To be honest, Saturday's game was probably easier than the last 4 combined. UT is getting real complacent in their play, and that made life real easy when your defense and offense can handle "going through the motions" which is what Tennessee is doing now.
The Good...
Key players stepping up.
If it were on me to give out 3 game balls, they would have been to Andre Smith, Roy Upchurch, and Donta Hightower. Some would argue Mike Johnson because the TD score was with him lead blocking, but I discount points for missed cut blocks and just cut blocking in general. To each their own, but as many runs to the left outside area as they did, that was Smith's domain. A kudos should go to McCall too who continues to be the silent reason the running game looks better as a whole. Upchurch finally got a chance to show his game in 2 facets. First he got to shoulder the load for a while and did well. Second, he got to show his blocking skills, which are better than the others are (it also is a big reason why Terry Grant is MIA). Upchurch has the best vision of the tailbacks and when UT was clogging lanes, he had the vision to find the gap and hit it fast. That led to several of his big runs was him cutting back and finding the hole. I read a post this weekend saying Hightower had "played slow” and my first thought was what the hell was this guy watching? Hightower has quietly been the reason this defense plays better. Yes, "Mt. Cody" this and that, and he's been a big part in the stingy part, but Hightower plays like a 2nd or 3rd year player. He's been big all year and plays real well with McClain. That's an improvement from last year where Mustin and Hall didn't really compliment or help McClain that much. Hall's on the team still, but he can't beat out Hightower because Hightower plays the position the right way. The staff needs to revisit his HS and start cherry picking others because that high school staff coaches extremely well based on how ready Donta was/is.
Defensive stands
The defense opened the evening on its own five. Not exactly where you want to be to get going, but they didn't flinch and set the tone for the night. 3 plays, something like 1 yard, and FG was a win for the defense. It also sent a message to MSU, LSU, and Auburn that without Cody, they were still tougher than most. UT helped out a good bit with their fear and undisciplined play. I think they had about 3 times where they were 4th and 1 and punted, and then had about 5 penalties in the red zone that resulted in 2 missed FGs. I agreed with one commentator (Tyler Watts I think) that wondered what UT had to lose? Apparently there was a discount at the Sizzler and Fulmer wasn't gonna miss 3 for 1 rib night....
Second half show up
Show of hands for how many folks were a little uneasy at halftime only being up 10? Don't lie. The good news was that this team finally, FINALLY, decided to put someone away in the second half. Maybe it was just being up 10 or the constant barrage from Saban and the staff about it, or that UT was the weakest they've seen in 4 weeks, whatever the combo was, it was nice to see them come out and put UT away for good in the second half. The big thing that kinda told me they were going to put it down fast was the 1st UT possession. They came, saw, punted, and Bama went from there.
Karma
When I played sports, I always thought things kinda happened for a reason, and I know other coaches and players feel the same at times. Two good examples from Saturday were Fulmer taking another humiliating beating from Alabama, and Maze getting jacked up. The first one, needs no explanation I don't guess. You could rattle off the atrocities of Fulmer as easily as anyone. Maze, if you remember last week had the pose after the TD, first touch this week, he gets posed by Eric Berry, who is as good a S as you'll find in college football hands down. Now, Maze got up and tried to act like it didn't get him, but we all know better. It will be good for Maze in the long run because it is a good reminder that you can be humbled by better players, and shown up as well, so it is best to keep focus on your job and not draw undue attention to yourself. I think he's learned the lesson now. Hope so anyways.
Seeing Neyland empty in record time
We know the feeling don't we? I don't hate it for the Vols or their sorry ass fans, but I'd rather they stayed to hear Rammer Jammer or the thousands of Bama fans that had scalped UT section tickets all year.
The Bad...
Special Teams
It upgrades from usual position, but really at some point Bama's going to be in a dog fight and the ST unit will be the reason it is either a dog fight or a loss. Arenas is as dangerous to the team as he is the opponent's at times. At some point, he's got to house a big return against a good team or else his value diminishes due to the weekly muff, dangerous return, decleater, or variety of things that seem to happen. The punting is as Dr Jeykll Mr. Hyde as you can get. You are backed up in the end zone, not at the end of it but in the end zone, you have to hurry up the punt somewhat. It seemed like the blocked punt took 3 weeks to go from snap to follow thru. The reason it goes up from the usual Ugly is because they actually contained a kick or punt return team for a change. Usually, that is what has me fuming in the 2nd half.
Letting UT score a TD
It isn't that big a deal, but 29-3 sounds more like it was than 29-9. I'd say if the coaches are hunting something to work with in film or practice, that will be it.
Early play calling cuteness
The first series started out ok, but it was a little cute in the end. The first quarter as a whole was a little too cute and trying to out think Chavis's defense. The rule of thumb on UT this year has been a war of attrition and you wear them out over 3 quarters. Passing wasn't going to do it, but running and grinding on them would. The 2nd and 3rd quarters they did more running and in the 4th you could see the difference.
The Ugly...
