Coaches and players often describe third down as the money down. If that's the case, No. 15 Auburn is the house.
Through four games this season, the odds of an opponent converting on third down against the Tigers stands right about 11.7 percent, the best percentage in the nation.
With Tennessee set to visit Saturday (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.), Auburn's opponents have converted just seven of a combined 60 times on third down.
LSU's 4-of-14 in a 26-21 victory over Auburn last week is the high-water mark on third downs. Mississippi State, in a 3-2 loss to Auburn, set the low, failing to convert once in 14 tries.
"Because they're good on defense a lot of their third downs are third and longs, and then they have a very creative 30 package they run - a nickel package in third downs," first-year UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "They do a great job on first and second down into forcing people into third and longs."
It's not just third and long, though.
Even on third down with 6 yards or fewer needed for a first down, Auburn has allowed four conversions in 24 tries.
According to UT offensive line coach Greg Adkins, whose group led the nation last season with only four sacks allowed, Auburn ratchets up pressure on the passer on third down.
And the Tigers have the players to do it.
Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks leads the SEC in tackles for loss with seven, including 1.5 sacks. Defensive end Antonio Coleman has three sacks, and the Tigers are tied with Georgia for second in the SEC with 10.
"They put a lot of pressure on the quarterback," Adkins said. "They've hit a bunch of quarterbacks on a lot of passes, so I think their pass rush has been outstanding. They have taken a few chances on third and long and given up some plays there. But they do a nice job on underneath pass coverage in the secondary, plus they're getting some good pass rush. Occasionally they'll bring some pressure along the way."
That third-down pressure has given the Vols trouble at times this season.
Tennessee is converting 39 percent of the time on third down. Take out a 7-for-13 day against UAB, and that number drops to 32 percent.
While the chances of conversion drop with more yards to gain, so the chance of a turnover rises for the Vols. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton is 3-of-7 passing for 29 yards on third-and-10 or longer. He's converted one of those attempts, while he's thrown three of his four interceptions in those situations.
"We can't be third and long," Clawson said. "We can't have negative-yardage plays. We can't have holding. We can't have procedure calls. If we have a lot of third-and-seven plusses, it's going to be a long day."
Wide receiver Gerald Jones said success on third down - and getting to a manageable situation on third down - comes down to execution. At times, that's been a bugaboo for the Vols.
"If you have one person make a mistake, it can go bad for the whole offense," Jones said. "Another thing is if we stop kicking ourselves in the foot, stop jumping offsides and stop holding, we won't have third-and-17 like we did. We're shooting ourselves in the foot. It's really ridiculous. We're grown men. We got to stay a lot more disciplined. It's execution. That's how we convert third downs."
When the Vols face Auburn, though, offensive tackle Ramon Foster says numbers, trends and percentages go out the window.
"It's all about who's the best team that Saturday," Foster said. "Auburn's had a great spree and they have one of the best defenses in the country. But it's all about who's better that day. If we're better than them that day, it's a totally different story."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 48
pdhuff#552644 writes:
1st in the nation, huh. Well, they've never faced the fullback-ball carom-right special play.
Or the tailback blow-up post-play.
They'll see how much trouble they're in.
volwalk writes:
Sounds like our offensive gameplan will be trying to make a first down with two tries and if we don't get it on second we punt on third. Least then we don't get another one run back on us.
I'm getting the feeling that we are going to get destroyed at Jordan-Hare...1-3 and 0-2 in the conference.
threehundredbowler writes:
It will be a long day on the Plaines.
volwalk writes:
I consider myself a Very optimistic person and a Fulmer supporter. Saying this, I've got the feeling that this is the year that we find out how far behind our Vols have fallen from the elite of this league. I hope I am wrong and our boys can pull it together and finish with a respectable 8-4 or 9-3---but from what I've seen so far and yes I've played football for years and watched alot of football 30 plus years-(so I guess I'm part of the 5% of the football knowledgable Vol fans) anyway, I'm thinking 5-7 maybe 6-6.
prove me wrong Vols!
