Vol Report
Tennessee Stat Book
South Carolina stat book
Tennessee will need more than a loud crowd tonight. It will need a smart crowd.
That became obvious last Saturday while watching Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson and wide receiver DJ Hall play pitch-and-catch at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Go ahead and ask: “What does that have to do with tonight’s game at Neyland Stadium.”
Answer: Everything.
In case you didn’t hear the particulars of UT’s 41-17 loss to Alabama, the Vols need help. In fact, they need more help than trained professionals, a.k.a. as coaches, can provide.
It took UT’s trained professionals an entire half to figure out that Alabama was going to throw the ball to Hall. By then, he already had 10 catches.
The Vols don’t have to worry about Hall tonight. They have to worry about South Carolina wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who has 41 catches — or 18 more than the Gamecocks’ second-leading receiver, who is a running back.
You might assume that UT would make McKinley a top priority. You also might have assumed that UT would have had at least one defender within shouting distance of Hall.
Don’t assume anything with this defense. And don’t bother screaming incoherently when the Gamecocks approach the line of scrimmage. If you want to influence tonight’s outcome, you will have to yell smart.
Before every South Carolina play, UT fans should be chanting “11,” McKinley’s number. The defense should get the message by the second quarter.
Fans usually are encouraged to be quiet when their team has the ball. But these are desperate times for coach Phillip Fulmer’s program. “Usual” no longer applies.
Whenever UT has the ball, UT fans should be chanting “27,” running back Arian Foster’s number. The offense should get the message by the second quarter.
South Carolina leads the SEC in pass defense. It ranks 10th in rushing defense. Foster is UT’s best running back.
It’s not that complicated.
South Carolina 24, Tennessee 20: What does Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier do best?
Answer: He exploits weaknesses in the secondary.
Never mind that he doesn’t have an exceptional quarterback or a wealth of receivers. He will find a way to score enough points, and South Carolina’s defense will do the rest.
Tebow 34, Georgia 27: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said he could beat the Bulldogs with one hand tied behind his back.
Just kidding. That was some other SEC quarterback, whose name escapes me. But I do remember he has a couple of quarterbacking brothers.
As for Tebow, he at least should be able to beat the Bulldogs with a bruised right shoulder.
Auburn 34, Ole Miss 10: The Tigers are due for a letdown after a deflating last-second loss to LSU last week. That’s why they should win by only 24 points.
Ole Miss, which hasn’t given up fewer than 27 points in a conference game, finally put together an offense to match its defense last week in a 44-8 loss to Arkansas.
Kentucky 34, Mississippi State 24: The Wildcats also are due for a letdown after back-to-back games against LSU and Florida. The Bulldogs are due for a better first quarter.
West Virginia outgained Mississippi State 221 yards to 18 in the first quarter and led 31-0 six seconds into the second quarter.
Vanderbilt 27, Miami (Ohio) 13: What’s the only Division I-A school in Tennessee which hasn’t given up at least 50 points in a game this season?
Wrong answer: UT, MTSU or Memphis.
The Commodores haven’t allowed more than 35 points in a game. They have given up 126 points in seven games, or 26 more points than UT gave up to Alabama and Florida combined.
Arkansas 45, Florida International 7: According to the schedule, the Razorbacks played in Oxford, Miss., last Saturday. But the final score suggested their road trip was a lot longer — all the way back to 2006 when they were SEC West champions.
After losing their first three SEC games, the Razorbacks actually looked like a division champion against Ole Miss, which apparently became bored with losing close games.
Top 25: Ohio State 27, Penn State 20; Southern Cal 27, Oregon 24; West Virginia 34, Rutgers 27; Arizona State 38, Cal 31; South Florida 34, Connecticut 20; Texas A&M 27, Kansas 24; Missouri 41, Iowa State 24; Hawaii 52, New Mexico State 13; Texas 34, Nebraska 17; Michigan 38, Minnesota 10; Virginia 30, N.C. State 24.
Record: 133-37 (.780) overall, 75-72 (.510) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 50
TommyJack writes:
Sad, but all too true
tigervol9802 writes:
That's funny Adams. True, but funny.
I'll also add we should yell "2" when Foster gets tired to remind Roper that Hardesty is on the team.
Or, if things go south, we can yell "4" to remind Fulmer how many more games he has until "retirement".
auttat writes:
I feared the National Championship game cause I wanted UT to win so badly. I now fear Saturdays cause I have no idea how badly UT could get beat. It makes me sick to think about it.
Here's to hoping the right team shows up tomorrow night.
Go Vols!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Good one, John. You should be posting here in your spare time...
