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Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo reacts after a loss to Florida on Sept. 15. Mayo, the Vols’ leading tackler, is being moved to weakside linebacker for the Outback Bowl to replace Rico McCoy.
Photo by Saul Young // Buy this photo
Tennessee linebackers Adam Myers-White, left, and Ellix Wilson wrap up Louisiana- Lafayette’s Michael Desormeaux during a Nov. 3 game. Myers-White and Wilson are expected to see plenty of action in the Outback Bowl.
TAMPA, Fla. — The last time Tennessee held a football practice on Florida’s Gulf Coast, sophomore linebacker Rico McCoy was about to make his second career start.
Then, Jerod Mayo was just recovering from a knee injury that caused him to miss all but a few plays of Tennessee’s final two games of the regular season.
This time around, it’s Mayo who will be starting for McCoy.
With McCoy, UT’s starting weakside linebacker and second-leading tackler, academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl on Tuesday, Mayo moves from middle linebacker to his old position at weakside linebacker.
“I’m comfortable wherever coach puts me out on the football field, and I’m confident he won’t put me in a position to fail,” Mayo said Wednesday, shortly before Tennessee began practice at the University of Tampa.
But Mayo’s move isn’t the only change for Tennessee’s defense as it prepares to face a Wisconsin offense that ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally with an average of 201.5 rushing yards per game.
Reserve Ellix Wilson will step in for Mayo at middle linebacker, while several players could play at strongside linebacker depending on the health of Ryan Karl.
Karl returned to practice Wednesday, but his status remains uncertain as he recovers from a chipped a bone in his right elbow suffered against LSU in the SEC championship game earlier this month.
“I don’t know that he’s going to be able to play,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. “We’ll see. The doctors said from the front end that it was the type of injury that with a couple weeks off he should be able to be fine. We’ll see if that’s the case now that he’s back and going.
“I’m anxious to see how he responds, and I expect him to respond well. But if he doesn’t, then we’ve got other options as well.”
Those options at strongside linebacker include reserves Dorian Davis and Adam Myers-White as well as safety Nevin McKenzie. All could play if Karl is unable to go against Wisconsin.
Wilson, a junior, played in all 13 games this season and Myers-White, also a junior, played in all but one, however neither have started a game.
“We have enough guys that have played enough places that depth is not really that big of a concern,” Fulmer said. “When you take a really good player like Rico out of the mix there, that’s the concern. I don’t know that we can fully 100 percent replace what he’s been able to accomplish, but I think those guys are very capable.”
Still, it’s not exactly a dream scenario for the Vols, which could have an entirely different lineup at linebacker than the last time they played a game.
They’ll also be without Demonte’ Bolden, perhaps Tennessee’s best defensive tackle.
Senior J.T. Mapu will start and Walter Fisher will get more snaps, but depth is a much bigger issue up front.
Fulmer said that defensive ends Robert Ayers and Xavier Mitchell could move inside to tackle in certain packages, which the Vols did against Kentucky when Bolden suffered a foot injury.
“It doesn’t really change anything,” said Mayo, who leads UT with 127 tackles and earned first-team All-SEC honors this season at middle linebacker. “It’s not a drop off with J.T. Mapu starting this week. He’s a great defensive tackle. He’s been playing some really good football these last couple weeks.”
So has 18th-ranked Wisconsin, which has won four of its last five games heading into the Outback Bowl.
Whatever personnel the Vols use to try and stop the Badgers, speed will be part of the equation.
“Wisconsin has such a good running attack and play-action attack and their quarterback’s very mobile,” Fulmer said. “We know we’re going to need as much speed on the field as we can get to defend them.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 56
VAVol writes:
Let's forget about who's not playing and start concentrating on who is playing. Time to get 'em psyched up and ready to kick some serious Wisconsin butt!!
gohawks1 writes:
Don't know too much about Davis. Has he seen considerable playing time?
Mayo at MLB was a good fit. I hope we don't suffer from that move, but as long as he is on the field, there will still be some hard hittin' going on! Go get 'em, Jerod!
Ironcity writes:
From what I have seen of Wilson this year, this should improve our blitz dramatically. He is more natural at the MLB then Mayo. I think for a team like Wisconsin who has a big power game, it might work out to our benefit if Karl can't play and we have to play someone bigger, stronger and more physical at the point of attack.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Phil, start Davis and let him get his shots at those bruising backs. Lord, let's get a few turnovers and win this game. We are not better than this team. It will be a dogfight.