MustangPackage101 writes:
It would be nice tony, but how nice would it be for our qb not to be pressured? We haven't seen it yet, even though Crompton wasn't pressured a lot against UAB, but he still threw not one, but two picks. I hope we can get it done on Saturday, but I have a feeling Fulmer might tell us to this one's on him too.
rblakeh writes:
Pooch punt on 3rd downs!!
MustangPackage101 writes:
I say we start Hardesty, and sub Creer. Foster will get eaten alive against this very fast, very aggressive Auburn D. Hardesty hits the hole before it closes and will make whoever tackles him pay. Foster dilly-dallies and rolls over when he gets hit.
Colliervol writes:
I wonder what the percentage is for opposing offenses converting 3rd and long on our defense. I'm thinking something like 90%. Or at least it seems that way.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Saw a mint ogg with box go for $250 area, Bid to $195 but faded in the stretch.
How would a 10x ogg look alongside Phixable on the sidelines?
Something to consider.
(Google- odd ogg and you'll see we haven't 100% went around the bend)
Ogg rules...
xvillefan writes:
Very last comment concerning the UF game- Check out the Photo of center Josh McNeil on page 5&6 of the Sports Illustrated issue dated 29 September. Looks like a juvenile prank broke out in the middle of a football game.
99gator writes:
bringing back the happier times when doldrums ruled the land.....
http://govolsxtra.com/news/2008/aug/2...
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
We are gonna shock'em. Wait till we drive the ball all the way to the 1 yard line...and then turn it over! They will be shocked. Depending on how tough their defense is ... we might do it twice. They won't know what him them. The element of surprise. HA HA just kidding...Really!
99gator writes:
http://govolsxtra.com/news/2008/aug/2...
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Brilliant! They'll never suspect it.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Quickly before they ban us, ogg alert on ebay - under toys. Worth checking out. Has a few miles on it.
Not looking forward to Saturday.
99gator writes:
i would suggest reading some of the comments on this one......
http://govolsxtra.com/news/2008/aug/2...
99gator writes:
and lastly....may want to read the comments on this one too.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/r/61/102034/
MustangPackage101 writes:
0-4 against Urban Meyer, 1-4 against Nick Saban, 1-3 against Tommy Tuberville (while at Auburn), 3-4 against Mark Richt and, most infamously, 4-8 against Steve Spurrier. Oh, if you don't know what that is referring to, it is Phil Fulmer's record against these coaches/teams. Good thing we gave him an extension! Go Vols!!
SmokeDog72 writes:
"According to UT offensive line coach Greg Adkins, whose group led the nation last season with only four sacks allowed, Auburn ratchets up pressure on the passer on third down."
Do you mean to tell me that some teams actually send extra men at the QB on 3rd down?
I thought you were supposed rush two and and drop in nine-deep coverage (10 yards beyond the first down marker). That has always worked for us, right?
UrbanCryer writes:
if 3rd down is the money down Chavis is bankrupt!!
threesdown#452226 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volcycle writes:
We will beat Auburn and here's why... Like him or hate him, Fulmer usually turns it around (except '05). Our only major problems with the FL game were the two turnovers inside the 5 and tackling on special teams. You have to admit if we had taken care of those areas, it would have been a lot closer if not a win. What do you think they worked on in practice this week?....
This offense can move the ball. It wasn't always pretty but, they proved it against FL. Despite this being a rebuilding year (face it, new qb+new oc+new system=rebuilding with major growing pains) this season can be salvaged and probably will.
All I can say about Auburn is that offensively, they are no FL and our D held FL to how many yards? We just have to take care of the ball and make sure we tackle on special teams...
Don't lose heart my volites!!
Go Vols! Beat the Kitties!!
TommyJack writes:
Maybe the worst post I've ever seen on here.
CoverOrange writes:
Help us Obi-wan G-gun, you're our only hope.
ibvolman writes:
I'll be gracious and say we convert 3 3rd downs.