Pops writes:
Yeah we can also yell "2" for number of weeks until the basketball season starts
vol4jesus writes:
John is a smart one and upbeat at that(not). I know beat writers are to be objective and non-biased. No problem with sir John at all. The Bayou bengal supporter has written many a piece critical of Vols in his time and this one is no different. So take it wuth a grain of salt and move on to the gridiron sat night. GO VOLS skin the chicken!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I passed up the 50 yard line in a Suite with Armark who is the seller for concessions to UT. Guess I'll wait for next year. I can't really try to have a good time when I am actually miserable on the inside. Anyway, Go VOLS...ho hum...
1974Vol writes:
If the Vols can run on the chickens they have a chance. Otherwise get ready for another beat down.
VolHooch14 writes:
TigerVol...
LMAO buddy. Good one!
However, don't blame Roper too much for the Montario 'blip on the screen'. CPF stood up there(With the deer in the spotlights look on his face) & basically said..."Well...gee, heck, golly, wow, guys!!! I don't really know why Montario wasn't in the game." Like I said this morning, MAYBE the new CHARTS will call for a little bit of creativity, & we'll see Hardesty in the friggin' line up. This would be comical if weren't so damn frustrating.
GO VOLS!
DennisVols writes:
Gamecocks, Vols playing for pride, SEC East prominence
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/...
This article seems to suggest that this game is about pride. UT has stumbled through this season. Just getting wins against teams they should beat and getting exposed by teams they should be able to beat.
Since the National Championship team UT has had plenty of news headlines. The trouble is most of them have been negative. Repeated off field incidents involving unlawful behavior, players getting suspended or dismissed for academic or failure to follow team rules have adversely effected this team’s performance and the perception of it by the fans.
Pride comes from not only in winning on a football field but also from how you win in life off of it. Fulmer admitted after the 5-6 ’05 season that he had let things get out of hand and promised to take the steps necessary to regain control. Well here we are 2 years later and this we know. Coker is suspended prior to the season opening with Cal. A walk on player is arrested for attempting to purchase drugs and is dismissed from the team. Following the Bama game last week coach Fulmer was asked why Hardesty, one of the Vols top running backs, did not play. His response was that he did not realize that Hardesty did not play. Regaining control?
To regain their pride UT needs more than a victory against the Ol Ball coach and his USC Gamecocks. To truly regain their pride this team needs to show the university, the alum, the boosters and the hundreds of thousands of fans that they are serious about regaining their pride on and off the field and the status of elite that so many before them worked to obtain.
My blog this week takes a more in depth look at “Why did it Happened?”
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Denn...
Please read and leave your comments.
Keeping it Real!!!!
Go Vols!!!!!!!
GrandCanyonVol writes:
It hurts to know that our team is so bad. How did that happen?
vol52 writes:
Our defense is the cure for the common offense. It was after the sc game two years ago that Randy Sanders resigned. Will there be any resignations this year. I thought things would get better but it is obvious that Randy was not the BIG problem.
chrisw2967 writes:
this could get real ugly , I wonder if Fulmer knows if Hardesty will be on the sidelines or not or even dressing out.
tennisvol writes:
The ole ball coach will have a field day with the UT defense and Fulmer. He will adjust after every play and keep the Vols guessing on defense.
Could be another blow out as Cal, Florida, and Bama unless the defense shows up to play. It's pretty bad when the offense is 3-4 TDs behind before the game starts because of the poor defense.
gohawks1 writes:
I sat there last week watching that debacle and wondering how long it takes a coach to notice there's a guy out there on the other team catching pass after pass after pass before adjustments are made.
How many points will the cocks score tomorrow before someone on UT's staff realizes it's happening again?
gohawks1 writes:
Oh, and Adams, "A.K.A. as" is kind of like saying I'm P.O.'d off.
creepykev#228270 writes:
The three top attributes of a crappy coach. 1. Clap your hands. 2. Pick your nose. 3. Grimace.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
What if I were to GUARANTEE you that I can give all of you the name of the ONE and ONLY coach in the whole of America that can return Tennessee to ALL of its heartbreakingly long lost days of glory? Now, if I could "do" such a miraculous, seemingly impossible thing, would you immediately "sign up" and --- with all of your heart --- "get on board"? Or would you --- with the NEGATIVITY that has now engulfed the VOL NATION --- and indeed, is now threatening to DESTROY it --- INSTEAD join --- GLEEFULLY, no doubt --- in the FLOOD OF NEGATIVITY that would almost certainly follow an idea so "wild" and, no doubt, certain to be PERFECT? Perfect, that is, once all EMOTION is completely wiped away.