ESPN goofed
I doubt many caught it but on Upchurch's first run of the day, the little part above the score, where they put Joe Smith 1 rush, 4 yards, had Robert Lester 1 carry, 4 yards. I guess in the down economy, even ESPN had to recycle material.
Random Thoughts
I couldn't tell you who the best team in the ACC was if I wanted to. Some weeks, I sit and think UNC is it, then they lose, but then I say well FSU is, only to watch them play and get nauseated. I would say BC was, but then they lose, the two Techs- nope. Miami- no. Wake-no. If you want to see a truly flat conference as far as the haves and have nots, the ACC is it. I would really hate to see any of them in the BCS bowls because none of them deserve to be there over any at-large team you could throw out there.
That kinda leads into the annual "Why I hate the BCS format" rant. I think Bama fans may have to revisit their laughing at Auburn somewhat because Alabama could find themselves right where Auburn was a few years ago. Let's say that Texas Tech beats Texas but OU beats them, PSU runs the table against 11 nobody's and OSU, Florida beats UGA but loses to FSU, Alabama runs the table but loses to UF in the SECC. You have Texas Tech, OU, Bama, Texas, USCal, all with 1 loss and PSU with nothing on its resume to really hold to. Which 2 teams do you think are best? I can't argue for the Big 12 because their defenses are crap. Of course, either Tech, OU, Texas will be the conference champ and the others will not have a real case for it, but OU has been there before without the title. Bama would be in that boat too if they lost to UF.
Here's the other bad scenario: let's say UTx, Bama, and PSU all finish undefeated. Texas has to play Missouri again, Bama has to play UGA again, Penn St is done. Both Bama and Texas hurt themselves if they beat a team they have already beaten in the computer rankings because the computer factors SOS into their equation. My hope is that whomever gets left out of the BCS Championship gets to represent against a quality opponent. So if PSU is out, they play USCal. If Bama is out, they play someone like OU or Texas Tech. If Texas is out, they get a rematch with USCal in the Rose Bowl or something like that. I really can see a split title either way because the AP will not follow trend if there are 2 undefeated teams out there. I think the egg from the USCal/OU/Auburn mistake will be fresh still, not to mention putting an exaggerated Ohio State team in 2 straight years.
What did this game teach me?
OSU vs. Texas.
Texas is beatable if you can get enough defense after them. Oklahoma St isn't a bad team, but I wouldn't call them a great team either. They did throw more defense at Texas than they had or will see all year. The trick is to get Colt McCoy moving to his left. McCoy by the way should win the Heisman this year.
Auburn v. WVa
Good defenses wear down after 4 quarters of running around. Auburn's offense is regressing worse than Tennessee's is right now. I don't know if Auburn will reach 6 wins or not now.
UGA v. LSU
LSU and UGA don't have much in the defensive cupboard. Period. Both have enough offense to give you heartburn, but defensively, they both leave something to be desired right now. LSU's issue is just youth and they do miss Dorsey and the seniors that are gone, but I can see the talent they have it just has to grow up. Georgia's issue is that they are undersized and not real good at tackling. With UGA it is all about discipline. They lack it and I think Florida will punish them good for it.
Buy/Sell/Hold
John Parker Wilson has evolved from a game manager to play maker.
Hold. To be honest, there isn't a difference in the two because to manage the game at times the QB has to make plays. I do think the biggest thing that the staff has done with him is the play calling. Radar and Applewhite wanted him to be a vertical QB and throw the lower percentage long yard routes that required great passes and great route running from the WR. I think we could all agree that didn't ever happen, and wouldn't this year if attempted. Instead, they've shortened up and let the progressions be more suitable to Wilson's mentality. Wilson hugs to a WR, in the past it has been Hall or Brown mostly, this year it is Jones, but he'll check down to Walker a lot too. I think Mac's influence on getting him to feel comfortable with the 2nd progression is the biggest change in Wilson. It isn't his mechanics because they're still the same.
Travis McCall is still a tight end.
Sell. There was a good discussion about TE's and should McCall be at the line and Walker at "move TE" or what I call the H Back. Really, McCall is a fullback for the most part now, but his ability to play on the line warrants an H-Back lable. That's not bad. I really think he's the best fullback they've had in years, or maybe lead blocker is a better term. One person called it an art, they're right what he does is as good as it gets for the style he plays.
Phil Fulmer and Tubberville will both be fired or quit.
Buy. I think Fulmer isn't smart enough to see the tea leaves and what they mean. He still thinks he has clout, but having a losing record 2 out of 3 years won't give anyone in the SEC clout unless you are at Vandy. Tubby looks like he's already quit behind the scenes. He's smart enough to quit before being fired and is probably having his agent do some sniff work as we speak.
Florida will rip UGA a new asshole.
Buy. Meyer has issued a freeze out on players commenting to the press about UGA, they've been playing that dance bit all year, and I'll guarantee that if UF gets up 10, they'll go for 40 just to show UGA they can. No defense worth mentioning at UGA, a grudge, and a team rolling through right now makes me think they will. I really hope so, I'm tired of hearing UGA fans get cocky over things.
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