Under Construction...

To all my loyal followers, my apologies for being away from the blog for quite some time now.  The blog is currently under construction, and on the verge of making its return.  Stayed tuned in the coming days as we are close to being up and running again.

Cheers and Beers!!

2013 Schedule Released...

 The 2013 Tennessee football schedule was released today, and with trips to Oregon, Florida, and Alabama, the road to once again becoming a national power doesn't get any easier for the Volunteers.  Many have been hoping Tennessee would buy their way out of the Oregon game if the SEC were to adopt a 9 game conference schedule.  But at least for 2013, this does not appear to be the case.  The Vols will have two weeks to prepare for their trip to Oregon as they open the season against Austin Peay and then Western Kentucky the following week.  Mississippi State is being replaced on the schedule in favor of Auburn.  The Volunteers will host the Tigers on November 9th.  Tennessee will also make their first SEC trip to Missouri next season on November 2nd.  The Vols will once again play one of the toughest schedules in the nation next year, and the road to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta does not get any easier in 2013.



Guys, I've said it once and I'll say it again...

It's Bama week!!!!!!!!!  This is the week I look forward to most every year.  Our most hated rival comes to Knoxville this weekend with an unblemished record alongside the nation's # 1 ranking.  This is the perfect opportunity for Derek Dooley and the unproven Volunteers to finally show the nation what they are made of.  I can't remeber the last time a Tennessee coach and team needed a win like they need one this weekend.  I don't know why, but I have a funny feeling about this game.  I truly believe the Vols will finally break through against the Tide this Saturday.  Leading up to the game, there is nothing we as fans can point to, to be oppotomistic about our chances against a team as good as the one Nick Saban brings to Knoxville.  But it's just a gut feeling, guys.  The time is right.  The talent is in place.  Can we finally execute when the game is on the line?  I believe we finally get the job done,under the lights inside Neyland Stadium this Saturday.  Not much has gone right for the Vols and coach Derek Dooley over the past two and a half years, but a victory over the nation's best on Saturday will go a long way in shaping the future of the Volunteer  program under coach Dooley.  I have faith.  It's time to go out and get the job done.

Go Vols!! 



Busy night...

No article tonight guys, but keep checking in. Busy night with the debate, helping my sister, and packing for my trip.

Go Vols!!

Derek Dooley Needs a Win...

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley needs a victory over Alabama this Saturday or against South Carolina next week in the worst way imaginable.  The pressure is mounting in Knoxville, and the one way to cool some of your critics is to go out and win a game you are not expected to win.  The #1 Alabama Crimson Tide roll into Knoxville this week, and many have already marked this one down in the loss column for the Volunteers.  A win over Alabama would not only do wonders for Derek Dooley, but it would also have a defining impact on the future of the Volunteer football prgram.  And while a win may seem unlikely, there is no doubt in my mind that Dooley will have the team ready to compete for 4 quarters against the nation's best this weekend.  The biggest question which remains to be seen, is whether or not the Vols can rise to the occasion when the game is on the line?  If they can, maybe, just maybe, the Vols can pull the upset of the season, and help get their coach off one of the hottest seats in America.

The Sad Days Have Returned...

...but did they ever really leave?  The Tennessee Volunteers fell to 3-3(0-3) on the season with another gut wrenching loss at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs last night in Starkville.  Trailing by only 3 points with 5 minutes to play the Volunteers needed just one stop to get the ball back to an offensive unit which had been playing extremely well in the second half.  But, it was not to be.  Defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri's unit showed once again that they were unable to get a stop when they needed one the most.  The Bulldogs methodically moved the ball down the field, and ended any chance of a Tennessee comeback.  Mississippi State scored a touchdown with just seconds remaining, putting the final nail in the Tennessee coffin.  I am at a loss for words today.  It was not long ago when a loss to Mississippi State seemed unfathomable.  But this is the current state of Tennessee football.  We are in the third year of a program rebuild which many have said would take at least five years to complete.  We are beginning to show signs of progress, but at the same time, we have been unable to get over the hump.  Only time will tell if coach Derek Dooley can get the job done, but in the meantime we all need to pull together and support our team.  Hopefully, the tides will begin to turn this week against Alabama.