I have --- literally --- been sitting in that once hallowed stadium for OVER 55 YEARS!!! NO ONE'S blood runs any more orange than mine! NO ONE'S!!! Consequently, there is NO PRICE (other than my immortal soul) that I would not pay for a return to those once halcyon days of glory.
Want to return to such days of triumphant joy? Admittedly, now, only for a mere handful of remaining years? Or do all of you prefer to merely continue to endlessly, fruitlessly bicker? There is only the tiniest window of opportunity now left. But that window DOES exist. With no blasphemy whatsoever intended, there is a "savior" available to us. Incredibly, he is even a native son. Tennessee born and bred. Further, he is, regardless of one’s prejudices, the GREATEST football "genius" alive. WITHOUT QUESTION!
Now, mind you, we do not always see eye-to-eye. Collectively, or otherwise. But who cares? Particularly, for such a magnificent ultimate "prize"? I have sat around a hundred tables and heard it repeated a thousand times.
"Native son or not he would never take the job. Besides, there is no one alive who hates Tennessee any more than he does”.
I promise you, folks. Neither statement is true. Now, it IS true that out of high school, he “refused” our recruitment. But only because he was determined to remain a quarterback.(Tennessee still ran exclusively single wing and not being a Tim Tebow “type” (of that day or any other), he knew his running skills simply were not adaptable to U-T's offensive sets. And, mind you, he was more than "right".
Once he became a coach, though, he has been ready --- more than once --- to come back to Tennessee. Justifiably, though, he has never judged it "right" or "proper" to do the asking. And, indeed, why should he have?
Of whom are we speaking? Well, the one and only one man who can save the "train-wreck" that is now Tennessee football. Steve Spurrier.
By the way, time is running out. Like Lou Pinella with the Cubs, this would, guaranteed, be Spurrier’s last hurrah.
At this stage, it would probably call for one dollar more than Lou Saban. In case you have forgotten, the man who just handed us our a$$.
I don’t know about you but I will never forget that pain. Never.
I’m good for the first $100,000.00. Anybody got a dollar?
LostinNCVol writes:
I was wondering why nobody has mentioned Butch Davis. I think if in fact the A.D. has the fortitude to fire Phil, as he should, Butch would be an excellent replacement. He is a top notch recruiter and in game coach. I think it will probably take some money but we are still a better football program than Carolina.Although its hard to tell at this moment. Lets hear some more suggestions on who would make a great replacement.
tigervol9802 writes:
Butch wants to go to Arkansas and has an out in his cotract with UNC to go there assuming the inevitable happens and Nutt is fired.
CBS should air the Arkansas game and call it the "Lame Duck Coaches" Bowl. AFLAC can sponsor it and all of it.
And now that I have breached it.....
I think Leavitt would be an even better fit here than I first realized because Crompton is enough of an athletic QB to where he could start running his version of the spread next year. No lost time for personnel. If there is a coaching change, this guy has got to be targeted and gotten.
I would love Spurrier as much as the next guy, but long-term, Leavitt would be a better option. Hamilton needs to visit Tampa and get Leavitt up here if he is serious about winning. I think it would be possible to compete next year.
gohawks1 writes:
I think Peterson deserves a look, too. I'd even take Spurrier if it would get us out of this mindset of mediocrity that seems to have settled in to some of those at the top.
eefor10c writes:
Thanks John. You just completed the first step for the Big Orange--you picked against them. You like to dish it out. How about you being the "professional writer" and I put in the quotation marks because you aren't. You should be doing a much better job of picking the winners. What's your record? You only pick the easy games and miss the hard ones just as you accuse the Vols or doing. So I guess you are in the same boat.
TommyJack writes:
gmccown007...give it a rest
utmdm writes:
These guys are killing me with all the yapping about bowling during the game.
gohawks1 writes:
Sorry, I had a weak moment. I take it back.
newtonrail writes:
You guys are killing me calling for Fulmer's head. If he goes 6-6 or worse, he may be fired. Anything above that, the most that will happen this year is to ask him change some coaches. We owe the staff too large a buyout, with Capital projects ongoing in Neyland and Thompson Bowling. Oh yeah, The Jones Aquatic Center and Renovations to Lindsay Nelson Stadium. Most of you screaming the loudest for changes don't set foot in Neyland Stadium. Sad.
ibvolman writes:
Thank you gmccown007 for that 30 minute infomercial you have pasted on every thread on this site. Seems like I even saw the same post several weeks back. Get over it and come up with something new.
What if I were to GUARANTEE you my new product will slice, dice, and do windows...
