A Mark Richt-coached offense has caused Tennessee’s defense plenty of headaches the past eight years. And yet the Vols are glad to see one Saturday.
All but one of UT’s first five opponents have run some variation of a spread offense, UCLA being the exception.
After trying to decipher Auburn’s unconventional runs and routes last week, the Vols welcome the opportunity to go against the more traditional offense that Georgia employs.
“We’re going to love it as a defensive line,’’ said tackle Wes Brown. “We can put our ears back and come off the ball.
“It’s completely different from what Auburn did.’’
Georgia has won five of eight games against Tennessee under Richt, including 26-14 last year. Gone from that Bulldog offense are quarterback Matthew Stafford, leading rusher Knowshon Moreno and top receiver Mohamed Massaquoi,
“I don’t think they’re very much different at all,’’ said UT coach Lane Kiffin. “I don’t think they’re very much different from 15 years ago at Florida State.
“They do what they do and they don’t change very much. ... We know where they’re going to be. We’re going to have to make the plays and be sound.’’
The Florida State reference was to Richt’s background as an offensive coordinator. UT’s defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, spent the past 26 years in the NFL. So count him in the crowd that’s glad to take a break from the spread.
“They (Georgia) don’t have all the motion,’’ said All-America safety Eric Berry. “This is what coach Kiffin is used to.
“I’m not saying he didn’t do a good job of preparing us last week but this is what he’s gone against his whole time in the NFL. That’s a good thing.’’
Auburn was also a tough first start for Savion Frazier at middle linebacker. He had a lot on his plate for a first game making the defensive calls.
“It was real difficult because they ran a lot of things,’’ Frazier said. “It will be a little better (this week). I’ll have it down pat better this week.’’
Factoring Injuries: The Vols’ questionable list today includes guard Vlad Richard and linebacker Greg King. Defensive end Chris Walker will play despite a persistent back problem.
Georgia will be without Caleb King, its’ No. 2 running back, because of a concussion and broken jaw. Receiver Tavarres King might also be unavailable due to a concussion.
In A Rush: Tennessee expects to avoid last year’s embarrassment of having 1 net rushing yard against Georgia. The Vols are averaging 188 yards a game on the ground.
Georgia, meanwhile, is last in the SEC at 98.8 yards rushing. The Bulldogs have topped the century mark in two games, 107 against South Carolina and 155 against Arkansas. Their longest rush last week against LSU was 8 yards.
Border War: UT has 12 players from the Georgia, the largest contingent from one state other than Tennessee.
Berry, from Fairburn, is friends with Georgia safety Reshad Jones, who escorted Berry’s cousin to a homecoming dance in high school.
“I had a little talk with him,’’ said Berry, “because I treat my cousin like my sister.’’
Food Drive: Tim Kerin and Nick Lachey aren’t often mentioned in the same sentence. Today is the annual Tim Kerin Memorial Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. A purchase of a UT Power Towels for $5 (outside various stadium gates) provides 15 meals for Second Harvest recipients. Pop singer Lachey, who befriended Kiffin while attending Southern Cal, will help promote the drive and attend the game as Kiffin’s guest.
Legends: Receiver Tim McGee (1983-85) and center Glen Streno (1981-83) are today’s Legends of the Game.
Quick Hits: It’s a good day to be a return specialist. Both teams are among the nation’s worst at covering kickoffs. Kiffin promises personnel changes for the Vols today. ... UTs’ edge over Georgia in Knoxville is a slim 10-8-1. ... Georgia has dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2006. ... The Bulldogs have the SEC’s top receiver in A.J. Green and top tackler in linebacker Reggie Curran. ... Georgia punter Drew Butler leads the nation with a 49.8-yard average. ... In three games vs. BCS opponents, Tennessee is averaging 16.7 points.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 35
JohnnyU writes:
Anybody confused by this headline?
VolinCalif writes:
It's not that I can't read, but I would like to forget Auburn.
westknoxvol24 writes:
I think Mr. Strange is confused
VolinCalif writes:
Em oot
drone#208075 writes:
"People are Strange, when you're a stranger..."
Minister_of_Defense writes:
sp?
*approach
mjaichele#464960 writes:
Simple is as simple does.
thirdsaturday writes:
It's all about the appraoch
mdvol writes:
The defense ain't the problem.
