This hasn’t been one of the more memorable weeks leading up to a Tennessee versus Florida football game. There has been very little (if any) trash talk. In fact, most of the Florida fans that visited VolNation this week were courteous and polite, sharing words of encouragement for downtrodden Tennessee fans. Some of them may not even remember the last Gator loss in the series (2004), and they certainly don’t expect the Vols to pose much of a threat. The oddsmakers agree: Florida is favored by more than two touchdowns. Regardless, these two SEC Eastern Division foes will decide their fate this afternoon on the football field where anything is possible.
Here are a few talking points to get the blood in your brain flowing this morning.
Irrational Exuberance?
As I mentioned above, there hasn’t been much hype this week. Yet, in the mind of some fans, Tennessee’s chances to pull off an unlikely upset increase as kickoff draws near.
You know what I’m talking about. It’s the same phenomenon that causes fans to add one or two wins to their season predictions just before the first game. It happens every year. If you are a fan, you’ve likely been stricken by this mental illness at some point in your lifetime.
This week, it’s VOLS INC. who is suffering from this unexplainable form of dementia. While watching a Thursday night football game, he and his buddy Pivol decided that Tennessee CAN beat Florida. The two promptly booked a hotel, found tickets on Craigslist, and recruited three other people to join them. Their ‘entourage’ plans to take Knoxville by storm, unite the fans, and rally the team to an unlikely victory. Sounds memorable, doesn’t it?
I wish I were as optimistic. I find it difficult to envision a scenario where Tennessee can win. However, if you are looking for a glimmer of hope, Tennessee’s offensive statistics over the first two games compare favorably to Florida’s, even though the Vols had a tougher schedule. Take a look:
| Category | Tennessee | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Yards Per Game | 435.0 | 317.5 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 178.0 | 142.5 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 257.0 | 175.0 |
| First Downs | 37 | 33 |
Starters
According to the official release, Tennessee’s offensive depth chart looks the same as it did last week. Cody Pope, who suffered a concussion and is doubtful for today’s game, is still listed first, even though junior-college transfer Darin Gooch is expected to get the start. Gerald Jones remains sidelined with a broken hand and Zach Rogers will start in his place.
Defensively, Corey Miller is listed as the starter at DT in place of Gerald Williams. Williams is now listed as the backup NT behind Montori Hughes. Also, Eric Gordon and Marsalis Teague are still listed as co-starters at RCB. For whatever reason, Gordon was listed first on the depth chart last week and this week Teague’s name is first. I’m not certain whether that has any meaning.
Streaks, Statistics and other arithmetic
- Tennessee has lost five straight games to Florida. Urban Meyer has never lost to Tennessee, and neither has any player on the Gators’ roster.
- 7-for-30. That’s Tennessee’s conversion percentage on third downs so far this season. What’s the simplest way to improve that percentage? Gain more yards on first and second down.
“If you’re losing first down,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said, “you’re behind the chains a lot and that puts a young offensive line at risk and an inexperienced quarterback at risk.”
- According to Mike Strange, it has been nearly six years since Tennessee returned a punt or kickoff for a score. During that same period, however, the Vols have allowed 10 return touchdowns.
Foster > Manning
Thanks (at least in part) to the loyal Tennessee fans of VolNation, Arian Foster was named Fed Ex Ground NFL player of the Week after his 231-yard, three touchdown performance in the Texans’ victory against the Indianapolis Colts.
Can Dooley get it done? The media makes its case.
Tim Brando said this week that he believes Derek Dooley can handle the challenge facing him at Tennessee:
“This challenge for (Dooley) is one that I think he can handle,” Brando said. “If the concern with Tennessee is, ‘Is Derek Dooley up to the challenge?’ then I think that’s a very easy question to answer. “It’s yes, he’s capable of handling what’s in front of him, …
Meanwhile, Colin Cowherd believes Dooley is in way over his head.
Oh, Mom!
Apparently, as if Tennessee fans have nothing else to worry about this week, Barbara Dooley has become public enemy number one. She was on the radio ‘whining about UT fans leaving in the third quarter’ of Tennessee’s loss against Oregon, saying Georgia fans are never guilty of such transgressions.