Big Orange Report 9-15-08
By Warner Agee
Big Orange Nation Is Restless
When is last time that Tennessee played a home opener in football and there were ten to fifteen thousand empty seats in Neyland Stadium? Can anyone remember when the Vols lost a close game and then saw the team that beat them get squashed 59-0 in their next contest? When was the last September when UT fans and alumni appeared to be so demoralized and downright grouchy?
All is not well in the Volunteer State when the subject is college football. Despite inflated numbers issued by the athletic department and lame excuses from the apparently clueless athletic director, informed sources and long time Tennessee fans insist that there were no more than 85,000 people in the stadium last Saturday for the ho-hum victory over the 118th ranked team in the nation.
Add to that fact that Brigham Young University pulverized the UCLA Bruins by a humiliating score of 59-0 after Phil Fulmer and John Chavis had taken it on the chin from those same Bruins in a nationally televised opener and that might explain our third question entirely.
Time to fish or cut bait
Each year this decade it seems that Fulmer has been able to score a startling upset over a heavily favored foe and his timing has been impeccable. Just when the wolves were baying at the door, Fulmer has won a game that served to quiet his critics and allow him to hang on for dear life for another season. That victim has been Georgia over the past two years, but now it is time to beat the Florida Gators or face the consequences. Fulmer is 0-3 vs. Urban Meyer's Florida teams. If the record goes to 0-4 this weekend, the thunder for change in Knoxville will roll across this entire state like belching grapeshot from ten thousand Civil War cannons from Tiptonville to Bristol.
Key matchups
Tennessee linebackers vs. Tim Tebow-- Containing Tebow will be job one for the Vol linebackers in this game. It will require disipline and a very keen eye because when Tebow gets on the edge in a run or pass situation, the linebackers must make snap judgments that will certainly influence Florida's ability to move the football. Will Chavis use a spy, one player responsible for only Tebow? Can a linebacker stay with talented Gator tight end Corneilus Ingram? These are matches requiring reflexes and athletic ability. If the Vols have a chance in this one, their linebackers must rise to the occasion, big time.
Vol offensive line and fullback vs. Gator front seven on defense-- If the Big Orange is to flirt with victory in this contest, the veteran offensive line must assert its manhood against the Florida front seven on defense. Tennessee has got to run the football effectively in order to control tempo, the clock and keep the Gator offense on the sidelines. Rest assured that their head coach and offensive line coach have challenged them to knock Florida off the ball on Saturday. The game could very well be won or lost on this single matchup.
/Robert Ayers vs. Phil Trautwein-- Tennessee desperately needs a pass rush off the edge. The Gators left offensive tackle missed the entire '07 season with a stress facture and he has not faced a big time pass rusher this season. This man on man confrontation will also have a huge influence on the final disposition of this must-win game for UT.
Pressure point-- The heat is on Fulmer again and he knows it. Field goals are not likely to win this one, so Fulmer's ultra-conservative coaching style will be sternly tested. Fulmer's career record vs. Florida is an anemic 5-11. If it goes to 5-12, the hounds will be howling and they won't be registered blue ticks either.
Watch for this--- Every defensive coordinator on the Florida schedule heads for the medicine cabinet and the bottle of Pepto Bismol the week of the game against the Gators. The reason, two words, Percy Harvin. It's tough enough to try and slow down Tebow, but Harvin is the supersonic jet that can torch a defense at any time and from any position on the football field. Chavis had best have this guy accounted for and under surveillance every time Florida snaps the football. Eric Berry will be looking for a clean, early shot on Harvin just to welcome him to Neyland Stadium.
Secret weapon-- Brandon Warren, the transfer from Florida State, has only seen limited duty in the first two games. The guess here is that this will be when the offensive staff attempts to have a coming out party for the former Seminole freshman All-American. Look for offensive coordinator Dave Clawson to try and get Warren matched against Gator linebacker Dustin Doe, who is listed at 6-0 and 215 pounds.
Key stats-- Penalties have plagued Tennessee in the first two games. False starts, illegal motion, these things must be eliminated or the Vols will have problems controlling the ball and mounting long, time consuming drives. Here's two numbers to look at after the game, return yards and yards gained on first down. They will be crucial in this battle. And don't forget third down conversions either.
Bottom line-- Meyer has no respect for Fulmer. That was obvious when the Florida coach ran the score up last season. Tennessee must come out and hit these people in the mouth early and often. If the Vols block and tackle better than the Gators, UT has a shot.
