What’s past is prologue as the saying goes. Ohio came into a less than fired up Rocky Top and lost. The Vols got the bare minimum, namely a much needed win.
Now, the first SEC home game is staring a banged up Tennessee team square in the face. Auburn comes in hot off a 4-0 start. They haven’t faced as good of defenses as Tennessee has, but their confidence is high.
Monte Rolls Old School
They are an opponent who runs an offense that’s about as easy to figure out as trying to ‘read a book, while someone waves their hand in front of it’.
That analogy comes from Monte Kiffin who is the same guy who compared Florida’s offense to the 2002 Oakland Raiders who had the number one offense that year (He failed to mention he helped beat them in the Super Bowl).
Monte rolls old school with the humility and ‘the poor mouthing’ and you’ve got to love it. Not saying it’s not a challenge, but the defense will be ready.
Nick Reveiz is quality in all respects. Someone, whether it’s Savion Frazier, Herman Mathers, or someone else needs to step up big time to help fill the void left by Reveiz’s injury.
Some Vertical Success
On offense, Tennessee should be able to run the ball. Someway, somehow the passing game needs to do two things. No interceptions and at least a sprinkling of vertical success to pull Auburn off the box some. If there is any aspect of the team that needs consistency, this is it.
Special teams were a let down last week. For the Auburn game it’s pretty much a wash as far as edges go. Neither team is high caliber. Both rank in the bottom third of the FBS for most all of special teams statistics.
A huge battle that will affect the outcome once again will be turnovers. Auburn has the clear edge in turnovers, crafting a +7 so far, while the Vols are a -3. This cannot carry over into Saturday night and Tennessee expects to win. One side note for the offense from watching Auburn play; their defense is adept at stripping the ball.
Is that Everything?
So we mentioned the offense and the defense. Special teams play and the turnover battle. I think that’s it . . . Wait; there is one other thing, crowd noise.
When UCLA played a red shirt freshman at quarterback in here a few weeks ago, his composure was pretty impressive and it was LOUD. He left with a broken jaw, but they got the win. It felt like the fans did everything we could to help. The Auburn game however could be a different story.
Rock the House
As someone who has not been big on crowd noise winning a game, there are two intriguing reasons why I believe Lane Kiffin mentioned it in his presser:
1). Penalties: Auburn is averaging almost seven (7) penalties a game. Not only are they drive stoppers, they can kill momentum. Be loud Vol fans, be VERY loud. And not just on third downs.
2). Hurry up Spread: Auburn’s offense is predicated on a fast tempo with communication as they walk up to the line following a play. Lots of motion, lots of it. Make big noise and we know how to do it, we have done it before.
We can postulate until the cows come home about this or that and it will not affect the outcome of this game. But, we can Rock the House and just maybe help get that win. Rock the House Big Orange.