Must-Watch Matchups
UT kickers vs. The uprights
The Vols are expected to do two things against Akron on Saturday — move the ball and score points. With those two facets of the game comes a third — extra points and field-goal attempts. Thus far in 2012, the UT kicking game has muddled somewhere between woeful and laughable. Michael Palardy started the season and promptly missed a 39-yard field goal and two extra points, and was replaced by walk-on kicker Derrick Brodus. He, in turn, shanked a missed extra point last week. What happens this week is anyone's guess.
UT red-zone defense vs. Akron offense
The Zips scored on two of three trips inside the 20 against Central Florida, on five of five attempts against Florida International and six of eight trips against Morgan State. The Tennessee defense has surrendered points each of the nine times an opponent has crossed its 20-yard line. If Akron can sustain drives and reach deep into UT territory, the odds say the Zips will come away with points.
Stock Up
UT MLB A.J. Johnson: "It's A.J., he can do anything," UT coach Derek Dooley said on Monday. And nowadays the Preseason All-SEC third-team selection is being asked to do exactly that. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker twice lined up in the Wildcat formation as a quarterback a week ago, scoring one touchdown. Back on the defensive side, Johnson led the Vols with 11 tackles.
Akron QB Dalton Williams: The fifth-year senior is one of the few quarterbacks ranked above UT's Tyler Bray in multiple passing categories this season. The transfer from Stephen F. Austin is ranked in the top 15 nationally in touchdown passes (t-2nd, 10), total points responsible for (t-3rd, 64 points), passing yards (4th, 1,004), completions per game (7th, 31.33) and total offense (11th, 330.0 ypg). Behind Williams, Akron leads the Mid-American Conference in total offense (496.3 ypg) and passing offense (378.0 ypg).
Stock Down
The Vols' rush defense: Florida accumulated 336 of its 555 total yards on the ground during last week's win at Neyland Stadium. Three different Gators — running backs Mike Gillislee and Trey Burton, along with quarterback Jeff Driskel — rushed for more than 80 yards as the Florida ground game produced rushing touchdowns of 14 and 80 yards. Akron doesn't quite offer such a potent attack, leading rusher Jawon Chisholm has carried 37 times for 189 yards in three games.
The Zips' rush defense: If the Vols can win a game on the ground this year, this might be it. In its two games against BCS opponents (Central Florida, Florida International), Akron has surrendered 202 yards and 236 yards rushing and a combined seven rushing downs.
Tweets Of The Week
Diocese of Knoxville account
Kudos to the University of Tennessee for saying that praying before football games at Neyland Stadium does not violate the U.S. Constitution.Knoxville-based marketing and public relations professional
Overheard: "Why is #Tennessee even playing the little University of #Akron?" — Univ. of Akron has 29,200 full-time students, UT has 27,500UT linebacker Herman Lathers
The difference between try and triumph is a little umph! So stop making excuses and start making adjustments!
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 46
VolGrad writes:
Jay Graham wants AJ all to himself, but neither Sal or Derek will allow that.
Go Vols! Beat the Zips!! Them beat them some more!!!
dvols writes:
this quinn guy might be ok...
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
What's with this kid and the "we" stuff????????
Amazing how the kid blasts anything to do with Tennessee and then hops up on the bandwagon.
Trolls never cease to amaze you. This kid doesn't have as many screen names as Jeffery but he's working on it, isn't he?
snafu14u#241639 writes:
I did get a snicker out of #1...kickers vs goal posts. That's funny in a insightful kinda way. BonzaiVol
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
A couple of small gripes with the article.
First, I wouldn't normally call a FG or PAT attempt that hits the upright a "shank." Just a few inches over, and we're not even talking about it. A shank doesn't go anywhere near the direction it was intended. Ask any golfer.
Second, I'm a little bothered by the categorical denegration of UT's rush defense. Yes, Florida gained over 300 yards on the ground, but most of it (186 yards) came on just four out of 42 rushing attempts. Although I would really like to see those big plays totally eliminated, I try to be realistic about the rest of what happened. They broke four big plays for various reasons, that the coaches can address, but the other 39 rushing attempts only included a few that I would normally think of as very good runs (7+ yards). It isn't like we were completely pathetic at run defense. It appeared to me the Gators couldn't gain a yard between the tackles all night.
Here's my point: If a runner gains 100 yards on 10 carries, it looks like he just dominated the defense, but if he gained 92 yards on one of those 10 carries, I'd say he was pretty much dominated by the defense, but he escaped one time. Big plays happen to everybody. You try to eliminate them, but can't ever guarantee that, so you just hope when they happen they aren't too damaging.
The Gators' run game was pretty well defended the vast majority of the time. They had those four big plays (too many), and a couple that went for 10-14 yards. Most of the time, they were stuffed. Unfortunately, when they were forced to get creative, and also went no-huddle, they caught our guys out of position a few times that really hurt.