Give me a break.
injunvol writes:
mr adams you keep commenting on this teams defense for the life of me please explain this have you seen a defense this season i for one havent seen anything that even resembles a defense - please do not call it that
gmccown007#392764 writes:
"dtaylor0730", I just wanted to let you know how utterly unmistakable the keenness of your intellect is. I have created only 1 single "post" (now 2) in my life, albeit, as you so astutely noted, I did, indeed, "copy" in several places (all for the sake of expediency). Out of the hundreds (thousands?) of "members" on this site, odd you are the ONLY DUMB A$$ to have taken exception. Gosh! If only, somehow,I could have sought your permission in advance.
dowdpat#654244 writes:
Hey Vols4Jesus John Adams is columnist not a beat writer. Like it or not he gets paid for his opinion.
As for those suggesting Jim Leavitt of South Florida as the next coach. It is not going to happen. He is from St. Pete, that program is his baby. As much as this hurts me to say this South Florida is a better job right now. If he capitalizes on the downfall of FSU and Miami that program could be a juggernaut. He never has to get on a plane to recruit a top 10 team.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
"TommyJack"
What's the problem, jerk off? Cutting too deeply into your obviously critical nap time? And for what?
If you will allow me to assist you, here is the totality of your breathtakingly keen contribution:
"Give it a rest"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And you interrupted a nap for THAT???Let's be honest, though. We both know what your real purpose was. Just sticking you nose in simply for the purpose of "sticking your nose in". Oh, and, of course, a dose of the only thing which gives your life its only real purpose. Which is to say, injecting whenever and wherever possible your usual dosage of utterly unneeded, habitually obnoxious rudeness.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Bet your lifesavings on TN. They have nothing to play for, so our sorry, idiotic, pathetic coaches will have the little boys playing like National Title contenders.
trace5254 writes:
My prediction - UT 35 SC 24. I think Phil will pull this out and I hope he does (not really). Realistically, Fulmer needs to stay there until Coach Saban has the Tide fully loaded.
BTW, the SC QB grew up in Tuscaloosa dreaming of playing for the Tide so at heart he is a Bama man. If the UT secondary finds that out, they may give up 400 yards in passing (rather than 363)
vol4good#206163 writes:
Newton--You have no idea who has or hasnt been to Neyland stadium. I graduated in 1991, I have been to at least 4 games a year since I was 10. I donate money every year. So do I qualify to critisize and call for Fulmers Head. Besides, where in the "fan guidline book" does it say you have to go to school at TN in order to cheer or critisize the team and it's coaches? Sorry, but you should not claim to know anything about me or these other posters looking to get rid of the cancer that has pushed our beloved team into a class with Vandy for goodness sake.
tennisvol writes:
SC doesn't need a good QB against the UT defense. You don't have to worry about the pass rush so you will have all the time you need. The receiver will have 7 yards before anyone is close to them in Chavis' prevent the long 80 yd TD. Make them work for it at 7-10 yards at a time. You're right John, the ole ball coach will have a nice dinner tonight.
goeltzd#649642 writes:
Review The Charts ! ! !
CoverOrange writes:
If Ainge throws more than 15 passes, we're done. Run right, run left, run up the middle, just like the good ole days. Put Hefney and Vinson (or take your pick) on McKinley and blitz everybody else on defense.
gohawks1 writes:
Nah, the coaching staff won't even realize McKinley is on the field until he has 100+ yards receiving with 2-3 TD catches (please refer to UT/Bama last week for supporting evidence of this hypothesis). But I like your thinking. I've been saying the same thing all week.
NCCOLTSFAN writes:
I woke up remembering how great Saturdays used to be,looking forward to the Vols game.
Pre-game,post-game,Vol walk,etc.
Made me sad to think of what this football program has fallen to.
Then it hit me!
Somewhere a child woke up hungry.A homeless man woke under "his" bridge.
A mother woke wondering if her husband would be drunk and beat her again today.
An awful war is stil in progress and our brave men and women in uniform would be in Heaven to be home and see a Vols game.
So.Thank you Lord for another day.
I want be able to stand the suspense of the game tonight due to health problems.
Will tape it.Then go back and watch it and listen to the replay on yahoo.
You folks have a nice Saturday and remember.
Life goes on!