Cheers and Beers!!

Sorry guys...

No time to write tonight, but...

W_o_P says:

37-21 VOLS!!!

Quick Look at Mississippi State: Part 2-The Defense...

Mississippi State enters the Tennessee game with a perfect 5-0 record, but the Bulldogs have yet to face an offense as potent as the Volunteers.  The Bulldogs have the second best turnover margin in the country at +2.2 per game, but have accomplished this number by playing two of the worst teams in the SEC(Auburn and Kentucky) and three teams from non BCS conferences.  Mississippi State enters the game allowing only 13.4 points per game, but again, the Bulldogs have yet to face any real semblance of a credible offense this year.  The Bulldog secondary possesses a pair of cornerbacks who have combined for 7 interceptions on the season.  Darius Slay and Jonathan Banks have led the way for Mississippi State and are two of the main reasons for the Bulldogs early season success.  The two match-ups I am most looking forward to seeing this weekend will be if Mississippi State's secondary can stand up to Tennessee's talented wide receiver group, and if Tennessee's running game can continue it's recent success against another strong and physical defensive line.

Dinner with "Mr. Echo"...

"Mr. Echo" made his much anticipated return to the mid-state today, as he arrived in Nashville this evening.  Upon his arrival, I treated "Mr. Echo" to a meal at Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery.  It had been many months since our last meeting, and the information "Mr. Echo" shared with me tonight was refreshing to say the least.  What he gave me tonight was hope.  We are so close guys.  Many of you don't realize it, but we are on the cusp of being right back where we all want to be, and where we rightfully belong.  Here are some of the highlights from tonight...

• Tennessee currently leads for stud running back Derrick Green.  "Mr. Echo" believes Green has indeed already given the Tennessee coaching staff a silent commitment.  He also shared that he believes the commitment will be made public before the football season comes to a close.

• Rossville, GA Defensive Back Vonn Bell will be a Vol.  Tennessee has led for quite a while now, and barring a late push from Georgia or Alabama, Bell will end up in Orange and White. 

• "Mr. Echo" believes the Vols will do enough to land wide receiver recruit Marquez North out of Charlotte, NC.  North's recruitment will drag out for a while, but in the end "Mr. Echo" believes the Vols will do just enough to edge out the Gators.

• On the basketball front, "Mr. Echo" has been in contact with our Memphis source "Tango" constantly over the past week.  Austin Nichols will be attending Memphis Madness and Tiger coaches have really turned up the heat in his recruitment.  This will be the Tiger's last big push for Nichols, but "Mr. Echo" and "Tango" both firmly believe Austin will end up playing for the Big Orange alongside Mr. Hubbs.

• As it pertains to the current team, "Mr. Echo" believes they will close out the season strong, ending the season with 8, maybe 9, regular season wins.  He believes we finally get over the hump this weekend, and win convincingly in Starkville.  He also believes we have a real chance of upsetting either Alabama at home or USCjr. on the road.  Those in and around the athletic department have been pleased with the signs of progress shown by this year's team.  "Mr. Echo" believes coach Derek Dooley is the right man for the job, and will be here to stay for quite some time, as both he and his family love Knoxville.

"Mr. Echo" will be back in Nashville in the coming weeks, and will have more information as it is brought to his attention.  

Cheers and Beers!!

Derek Dooley Undergoes Hip Surgery...

Love him or hate him, Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley underwent successful hip surgery on Tuesday. Coach Dooley will be forced to sit in the coaches box when the Volunteers face off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs this coming Saturday. Dooley has had a lingering hip issue for quite some time now, and finally underwent a procedure Tuesday afternoon to alleviate the coach's pain. It will be interesting to see how the Vols perform with their head man not on the field Saturday. If the Vols play really well Saturday, and upset the Bulldogs, look for many in the "anti-Dooley" camp to start begging to see Coach Dooley in the box more often. But in all seriousness, I wish coach Derek Dooley the best and a speedy recovery. Can't wait to see the orange pants back on the sideline.

Photo by: Adam Brimer

SEC Weekend Recap...