Go Vols, we need this one.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I surely hope I lose but I have $200 on WI for this game. My heart says "Go Vols!" but my wallet, head and common sense say there is no way on the Lord's green earth we win this game.
Fulmer has been an awful bowl coach in recent years and, given the distractions and upheaval since Atlanta, I can't imagine our guys coming out truly prepared and ready to play their best as a team.
WI by at least 10.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Dang, mbumburu, you better get a 2nd job to make that $200 back. I've heard you can fish out golf balls, scrub 'em up and resell 'em.
diehardvol writes:
pdhuff,
We are better than this team, but we were also better than both 'Bama and Cal but that didn't seem to matter. I agree this will be a dogfight, neither team is heavy on defense and very dangerous on offense so it should be lights out. Hope I don't leave angry like last year. I don't think Ainge has won a bowl game in his 4 years so we got to get him one.
Hunter writes:
Fulmer logic dictates that you take a player who is extremely skilled at one position (say a freshman receiver) and move them to.....linebacker or something much less comfortable and less effective. Here's another example. I guess that's why he makes the big bucks and I don't. I hope it works - usually doesn't.....
gohawks1 writes:
If it's a close game, then the advantage goes to UT. The Badgers lead the nation in time-of-possession, meaning they can sustain long drives on the ground. If they find themselves behind late in the game, it may be more difficult for them to move down the field fast for a score. The Vols can score quickly if necessary.
gohawks1 writes:
Yeah, McCoy is a hard hittin' dude. I agree he will be missed.
thesavageorange writes:
Davis is a little on the smaller side in weight.215lbs.He was a 2* guy out of Iowa.(No *'s don't mean anything).May be better(faster) than Karl in pass coverage, and is 2 inches taller.I don't think they want Ryan running around w/ a bum bow trying to cover an all-american TE.Interested in how that trio would play together.
Bigger_Al writes:
Makes sense to move Mayo back. I was wondering how they would get Ellix on the field. Also, hoping Karl can play. It will be his last game as a Vol, and he has been such a hard worker with a great attitude. Mayo says it helps having Karl on the field, 100% or not.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
dihardvol, I've lost a lot of faith in prepardness. When I say not better, I mean overall. Surprising Ainge, our bellcow, is ranked 41st at QB (NCAA rankings) and Donovan 40th. We are 70th in rushing, Wis is 21st. Thats what I base my not better statement on.
And, perchance, I still can't erase Foster's fumble against PSU last year as we were about to put them away. Not negative, that happened. To me that's realism, positive or negative. And as you say, truly forgettable performances in three outings gird me for a possible fourth. Lets hope not, but who knows. Go Vols.
bigbluevol writes:
Hunter -
Mayo played weakside last year. After he grew accustomed to MLB this year, he became a beast. Everyone always criticized position changes, but they have worked in the past as well. Al Wilson from DB to LB is the biggest example. Mayo will be fine. Wilson has played a lot this year and played well. He's also a very sure (hope I don't jinx him) tackler. The biggest issue will be getting Mapu and the rest of the D-line to play well and keep the O-Line off our LB's so that they can make plays.
bigbluevol writes:
pd-
bad things come in threes as they say. Let's hope this is the start of a long bowl win streak.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Touchdown, I said the same thing back in my 20s. After losing thousands of dollars betting with my heart over the years, however, I've learned better when I have "that feeling" that the stars are aligned against us. And I have that feeling now.
When do I bet with both my heart and wallet? When nobody in the USA gives us a chance to win.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
TDTN.. That was a good post against mbumburu. I agree with you. Thanks for being positive.
thesavageorange writes:
Bigger_Al :Agree on Karl.I think he would have had a better year if not for the early injury.If nothing else he is probably the best at being in the right position.This all comes down to the D-Line.They have to hold up the OL, and let Mayo and Wilsons speed to wreak havoc.Boy, every time I see the name Wilson on the back of a MLB's jersey it brings back memories of what a football player is supposed to be about.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
savangeorange -true, when I see Karl by himself chasing any receiver 12 yds downfield, I cringe. That tells me the coverage has rolled to the opposite side and get ready. That was exploited several times this year. If his elbow is that bad, then someone has to step up.