What scares me about this game is that AU seemed to find thier offense against LSU. We are still wondering what an offense is.
TommyJack writes:
threesdown: I hope you're not really a TN fan.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It's real nice to be able to comment on things we are passionate about, and to feel like we have a say so in areas where we were once unable to do so. Talk radio and the posts, blogs, etc have opened up Pandora's box. Everybody's an authority and a lot of arm chair quarterbacks like to exercise their expertise on any given day. The boo birds also come out. They are the have nots, clouds without rain, the poor you'll always have with you. It all makes sense. But to beat poor ole Tommy Tuberville, well everybody can't always win? So who will we fire first this year? Remember John Adams' article last year, Fulmer's job is on the hot seat this year? Just pitiful, like job security is something that is the average man's entitlement. There would be less boos if mor e common sense and less cowardice were evident in our midst. People like John Adams just like to add fire to the fuel just to fan the flames. He has no personal interest, actually he can always hide behind the OBJECTIVE VIEW. Funny isn't it, that he will never be held accountable, but can contribute in the demise of another who has been ultra successful. Just like the new media, who can besmurch a person until their reputation is ruined, while at the same time promoting the likes of paris hilton, madonna, and lindsey lothan to the tops of their professions. If their is a God in heaven , George Burns knew it in his, Oh God movies. For me, i am happy it is football time, and that i am a Tennesse fan, and i hope that all the young men and women who play for us remember that we love them and their performances, win or lose.
papavol writes:
the vols will be alright.
Hudro writes:
I agree with you. I think Hardesty runs harder and Creer is the fastest back we have. Foster seems to juke and look for a hole and by then it has closed. Majors (you do remember him don't you) used to say that a good back will hit up into the area where the hole should be and trust that his linemen have done the job so the hole is there when he gets there. With the speed of most defenses in the SEC if you wait to see it , it will be closed when you get there. Foster also tries to take it wide but doesn't have the speed to turn the corner and get up field. Of course practices are closed so none of us know how he looks in practice situations but in games I see Hardesty as the hard running, harder to tackle back. I don't think anyone is going to run Creer down from behind and Foster just doesn't have the breakaway speed.
Colliervol writes:
No TJ. It's not a maybe. That was the worst and the single most ignorant post that has ever appeared on here. And that is saying a mouthful considering some of the denizens that have appeared on here from time to time.
Sorry 99. I guess every fan base has them. Sad.
BillsBrother writes:
Agree 100%. Shameful.
threesdown#452226 writes:
Okay, of course I hope their plane doesn't blow up...Geez you guys like Matthew McConaughey. Besides, I'm pretty sure they drive buses.
Tommy Jack, BillsBrother, CollierVol and StonerComedy-Take a joke, get a life, quit drinking the Kool-Aid.
Besides CollierVol, all of you guys are newbies to me anyways-Go to UTSports and blog on there about your gripes
threesdown#452226 writes:
I mean does anyone else get pissed that a Gator fan is continually posting on here? Can't you tell I was joking with the Tebow circumcision deal? Which actually happened? You know McConaughey was banging those congos with a UT helmet StonerComedy-But it was the University of Texas. I am a lifelong Tennessee fan and I hope that none of you weasels had a coronary reading that OBVIOUSLY JOKING post--Thank you
VOLKING writes:
"These rose-colored glasses
That I'm looking through
Show only the beauty
Cause they hide all the truth."
---Jon Conlee
Vol Fans...gotta love us!
nbt44 writes:
Fulmers new offense is formidable. His offensive gameplan against Auburn will be primarily 3 and outs with a smattering of fumbles, interceptions, and penalties.
They'll never know what hit them.