Git-r-dunnnnnnn Smokey!
newtonrail writes:
vol4goood and chuck 0303, I get to say what I feel the same way you have. I worked my to get into games in late 50's and later graduated from UT. Yes, Chuck I've been away. Have you ever driven 54 miles to get to hill in Southern Illinois to pick up an AM Ky broadcast of Tenn. games in the 70's. I could go on with those examples, but too many people posting here are from the instant gratification generation, and it chaps my @##. Yes, I've been fortunate enough to be within 100 miles of Knoxville for almost 30 years now, and I do have season tickets--and go to ALL games, not just Marquee games. I still stand by that there are a majority of posters here who have never been to UT or the games. To those I've covered with a broad paintbrush, I apologize.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Its tinme for Steve Spurrier to come home..the coach is called a genius of the game> He does not need the money..Like "Bear" Bryant at Texas A&m, although filthy rich, a former Bama great said he "heard Mama calling and quit A&M and took over the head coaching job at Alabama. Well, Steve Mama is calling for you to come back home. Over the years at speaking engagements etc., I've heard you say many times you were "an ol! Tennessee boy when it comes down to it. You could take over Vol job without missing a step. I know its not the money, its just that your home state needs you.
LostinNCVol writes:
Geez! I just wanted to hear a few more names. I meant coaches not what you guys are calling each other. We mostly agree a change has to be made but it seems that after a few post we breakdown and start turning on each other. Lets get back to the coaching search I think we will have. I think the success of our other programs forces a change in the football program our supposedly marquee program. I think Leavitt will not be able to recruit nation wide the left overs in Florida are enough to sustain a program. I think we should make a run at Butch anything can happen. I also think ours is a better job than Ark. He probably didn't expect to see us looking for coach. I'm not sure petrino could put enough defense on the field to compete in our conference even if interested. I also think the debacle he appears to be making in Atlanta would help in recruiting. Please stop the fighting and throw out some names.
utmdm writes:
per Kiper
• Tennessee displayed very good balance on offense in its 33-21 victory over Mississippi State, amassing more than 200 yards on the ground and more than 250 yards through the air. And a lot of the credit has to go to the offensive line.
One player NFL scouts are keeping a close eye on is 6-foot-4, 309-pound senior Eric Young. A starter at right tackle as a junior, he switched to the left side for the 2007 season and has managed to more than hold his own. As a group, the Vols offensive line has done a terrific job protecting senior QB Erik Ainge, allowing him to be sacked just once through six games.
While Young has made a name for himself at tackle, he could follow the same path as Tennessee grad Arron Sears, who made the switch inside to guard at the pro level after being chosen in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
utmdm writes:
Coaches, use that talent. Run the ball and the clock. Keep that "defense" off the field
txsvol#372416 writes:
Chuck0303, sounds like you and I are SA UT fans, maybe two of a dozen or less. Nobody is a bigger Vol fan than I, even though I haven't seen a live game since the Nov 5, 2005 blowout in South Bend. My work schedule is made out around being off to watch Vol games, and I know the Southwest Airline SA to Nashville schedule times by heart. I had planned to make one of those trips next month, but I've decided to work instead. The Alabama loss last week was the final straw. I couldn't stomach the continuing ineptitude of CPF and his staff in failing to make in-game adjustments that win! I can understand losing games where we are at least competitive, but when blow-out losses occur over and over, it's time for a coaching change!!! Go Vols! SAVol
DennisVols writes:
The university needs to go outside of the SEC to find a coach. Spurrier's buy out is too high and face it he is 60+. We need to look more long term. The Gruden issue is still not the right pick. Nothing to show he could coach at the college level or that he even wants to. I like the personality though.
I would seriously consider someone like Peterson out at Bosie State. He is young, 41, proven he can turn a program around, has the style that is winning in college football.
Everybody is screaming for a more progressive style at UT and you can not get any more progressive than that. Over 1,200 different offensive plays and as was commented last night during the game, with only 20 hours of practice to get ready for your opponent how do you prepare for that style of offense?
His current salary is below what UT would be able to offer so from that point he would also be worth looking at. He shows style, plenty of engery and passion. All currently missing at UT.
Just a suggestion
waterskier3#226480 writes:
VOL FANS---- just heard on cbs that it would cost ut 7M to buy out fulmer and the asst coaches this year...... we need to fire the AD for giving them a contract that high... come on you never do a contract that cost the university that much to fire his fat butt...... he is 11-11 in the sec in his last 22 games and they pay him 2m for that phooey... boys and girls we are stuck with this sorry coach for another year regardless of what he does........
msdyb writes:
MS State beats Kentucky! - GA is beating Fl! - Come On Vols Let's Take Care Of Business And Beat Spurrier And The Cocks!
utmdm writes:
Come on Vols. How many chances can you get in a season. Show the determination and heart. Let's take it. Goooo Smokey!
utmdm writes:
Yea the old ball coach is lapping up the secondary.
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.