Are we so thin that we don't even have an average replacement? Fellow Vols, Chavis has done as well as he can with smoke and mirrors along with rolls of bailing wire. LSU looked so-so but had 464 yards! D-line is not as talented as a good DIV II team. Sad, but true.
Somehow, slow these Badger backs down. May take more than 18 Buds to get thru this one. Hope its in the 2nd half before I levitate out of my recliner. Go Vols.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
UT wins this year, it's time. Look at the LsU game: the D gave up 13 points, that's it. LSU has a strong running game, good scheme, all that, and our D flew all over the field and POPPED people. If Cutcliffe can call even a half-decent game...(Cut sucked bad against Bama and LSU; he wasn't much better in the 2nd half against UK and USC).
Know what the real key is?? The boys don't go down and party all week, get drunk, screw the local talent, and smoke week. No kidding. There are years when the team looks hungover. Now, before you holier-than-thou goody-goodies smash me, stop and think that these are 18-22 year old boys, and not saints.
thesavageorange writes:
pdhuff :That last line is classic.I had never in my life turned off a game before it was over.I did it 3 times this year.(guess which games)Agree on all points. sphs_vol :Problem is , can we afford to go man to man?I hope so.I'd love to see some old style Tenn defense.
dford9#209809 writes:
I think perhaps that our beloved VOL's will miss
wide out Lucas Taylor, more than the others. If
Briscoe, Hancock, Rogers, and D. Moore can pick
up the slack we will be fine; provided of course
that Ainge does not throw us under the bus~!
Don't forget we still have the G-Man package.
Dorain Davis is worthy of a start, if Ryan Karl
isn't up to snuff. I worry a bit about starting
Ellix Wilson at MLB; as I don't think he has the
size or strength to stop the Badgers runn'in
attack. J.T. Mapu needs to rise to the occassion,
in this his last game.
orangebass writes:
sorry mparker12 but with all due respect you talk like a tree fell on your head. LSU was so banged up on offense, best RB sidelined, best receiver out, starting QB on bench with a ballcap on and 2nd string QB playing with injured hand.....pleeaase. Believe me i'd love nothing better than defense to play up to past years but this matchup is NOT a good one. Wisconsin has best running game/ ball control offense vols will have faced. it would be challange even at full stregnth but now, it could be ugly....real ugly ! HOPE I'M WRONG.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
orangebass
the slam wasn't requierd, but hey, okay....
You make lots of excuses for LSU, but they rolled up 400 yards. My point is we knocked the phooey out of them. The D could have folded up the tent and gone heme, but it didn't. I don't give a rat's ass about the Wis run game. What I do care about is there short-passing game. Bama played it to perfection against us. Still, we'd have been in the game if Phil doesn't wimp out on 4th and short.
Finally, I bash the team as much as anyone when they mess up. What I'm saying is they take this game if they come to play. UT can control the ball quite well itself.
Sure, it can be ugly, but it can be a damn good game for us, too.
There, and look, I didn't even trash you in return.
orangebass writes:
sorry, comments were just in jest, hope you were not offended, and trust me i do hope you are right and i am wrong !
txsvol#372416 writes:
mbumburu, Why don't you just donate your winnings, if any, to VASF? I've pointed out previously that Phil's record in January bowl games is better odds to bet against than the Saturday morning sports talk show's Las Vegas 800# touts. At the same time, I haven't ever bet against the Vols, just like TDTN and most others on this site. Probably Mayo will star at either MLB or the WIL. The others aren't yet proven, but I'm guessing that Ellix Wilson can plug the A gaps well, and run to the ball quite well. He won't have to think as much as he would at WIL. My guess is that Mayo will still call defensive signals. He's still the heart of our defense, wherever he lines up. I'd like to see Adam Myers-White and Dorian Davis more, so if it's at SLB, great. What teams typically do is have players work out some of the snaps at a second position, and maybe a third. That means that our best LBs will be getting on the field, even if in a different position. All your numbers prove, pdhuff, is that we have a very middling team (whose W-L record is misleading) that has overachieved in 2007. Phil let himself get involved with the pre-season hype, and failed to coach the team to meet his, and our, raised expectations. So, he misjudged again. What's new? Go Vols! Beat the Badgers! SAVol
Wilhelm16 writes:
Davis has been on the field a lot on special teams and in relief work.