Even though the Volunteers had a bye this past weekend, that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty of drama happening around the SEC this past Saturday:

• Two top 5 SEC teams lost on Saturday (LSU and Georgia) and both were quickly replaced in the top 5 by the teams that beat them (Florida and South Carolina)

• Missouri suspended five players before their match-up against Vanderbilt, including freshman stud Dorial Green-Beckham, after they were arrested for smoking marijuana outside of Memorial Stadium.  Having players suspended, along with the injury to quarterback James Franklin during the Vanderbilt game, was enough for the Commodores to squeak past the Tigers this past Saturday.

• Auburn lost again on Saturday, moving them to 1-4(0-3 SEC) on the season.  The Tigers have struggled to score points this year, and with their lone win coming against Louisiana-Monroe in overtime, it has many wondering if Gene Chizik is the right man for the job.  Just two years removed from a National Championship, Chizik is now making apologies to the fans for the way his team has performed through the season's first five games.

• Ole Miss lost their 16th straight conference game on Saturday, just narrowly losing to new SEC member Texas A&M.  The Rebels should snap that streak this weekend however, as they play host to the Auburn Tigers.

• LSU freshman linebacker Kwon Alexander is likely to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a foot injury during the Tigers 14-6 defeat to the Florida Gators.  Alexander, though only a freshman, had recently been inserted into the starting lineup of John Chavis' defense.  Alexander was a valuable contributor and will be sorely missed by LSU.

Apology from Word of Pards...

To all my friends and followers, I want to take the time to offer up a sincere apology.  I have been extremely busy over the course of the past 5 days and have been unable to post.  My girlfriend came in town on Wednesday, and with work and everything else(dinners, concert, family time, etc.), I simply did not have any free time to post.  I hope you all can forgive me, as I promise to never let this happen again.

As Tennessee heads to Starkville this week, I will have plenty of articles in the coming days.  I may even have a few surprises in store.  "Mr. Echo" will be traveling through Nashville on Wednesday, and has asked that I join him for dinner.  It has been many months since I have visited with "Mr. Echo", and I can not wait to see what he has to say about the state of our program.  Also, look for a mystery/guest blogger to appear in the coming weeks.  She is a very well connected SEC source, and is on the fast track to becoming the next Erin Andrews.

Stayed tuned.  This week should be fun...

Quick Look at Mississippi State: Part 1-The Offense...

As Tennessee recovers from its second loss of the season against Georgia last Saturday with a bye week, let's take a quick look ahead to next Saturday's match up with Mississippi State.  The Bulldog offense is led by quarterback Tyler Russell.  Russell has thrown for over 800 yards this season, with 8 touchdowns, and only one interception.  While the Bulldog passing attack has been serviceable, it is their ground game that has grabbed the attention of their opponents this year.  The Bulldogs currently have three running backs averaging more than five yards per carry.  This group is led by LaDarius Perkins.  The junior running back from Greenville, MS has rushed for almost 400 yards so far this season, while scoring 5 times, and averaging almost 7 yards per carry.  The Tennessee coaching staff must use the bye week to their advantage to shore up some of the issues the Volunteers faced on the defensive side of the ball against both Florida and Georgia.  Mississippi State is clearly capable of producing the same type numbers and big plays in the ground game if the Volunteers do not make the proper adjustments.

Vols Closing in on Derrick Green...

While Tennessee lost out on prized running back recruit Derrick Henry last Friday, the Volunteers remain at, or near the front of the class for another one of the nation's top tailbacks.   Derrick Green out of Richmond, Virginia, is rated slightly higher than Derrick Henry by most recruiting services and looks to have all the makings of a star running back at the collegiate level.  Green measures in at an impressive 6 feet tall, weighing 220 pounds and has been clocked running the 40 at 4.4 seconds.  Green officially visited the Volunteers the weekend of the Florida game and left campus impressed by what coach Derek Dooley and the Vols have to offer.  Even though Tennessee lost the game, they may have put themselves in position to win the recruiting battle when it comes time for Green to make his decision.  Green plans on visiting Michigan October 19th, and has said a decision could be made shortly thereafter.  If Michigan is unable to wow the talented running back, a commitment to the Volunteers could be made public.  The Volunteers still have a couple weeks to sweat this one out, but have positioned themselves nicely to land Green.

