Derek Dooley has had no trouble talking up the likes of Montana and Buffalo this season, so heaping praise on Georgia was no sweat for the Tennessee coach at his weekly press conference Monday.
"Everybody knows Georgia pretty well around here, and they whipped us good last year — about as good as you can get whipped," Dooley said of the Vols' 41-14 loss last year at Sanford Stadium. "They're probably as talented as any team in the league.
"What you notice about them defensively is their stature. They're big and they're physical, and they've been playing lights-out defense, especially the last three games."
The Bulldogs (3-2, 2-1 SEC) opened the season with consecutive losses to No. 5 Boise State and No. 18 South Carolina. In the previous three games, though, Georgia has limited its opponents to a combined 26 points and has surrendered just one offensive touchdown.
"That's pretty impressive — I don't care who you're playing — so it's going to be a big challenge for our offense to see if we can move the ball," Dooley said. "We'll see about our team. I don't know. I made the comment, I don't know who we are, really, yet, and only time will tell. And so, this will be kind of the next step."
The Vols (3-1, 0-1) come into Saturday's game (TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m.) relatively healthy. Linebacker Raiques Crump will return to the practice field Tuesday after missing practice most of last week with an unspecified infection. Linebacker Herman Lathers, who has yet to play this season because of a broken ankle, is still "a couple weeks away," Dooley said.
Dooley named quarterback Tyler Bray and wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers the Vols' offensive players of the week for their respective performances in Saturday's 41-10 win against Buffalo. Linebacker Curt Maggitt garnered defensive player of the week honors while defensive back Byron Moore took home special teams player of the week.
Andrew Gribble may be reached at 865-342-6327. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Andrew_Gribble and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/gribble
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Comments » 84
keithgibson writes:
sounds like he is already making excuses for the upcoming loss
hubbardcove writes:
Sounds like it is going to be a close game.
Oh and GA is 1-1 in the SEC not 2-0.
LADAWG writes:
Could get ugly for the vols! Go dawgs.......
wallingdad writes:
i dont think so. i think he is just acknowledging his opponent. Bear Bryant used to do the same thing. before a game he would complain about his team, about how banged up they were and how great his opponent was (even Vandy). after listening to him you would think that 1. bama would not have enough players to play because they were all hurt and 2)he did not know how on earth he would be able to run,pass, defend against the opponent. THEN on game day his team would come out breathing fire and literally beat the ever loving h--- out of the opponent. he would then say something like...well, we were lucky to win today..
it drove me nuts! he was the master at it for sure.
NashvillePreds writes:
They beat Ole Miss, and Miss State, thus 2-0.
Though, at least this season, Ole Miss is an SEC team in name only.
GO VOLS
wallingdad writes:
how about the loss to USC and steve Spurrier?
sameolvolalum writes:
The above posting losers must just wait around for new articles to pop. Please ignore these trolls as they're nervously slouching in front of their laptops in their cubicles......waiting for some dummy to respond. thus they'll see their "own words" and shudder with relief. "Someone cares!" they'll squeal.
I like our chances against uga this weekend. The fewest mistakes should be the most determining factor. Lots of passes setting up a slightly improved running game. GBO!
sameolvolalum writes:
I hope it's obvious that I was referring to the first three posters, not the ones following. Go Vols!
Huttdawg100 writes:
This game is going to be close.... Murray is mistake prone, and I hope Wilcox dials up the blitz so we can get pressure on him. If he makes bad decisions like he did against MS State, we win by 10.
jobrando#216494 writes:
WHAT.... I doubt you were even born.....
NashvillePreds writes:
Hah.
I stand corrected.
2-1
navarrebeachvol writes:
moronic comment, even for you.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ga soon to be 2-2 in the conference.
Murray should be good for 2 int's.
O-line continues to protect Bray, we should be fine.
But that's why they play it.