VolsorCat writes:
What about Chris Donald? Get him ready for next year. He was a big recruit and hasn't been used. He may not have Karl's heart, but he sure has to be faster to the ball.
wheatbarley writes:
It's a little late in the year for a "Phamous Philerism", but there it is. "We've got enough guys who've played enough positions, we'll be OK." I paraphrase, but this stuff ranks up there with comments after losses in big games(and breakout games by players the following week). "He's a heckuva an athlete, we probably should have got him on the field sooner." Please, go Vols, have all the fun you can have, and kick a Big 10 team up and down the field. I disagree with the article in today's Tennessean here in Nashville that it's a business trip. It's a chance for the players(and coaches) to whale on a team on national TV and stand tall for their school. Go Vols.
james#216392 writes:
Throw the ball to Luke Stocker at tight end. With Cottom back, use the two tight ends more. I watched Stocker play in high school and he has pretty good hands.
gohawks1 writes:
VolsorCat, Chris Donald is one of the 6 who is ineligible because of grades, so he isn't available. In any case, I doubt that he would have been used as he will be a red-shirt anyway. If he can bounce back from the grades issue, he'll be a solid player at LB in the years ahead. I hope he gets things worked out.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Now , old Wilson stepping in to start with a name like Elix, I guarantee he's tough. Its kinda like the first time I heard D'brickashaw (sic). I knew he was going to the pros.
Happy New Year.
jeremy writes:
I don't care who plays as long as they "wrap-up" and make a tackle. If They try to make a "hit" on somebody we will get killed.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
you can bet one thing: every big-tin coach will try to motivate his team with 'underdog' and 'sec doesn't respect us'.
One thing you can count on with a big-tin team: they will try to play the best they can. the sec tends to be ill-prepared for bowls, too much partying and showboating. F'rinstance, it drives me nuts to see some 300-lb DT dancing after a hit in the first quarter, only to get pushed around like a blocking sled come 4th quarter.
I still say UT wins, because I just think this is a more focused group of players. I thought we did damn well the last few games, against really tough teams. The only game I felt we got outclassed was against UF. Cal and Bama were bad scores, but more about a few plays here and there. UF was just damned ugly.
wyomingvol writes:
McKenzie is a play maker. It would be great to see him switch to OLB..
orangebloodgmc writes:
Amen, McKenzie can play. I think we'll be OK at lb; DL has got to man up.
JETnTN writes:
I like MAYO anywhere on the field! Davis is a very good kid I've met several times and he has had several big hits and tackles on special teams..let's get this one for the upcoming recruiting battles we are in!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Thanks for comments on my wager, guys, but for me it comes down to one question: will the coaches have the players focused and prepared?
Talent and ability are not the issue. No doubt in my mind we have superior talent to WI. No doubt we can beat them if we play up to potential.
But I've placed my wager believing that we will, once again, show up unprepared, unfocused, and uninspired. And we will get outplayed.
My wager is based on experience from the last 10 bowls. We are 4-6 in the last 10 bowls.
That record leads me to conclude that Coach Fulmer just isn't a good bowl coach. That record screams "Don't bet on me!"
I hope I'm wrong, of course, and I lose my bet. I hope the team that beat GA and AR shows up.
wisonsinvol writes:
MBUM, i'll take a little of that action - but let's not talk chump change. I'll take UT and 10 for a grand. You man enough to put your money where your mouth is?
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Uhhh...you might want to spell your name correctly, WISCONSINVOL...
And I have put my money where my mouth is. Might be chump change to you but $200 is a lot of money to me. I honestly hope I lose it.
But when the final score is up, I'm guessing my heart will be sad but my wallet will be $200 fatter.
BTW, might want to read my posts before you punk up.
ORANGEAND2 writes:
making adjustments,that's what it's about! a few important players don't get to play--that's college football.if we can't do it without them--then we probably don't deserve to be there!!
4ss#446072 writes:
Posted by mcbrim1998
"I am just happy that Fulmer got a contract extension.
Go Gators"
I'm glad that Tim Teabag won the Hiesman (which don't mean poop) We'll stick that trophy up his a$$ when the Gators come to Knoxville next year. Count on it.
Why are you even on this VOLS site anyway? you douchbag! FLA might have kicked our tails this year, I'll give you that, but it will not happen again...
