Tennessee Stat Book
The last stretch of road to the SEC championship game wasn't much different this season than it was in 2004 for Tennessee.
In each case, the Vols had to win tight, high-scoring games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky to win the SEC East. But the challenge in the Georgia Dome on Saturday afternoon is altogether different.
And it's not nearly as formidable.
In 2004, UT faced an unbeaten Auburn team still in the running for the national championship. This Saturday, it will be matched against an LSU team that was supposed to be in the running for a national title.
There's a big difference.
Auburn was a talented, resourceful team that - even on its worst day - found a way to win. LSU demonstrated talent and resourcefulness early on but has faded down the stretch.
The fade began much sooner than the statistics or record indicated.
LSU began the season as a consensus national championship contender. It lived up to the preseason hype in the first three games, overwhelming Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech in succession.
Those lopsided victories created an image. But the next game gave you greater insight into LSU.
The Tigers rushed for 299 yards against South Carolina. They held the Gamecocks to 17 yards rushing and limited two South Carolina quarterbacks to 19 completions in 42 attempts. They even scored a touchdown on a fake field goal.
Despite all that, they won by just 12 points.
Granted, South Carolina was no slouch at that point. It had beaten Georgia.
But the Gamecocks ended the regular season 6-6. So did Alabama, against whom LSU eked out a 41-34, last-minute victory.
In fact, LSU hasn't dominated an SEC opponent since manhandling Mississippi State 45-0 in the season opener. That game - not the South Carolina game - proved to be the aberration.
Never mind all of LSU's supposed talent, especially on defense. It has struggled in almost every SEC game.
Sure, that says something for the conference's toughness and balance. It also tells you LSU's talent was either overrated or that it underachieved.
Two weeks ago, Ole Miss - the worst the SEC has to offer - totaled 466 yards in a 41-24 loss to LSU. But the worst was yet to come for the Tigers.
Last Friday, Arkansas amassed 513 yards against LSU in a 50-48 three-overtime victory. That loss, coupled with all of the coaching rumors, has done as much damage to LSU's image as its ranking. A team that seemingly had it all together in September is on the verge of unraveling in November.
It's one thing to give up more than 255 all-purpose yards to Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. But when you can't stop Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick from completing fourth-down passes to his fullback, you might want to rethink your strategy or your personnel.
There's not much LSU can do about the coaching rumors, which connect head coach Les Miles to the head-coaching vacancy at Michigan, and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to the head-coaching opening at Nebraska.
There's not much LSU can do about injuries, either. Its best player, All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, looks as though he could use a cane just to get off the field. Linebacker Darry Beckwith and strong safety Craig Steltz also have been slowed by injuries. And quarterback Matt Flynn had a problem with his right shoulder in the Arkansas game.
Those injuries have been compounded by LSU's reluctance to play backups.
Neither the rumors nor the injuries will impact LSU any more than its deflating loss to Arkansas. You don't lose a shot at a national championship one week, then play like a national champion the following week.
Despite all of its problems, LSU hasn't faded far enough to be an underdog in the SEC championship game. That's another plus for UT.
The Vols have won five consecutive games and not lost their beloved underdog role. They couldn't ask for more.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Barbara Dooley and Pat Summitt Go Red…
Tyler Summitt through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 55
rootin4volz writes:
2 tickets...Section 338, Row 6 available...upper deck corner of end zone. Email me at daboalley@gmail.com. GO VOLS!!!! Let's Bring Home A Championship and Go to New Orleans!!!
andy112382#209793 writes:
My dad and I got our two tickets in today, I'm going big trying to get my 20th victory witnessed in person - here's hoping my streak lives on at 20-0!!! GO VOLS!!!
carolinavol writes:
Our beloved underdogs are going to win this one!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
vols payback lsu's tigers..... :) :)
DannyVol writes:
From everything I've read, ever since last Saturday LSU has been trying to come to terms with that loss vs. Arkansas. They just don't seem to be altogether focused on the task at hand.
Miles even offered a preposterous quote yesterday (imagine that) about how his team should still be playing for the national championship with both of their losses coming in 3 OTs. Sounds like he is looking forward and backwards, but not totally on the immediate. That's good for us.
LSU can play "mad" all they want. But, if that "mad" is not coupled with "prepared" they will not win. Say what you want to about Fulmer, Chavis and Cutcliffe, but they have been in many more really big games than Miles and his staff.
