As September turns to October, 21 observations and questions about college football:
1. We couldn't have guessed a month ago how much Tennessee might miss Nick Reveiz.
The former walk-on has been a lion at middle linebacker. The knee injury he suffered Saturday night against Ohio likely ends his season.
"I think he's a guy who represents everything we want to be about, when we look to our future and how we want to build a team,'' UT coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday. "Those are the people you win championships with. That's a gigantic loss for us.''
2. I hope the inevitable rematch between Florida and Alabama in the SEC Championship game is as good or even better than last year's 31-20 victory by the Gators.
3. You can debate whether UT's Montario Hardesty is the best running back in the SEC but he's definitely the most productive.
The senior leads the SEC at 121.2 rushing yards per game and is averaging 5.77 yards per clip.
4. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow got hurt on a weekend when he was the second-leading rusher in an SEC game. His 16 carries for 123 yards at Kentucky were surpassed only by Hardesty's 140 against Ohio.
That's two poundings in a row for Tebow. I'm wondering how much even Superman can stand.
5. I miss Eric Berry highlight-clip plays.
It's not that UT's marvelous safety isn't playing well, but we're four games in without a jaw-dropping interception return.
6. The SEC Defensive Player of September is another Eric. South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood has six sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
7. I've been protesting when colleague Dave Hooker refers to Chris Walker, UT's junior defensive end, as a "superstar."
Dave, it's quite appropriate to call Walker a difference-maker because he definitely is that.
8. Is the Chris Todd who has a pass-efficiency rating of 171.5 after four games the same Chris Todd who played quarterback for Auburn last year, or are the names just an amazing coincidence?
9. Gus Malzahn should be a head coach before long. His magic touch as an offensive coordinator has translated at three different schools, Arkansas, Tulsa and now Auburn.
The Tigers were 104th in the nation in total offense and 110th in scoring at the end of 2008. They're No. 3 in both total offense and scoring offense as they point toward Neyland Stadium.
10. At this point, the Lane Kiffin Era at Tennessee more closely resembles the Dan Mullen Era at Mississippi State than the Gene Chizik Era at Auburn.
The Vols and Bulldogs are both 2-2 and a failed fourth-and-goal away from 3-1.
11. Was Ole Miss overrated? At No. 4 in the nation, without question.
12. I thought UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton would be more improved from 2008 than he has shown so far.
I'm not piling on. He has done some things better than last year, but still isn't playing at a level I expected as a senior. Thus, I've downgraded my preseason prognosis for the Vols by a game or maybe two.
13. Miami of Ohio threw its eighth and ninth interceptions of the year on Saturday, saving UT the dubious distinction of ranking last in the nation after Crompton threw his eighth against Ohio.
14. Janzen Jackson has had the biggest impact of UT's true freshmen. The more heralded Bryce Brown takes runner-up honors.
Still waiting for Nu'Keese Richardson to pop a big one in some shape or form.
15. Quarterback Greg McElroy makes Alabama better than John Parker Wilson did a year ago. The new guy ranks No. 3 in the nation in pass-efficiency.
16. Did we rush to heap too much praise on Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett after two games?
Maybe, but he won't be the only guy to have a miserable day against Alabama's defense. I'd still take my chances with Mallett over a 12-game haul.
17. Can't decide what to make of Georgia yet. Mark Richt probably can't either, and he ponders it a lot more than I do.
The defense finally showed up Saturday against Arizona State. That's the good news. The bad is 12 turnovers.
18. Casting Dave Clawson as the only scapegoat for UT's offensive woes in 2008 was way too simplistic.
19. LSU is either slightly overrated or saving a few tricks for upcoming games with Georgia and Florida. Only 30 yards rushing in 31 tries against Mississippi State, what's up with that?
I hope defensive coordinator John Chavis bought safety Chad Jones a steak dinner after that goal-line stand Saturday.
20. I suggest a musical theme for Tennessee's defense in 2009. It's a Beatles lyric from the Abbey Road album:
Boy(s), you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight, a long time.
Like for 12 games.
21. Hate to be morbid, but will Tommy West still be the coach when Memphis comes to Neyland Stadium on Nov. 7?
22. This has nothing to do with the SEC but is there anything more inexplicable in college football than Iowa winning seven out of eight against Penn State?
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 21
CoachFulmer writes:
Janzen Jackson can lay the wood. Almost a LaRon Landry type.
GahLee writes:
The loss of Nick is going to be tough.
CoverOrange writes:
Can you imagine if Ole Phil had put his ego aside and had gone after Malzahn twenty months ago?
Where would we be if Ole Phil had stayed another year? 2-2? 1-3 more likely. There were more problems than JC at QB and Clawson calling the plays. Lack of discipline and stamina would have made the losses worse though, IMHO.
I watched that LSU stop of Miss St at the goal line Saturday afternoon. 4 downs inside the 4 yard line. 2 downs at the one inch line. And nothing.
OrangePride writes:
This defense, already thin in depth, will really miss NR! Not just the playmaking, but his on field leadership. We all wish him the best. But not to worry too much about the defense.......Monte will have a good unit out there and a great gameplan for Auburn.....BUT NOW....we need the same from the offensive side of the ball if we are to beat dem Tigers. GO VOLS
leedsvol2007 writes:
First lets wish Nick Reveiz a complete recovery.
It will be interesting to see what personnel moves will be made to try and cover his loss.
Orangeblood13 writes:
hey dork
not sure if Lombardi could win with Crompton, but your assesment makes no sense.