Vol13 writes:
Tennessee will lose this game by double digits. I don't know how anyone could come on here and predict that the Vols will win this one. We'll have 4 coaches in this game who already have jobs elsewhere. You think they'll put a lot of effort into this one? We're missing three starters off a team that wasn't all that good to begin with.
You can count on seeing an unprepared, uninspired bunch take the field next week. Typical Tennessee Football (whatever that means anymore).
orangebloodgmc writes:
Vol13, the cheesers have lost players too; at least one starting db and their best wr.
I think a lot of our team probably feels like they have some unfinished business after our bowl game last year. Let's just let 'em strap it up and play and we'll see what happens.
Vol13 writes:
That's the problem with you Fulmerites. You keep pointing to the next contest as our big, breakout game. Will you ever seen enough mediocrity/losses to be convinced? We've played terrible football for most of the year against superior competition. Why would anyone expect us to fix our problems in less than a month with a bunch of lame duck coaches and minus 3 starters? It's insanity to even suggest it!
Fulmer is D-O-N-E as the UT HC. He may hang on to the title for 2-3 more years. But for all practical purposes, he is finished. Get out those VHS tapes of the 1998 title run because you won't see that (SEC) for many moons. To even comment on when we might compete for a national title again would be pointless and laughable.
TommyJack writes:
What GRVOL said. On the money. Too bad he's a loser/hater. Stay the course. Mediocity rules.
Oh, have we have fallen.
Huntingdonvol writes:
This Winconsin team in not just another big,slow,large in the trenches northern school.they are huge,their offensive line aver...320 lbs.They have speed at the skilled and a great qb in Donovan.They actually averaged more yards per game passing(254)PER GAME than rushing(241)Donovan a sr. likes to tuck the ball and run also.THOSE on this post might thank Winconsin fears our UT VOLS,,,,,In their last 2 bowl games they beat a good Auburn team (24-6)in 2006 and Arkansas last year (17-14)Bielema,their head coach is the fourth youngest coach in div. 1 and is a great motivator and very skilled at geting his team prepared!His overall record is 21-4 and is also considered a defensive MASTERMIND.Teams where he coached compiled a record of 61-17 since 2002.Under their offensive coordinator Chryst,they average 31 points per game!Chryst is very well known for finding ways to exploit weekness in opponents defensive so Coach Chavis better have his defensive mind ready!Chavis has struggled all year long against teams that can run and pass with equal effectiveness.Wisconsin led the big 10 and ranked no.2 nationally in time of possession!They average 420 yards per game in total offense!They have a kickoff and punt returner,Gilreath>>>(freshmen all american)that this year totaled 1218 yards.They have a tight end,Beckum that caught 73 passes for 960 yards and averaged 13 yards per catch.IMO we are playing a wisconsis team that plays right into our weekness and distractions.Frankly on paper IMO we are in deep @(&% But if we bring our A game we and only then we win this game!My heart soul and blood says go VOLS,but my #@%pocket says im not beeting anthing on this game!Am i feared,yes and this TENNESSE TEAM better be prepared.GO VOLS
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
We're about to see a Big Ten rushing attack the likes of which we haven't seen in years. Our defensive line will have to play WAY over their heads just to keep us from getting blown out.
WI by at least 10.
invisiblekid writes:
Truth be told, the LB situation will likely play out like it did with the secondary early in the year. Once the coaches decided, or were forced, to put their best athletes on the field instead of playing it safe with the experienced seniors, there were signs of improvement. McCoy will be missed but there will be an upgrade if Karl doesn't play IMO, no offense to him but speed and solid tackling aren't two of his strong suits.
Grades notwithstanding, Bolden shouldn't have been playing in the bowl game anyway after his comments following the SECCG. It isn't as though Bolden has been an impact player. Personally, I think Dan Williams has outplayed him for the most part.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Let's put it this way. I've avoided the orthopedist who graduated from Wisconsin, that I work with fifty or so times each year (usually total joint replacements). He'll insist on a bet, maybe small, maybe not, but if he wins, he'll rub it in for ever. Luckily, he's taken time off to spend with his new granddaughter, and meeting prospective inlaws for his unmarried son (who provided tickets to the Notre Dame UT game in Nov 2005) and daughter, both of whom are getting married in 2008. So, Huntingtonvol, you've convinced me to not answer my phone if he calls over the weekend, or next Tuesday morning. Still living on our defeat of TAMU on January 1, 2005. Go Vols! SAVol
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