1. The Run Game– Everyone is freaking about the run game. Two things: The first is that the run game was very bland. Not a lot of pulling or zone, just man to man and mostly between the tackles. Yes, you want a better push for the line. Cincinnati also won’t stack eight in the box (unless they want to lose). The second is that the run game is not that important anymore. You have so much diversity with the passing game now that, unlike the 80’s or even the 90’s, a great running game isn’t monumental. You need good balance, yes, but if passing forty times is what is best for the team…then pass forty times.
2. Ball Security– The fumbling is something I’m not concerned about. Wet ball, very little outdoor work in the rain. It’s not an issue in my mind. What I am worried about is the interceptions. More than likely, Chaney will dial up Bray to throw thirty times and more likely closer to forty. Bray looks like he has improved in being smarter and more patient, but he also made a couple bad throws. Higher pass attempts equal more opportunities for bad throws, and with a young “gunslinger” like Bray, that’s risky.
3. No answer for the slot– One pass was completed to the slot receiver against Montana. That needs to improve. Three guys got chances, and none of them stood out. If you are going to throw as much as the Vols probably will, a good third receiver is of the utmost importance. I expect Coach Chaney to try and bring the Cincinnati defense closer by hitting the slot guy underneath.
4. But still focus on getting the ball to Rogers and Hunter– There’s no reason for Hunter and Rogers not to have 15 touches. Even running quick slants/bubble screens, etc., do whatever you can and get the ball in their possession. The focus on the offense should be those two players, and should be to get them the football. Both players showed an ability to make a short catch and make a big play out it Saturday. They can do it again.
5. BLITZ!!!– Cincinnati’s offense is predicated on timing and rhythm. Justin Wilcox needs to dial up a lot of blitzes and multiple looks to combat that. Cincinnati QB Zach Collaros will pick you apart if you give him time and he can make plays with his legs. Giving him time is the worst thing that can happen. Expect a lot Maggitt on blitz, A.J Johnson spying, and expect a lot of 4-2-5 defense.
6. Justin Coleman is the defensive player to watch– Cincinnati wideouts D.J. Woods and Kenbrell Thompkins are both dangerous players. Teague will most likely play on Woods, so Coleman is the key. He got beat deep against Montana for a touchdown, but other than that played mostly well. Shutting down one side of the field, or at least containing it, will go a long way to being more aggressive with the blitz if Coach Wilcox can trust Coleman.
7. Tackling– It was a very solid performance tackling against Montana. They wrapped up well, and Montana broke very few tackles. Cincinnati’s offense will feature a lot of one-on-one matchups in space. Two things need to happen this week. The first is you have to go for the legs. Slow down the ball carrier and make sure you wrap up. The second is pursuing the ball carrier. You cannot be slow to the ball in this game. The defensive staff has to make sure the players understand how important it is to gang tackle.
8. Marlin Lane is the offensive player to watch– With an aggressive defense, screens are the kryptonite to a blitz. However, you need a back that can: a) catch the ball in traffic and b) make the first and second defender miss. That player is Marlin Lane. Chaney loved the screens at Purdue, and I expect him to show that in this game. Lane is going to be the key. While Poole is a solid pass catcher, Lane is much more explosive and has showed good hands since being on campus. As mentioned in point #3, bringing in the Cincinnati defense inside ten yards will do wonders for the offense. Look for Lane to get involved early in the passing game.
9. The checkdown is your friend– Bray has to get the gunslinger mentality out for this game. This isn’t a team to take a lot of chances on. They are going to blitz and he has to get the ball out quickly. This is where taking a five or seven yard play consistently will be most beneficial. You want to make big plays, but you don’t want to have to take so many chances to do it. Be smart, and don’t force the football.
10. Final Thoughts– A lot of attention is being focused on the offenses and it should. It won’t be Michigan-Illinois of last year, but there will be a lot of points. Bray cannot make mistakes, which includes holding the ball and getting sacked. The defense needs to be aggressive. Get to Collaros, prevent the big play on defense, and take what the defense gives you offensively, and Tennessee should pull out a win.
Tennessee 42
Cincinnati 31
11 responses to “Ten Thoughts: Cincinnati Edition”
Thanks Zack. I for one and hoping that Cin doesnt put up 4 TD’s Sat.
With Bray’s arm strength, he can make any throw he needs to make on the field including the 15 yard outs and cross field throws that other quarter backs can’t. This ability to use the entire field also helps to keep Hunter and Rogers open, and is what really seprates him from the pack. He showed this several times against Montana, throwing some unbelievable bullets on a dime when necessary. You are right about the third receiver, but IMO, Bray’s ability to hit the difficult long throws limits the need to go to his third option most of the time, making it extremely hard for defenses to cover our two gifted receivers.
Expect Rivera to get some deep balls over the middle after last weeks performance by Bray and company.