Tennessee is happy to be in that game as a reward for doing what no one expected. LSU seems to be in mourning for doing what almost no one expected...by blowing it.
Tennessee 30 LSU 24. Mark it down.
alfrizzle097 writes:
31-20 Poetic? I think so.
orangesox writes:
I get the feeling that maybe Les Miles thought at the outset of the year that his team was just so talented they could just show up and win every game, or maybe he watched ESPN hype them as a team that was unbeatable all summer. Either way, reality is harsh for anyone who thinks that in the SEC. The Vols and their coaching staff are at least saying all the right things. Let's hope they come prepared and take it to LSU right out of the gate. LSU is too good to let them get too far out in front of you. It would sure be great to have another SEC championship. Go Vols!!!
Here's an article from The Tennessean that hopefully gives an insight into the mindset of the Vols.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.d...
Stumps writes:
that's right... everybody just keep talking about LSU all week...that's all I want to hear is all about LSU. perfect.
Les Miles is a jackass. I've never seen him say anything intelligent on TV, I wonder if his realtor in Michigan has found anything yet... Timing is everything.
GO VOLS!
lnbadger320 writes:
i just hope chavis screws us like he did against KY,Vandy, and SC. our coaching staff worries me more than the LSU players. chavis and slade have to go.
lnbadger320 writes:
i just hope chavis DOESN'T screw us like he did against KY,Vandy, and SC. our coaching staff worries me more than the LSU players. chavis and slade have to go.
CrankE writes:
Adams: You pick up on something that has been evident for weeks. A team as talented as LSU shouldn't need 4th down, 3OT heroics and fake field goal trickery to defeat the teams on their schedule. They should be winning by a couple of touchdowns.
(What a parallel: In 2001, UT was the 10-1 #2 BCS team that had loads of talent, yet squeaked by several opponents through the year. LSU was the 3 loss team hungry for a championship.)
I was hoping that LSU would come to Atlanta with that BCS #1 monkey on their back having never had their luck exposed. Tennessee could then relieve them of that monkey and send them tumbling downward. Payback with interest.
There's an abundance of anger and ammo (tacklin' fuel) to get a team motivated after a loss like that. So what will Lesmiles do with that tacklin' fuel?
Put it this way, with the #1 thing out of the way last week, there's no excuse for LSU NOT to bring their very best game-and consequently, there are no "yeah, buts.." You know, stuff that the press can use to maximize LSU's faults and minimize Tennessee's achievements. (Example, FSU had a third string QB in the Fiesta Bowl.)
14!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I'm not buying that "aura" business. Ours was torn off long ago and thrown in the ditch. Our best weapon is that no one fears playing the Vols. When Phil talks in a meeting about getting back to playing defense, yet we give up 50 to Ky, no AURA exists. We're underdogs for a reason. Past performance, not just recent. Some how Vols, will yourselves a SEC championship for us title starved fans. We know when we say SEC East champs the past few times, it meant we lost the real game that counted. Now is the hour. Hold Hester under 100 yards, someway. Grit will be needed in this one. You can do it. Go Vols. SEC Champs, wow!
britt writes:
the article is talking about LSUs aura of invincibility being gone. I think we'll win this week because LSUs coaches are too busy interviewing for other jobs to get their team refocused.
jhen713#212078 writes:
The article is not saying that Tennessee's aura is gone. It is saying that LSU's is gone because they are not in the position to go to the NCG. In other words they are favored but have shown that they are not indestructable.
burpee_von_rotweiler_IV writes:
To steal a line from the racing world:
When the green flag falls, the BS stalls.
Same thing with opening kickoffs.
inquiry writes:
LSU is lower than a well-diggers heel this week.. quote by Jed Clampett..
inquiry writes:
LSU is lower than a well-diggers heel this week.. quote by Jed Clampett..
djstatik writes:
Has John Adams not learned his lesson? Does he not know these teenage football players read these columns and buy-in? So now we are supposed to believe last weeks #1 team in the Nation is going to roll over and play dead?
Tennessee might have won if LSU was playing the SEC to win a National Championship and we were HUGE underdogs. Now, we're going to be playing an angry team that everyone says is down. Because of John's article, and others, UT will come out flat and uninspired like they have for the majority of post seasons. Thanks John.
LSU 38 UT 24
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errr...marc ash - I'm sure they'd agree that "aura" if they ever had one , truly is gone. Realism probably is here after a whole season. 71st in total defense. Well, let's get the blinders on and into the Dome. Go Vols.