The Morning After (No Pill Required)...

The Tennessee Volunteers lost to the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, marking the third straight time Tennessee has fallen to Georgia.  As a fan, it was one of the more exciting games I have seen from the Volunteers in quite sometime.   The game saw the Vols fall behind big early, make a comeback, fall behind again, and finally come up just short when the final whistle blew.   The game was a high scoring affair which saw Georgia put up 51 points, the most the Bulldogs have ever scored in the history of the Tennessee/Georgia series.

GAME MVP

For the second week in a row, my game MVP goes to running back Rajion Neal.  Neal carried the ball 23 times for 104 yards and one touchdown.  Neal also had 5 receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.  Over the past two weeks, Rajion has proved he is an every down SEC back.  When the game was on the line in the 4th quarter, the Tennessee coaches called on Neal repeatedly to move the chains.  Tennessee coaches stayed committed to the run, and Rajion Neal proved he could get the job done.

NEEDS IMROVEMENT

The biggest area of concern coming out of the Georgia game was the defense.  The Tennessee defense gave up 560 totals yards to the Georgia offense.  The Vols gave up too many big plays, as three of Georgia's touchdowns went for 50 or more yards.  Shoddy tackling, players being out of position, and a lack of overall speed all contributed to the Vol's shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball Saturday.  While the defense did force three turnovers in the first half, it was their inability to stop Georgia consistently which ultimately led to the team's downfall.

WANT TO SEE MORE

Something we saw Saturday that has been lacking in recent years from Tennessee was an ability to fight back and show some resiliency.  Tennessee played for 60 minutes against Georgia, and had multiple chances in the 4th quarter on the road against the #5 team in the country.  Last year, we saw Tennessee play well for a half and then completely fall apart over the course of the final 30 minutes.  But Saturday, we saw Tennessee fall behind big early, rally, and turn an ugly start into quite a memorable game.  Quarterback Tyler Bray showed guts on the road.  Yes, he turned the ball over 3 times in the final 8 minutes, but never backed down, and showed he was up for the challenge.  This experience will go a long way in helping him down the road when faced in a crucial late game situation again.      

Quick Note from WoP...

As much as today's loss stings, I think any reasonable Vol fan can see this team is taking steps in the right direction.  The Vols were in the game late against the fifth best team in the country on the road, and had multiple chances to tie the game in the final minutes.  We are almost there guys.  While we absolutely made our fair share of mistakes today, Derek Dooley has this team playing together and believing in one another.  We are so close to being where we need to be.  The Vols have the bye week coming up, and it will be the perfect opportunity for the Tennessee coaches to correct what needs to be fixed heading to Starkville.  I couldn't be more proud of the effort, fight, and guts displayed by the Big Orange tonight.  Good days are ahead.

Cheers and Beers!!

UT vs. UGA Game Summary...

Wow! What a game. I have barely had a chance to catch my breath and compose my thoughts, but here goes nothing. The game could not have started any worse for the Vols. Georgia scored on their opening possession of the game and appeared as though they were never going to look back. Early in the second quarter, Georgia freshman Todd Gurley scampered 51 yards for a touchdown and the game almost seemed as if it was out of reach. The Bulldogs were up 27-10, and Tennessee looked completely lost on both sides of the ball. But then a funny thing happened. For the first time in a long time, and maybe the first time in the Derek Dooley era, the Vols proved to themselves, their coaches, and the fans that they belonged on the field with the best of the best in the SEC. Three consecutive touchdowns by A.J. Johnson, Zach Rogers, and Rajion Neal gave the Vols their first lead of the game, 30-27. It looked as though Tennessee would go to halftime with a 3 point lead, but a poor coaching decision on the pooch kick gave Georgia good field position and a chance to score at the end of the half. With 4 seconds left in the second quarter, Marshall Morgan connected on a 50 yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 30. After such a horrific start to the game, the Vols had new life entering the second half.