UTistheOLEMISSoftheEAST writes:
Not so fast. I'll take the uprights over a ut kicker any day.
ashvol7 writes:
People like you amaze me, I wonder if some of you have ever been on a football field? What makes some you think you Know so much about coaching? I dare say some of these posters have never been in Neyland Stadium, and know nothing about coaching. If you did you would have wanted rid of Fulmer several years before he was allowed to run the program into the dirt, plus take 6 million from the school that he did not deserve!
usnavyvolfan_on_duty writes:
Funny...I joked about just after the Florida game. Yeah, they gained 555 yards, but 444 were on like 5 plays or something.
Seriously, though, giving up huge plays like that is a problem. I'm not throwing up a white flag by any means, but to say that our defense was anything less than exposed last week is a bit disingenuous.
Hopefully they bounce back against Akron tomorrow. The Vols need some kind of momentum, any, heading into their dreaded October run.
usnavyvolfan_on_duty writes:
...not to mention the guy never won a Natioal CHamp....wait, what?
hueypilot writes:
Good teams have guys like Eric Berry, Patrick Petersen, Terry McDaniel to chase down the runaway. We don't have that and we have less of that with Randolph on the bench. How many home run plays do LSU and Alabama give up? How many long plays did Florida give up against us and they are far from a great team. Poor defenses give up big plays and we gave up half a season of them in one game. I love my Vols, but the defense has thus far been a big disappointment, especially our inability to seal the edge, which is how several of these big plays got going.
volaholic45 writes:
My top matchups:
1. The Dooley boy versus the Bowden boy. Dooley has more at stake in this battle of legacy admissions, since Bobby's boy could lose and still leave the impression that he outcoached Vince's boy, and would have whipped him with a more equitable distribution of resources.
2. Tyler Bray's arm against Tyler Bray's head. Without the panic and despair of an impending loss, the arm should win. Tyler Bray's feet, as usual, are not expected to play.
3. Fan exhaustion against fan enthusiasm. How many show, and will the applause be thunderous or sound more like an occasional gentle shower?
4. UT kickers versus the ambient force shields that yank down punts, and kick offs, and push FGs and PATs wide. It might have something to do with all the bodies buried under Shields Watkins. The pregame prayer is crucial in this matchup.
5. Tennessee-Akron versus Vandy-Georgia. How many will stay tuned to the Vols-Zips just enough to make sure nothing horrible is going on, but spend more time guaging our chances in a real game next week? The remotes will be jumpy, unless riveted to an unlikely Vol-Zip nailbiter.
6. UT defense against confusion. The Zips offensive creativity could bumfuzzle the secondary like the lizards did, although probably without such disastrous results.
7. Staying for the whole game versus getting the jump on traffic. A lot of folks who seldom or never get to go and have been graced with free ticks will stay to the last tock, but most will look at their watches and do the right thing.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Can you believe this kid is calling anyone a fraud? We've been behind the Vols before this punk was born and predictably, little "big talkers" always sound this way.
No, we're pretty certain talkers like this are being exposed for what they are. However, it's a short term thing, since kids like this one eventually do get banned on GVX, only to be allowed to return through the back door with another name.
Get lost kid, and we'll gladly win our games without you.
ashvol7 writes:
you must have been watching a different game, for the most part the defense played very well! Did the Fulmer part upset you? A high school coach could have done better than Fulmer. Funny no one else has hired him!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Hopefully, after this game we can get up for the GA game crowing about solid improvement in all areas.
AlpharettaVol writes:
One of the better posts I've seen on this site in a long time. Congrats!
SewaneeVolFan writes:
I disagree with every one of your implied criticisms, except about UT's poor kicking, but despite that I have to concede that this is hilarious.
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
OCV,
The only place Toddy is a kid...is between the ears. My sources down in Tuscaloozer tell me little Toddygirl is late 40's and still lives with mummy and da da. (TRUE) Toddy knows Flowers will eventually bite the dust and he wants to be next in line to be King of the Dooley Bashers.
Toddy has had a ton of posts deleted so he will get the boot soon. Sadly, like Flowers, he will be back with another name but the same old schtick.
usnavyvolfan__now_proud_navy_dad writes:
I have to congratulate you, as I do believe you take the title of the most asinine post on this site. So, let me get this straight. Because I don't want to get out the pitchforks and torches and march to Coach Dooley's office and throw him out the door "French Revolution" style means I endorse every move he's made since he became the head coach at UT, or that I lay awake at night restless only until UT reaches that giant city on a hill, the "6-win mark", and then and only then do all my fears melt like a wet wicked witch.
Stupid. right? So are just about all your posts. And you have the onions to come on here and say that only people like you, who b1tch and b1tch and b1tch, are true fans. You need to take a good, long look in the mirror (my sense is you probably won't be able to), and do some introspection. Because REAL fans are fans when they win, and fans when they lose. They have more to offer than the hourly temper tantrum you throw up on this site. I can't wait for you to be banned from here, and if there's any justice, it'll be your IP address and not just another screenname.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Dang!??? An actual foot ball thought from you. Be careful now you may lose your "ignorance" label.
