Breaking down the personnel for Tennessee and Akron.
Quarterbacks
Tyler Bray would like to bounce back from a shaky game against Florida with a more efficient performance against the Zips. He'll have more time to throw and should be able to flex his muscles in the deep passing game. Akron's Dalton Williams, a transfer from Stephen F. Austin, has thrown an incredible 152 passes in three games and could crack 200 today. Edge: Vols
Running backs
The breakdown of carries in the Florida game left no doubt that Rajion Neal is No. 1 in the Vols' running back stable, but Marlin Lane and Devrin Young should get plenty of opportunities today. The Zips don't worry as much about the ground game, but Jawon Chisholm is their most reliable back. Edge: Vols.
Wide receivers/tight ends
Justin Hunter missed two catchable passes, and Cordarrelle Patterson came up short on a potential game-changer against the Gators. In a perfect world, this duo would catch a bunch of balls in the first half and then let a large crop of youngsters take over after halftime. The Zips have only one reception longer than 40 yards, but they do have a group of four solid possession receivers. Edge: Vols.
Offensive line
The Zips have surprisingly decent size on their offensive line, but the other side of the ball will be dwarfed by Tennessee's O-line. The Vols faced one of their toughest tests of the season last week against the Gators' athletic front seven. Today, they should feast on a lesser opponent.Edge: Vols
Defensive line
Daniel McCullers' run-stopping won't be a factor today, as there won't be much running to stop. Instead, the Vols will try to put pressure on Williams and keep the Zips' short-passing game short. If Akron's line puts Bray under any kind of duress, something's gone wrong. Edge: Vols.
Linebackers
Seniors Troy Gilmer and Kurt Mangum anchor Akron's 4-3 set. Mangum started at Washington, moved to Howard, and is now finishing his career in the MAC. Biggest question for Tennessee? Will linebacker A.J. Johnson stick to defense or get a few snaps in the Wildcat this week. Edge: Vols.
Secondary
There will be two new starters today for the Vols (Justin Coleman at corner and Brent Brewer at safety), and a handful of true freshmen could see the field. Against Akron's pass-happy offense, this should be a position to watch closely. Edge: Vols
Special teams
Think this might a category in which Akron could get the edge? Alas, Zips kicker Robert Stein has missed an extra point and two field goals inside the 40. For all of the Vols' kicking woes, the coverage teams have been solid and there are potential game-changers in the return game. Edge: Vols.
Coaching
Terry Bowden was once among the most celebrated young coaches in college football, going 11-0 his first season (1993) at Auburn. His sabbatical from football made it difficult to climb back in, but he has embraced tough jobs at North Alabama and now Akron with zeal. Edge: Even.
Intangibles
Akron is riding high after a record-setting 66-6 win against Morgan State. Coaches have reminded players all week of the upsets that seem to occur weekly in college football. Tennessee is coming off an emotionally draining game and the crowd likely will be lethargic after last week. Edge: Zips
Pick
Tennessee 63, Akron 24
Three touchdowns might be giving the Zips too much credit, but they'll be chucking the ball around so much that they're liable to find the end zone eventually. Stopping Tennessee's offense will be much harder, which is why the Vols should win handily.
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 11
VolGrad writes:
Score early and often. We gotta lot of frustration to work out. Show no mercy. If we're only up by 4 TDs in the 4th quarter, take it to the checkerboards another couple of times just to put them out of our misery.
Go Vols! Beat the Zips!!!
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
Toddy is all giddy because its Friday night. He gets to watch cartoons in the morning and his mommy makes him those Fulmer shaped pancakes for breakfast.
thevoice writes:
63 = 9 TDs and 9 PATs.
VolGrad writes:
...and it still won't do them any good.
Go Vols!
frblalack writes:
So we beat Akron??? We'd better get some much needed reps for the second & third teams. Our 2nd team secondary and our secondary receivers need a lot of pt. Would like to see Worley & Peterman as well as Pig Howard. Zach Rogers, Cordarrelle & Justin need to be well rested and sharp for GA.
Hoping for the best, as always!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I'd really like to see Worley with the first team! I think Bray's the man but I'd love to see what we've got to replace Bray if he's drafted.
(he's not ready imho, not quite).
mocsandvolsfan writes:
You know he juzt likez the Zipz 'cauze of the ZZZzzzzzs. I wizh he'd just ztop it.
GBO Go Volzz....oopz I CAN'T ZTOP!
orangecountyvols writes:
Rocky,
Exactly friend. Is this punk kid Toddy still allowed on the playground with serious Vol fans? Biggest question as far as the Billy kid is concerned..........is what will his next screen name be after yet being banned again. The kid currently leads in the posts being removed category.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Run, run and more run...Not our style but worth working on..We have yet to see if Chaney can become creative enough to figure out how best to use Young, He's not that good running inside and SEC defenders aren't fazed by his speed....The long ball thrown to CP last week was just slightly overthrown but CP almost made a miracle one handed catch!
SummerfieldVol writes:
This should be a game to fine tune the running game. If Rajion can't run against the Zips the coaches better start to look for someeone who can run the ball on SATURDAY. I don't care how a player looks in practice it is how he plays on Saturday. You can practice all you want to for basketball, golf, or any other sport but it come down to how you play the game that counts. I think our offense line is over rated because of their size, they are big but they can not run block which tells me they don't have the technique or they don't have the leg strength. If Rajion wants to play the bounce game by trying to bounce outside time for a new runner. Time to stay focused and not quit giving 100%. Lets play a full 4 qts of football.60 Minutes
BigBadVol writes:
We are talking about the Zips and how TN will destroy them? Until we are talking about SEC Championships lets keep the bravado toned down. We are still rebuilding. This is a process.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.