Game is a pick now.
flatrock writes:
Georgia has improved since their opening loss to Boise State...Vols must improve all phases of their kicking game to hang close enough to have a chance to win it at the end.
cestafford16 writes:
As far as Dooley "making excuses for this upcoming loss," I wouldn't necessarily call it that. It's always good to recognize what you're about to go up against, so you can anticipate the pros and cons of your opponent and do what you need to do to prepare for the game.
Georgia hasn't impressed me much so far this season. They didn't seem to be very explosive against struggling Ole Miss and Miss. State teams. I think we have a pretty good chance at winning this game at home. As long as the Vols establish a good rhythm early on and keep their focus and composure, expect to see Tennessee's first SEC win after Saturday night.
kevin151 writes:
I think this is a huge game for Dooley.... Georgia is not a very good team and LSU and Bama are coming. I think the vols win an ugly one on a Palardy kick. Yes, he makes one....
navarrebeachvol writes:
were you born a jack-leg or raised to be one?
lomas98 writes:
No doubt about being big for Dooley. Cannot afford to start 0-4 again in conference play and on paper they have no chance against LSU and Bama. He needs to win a big conference game and this one counts as one. Home game, night, national TV, chance to stay in the eastern division race, JUST WIN! TN needs to find a game where they cause some TO's. For some reason that is not happening in the first 4 games.
jobrando#216494 writes:
This is a must win to lock 6-6 or to make 7-5. This will be a fired up Tennessee team. VOLS 38-21
volinJC writes:
I would agree with CDD that Georgia is a talented football team and better than their record indicates, but they're nowhere close to being the most talented team in the SEC. Based on their play so far this season, Alabama is the best team I've seen in years. They have first or second NFL round draft talent all over the place on both sides of the ball.
Twelvethirtyone writes:
I agree in-as-much-as we need the win for 7-5... I just do not want to get over zealous like I did with Florida. I think with this being a home game, we have a good chance to win, but I am not predicting a single thing until the final gun goes on Saturday night... Go Vols!! :)
VolinCalif writes:
Keith
There aren't many Gibson around, most are Gibsons. Are you or your people from the Kennesaw, Ga area? If so hello cousin.
mdvol writes:
Just need to control Murray from scrambling out of the pocket and picking up key 3rd downs. Murray should give us a couple of gift INT's along the way. UT has smoked UGA the last two trips to Knoxville. The trend continues this Saturday.
VOLS 31-17. Bray with 4 TD passes, 0 INT's. Best QB in the SEC.
SEC EAST is wide open for the VOLS!
VolinCalif writes:
Remember all too well
VolinCalif writes:
Yes I agree, The Bear just stopped breathing he didn't lose.
slb#1351874 writes:
Sir if you are a man you are a Delbert dumb butt I hope that the box you sleep in on the corner keeps you warm tonight.
Pompey writes:
.....but I would never make an excuse for kicking your butt, I promise!
Volfan51 writes:
By your response I see you are not counting South Carolina as part of the SEC. If memory serves me right SC beat Ga., go figure your won lost figures again.
Pompey writes:
.....and you are dogs and that is a fact.......
Pompey writes:
....might want to keep your money in your pocket this weekend pessimist, or Vol hater which ever you are......
mbain13 writes:
I wouldn't say UGA is not a good team, but they are not playing to their potential. This one is a toss up if you ask me.
VolnTex writes:
I'm not a Tide fan, but you don't know what you're talking about. Bryant was a great coach. Yes, he retired after UT beat AL. But would you like to tell us all how many times in a row they beat the Vols before that?
asleep#212036 writes:
With the caveat that Garcia doesn't play like he did against Auburn, which was woeful. If he plays well, I agree, we'd better win this one. If not, S. Carolina may be more beatable than the Dawgs. Either way, we are gonna have to bring the best game yet to have a chance against either one. Go Vols!!!
VolBy3 writes:
UGA has so much more to loose in this one. They had high expectations starting the year, the Vols did not. Richt is on the hot seat, Dooley is not. The pups must win this one, the Vols could start winning the big ones at any time. I think a little extra pressure by the D-line and Murray throws a few to the Vols. Its down hill from there. UT34 UGA17
All4VOLS!!