Striker writes:
Gonna be nasty. Phils record against the SEC's best:
0-4 against Urban Meyer
1-4 against Nick Saban
4-8 against Steve Spurrier
3-4 against Mark Richt
1-3 against Tommy Tuberville (while at Auburn)
That could all change Saturday............lol Just think everyone. If Phil won every single time he played those guys from this season on, it would take around 4 years just to be .500! LOL
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Thanks, givehim6. I based my mountain intuition on the fact that we can't seem to get a decent D-lineman.
They aren't pretty, but you don't seem to win without them. Couple that with a "family at all costs" HC attitude gives us Pinto approach to a Mercedes game.
I think we'll do well for a quarter and a 1/2, but we must avoid any turnovers vs the Tigers.
We then will change absolutely nothing at halftime allowing Aubie's defense to take the game over. Just a hunch, but I have impeccable credentials by my collection of "I Beat JA" shirts and many "I Beat Biddle" bumper stickers.
I also won our plant bowl pool 3 out of the last 4 years I worked. One year 19-3.
What that means is, I try to seperate my heart and head.
We will stay the course we are on till the cigar boys in the suites, say "It is done".
Get braced.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
we'll see sat........ i'm not sure what will happen but i can tell you this the level of play on UT off is subpar at best. our defense isn't playing that bad(not championship level)so if we could score some points we will win a few games..... one side of me wants our vols to win as many games as possible becuase i'm a vol but the other side want us to go ahead and fold so the fulmer era is over and we can move.... and really see if we can win a championship again......
TommyJack writes:
Agree with the skier. Either way, I'm afraid we're in for another azz-kickin. Their D is relentless. Just can't see JC being able to handle them. Hope I'm worng.
rockydog writes:
All of you have it wrong. Fulmer is a genius! He knows we don't have the talent to win it all this year so he is having the team roll over and play dead. This way none of our really good underclassmen will be high draft picks and be forced to come back next year. Then we will have the talent to win it all, and it will all be thanks to our very smart and courageous leader, Phil "I didn't suddenly get stupid" Fulmer. What a strategist! GO VOLS!!
98reax writes:
[If their is a God in heaven] posted earlier by WeLovetheVols
Hey look, with all due respect to my fellow Vols fan, you better believe there is a God. He's not necessarily a Vols fan, but He's a people fan. He loves you for sure. He loves Phil and Myer and Spurrier. He even loves me.
This is all a game, football. Some win; some lose. Life's a game of sorts too. Right now, we fanatics believe our game is not on the winning track because our team kinda stinks it up on Saturdays. But one thing we can be absolutely certain of - THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN. You will see.
You can doubt the Vols but please don't doubt the existence of God in heaven.
Don't take my word for it. You probably have The Book. It's all right there in black & white & red.
TommyJack writes:
98: You sure about Spurrier?
Just kiddin.
Colliervol writes:
Nope. I don't get upset because that one Gator fan has more sense than at least 75% of the posters that come on here. There's always room for intelligence.
As far as your original post, I don't think the Tebow reference is what did it. If you can't see that ANY reference to the Marshall plane crash is in ultra bad taste, then there's no sense in even discussing it with you. It was pathetic even if you were kidding.
As an aside, I'm not sure what good it does for the KNS to "remove" a comment since, under the new format, it will appear in any response that somebody made to it. Doesn't make much sense to me but that's just one thing that's goofy about this new format.
TommyJack writes:
indeed
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Why don't you do us all a favor and take your sh***y posts and go somewhere else. You are a poor excuse for a UT fan.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
I've come to the conclusion that Fulmer is clueless as to Hardesty or Creer otherwise one of them would have been starting already. The only way Foster will be effective against Auburn is between the tackles (if we can get a push which is not likely) or catching the ball out of the backfield. He does not have the speed to make the corner on this Auburn defense.
Volumnus writes:
"Third-down shutdown: Vols don't want to be trapped by Auburn's defense"
That sort of limits one's (or a teams) options doesn't it...
1) Actually Play football
2) Stay home
3) Show up and play like they have been playing and lose 52-0
U-pickem!
TommyJack writes:
Foster's the senior, right???
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