5 Big Things: To beat Memphis

1. UT's Goal? Field Goal: Rarely in Tennessee history has kicking a field goal seemed so daunting. Three of the Vols' most recent four attempts have been blocked and nobody has hit from beyond 39 yards since the Ohio game on Sept. 26. Twice this decade, the Vols have needed field goals (James Wilhoit 2005, Alex Walls 2000) to beat Memphis.

2. Calling Wayne Chism: It's not that the Vols have never defended a 6-foot-9 guy in a Memphis uniform. But it's usually in January on a basketball court. The 6-9 Carlos Singleton (29 catches) is the Tigers' No. 2 target, behind 6-4 Duke Calhoun (50 catches). In fact, Memphis' five leading receivers stand 6-4, 6-9, 6-4, 6-6 and 6-4.

3. Letdown Alert: Memphis was a 26-point underdog when it shocked the Vols 1996 for its first and only win in the series. That 21-17 upset came one week after Tennessee had beaten South Carolina 31-14. Last week UT beat South Carolina 31-13. And this weekend is the first anniversary of the Wyoming fiasco.

4. True Colors: Will the Vols break out special uniforms for homecoming? School bus yellow, anyone? The surprise black Halloween jerseys were generally a hit last week but some alums weren't saluting. The safe bet tonight is orange.

5. Chunks: Coaches call them "chunk" plays, as in chunks of yardage. Tennessee has manufactured 20 plays of 20-plus yards in the past four games (Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina), compared to only eight in the previous three games (UCLA, Florida, Ohio). Chunk plays increase the likelihood of a touchdown on any drive. In the past four games Jonathan Crompton has TD passes of 31, 32, 33, 51 and 38 yards and Montario Hardesty a 39-yard TD run.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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