Adams: Vols can avoid embarrassment by following my game maxims

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The old question about Tennessee-Florida: Do the Vols have a chance?

The new question: Do the Vols have a chance of not being embarrassed?

My answer: A resounding “yes.”

In fact, if UT follows my game maxims — all of which I think General Neyland would approve — it won’t get beaten as badly today as it did two years ago in The Swamp (59-20).

My maxims:

n Stop Percy Harvin: Of course, I realize he no longer plays for the Gators. I just wanted to start with a maxim that’s easily achieved, for confidence purposes.

Give yourself a pat on the back, guys. You already have stopped Harvin, which is a lot more than the 2007 team did.

n Don’t give the ball to Arian Foster: Of course, I realize he no longer plays for the Vols. So there’s another confidence builder.

No playing equals no fumbling.

n Don’t punt or kick the ball to Brandon James: This is an absolute. If you think, “We’re not backing down from anybody,” then you’re giving up seven points. HE WILL SCORE.

So squib-kick it or pooch-punt it. Try a rugby-style punt or an onside kick. Have your punter throw the ball to a wide receiver or a Florida defensive back.

But don’t kick the ball to Brandon James.

n Forget the score when you’re on defense: No matter what happens to the Vols offensively, the defense has to forget about it. Its secondary can match up with Florida’s receivers. Its defensive ends can match up with Florida’s offensive tackles.

n Forget the score when you’re on offense: This is a tough one, but it’s necessary.

Run the ball and run the clock. Don’t force anything.

Play as though you’ve got a lead, as preposterous as that might seem to the odds-makers who have made Florida a 29 1/2-point — or is it 49? — favorite.

n Don’t punt or kick the ball to Brandon James: I can’t stress that enough.

Florida 31, UT 10: Given the disparity in talent, there’s no shame in losing to the Gators by 21 points.

The talent gap will widen when UT has the ball, but there’s no reason to believe UT’s defense will collapse against the Gators as is it did two years ago.

Also, Mother Nature could be a UT ally. A rainy afternoon — and it rained in Gainesville all week — will slow down Florida’s sprinters.

Arkansas 27, Georgia 23: Apparently all you need to beat the Bulldogs in a regular-season game is a little extra time.

Oklahoma State had all of preseason to get ready for the Bulldogs, whom they defeated in the opener 24-10.

Last year, Georgia Tech had nine days to prepare for the Bulldogs; Florida had two weeks. They combined for 94 points in their victories over Georgia.

Did I mention that Arkansas had an open date last week?

Vanderbilt 20, Mississippi State 17: Despite all the hoopla surrounding a winning season and bowl victory, the Commodores haven’t lost sight of their tradition. What does that mean?

It means they’re in the middle of another slump, which includes six losses in their last seven SEC games.

The Bulldogs can empathize. They have lost five of their last six SEC games.

Kentucky 20, Louisville 10: If former UT coach Phillip Fulmer is serious about wanting another coaching job, he would be better served hanging out near Commonwealth Stadium than commenting on behalf of CBS about the goings-on in The Swamp.

The Cardinals might not ask third-year coach Steve Kragthorpe back for the second half if they are trailing at halftime. And if Fulmer is in the neighborhood, how could they resist?

He’s 16-0 against Kentucky.

South Carolina 38, Florida Atlantic 13: Don’t be surprised if South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman interviews Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger while he’s in Columbia: just in case.

If South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier decides to call it quits, Schnellenberger would be an obvious candidate. If you think he’s too old, you haven’t been paying attention.

The Gamecocks just want a coach who has won a national championship somewhere else.

Auburn 31, West Virginia 23: Who would have guessed that the Tigers would come into this game with the more exciting offense?

Answer: Anyone who is familiar with Gus Malzahn, Auburn’s first-year offensive coordinator.

But did anyone see Onterio McCalebb coming?

Auburn’s freshman running back ranks first in the SEC in all-purpose yardage, second in rushing and sixth in kickoff returns.

Alabama 41, North Texas 3: The Mean Green is quietly establishing itself as one of the worst football programs in the FBS. And SEC schools are starting to take notice.

LSU defeated North Texas 41-3 last season. Arkansas beat it the year before 66-7.

Now, it’s Alabama’s turn to take advantage of a program that has been outscored by an average of 47 points in its last six games against BCS teams.

LSU 45, Louisiana 13: You know you’re in trouble when you’re a Sun Belt Conference team playing in Tiger Stadium.

Look for LSU coach Les Miles to continue to show his support for other in-state programs, which the Tigers have outscored 221-39 the last five games.

Ole Miss 52, Southeastern Louisiana 7: The Rebels also might develop an affinity for Louisiana schools under second-year coach Houston Nutt.

Nutt won his last game at Arkansas against LSU in 2007, then oversaw a 31-13 Rebels rout last season in Baton Rouge.

He likes Louisiana-Monroe even better. Nutt’s teams have won their last four games against the Warhawks by a combined count of 196-35.

Southeast Louisiana should be just as accommodating.

Top 25: Texas 41, Texas Tech 23; Southern California 42, Washington 24; Penn State 38, Temple 7; BYU 37, Florida State 31; California 40, Minnesota 23; Ohio State 45, Toledo 20; Oklahoma 37, Tulsa 20; Oklahoma State 45, Rice 10; Virginia Tech 31, Nebraska 24; TCU 45, Texas State 7; Cincinnati 34, Oregon State 31; Oregon 34, Utah 27; Kansas 41, Duke 17; North Carolina 27, East Carolina 17.

Record: 39-7 (.848) overall, 19-17 (.528) against the spread.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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