Defense WAS the problem against Florida. But I thought Dooley's post game was right on target a far as what went wrong. But I have to admit that an adjustment here or there may have made a difference. But again it was unexpected that we'd NOT respond on the field without those needed chewing outs! Again...the running game disappeared and ultimately Dooley does I think take responsibility for missing the opps for stopping the landslide of lapses. He's our coach and I have to believe he's smart enough to learn. He IS a lawyer after all. With his family's ability for education I doubt that he bought that lawyer's license.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
He will get banned I predict. Collegrossebilly 1000 KNS 1. fortunately KNS all it takes is one vote!!
When he's banned the IQ of this site will increase ...welll a lot!
BeRealistic writes:
So far ESPN360 hasn't blacked out this game in TN
6972 writes:
Just 2 quick observations: UT kickers v/s the goal post...at this point I take the goal points.
Second, With 11 tackles, AJ is a beast on defense and could be used effectively on offense.
Use the guy's talents!
Scoon writes:
Realistic, realistically, college teams are allowed a pay per view on only 2 games per year, unless this has been recently changed. So, chances of a black-out are somewhat statistically lower due to this, although it still can be done.
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
Not much to gain on this game, if we win big we as we are supposed to, it's just another win over an overmatched team. If we struggle the boo birds and trolls will be out even more than now, if thats possible. No more injurys and have the second team out after halftime. Get ready for the Dawgs next week.
GO VOLS!!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Hope not. wouldn't bet on it.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
wait a sec.??? Isn't this a CSS game? The schedule says CSS. Is that tied in to ESPN360?
Vol43 writes:
Wut? Uh, wut was that again? I wus noddin' off.
Vol43 writes:
Thx. What can I say? I'm nonsensical
papavol writes:
yeah, he is definitely a breath of fresh air for KNS.
Vol43 writes:
Big Voldaddy on the last game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pIrmj...
usnavyvolfan__now_proud_navy_dad writes:
Good point! BTW, how are things in the "Scenic City" these days?
usnavyvolfan__now_proud_navy_dad writes:
Oooh, getting a bit defensive when getting exposed, are we?
thevoice writes:
1-8 in the last 9 SEC games, with that one win being in overtime vs. Vandy. Guess that's pretty funny too.
thevoice writes:
If our defense didn't lay an egg by giving up so many big plays vs. UF, I'd say play the 2nd teamers frequently too. But we just gave up 522 (?) yards. I wonder if the need to improve outweighs the possibility of injury.
BeRealistic writes:
Agree, need to play as many players as possible to help depth problem. This is not Fla. & hope no injuries to key players.
illinoisvolfan writes:
Being able to describe the Vols kicking game without using any profanity definately shows he's got a way with words.
mtthw741 writes:
Agree. Football article with information about......FOOTBALL. refreshing
Richmonds_Wannabe_Brother writes:
As usual, your reponse to a comment is not germane to the comment it is in response to.
Sorry, Toddygirl. I don't have college football fantasies. Your whole life obviously revolves around fantasies, but I choose to live in the real world. As much as I like it when my team wins, and hate it when they lose, nothing in my life changes with either result.
gwavescVOL writes:
I'm with ashvol7 on this one, loved Fulmer when his fire was burning, but by about '03 it had grown more dim as evidenced by the team's general lack of discipline, slip in recruiting, and the his flat affect on the sideline whether it was a good or bad play. Also by his lack of conviction when it came to doing the necessary with regard to assistants. Anyway he was a great coach, recruiter, and ambassador for most of his career, but they all get too comfortable at some point
orangecountyvols writes:
Good troll. I have your attention. The only embarrassment on this site is your whiny, pathetic excuse for masquerading as a Vol fan. Take a vote, and you'll find out how respected you and your sort are here. Surprisingly, you haven't been banned, yet anyway. We all know there are legitimate Tennessee backers, and then there is your sort. Fulmer is like the movie, Gone with the Wind. You and Walt need to get that through your heads. Stop whining and stay with your wine, back to the cellar. Come back upstairs when you have something intelligent to say.......troll.
thevoice writes:
What's shaping up to be the next game most indicative of the future is Mizzu. This game might seal Dooley's fate.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
As patient??? Some one should have fixed something obviously. Again it happened very quickly. He didn't expect it to keep on happening. It was a good explanation to me. I hope it doesn't happen any more...the lapses.
Time to watch some football. so long.
TheVolSnake writes:
I just want us to fix all our issues tonight and be healthy going into the Georgia game.
We have several issues that need to be fixed.
Go Vols
DFun writes:
Bowden looks like a Fulmer second. Really funny
DFun writes:
How about our cute coach Dooley?
DFun writes:
Is this lose enough to fire our cute boy?
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