Skibum165 writes:
UPS just dropped off 4 tickets for Saturdays game. I'm fired up now!Andy112238, glad to hear that you and your dad will make the game. If your streak of wins for games attended remains intact, we may have to pass the hat to get you Sugar Bowl tickets. Geaux Vols!
TommyJack writes:
Les Miles never realized LSU is in the SEC. You could see it in his face...cocky. Maybe now he's been innoculated. Maybe not...The Michigan/Ohio State guys rarely change.
DennisVols writes:
After the Florida loss no one in the conference had a better record than UT. NO ONE!!. LSU 7-2, GA 8-1, UF 6-3, USC 6-3, UK 4-5, Bama 3-6, AR 7-2, AU 7-2, MSU 5-4, Ol Miss 2-7, Vandy 3-6. UT was 8-1 over that same span and while GA had the same record they lost when they faced UT head to head. 35-14.
Since Oct. 6 LSU’s defense has allowed 30 points per game (209 points over 7 games) UT’s defense has allowed 25.24 which shows at this stage of the season UT’s defense is performing at a higher level.
Last 9 games have told different tales for these two teams. UT is 8-1 they have won some games big (GA & AR) some squeakers (Vandy) and some tough (USC & UK). They have learned how to come back from defeat (UF & Bama) from certain defeat(Vandy again) and kept a level head following a big win (GA) In many of these games UT was the under-dog. They have learned to rise to the challenge unlike earlier in the season when they fell apart.
LSU is 7-2. Both losses came in triple OT games to UK and AR (Teams UT beat) Their only easy wins came against non-conference teams (Tulane & LA Tech) Hardly convincing for a team that was aiming at a National Championship.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Denn...
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
Somebody tell me why our DB's turn their backs on the QB. Especially when we are on our own 10 yard line, and all they have to do is back peddle. George Q teaches his players not to do this and I know that he knows more than (Ron Jeremy)Chavis.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
the defense is what will get us beat... chavis and his zone will leave the young players alone to long........ play aggressive and we might win... play zone and we lose by 20 its happen all year...
lsu 40 tn 20..... we're just not that good people... we did the usual nov run against BS teams and everyone is acting like we're improved... if i recall we said the same thing last year and we were expected to beat a below average penn state team and looked like phooey in that game... you know why?????? because penn state had equal talent and better coaches......... I want us to win but i think we're still bad on defense and the coaches have a chance to prove me wrong.
99gator writes:
i do not know if there is any truth to this... but, since you play lsu this weekend i know you will be interested.
there is a posting on a gator fan site that bo pellini will be the new coach at nebraska (not too shocking). however, the "news" part of this is that it will be announced today or tomorrow and he will not be coaching the sec champ game.
again, this is rumor. i believe there may be some truth to it as florida people could care less what pellini does and when.
just some food for thought
TommyJack writes:
99: That would rock.
DennisVols writes:
If you disregard the LA Tech and Ol Miss games (too easy games) LSU is giving up an average of 35 PPG against UF, Bama, UK, AR and Auburn. This is since Oct. 6th, 2007.
Again during this same time period, from Oct. 6th UT's defense is giving up 24.25 PPG. Looks like LSU has the weaker defense. Even if you include those other to games they are giving up 30 PPG.
LSU’s Hester is #10 in the SEC in rushing. The good news is that UT’s defense has already shut down #1, #2, & #3 rushers in the conference when faced with that task. Expect LSU to have to depend on the passing game. That has been a weakness for UT but improvements have been made. Berry will need to hold on to those interception opportunities he gets in this game.
UT has the advantage in the passing game.
PASSING AVG/GAME Team Cl G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds TD Avg/G
3. Erik Ainge.......... UT SR 11 391 252 5 64.5 2511 20 228.3
5. Matt Flynn.................................. LS SR 10 285 161 10 56.5 2024 14 202.4
UT also has 2 of the top 10 receivers in the SEC while LSU has none.
Looks to me that all the predictions of doom are over rated. The LSU team is not playing as goood as UT down the stretch. The proff is in the records
KCSD writes:
Be Sure Fat Phil is stocked up with plenty of chewing gum Saturday. He's going to need it.