SmokeyHound writes:
we need to recruit jackson jeffcoat
VolunteerLifer writes:
uhh, aren't we playing GEORGIA this weekend, KNS?
mjaichele#464960 writes:
I don't know about the headline, but that little running indian dude is cool, put him in at QB.
dvols writes:
what injun? where?
DavyCrockett writes:
Is Jessica coming too???????
TommyJack writes:
TJ always here with a chitload of common sense.
westknoxvol24 writes:
no my bad...nothing
TommyJack writes:
Ok Hubbs. It's your move. Take care of the medicine man.
NorthwestVol writes:
TJ, I could use a bit of common sense input right now. The wife and I have made the journey and are headed to the game tomorrow (our one per year) and I just don't know what to expect. We were here in 2007 for the Georgia game and I'm wanting a repeat. What's common sense say? The Vols got a chance at a big one? My gut says yes, but it also says it needs another amber with ice.
Thoughts?
givehim6 writes:
You would think it would be simple to beat UGA. They have a weak running game. Take care of of the Cox-Green show with our super man" BERRY ". and mix the NU-GUN with the running game, sounds good hu? But add the Crompton factor and .... Well UT might luck up and get a W.
the10sevol writes:
i'm a vq member witchie. let me know what you need.
GBO
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Not so sure Georgia is so simple and offensively handicapped..They hung 50 points on arkansas and 40 plus on So. Carolina..I don't know much about their O Line but I do know if we don't pressure the QB; he will make plays..I would love to see Hughes come off the bench and give Cox a rectal concussion..
BillyD writes:
Somebody please fire up the offense this week. Need you big time.
DennisVols writes:
No matter what the game plan,simple, complicated, it all comes down excution.
UT has been in every game this year and could be 5-0 if they excuted the game plan. Be it poor passing, poor routes by the receivers, dropped passes, blown blocking assignments, kicking coverage it was the lack of excution. The plays were there for UT to make in each instance. They have out played themselves more so than being out played by their opponents.
If they can make those plays, blocks, tackles against UGA they win it is that simple.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
samjrr writes:
Go Vols. Beat Georgia!
the10sevol writes:
"rectal concussion"
i don't think i want to know what that means. Montori - sack him 4-5 times, spare me the medical details, lol.
GBO
TommyJack writes:
Stick with the amber.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
The simple approach is for the simpleton #8...the Lachey reference is the UT white version of Snoop Dogg going to USC practices, now Kenny Chesney, that is more like. If you loose by one point and Grandpa Kiffin can say : we are only 9 points away from being 5-1"
BubbaJ writes:
Simple is as simple does. Just don't think making your offense less complicated helps Vols win, given the sheer lack of ability at the QB position. Crompton is as bad as they come, UGA
fans have this one in the books already, and can
you blame them.
The Kiffens are now starting to excuse themselves, with comments like "8 points away from 4-1", and "we're more worried about how we
play, than if we win". Unbelievable! Funny how
some Vol fans made fun of Fulmer and some of his
quotes. These guys aren't much better.
The Vols will fall again today, with another bad
day from Crompton leading the way, and a coach who is too stubborn to make a change.
The Vols have become the new South Carolina!
corrinebrown writes:
Number "8" will be the difference in the game
Green?
Crompton?
volatil writes:
Has Marlon Brown even sniffed the field this year?
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Bubba well said, maybe the NCAA should start drug testing coaches.
After todays gamne Lane Kiffin head coaching record will be: 7-19...now there is a winner winner chicken dinner oh my mistake he is 5-1 in the moral victory column
WytheVol writes:
That was about as straight to the point as you can get.. Very real! Good post.
WytheVol writes:
I have to respectfully disagree. #2 and #14 in orange will be the difference makers today. I don't think Kiffin abandons the run game today considering UGA's inability to consistently stop the run (or pass for that matter). We go back to clock control and a field position game today. Hopefully Crompton will be solid enough to help keep the chains moving today, but Hardesty and Brown put up 200 combined today.
OH YEAH!! Berry gets his INT record today.
MY opinion. I'll take the verbal beating after the game if I'm wrong.
SmokeyHound writes:
i swear marlon brown made a horrible decision going to georgia. we could really use him right now. i hope berry actually gets an interception. at this rate he will not win the Thorpe award...
T4TN writes:
Here's one even simpler, Sack, Score, Win. Doesn't get much simpler than that.
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