first two games. Dobbs has struggled with accuracy, and whether that is affecting the play calling or not, the plays have not been dialed up to get the ball into the hands of our play makers. WCU has a strong secondary, so now would be a good time to try and work on the passing game before we hit the brutal stretch of the schedule. If you can't pass on WCU, the Florida game is going to be a bad time. I'm not creating a QB controversy, but I'd like to see QD get some playing time with the ones, and see if the passing game opens up. Sure, this creates a QB controversy, but oh well... we need wins, and forward passes are cool.
3. Run and Pull: If the game is in hand (not ala Oklahoma, but REALLY) pull Hurd and Kamara and get some rest before the SEC schedule begins. With no proven passing game, we are going to rely on our two top RB's a lot, so it's better to save them to extra contact and let John Kelly explore the college game a bit more.
4. Take a Jump(er) of faith: I'm sure Colton Jumper is a swell guy, but he is not cutting it at MLB. It's time to try something new. Surely, out of Bryant, Weatherd, Bynum and Kirkland, someone can do better. Find him... do it.... now.
5. Kick the habit: I don't know what has got into Medley. There are many things that cost us the Oklahoma game. Many "one things" that could have one the game. A missed FG attempt is one of them. Be sure of this... if Medley does not straighten his kicks out, it will cost us 1-2 more games. I'd love to see Medley kick 4 in this game. Of course, that means the offense is failing at some point, but 4/4 would be a happy trade-off for me. He needs confidence moving forward.
Prediction:
The team comes out somewhat flat, and WCU sticks around for the first half. The talent gap is apparent though, and the Vols pull away for a comfortable, though not satisfying win.
TN 44
WCU 20
