Corey..... <t>I've seen BYU twice now and they can play. Their O-Line is 6-6-320 a man across the front and the QB is real good.<br/> <br/> They are in for a good year.</t>
I've not watched BYU yet but I think it's safe to say that they can play and play well. I don't care how bad Ucla is, to demolish a BCS conference team 59-0 is a big statement. It should be interesting to see how much of a BCS party crasher BYU is. They could be the story of the year.
With all the bad things that keep popping in my mind about Tenn. this season, one very prominent and important positive keeps coming to mind. The power running game was more or less abandoned the last two years under Coach Cut. This year, it's there and the Oline has looked really good in run blocking. Foster showed a burst against UAB that I didn't know he had. In addition, Hardesty has run like a beast at times and you've got Lennon Creer with big league speed and Taurean Poole with a nice quick/tough running combo. Not very many teams can go 4 deep at RB without all that much dropoff (USC excepted). I am glad to see that and that's what UT football is. I, like Tom, do not pretend to think that a power running game only can get the Vols by the Gators, but the team that runs for more yards has an incredible advantage in the series. Maybe if we can just hit 'em deep a time or two and then rely on the running game to control the clock, we could stand a chance. I doubt it, but the running game does give me reason for hope.
"Rivalry took on a whole new meaning Monday afternoon when Percy Harvin told the media, “I’m feeling strong and fast.” You can almost picture Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis taking a swig from an industrial-size bottle of Maalox with that proclamation from Florida’s electric playmaker." Ah ha....Percy is supposedly at 100%.......nice... 8)
Injuries and attitude won't be the excuse for Florida vs. Tenn on Sat... http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20080915/NEWS/809150217 This team is battle tested and as healthy as I can remember going into a game with Tenn. I like it..... :wink:
I have no doubt that the Gator team that rolls into Knoxville is going to be ready to play and scary good as well. Percy Harvin is an elite playmaker and it will show against the Vols. That said, Tenn. has a secondary that has capitalized on virtually every mistake the opposing QB has made thus far this season. In order to force Tebow into mistakes, I believe Tenn. has to generate a consistent pass rush while confining Tebow to the pocket. If the front line can do their part, Tenn. will have a chance. That's a huge IF as I've seen Tenn. struggle to generate that pass rush using 4 guys against lesser opponents than UF. I don't think the Gators will pass at will regardless though unless Chavis tells the DBs to play 15 yards off the line of scrimmage. I think the Vols can afford to play the Gators man with help over the top from Morley and Berry. We'll see. I also keep holding out hope that Tenn. has been saving something offensively for the Gators. Either that or I hope that Fulmer packs it in, says we'll work on this west coast thing next year and lines up in a traditional set and runs it down the Gators' throat with a PA pass thrown in here and there to keep UF off-balance. We shall see on that count as well....
I think someone needs to pull a tonya harding and hit tebow in the knees lol. Should be a great game I hope you guys will shoot updates on here throughout the game, yet again 3 yrs running I will not be able to watch (DRILL WEEKEND) the damn reservist come in. My Call for the game TN 30 FL 28. I'm probaly going to be wrong this year but I never under any circumstances pick FL over TN. GORT out!!
It looks like the doubters in Vol Nation are out in full force again based upon the local radio call-in shows. I wonder how that sterling looking recruiting class will be affected. Now, I do understand that it's ok to be reasonable. I think Florida is a better team than Tenn. right now and if I were betting on the game, I'd take UF. However, to predict scores like I've heard lately on the radio shows is ridiculous. I think the Gators should be favored but I don't see it being embarrassing and I also think that Tenn. has a chance.
Good Luck to both teams. I hope they both play well and that there are no injuries on either side. I would have to say Fla deserves the favorites role and I'd perdict that they will win, but it will be a close game.