99gator writes:
well, as i said... that is a rumor....
but, what is fact is that all of this is swirling around that football team right now. miles...pellini... etc. there is probably more info swirling around lsu about who the coach in 2008 will be than the sec champ game.... which can't be good.
it does make sense due to recruiting. colleges want these coaches hired immediately due to recruiting. they may be putting a gun to pellini's head.... take the job now or we are going with someone else.
don't know
i am kind of supersitious and would be worried that everything seems to lining up a little too perfect for tenn
DennisVols writes:
What can we expect next week in Atlanta?
1. Expect the unexpected. If we have learned anything this year we cannot expect what we think is right to go right and what we think is wrong to go wrong.
Basketball_Jones writes:
John Adams has once again posted bulletin board material. I think UT has a punchers chance but LSU is talented yet banged up. The imjury to Dorsey is bigger than most expect. I worry alot about Cut and is ability to abandon the run, Arkansas ran all over LSU and I think Tennessee can too. This will be a game of ball control and we need to own the time of poss. Fulmer and Comapany have to play to win and don't play "not to lose". Should be interesting, at least we know Miles is an idiot and he is a horrible coach
TommyJack writes:
geoff: Foster/Heisman? too slow!! :)
tenvolone writes:
The perfect storm is aligned against LSU:
Injuries, Out of the National Championship picture, Coaches leaving, etc, etc = NOTHING TO PLAY FOR!
It doesn't guarentee a UT win, BUT it sure does give us a significant advantage!
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: It was tongue in cheek. Some bozo recently posted that Foster was too slow.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
The Pellini thing may be big for the LSU offense and weigh on their minds, but keep in mind UT played FSU in 98 with Cutcliffe off to Ole Miss and R Sanders fresh in his new OC job and we still won no problem. In other words, please Vol players don't listen to all of this speculation, just go out there and play the ball you know you can play.
DennisVols writes:
Back in my H.S. Days (Clinton Senior High) I ran cross country and marathon races. The runners who sprinted off at the star usually lost the race. Reason: It is an endurance race not a dash.
The fastest man seldom won over the man who took the approach to run the whole race.
I state this because if you look at the two programs LSU & UT you see that one team (LSU) started off quickly. 3-0 start and 137-7 (or 45.67-2.33 PPG). UT on the other hand 1-2, 90-123 (or 30-41 PPG). That gave LSU a big lead at the start.
Now we come down the stretch. In a distance race that is the most critical part to winning the race. You learn from your opponents moves what their weakness is and you have developed a better feel for the course planning when and where to pass.
Down the stretch UT 8-1, their defense is giving up 24.25 PPG since Oct. 6th on the other hand LSU 7-2, and their defense is giving up 30 points per game since Oct. 6.
Looking at this game as the finish line to the distance race UT is finishing stronger than LSU.
Will we chose the right time to pass our opponent? Once in front it will be tough to hold on to that lead. Who will have the gas to make that final push to the finish line?
Volunatic writes:
For those of you who are wondering why John Adams would write something that might motivate LSU to play better, bear in mind that John Adams is an LSU alum.
Volunatic writes:
vol_in_lsu_land-- the Vol offense was not exactly stellar in the '98 game against FSU for Randy Sanders' debut as OC-- without Goodrich's INT4TD, that game would have been tied 16-16 at the end of regulation. Thankfully, the Vol offense was sufficient and the Vol defense was excellent.
GO VOLS!!! Beat LSU!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
One thing Vols fans don't have to worry about is "swirling rumours". Maybe a touch of Cut to Ga Tech, but no phone lines burn up inbound to Knoxville. Maybe, just maybe, we'll "swirl" LSU to under 500 yds and a lot of FG trys. If not, 24 Buds instead of 12-15. Go Vols, this is not Vandy, SC and Ky. Here Saturday the rubber meets the road. Play your best. SEC Champs! Whew.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Tngeoff, that Shreveport article is telling. The keep fixating here in BR on how a national championship could still be finessed for LSU, which begs the question: are they really the BEST TEAM IN USA?
DooleyNoted writes:
Tennessee is great at making teams look like champions. Example California, Florida, and Alabama.
mtnvol writes:
I can't believe that Jack A$$ wrote an article about UT and didn't mention CPF's salary. Has to be a first. BTW, I'm still waiting to see his salary in the paper so we can take a swipe at it! Geaux Vawls!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yeah, Tngeoff, mtnvol, if things work out, some of you folks could be headed down this way in a few weeks. But of course they gotta take care of business Saturday. Geaux Vawls indeed!