VOLKING writes:
Bob, you've worn this horse out. With Fulmer/Chavis we lost to this same AU team last year. With Fulmer/Chavis we would have absolutely lost to Ohio on Saturday....no question whatsoever. Chavis was good until we got a lead, then he would have his d-backs 10 yards off the receiver playing prevent.(UCLA ring a bell?) Even Chavis says that Monte Kiffin is a defensive genius. You wouldn't disagree with your hero, now would you? Take your pills and drink your warm milk and relax. It's all gonna be ok....just not this season..... with the team Phil left us. Your loyalty should be to the university...not a coach. Recruiting, time and patience.
xvolx writes:
I hate that we lost Nick, but have to keep playing. Move Williams to middle linebacker. He likes to hurt people.
Razzle writes:
Go pull for another team. You're not good enough to be a Vols fan.
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
BobNOT4Vols,
You have been here since Sept 29th and spewed your vindictive attitude towards Coach Kiffin in 30 plus postings. GIVE IT UP PHIL! You are not getting the job back! You left with the team at its lowest in years. Your day has gone and Coach Kiffin has given us exciting plays with what he has available. The kids love him and stick up for him! They will play their hearts out for him also. I trust Monte to make the defensive changes to cover for Nick's being out. Nick, hopefully you can rehab and get back with some games to play this year. I pray your injury is one that you can recover from soon. I know you will work your butt off to get back into the line up. I remember everyone saying you were too small to play the middle LB position, but you played it with heart and was in on most every play making the tackle. We are proud of your efforts. Come back soon!
newtonrail writes:
I'm not going to argue with a genius, but I would point out that Crompton has his degree; and working on Masters. But then I don't throw stuff against the wall, and see what will stick.
tennezz writes:
He was running up the stats, trying to win the Heisman trophy! He also was still suffering from the WHINE FLU!!!
tennezz writes:
Do you mean that 33rd ranked defense that shut fla down? What happened to that 60 to 100 point beatdown we were supposed to get? Hey wait they were all sick...At least after the game!! If you have the #1 team in the nation, The nation sure is weak! Your defense sucks and the only offense you had was Tebow and he is hurt! You need to worry about your team and quit coming over here acting like a retard, but your probly not acting!!
MidTennVol writes:
Up until a few weeks ago, I expected -- demanded -- 10 wins from Kiffin and this million-dollar staff.
Now, I expect six or seven and will be satisfied with 8 ... and the number one recruiting class in America.
V0LUNT33R writes:
I don't understand the need to make other people angry or upset. I have no interest in any UF message boards, and I would definitely not go to one and start being a jerk. I also can't understand why you guys argue with these people who are obviously very bitter. I think if we quit arguing with them, (or even acknowledging their existence) they might go away. Then again, they might not. Some people are just born/raised to be a-holes, but arguing with them only lends credibility.
Go Big Orange!
gwtvol85 writes:
With re: to question #4, I've been saying the same thing for two weeks now. This has shades of Tebow's sophomore year written all over it. Did Meyer not learn his lesson from that season? If you're telling me that with all the talent that the mighty Gators have recruited they can't find one dependable back to at least take some of the pounding off of Tebow then either they're not developing running backs or Meyer is so hellbent on winning that he's willing to sacrifice everything, even if it means getting his best player beat up to the point that said player ought to start audibling to anything BUT a keeper. I'm telling you it's exactly like two years ago in Gainesville. Unless you're running a TRUE option attack there is absoulutely no reason for your QB to be your leading rusher. Especially if you expect him to last the season.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
================Quote================
V0LUNT33R writes:
I don't understand the need to make other people angry or upset. I have no interest in any UF message boards, and I would definitely not go to one and start being a jerk. I also can't understand why you guys argue with these people who are obviously very bitter. I think if we quit arguing with them, (or even acknowledging their existence) they might go away. Then again, they might not. Some people are just born/raised to be a-holes, but arguing with them only lends credibility.
===============End Quote================
I've said as much. But you know the saying: Common Sense isn't common.
dadofisaac writes:
Ohio's coaches (Solich is very familiar with MK's defensive schemes) had a sound game plan for the passing game. They knew they likely wouldn't be able to run against the Vols' front seven. They rolled the qb out most of the time, and at other times he seemed to drift backwards. Add to this he is a highly mobile qb capable of making plays on the run.
That being said, I do believe the officials allowed the Ohio line to get away with several holds, but that is all water under the bridge now.
Bottom line: Tennessee won a game they should have, and in the process lost a fine football player with a huge heart.
Get well soon Nick Reveiz.
riversetvol writes:
Re: #21
Could Phillip Fulmer be the next coach at Memphis. Unfortunately for Flummo it looks like Texas, USC and Florida won't have an opening this year.
IMHunter writes:
If your a true fan, take the good with the bad. TN will be back, count on it, if not go be a Gator fan, if you think you have to have winner this year. Then put your tail between your legs and come back to the Vols when they turn it around.
macman2 writes:
4. Tebow is Florida's offenive. I don't see them as Number #1 in the country.
8 & 18. The success of Chris Todd and Dave Clawson this season illustrates that given the right circumstances most people can be successful. Dave Clawson was the scapegoat but not the problem last year.
12 & 13. Get off the lets "pass judgement" on Crompton again. Crompton has more guts than most. To hear the verbal abuse and live with it and come back play is more than most could deal with. He is playing because Lane Kiffin feels he is the best for the team.
19. LSU is overrated.
20. Tennessee's defense did not "carry that weight" last Saturday. Ohio moved the ball with ease at times. Jonathon Crompton did throw two touchdown passes, hitched up with Hardesty on a critical 4th down play and threw only one INT.
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