Packer_Park_Orange (Inactive) writes:
You can bet ol Doolittle is setting us up for one of his patented beatdowns...Wouldn't matter if he wasn't...You Dooleyphiles already have your excuse quiver full for him..I can hear it Saturday..."But our best player was out or we would've won"..."We're too young and inexperienced"..."Doofus will get it done, he just needs four more years"...With fans like you guys ...Doolittle doesn't need any help making excuses...Come Monday we'll go back to talking about his orange pants...0-4 the rest of October.
volpreacher writes:
Vols could lose, I don't think so, but if they do, it will be close. The only difference in these teams is Ga has more experienced players and UT has a better QB. Murray is good, but not as good as Bray.Vols by at least 10.
allvol8 writes:
Chucklehead....you are really bitter about getting canned !
BamaVol writes:
Or it could get ugly for the dawgs. Go Vols
BigBoyBall writes:
We can beat Ga.
We will beat So Cal.
LSU, Ala, and Ark. will be tough but, we will not roll over for anyone. (and we will not quit playing for 60 minutes like the mighty gators did after their qb got steamrolled by the tide)
BigBoyBall writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Packer_Park_Orange (Inactive) writes:
The truth is the true trolls are you Dooleyphiles...You can't take anyone with an objective and balenced view and you just whine when someone fairly points out how sorry our program has become under Doolittle...If you think you're being cheated for whay you pay here, you cheapskates should pony up for the KNS other site...there you can enjoy a Dooleyphile mutual admration society and won't have to listed to the truth at all.
wallingdad writes:
just one comment or correction. our program has not gotten any worse under Dooley. it has not gotten any better either (yet). but it certainly is not any worse. i hope it gets better but only time will tell. i do not consider 6-7 or 7-5 any different. they are both unacceptable for a program with as much tradition as UT. we do need to do better than that....much better....
volsindallas writes:
Please remove "GoVols" from your tag name. You are an embrassment.
Bear Bryant:
6 national championships
13 Conference Titles
3 times coach of the Year
12 times SEC coach of the Year
When he Retired - his record for most wins as a head coach in collegiate football history.
GO VOLS!
Upgrayedd writes:
Philes, park, packer... Dude, you should never be allowed around children.
keviningeorgia writes:
The betting line is Tennessee plus 1. Based on where the teams were at the start of the season, that's really giving the Vols alot of respect. I jumped on it even though they will probably get a couple more points by the end of the week.
I'm not great at my score predictions but I haven't lost any money on Tn. this year either. So, that makes me as qualified as any other idiot that does it.
I am making 2 predicitons, plus my super bonus quick pick and I know without doubt that my Monday two pack will be 100%!
1) Saturday's prediction --
Vols - 28
Georgia - 24
2) Monday's prediction --
If the Vols win, pickle park oral will say they got lucky. Win or lose he will start talking about how they will lose the next one.
****Free quick pick bonus**** -- Either way, I wont read whatever he says.
Only_a_freshman writes:
In response to Vol Preacher:
Rev, you better start praying now that Isaiah Crowell gets the flu and misses the game. Better yet, forget it. God doesn't listen to our prayers concerning sports. He just laughs! Good luck to you though Rev.
Vols7Twins writes:
Does LA stand for lower Alabama?
Only_a_freshman writes:
To the GoVols staff/screeners: How come new commenters cannot say the word "sucks" but I can read other posts that clearly say "sucks". Hmmmm
Are u fair and balanced. I never slighted UT. Actually I was slighting our OC Bobo. Now He su... CREATES A VACUUM!
Only_a_freshman writes:
Thanks GoVols staff. Respectfully Understood. Please disregard my post at 9:25pm 10/3.
BigBoyBall writes:
and just what did i say to offend the staff at gvx? pls explain
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