DennisVols writes:
On a different subject:
If you are coming to ATL for the championship game I have a few tips for you.
There is a great venue at the GA World Congress Ctr next to the dome. The SEC FanFair. This is really good if you are bringing the kids. Lots of things for them to do.And plenty of things to spend your money on. LOL
If you can come down the day before and use the MARTA system to go to the game. Parking is limited and will cost you.
Most of all be careful. I have lived here since '82 and as much as there will be a police build-up there are already reports of fake tickets being sold and many are almost impossible to detect from the orginals. Like every big event the worms will be out to prey on those who do not know their way here. IT IS NOT KNOXVILLE. If you think the traffic is bad on game day at UT you have not seen anything yet. Last year there were people who miss all or at least half of the game because of poor planning in getting to the game. There is always construction here. Been that way since Sherman burned it.
Just a word of caution. I hope all that are coming down will have a great time and lose their voice singing Rocky Top Sat.
If you have any questions let me know and I'll try and help ya out.
Go Vols!!!
gohawks1 writes:
andy112382 - if the Vols get win #20 for you Saturday, then you should go to the sugar bowl, too! There are thousands of fans who would probably help defray the cost.
pdhuff - 20 of those 50 points we gave up to KY were during the overtimes, so you can't equate that to a typical score of a game ending in 4 quarters.
The Vols are underdogs again. Perfect - we've got 'em right where we want 'em!
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Thanks for the link Geoff.
Amazing that 4 or 5 of those coaches have yet to win an NC. Two of the top three had .500 seasons or worse.
Jeez! Vol nation we have absolutely NOTHING to whine about or be ashamed of. Our program is solid, our coaching is solid and the returns are a bargain when evaluated against the competition.
In fact, the more I think about it the more underpaid I believe he is.
You know, sometimes the reverse is true about compensation. Some would argue that an employee should be paid only what they are worth...but the flip-side to that is that money is a motivator. We sit around bragging about having such a great facility and fan base as if though this is reason enough for great coaches to want to come here. Why would another coach want to come to a school with one of the biggest AD budgets in the nation that pays it's coach outside the tops ten? (Fulmer lists at #11)
Furthermore, we are all sitting around demanding a top ten finish from Fulmer every year. Shouldn't we be offering top ten pay????
Just something to think about.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
IPOrange- thanks for the info. I thought they put OT points on the scoreboard and all along Ky thought they could win! Our defense has played itself into the lofty position of #71. Only 70 teams had better seasons. Wow! Poor LSU, only played theirselves to #3 even with their 50 points outing (I think they counted OT) against Arkie! Well, enuf sarcasm, we both want the Vols to win Some of us have more blind faith than others and that's all right. We're in on 4 of the AJC Top Southern 100 HS seniors. Gives me a warm feeling - see more 2005's on the way. Go Vols, somehow win this thing. We've got enuf runner-ups!
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
I have a complaint about the national media...just to get it off my chest.
I've been reading a lot of articles the past week about Tennessee and the SEC CG. I've noticed that quite a few writers keep refering to Tennessee as "co-champions" of the East.
Now I know that technically we tied UGA for the East, but this is not unprecidented. It has happened on several occasions...early in the SEC CG series it was usually UF and UT tied. Now, I don't remember seeing writers refer to a "co-championship" in those UF/UT years when Florida was winning by virtue of the tie-breaker. And if that reference was ever made it was in passing. It seems to me this year that writers are going out of their way to emphasize it, especially in articles whose spin indicates the writer is biased toward UGA being the best SEC team.
Am I walking around with a big orange chip on my shoulder or is anyone else seeing it too?
soddydaisy777 writes:
This is my first time on here. Good luck Volunteers! Does anybody has a ticket. Its for my son in law. He is in the Army station at Fort Benning, GA. He has been over to Iraq & to Afgan. He used to be a Florida State fan until he got into my family. He hasn't been to a game. If anybody got one for regular or a little more. Contact me at soddydaisy777@yahoo.com. P.S. I love being the under dog.
lindahcanada#261731 writes:
I think Tennessee has the edge with all the uncertainty now with the LSU staff (was it just a month ago that Fulmer and Chavis were the topics of release)? And all the hoopla about Miles having to pay 1.25 mil in order to go coach at Michigan, is just that. The Michigan Wolverines have all the monies in the world to pay that back to LSU. Bye Bye LSU, Hello Big House.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.