Prediction time for me. Between going tailgating with friends at the parking area for the Texas baseball diamond and going to the Saxet gun show, I may not be back home until just before kickoff. Al Wilson, one of the heroes of the 1998 championship team, just gave the inspirational speech to the team. If anyone can inspire this group, it is Al Wilson. This factor alone has given me a little hope. My thoughts have moved from wagering the maximum confidence points on Florida (win/win situation for me) to possibly even wagering points on a Tennessee win. My prediction: Tennessee wins 20 - 17 (the same score as the 1998 game)
OK, I'll play the prediction game too with perhaps a little analysis. Tebow vs. Crompton I don't think I have to explain why I think the Gators have the edge here. The guy accounted for, what, 55 TDs last year??? Tebow is one of the great ones as far as I'm concerned. Only judging from what I've seen from Crompton so far.... Gators +13 here Runningbacks Since Florida hasn't had Moody on the field yet, it's hard to say exactly what Florida has. I have seen a stable of backs at Tenn. that I haven't seen in quite some time. The group of Foster, Hardesty, and Creer might just rival Lewis, Henry, and Stephens. OK, maybe not, but this is a tough group in Knoxville. Vols +6 Wide Receivers/Tightends Now, the Gators have a great group of wideouts including the lightning fast Percy Harvin. I like Tennessee's WRs too though with Jones and Taylor leading the way. I still have to give the Gators the edge but not by as much as one might think. Gators +3 Offensive Line Both teams have great size and good experience on the line. The Gators start 3 seniors. It has been well-publicized that Tennessee allowed only 3 sacks all of last season. The impressive thing this year has been their dominance in the run game. I'll take Tennessee's group... Vols +3 Defensive Line The Gators still have a young group but they looked stout against the Canes and there are an abundance of highly touted players. Tennessee has not had the line play that we're used to seeing on Rocky Top in a while. Justin Harrell was great but since he left, it seems the line has underachieved. I did hear a rumor that Tenn. was moving Juco LB Gerald Williams to DE. Tennessee has looked good against the run but struggled to get pressure on the passer. I'll give the slight edge to the Gators. Gators +2 Linebackers The Gators' Brandon Spikes has stirred up some controversy this week by saying that Tennessee quit during the game last year. I'm not sure that was a good move on his part. Anyway, he heads up a talented group of Gator LBs. Rico McCoy is very talented in Orange but this UT group had to replace #10 overall NFL pick Jerod Mayo. I have to give a slight edge to the Gators. Gators +3 DBs I understand that the Gators have some very talented players but if there is any one area that I feel Tennessee has a distinct advantage defensively in this game, this is it. The Vols' Eric Berry took a pick to the house from 98 yards last year en route to being a Freshman All-American. On top of that, the Vols got a very talented player in Demetrice Morley back this year. The Vols have good talent and depth at corner as well. I give the Vols an edge here but I realize the Gators can play too. Vols +7 Those numbers bring me to....Gators 21 Vols 16 I hate to say it and I hate even more to sound like a non-believing fan but I have been very disappointed with Tennessee's performance over the first two games. I had high expectations going into this season for the Vols. I still think they can rebound to have a very good season but I think the offense has to have more time to jell. I hope I'm wrong and Tom's optimism makes me want to rethink my opinion but I'm going to have to stick to this score. I think Florida will win the SEC this year and I don't see the Vols standing in their way right now. If Tennessee had a couple more games to get Crompton comfortable, then maybe I could predict differently but I don't see it right now. I SURE HOPE I AM DEAD WRONG.
I sure hope you are too but I don't think so. My prediction is not a revelation. It is a hope and a prayer! It is based off of intangibles. Al Wilson, in 1998, was a force on the field but was even more impressive on the sidelines motivating people when motivation was needed. I was there and remember his antics to bring Tee Martin back from his head hanging low when it appeared that Arkansas was about to end our NC hopes. In a post game interview, it was brought out by Tee that Al told him to get back in the game because we were getting the ball back... and surprisingly, we did. If there is an intangible difference, having him motivate the team was it. I just hope that he is in form and asked to be in the locker room at half time as well. If that is the case, and we win this game, Fulmer had better make room on the staff for him since he just retired from the NFL. Whether we win or not, if Al wants a place on this staff... Fulmer... are you listening!?!?!?!? This man could save your arse in the next few years.
Fulmer thinks Tennessee is going to win. We're Going To Kick Florida's Butt! Fulmer said Tennessee was going to kick Florida's butt. He used the word "butt,'' not the cuss word associated with it, the one an insanely fired-up Pearl has thrown out at pep rallies before basketball games with Florida and Memphis the past two years.