Photo by Michael Patrick, copyright © 2012
Tennessee defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore (94) celebrates after sacking Troy quarterback Deon Anthony during the first half Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at Neyland Stadium. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)
11982: The last time Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt in Nashville, UT fans were still recovering from the recently closed World's Fair. Herschel Walker won the Heisman Trophy, "Ghandi" won the Oscar for best picture and the very week of Vandy's 28-21 win, Michael Jackson released "Thriller." Make you feel old?
2Nashville Pride: Tennessee's depth chart is flush with Nashville metro products. The last thing Tiny Richardson, James Stone, Zach Rogers, Eric Gordon, etc., want to listen to for the next year is yapping from Vandy fans down the street. Motivation should be no problem.
3Secondary Depth: Tennessee's weakest link could be even weaker. Neither LaDarrell McNeil nor Eric Gordon are 100 percent this week due to injuries against Missouri. Also, Daniel Gray's practice week has been limited by an illness. Deion Bonner's suspension is a moot point since he wasn't playing anyway.
4 Close Calls: Vandy has lost only once since Sept. 22 (to Florida) and three of the Commodores' five wins in that stretch were close games (19-15, 17-13, 27-26), exactly the kind of games Vandy used to lose. UT's record in one-possession scores is 1-3.
5CeePee Show: In a grim season, Vol fans can at least look forward to Cordarrelle Patterson's exploits. He leads the SEC and is ranked fifth nationally producing an average of 17.7 yards every time he touches he ball.
Mike Strange
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 17
notfunanymore writes:
The Vols are done. Vandy--41 UT--30. Might not even be this close.
volinlm writes:
It will be interesting to see if CDD rolls the dice alot today. What's he got to lose?
Razor784 writes:
Hate to say it but you're probably right. If it's a close game in the 4th qtr. we've got no chance
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
So...is it time to remember all the shellackings the Orange has put on the Boat Drivers?
This is what will continue to make Wondertbilt fans dislike the color Orange...wanting it, deserving it, expecting it, downright aching for the win...only to lose again.
College football can be cruel.
jobrando#216494 writes:
beat by 2 stars...I hope not
therightstuff writes:
Vandy is playing good football, playing better than the Vols, but as always Tennessee will dangle the carrot out there and then snatch it away. Either that or Vandy will dominate and win by 10. Hmmm, guess that covers possible outcomes.
iowavol writes:
Absolutely. In fact, I'm not sure we should punt the ball. First, when we do punt there's no guarantee we affectively do it. Second, if we don't give up a TD on the return, we will eventually give it up on D. Our best chance to win is to stay on offense as long as we can.
BruisedOrange writes:
Does anyone remember what our DB roster looked like in August? How many defensive backs have we lost to this point? How many linebackers?
I vaguely remember in late summer worrying only about our defensive depth on the front line.
Halcyon days. Seems like years ago now.
Rumblefish writes:
#6 Whatever Sunseri calls....change it.
MooseandSquirrelVol writes:
"How many defensive backs have we lost to this point?"
It is hard to understand how they keep getting hurt when the don't hit and can't tackle.
pcorange writes:
Should be a pretty good game. I wouldn't doubt another high scoring game. Vandy's D is good, but not good enough to contain Bray, CP, and Hunter. That said, our D couldn't contain East Hickman Middle School. I think we win in a score-fest. These boys, perceiving that Dooley will be canned, will want to send him out on a winning note.
LCPanthers (Inactive) writes:
Vandy cant not stop Vols.--Can Vols hold Vandy under 30 points????I think they can.
Tennessee-42
Vandy-----28
LovinMyVols writes:
5 Big Things
1.) Defense...be in position. No mental errors.
2.) Defensive Secondary...Don't let ANYBODY behind you. You know by now you can't count on help.
3.) Linebackers...Be in your gaps. Make sure you come off your blocks. Don't let anybody past you. You know by now the secondary won't stop them.
4.) Justin Hunter...The ball is not greased. Just catch it.
5.) O'line...Keep up the great work. This game may be on your shoulders.
GBO!
Vol_USArmy_Soldier writes:
Game day and 14 comments. That says it all.
movol53 writes:
I propose that the losing team gets Dooley as their head coach . . . oh wait a minute we already have him - - - never mind.
Darn it I've been a VOLS fan for 50 years and I've never seen such a lack of defense. Seems the line is doing ok (should be getting more sacks but) when a runner or receiver from the other team breaks the line he gets at least 10 15 yards. Remember the first play for Mizzou after half time? One play 77 yards - - TD How does this happen. Heck put one guy back 20 yards off the line and his job is to tackle anything that gets past the other ten. Could we perhaps get away with playing 14 or 25 on defense? We need all the help we can get; with luck maybe the other teams players will just run into one of our players if we have enough of them on the field. The penalty for too many players on the field is less than what the other team will gain; so let's just take the penalty each time. Please note the sarcasm. I'm just worn out with UT football right now as we all are. GO VOLS!! Win or walk back to Knoxville.
SewaneeVolFan writes:
I say 28-24 UT. I say Bray will throw for three TD's. Vandy will get one TD from some astonishing bust where all four UT defensive backs somehow take the Vandy TE and leave the two VU receivers by themselves. Vandy'll get one TD from a 70-yard rush, where UT linebackers get sucked in, take bad angles, and try to make arm tackles.
UT's offense is good enough, even with the skill and experience of Vandy's D, to blow the 'Dores out. But because UT is not used to finishing games, this'll be closer than it should be.
Yes, I drink the Doolaid, wear the orange sunglasses, and am surfing the web looking for Vols pom pom gloves, and all that.
I'm a UT fan, and I'll be one if the Vols win, and I'll be one if they lose. Go Big Orange!
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
7. you are a clown
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