Bray has a big time arm accompanied with big time accuracy, and if he makes good decisions, it will be hard if not next to impossible for Cincy to stop us.
Also, I expect or running game to be just fine this week. I look for Mr. Poole to get upwards of 150 yards and Lane to be around 50 on the same amount of touches. As an added bonus, we should expect to gain a few more all purpose this week with the return of that other back, what was his name? Oh yeah, Rajion Neal. After this week, teams will have to factor him into the equation as well.
To me the real question for this game, is on the defensive side of the ball, and Ben Martin is a big key to our success this year IMO. Coming off two achilles surgeries, just how full speed is he this year? We will find out tomorrow.
A senior member of our squad, he is definitely mentally ready for the game, and if his legs will cooperate; he should be a nice piece of the puzzle we where missing last season on D. Two solid performances by our DE’s this week should spell a victory for UT this weekend’s matchup.
*wur
Very nice write up Zach, two solid weeks in a row of good work.
I agree totally about point number 1. While we should be able to run the ball effectively, if they cannot stop the pass then keep passing. I enjoy a power running game as much as the next guy, but Cincinnati has some holes in the secondary and we should force them to stop our passing game first. We can control the clock just as well with short passes underneath, or screens.
Rajon Neal should be a viable option in the slot. Has good quickness and great hands. This of course when he’s not in the bacfield. But he is a great weapon to have when healthy.
Completely disagree with number 1. While I believe that if you can’t run it, throw and throw some more, the statement about the running game not being important is rediculous. I dare you to pull up a National Champion from the past several years and see how many yards they ran for as a team. 2010 Auburn had a dynamic running game with Cam Newton. 2009 Bama had a heisman trophy winning back with Ingram, not to mention Trent Richardson. 2008 Florida had Tebow and Percy running the ball. 2007 LSU had Jacob Hester. 2006 Florida had a combined effort from Deshawn Wynn, Tebow, and Percy, 2005 Texas had Vince Young and the zone read, 2003-04 USC had a 2 headed monster with Lendale White and Reggie Bush and on and on. If you want to win big time football, you have to be able to run the ball. Passing 40 and 50 times is entertaining, but it will only get you 8 or 9 wins a year. It will never take you to that elite level.
I actually expect a fairly close first half, with the Vols leading by anywhere from 1 to 10 at the half. Second half…Bray, Lane, Rogers and/or Hunter, and a sleeper blow up on UC…and UT wins by 21.
Then again, I have like 8 million dollars waiting for me in Nigeria, so…..
Go Vols.
I’m with you vols033,the running game has got to improve
Some thoughts about the thoughts:
1. Running Game – I don’t know what football you watch, but can you name a recent national champion who hasn’t primarily run the ball? Going back to 2005, only Florida in 2006 threw for substantially more yards than they ran for. If you can’t run, you can’t win.
2. Ball Security – this should be the biggest concern. Yes it was a monsoon. But that doesn’t explain putting the ball on the ground 6 times. Montana only fumbled twice. Turnovers killed UC in 2010. Turnovers are a big key today. Extra possessions and short fields with these offenses is asking for trouble. UC will be trying to force fumbles and picks.
3. Slot receiver – this works both ways. UC’s best receiver last week was actually slot receiver Anthony McClung. The safety or nickle who covers him will have his hands full.
4. Rogers/Hunter – those guys scare us Bearcat fans. They are big, athletic, fast, and have pretty good hands. But Thompkins and Woods are no slouches. In fact, DJ Woods has more receiving yards and TDs than any UT receiver. And UC will be running lots of receivers in an out of the game who can all catch the ball and do something once they get it.
5 Blitz – Please Blitz Collaros. Please. He will eat that up. with the receivers on both sides of hte ball, pass rush without blitzing will be the key. Put these receivers both UC’s AND UT’s) one on one and scores will follow.
6. Coleman – The most important UT defenders are the front line. But if want to focus on a DB, the real key is whoever covers Anthony McClung. See my comments above.
7. Tackling – Total agreement on the importance of tackling, especially in space. I know we surely need to tackle better on special teams than we did last week.
8. Marlin Lane – UC’s LBs will have to contain Lane. Onthe UC side of the ball, Isaiah PEad is as dangerous a receiver as ball carrier. If he catches balls, watch out. There is no LB for UT who can cover him.
9. Checkdowns – Can’t argue much with this. But I would throw in the hot read, given the comments above regarding the blitz. The hot read receiver, especially right behind the blitz, often goes for big yards.
10. Final Thoughts – Points will come. Ball security is paramount. If UC gets push from the front four, and make UT put the ball on the ground, there will be lots of unhappy Volunteers. normally, in a game where you expect a lot of points (like this one), people say whoever has the ball last will win. But I think this game is going to be like match play golf – first in wins.
UC 31 UT 30
GO BEARCATS!!