Obviously, the Tennessee Volunteers football team took advantage of their lone bye week of the season by coming out and playing their best ballgame of the year and defeating Georgia 35-14 last Saturday on a blazing hot October afternoon at Neyland Stadium. The offense was balanced and efficient, the defense got off of blocks and swarmed to the ball, and the special teams units were as good as they have been in years. This weekend’s challenge is one of a different sort as the Volunteers travel to Starkville, Mississippi to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Scott Field. This young Tennessee team needs to show that they can handle and build on success against a less-talented, but still dangerous team. Here are some keys to the game:
1. Do not give Mississippi State any hope early. The Bulldogs have a long history of making favored road teams squirm in sleepy Starkville. The best way of doing this is slowing down the Mississippi State run game and cashing in on early offensive opportunities. Marcus Dixon is a top-flight SEC mail carrier and the State offensive line is not bad, by any stretch. Sylvester Croom’s defense is known for a rugged style of play, so ball security and staying out of long down-and-distance situations would aid the Vols’ chances. If you can do this early, you can silence the 55,000 cowbells.
2. Continue the progress on special teams. Last week’s effort on special teams was a huge factor in the Volunteers getting out to a 28-0 lead last Saturday. The improved coverage units need to continue this week. I am still waiting for LaMarcus Coker or Jonathan Hefney to get loose in the return game. Maybe this week is the opportunity for that to happen.
3. Go up top. Mississippi State is a team that will try to load the box in run situations and play man coverage outside. This may need to be the week that Erik Ainge gets the ball down the field more often. This would be a great opportunity for a guy like Kenny O’Neal or Denarius Moore to make multiple plays with their speed on the outside. Stretching the field will make it easier for UT to run the ball effectively as the game goes on.
4. Eliminate silly penalties. I watched Florida State give away a game last night due to penalties that did not have to happen. Occasionally, a hold or a pass interference happens in football. However, there is no excuse for multiple late hits, roughing the QB, and personal foul face mask penalties that extend drives. The Vols recovered from a 30-yard penalty that resulted from a late hit and excessive celebration penalty (which is a rule that I hate by the way, but I understand why they have it) to score a TD last week. For some reason, those things tend to not work out so well on the road. The Volunteers need to play smart and not give away anything cheap.
5. Go out there, be physical, and have a blast. This is supposed to be a fun game, and the Vols looked like a unit that was genuinely excited to be playing football last week. If this team’s front lines continue to be physical and play with a swagger, this is a game you should win. However, I have seen many teams just lay an egg in Starkville because it doesn’t feel “big timeâ€. Well, fellas, with the way things have shaken out, they are all big time games for the Vols from here on out, and this is one that good teams don’t lose.
Last week was a sight for sore eyes for Tennessee football fans, as the Vols took out two weeks of frustration on the Georgia Bulldogs. This week brings along a different Bulldog, but the winning factors remain the same. If Tennessee brings anywhere near the same focus that they brought into last week’s game, the Vols will be just fine. If not, Mississippi State can sneak up and get you. Sly Croom’s bunch will play with all they’ve got and Croom is still an Alabama guy, who would thoroughly enjoy beating Tennessee. His kids will be ready.