I just got word that after Notre Dame’s loss to Boston College, they finally decided to cut the grass at Notre Dame Stadium. The list of items found once mowing included: a trailer with a wood deck on back, five pink flamingos, a car up on blocks, a kids swimming pool with a pair of Jimmy Clausen’s speedos, a pair of spandex pants that fit one large woman, a janitor’s key ring with 100 keys, and Charlie Weiss’ recipe book titled “Deep Frying South Bend Style”.
For those of you that missed the Notre Dame game, I got to watch because UT was blacked out everywhere but in the Volunteer state. There were times when you could look on the field, and a player’s feet would literally disappear into the grass. Of course in field conditions like that, games often become a battle of attrition, because helps neutralize some of the speed often effective against the home team. As I watched Boston College and Notre Dame offend all of my senses, I began to think of the UT football season to date. Then….WHAM! Out of nowhere, Lexvol got his own guitar shot to the head.
In case you haven’t noticed, the football season for the University of Tennessee has settled right into the wheelhouse of Phillip Fulmer. If you are wondering what I mean, all you have to do is take a look at the remaining schedule. Every game on the docket sets up very nicely for the Vols, simply for this reason. If UT continues to effectively run the football, each remaining SEC contest (with the possible exception of the UK game) has the potential to knock down drag out, hit the other guy in the mouth, game of attrition. To use a term coined by “Cartervol†that may turn out to be craptastic for the loyal followers of the Vols.
The Nation better get ready, because the game against MSU is just the beginning of a long stretch. Nothing could please Fulmer more than grinding it out against the remaining competition. Frankly, sometimes it is boring to watch, but in this case winning is the only thing. We have seen what Fulmer can do when the Vols can effectively run the ball. The real gamble in this situation is will this work?
My contention is that it actually can. Again, with the exception of the UK game, there is not an offense left on the schedule that will have the ability to “Tebow†this UT defense. Sure we will see relapses from time to time much like we witnessed in the MSU game, but realistically speaking, the offensive threats may be gone. Neither Smelley or JP Wilson have done enough to scare me. Casey Dick can’t hit the broadside of a barn, and don’t look now, but McFadden is running out of steam. So lovers of smash-mouth Volball buckle your chin straps. Phil now has the ability to hunker down in the trenches, and coach the only game that he knows. Advantage: Fulmer.
Before Fulmer gets too carried away, he should know this is not a risk free enterprise. Just ask Les Miles about going to the well of attrition (one time too many) in Commonwealth Stadium. Times are really changing in the SEC when you cannot put your jumbo package at the line of scrimmage and gain two yards against the Kentucky Wildcats. Also keep in mind that Alabama and South Carolina are going to pack a little more up front than the pair of Dawgs that were easily disposed by using the run when you can, pass when you have to philosophy. The strategy of plod and trod is not the game that it used to be, especially considering the Vol’s recent success running the football in the SEC. Maybe CPF has a few more surprises up his sleeve.
No matter how he gets it done, the task that lies before him is simple enough to outline. Beat Bama, and take care of the rest of the SEC business on your schedule. Fulmer will bring his plans for attrition to every game and put it all on the line for one simple reason….because he can. It may not look pretty, and it certainly won’t make me feel any more prepared to play the Gators again next September, but it just might punch the Vol’s ticket for that December game in Atlanta that the fans around here talk so much about.
Sure, there is plenty more to discuss about receivers that might be wasting away on the sidelines. The Nation can handle all of the talk about development of talent and preparation of the UT football team. So here is your warning: Buckle your chin straps Nation, and get ready for some plod and trod. There will be attrition on the boards, attrition on the fields and the smell of napalm in the morning. Go Vols!