Tied at 30, the Vols received the ball first in the second half. They were unable to move the ball effectively and gave the ball back to a very hungry and potent Georgia offense. On their first two possesions of the second half, Georgia managed to find the end zone, both times seeing quarterback Aaron Murray connect with wide receiver Michael Bennett. The final 4 minutes of the third quarter saw the Vols and Dogs swap a pair of touchdowns. Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson took a reverse and ran it 46 yards for a score. This was Patterson's second rushing touchdown of the season for the Vols. But just as Tennessee seemed to gain a little bit of their second quarter momentum back on their side, Georgia's Keith Marshall burned the Vols for 72 yards and his second touchdwon of the game. Tennessee's Derrick Brodus missed a short field goal to pull the Vols within 11, and the teams entered the final quarter with Georgia leading 51-37.



Tennessee moved the ball efficiently to start the final frame. And with just under 9 minutes to play, Tennessee tail back Rajion Neal ran 9 yards right up the gut to pull the Vols within a single touchdown of the Bulldogs. Now, Tennessee just needed a stop to get the ball back to their offense. The Vols not only got another opportunity, but ended up getting three more chances to tie the game in the final 7 minutes of the game. But this one was just not to be. Tyler Bray turned the ball over 3 times in the final minutes of the game to seal the fate of the Volunteers. Two interceptions, and a costly fumble deep in Georgia territory were too much to overcome, as the Vols fell to Georgia 51-44 inside Sanford Stadium. The Vols fell to 3-2(0-2) on the season, as the #5 Georgia Bulldogs moved to 5-0(2-0). The Vols are off next week, as they will begin to prepare for a road trip to Starkville, Mississippi.

 

More to come...

unbelievable...

THANK YOU

It is not even 10 am central time and I have amassed a record number of hits! This could not be possible without your support. Keep checking back in, and after the game I will have my post game analysis up!

GBO!

Big Orange vs. Dawgs...

The Tennessee Volunteers travel south this weekend to face their familiar SEC East foe, the Georgia Bulldogs.  Head Coach Derek Dooley is 0-2 against his father's former school, while Georgia's Mark Richt boasts a 7-4 record against the Volunteers since taking over the Bulldog's program in 2001.  Last year's game in Knoxville was a sloppy, low scoring game eventually won by Georgia, 20-12. 

Since Mark Richt's arrival in Athens, the Tennessee vs. Georgia series has been one of many upsets. In 2001, the unranked Bulldogs rolled into Knoxville, and beat the #6 Volunteers in the final seconds of what has become known as the "hobnail boot" game.  In 2004, the Volunteers went to Athens one week after being pummled at home by the Auburn Tigers, and stunned the #3 Bulldogs 19-14.  Then in 2006, after trailing on the road 24-7 to the #9 Bulldogs, the #14 Volunteers came storming back in one of the most remarkable second half comebacks I have ever seen, winning the game 51-33.  A year later, the unranked Volunteers whipped the #12 Bulldogs in Knoxville by a score of 35-14.  I don't know what it is, or why it happens, but starnge occurences always seem to happen when these two schools square off against each other.  Here's hoping the 2012 version will be no different.

Derek Dooley's Volunteers enter the game coming off an unemotional outing against the Akron Zips.  The Vols won the game, but looked lackadaisical doing so.  The game was very much in doubt until the final quarter, when the Vols finally pulled away.  While the Vols were struggling at home against Akron, the Georgia Bulldogs were playing host to the Vanderbilt Commodores.  The game was never in doubt, as the Bulldogs cruised to an easy 48-3 victory inside Sanford Stadium.  Entering the game with the #9 ranked offense in terms of points per game, the Bulldogs offense will be a tough matchup for the Vols defense.  Not only can Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray throw the ball all over the yard, but he is also known for his mobility and his ability to scramble when the defense begins to collapse onto him.  Look for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Sal Sunseri to try and simplify things a little this week, putting his defenders in better position to make plays against Georgia's offense.  Offensively, I look for Tyler Bray to have a big game for Tennessee.  Bray was sick last week against Akron, and still managed to throw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns.  I expect him to spread the ball around to his many different receivers, and have a huge game through the air.  Look for the Volunteer coaches to get offensive playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson more touches this week as well.  Good things happen when the ball is in his hands, and I expect Offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney to draw up a few more plays specifically designed for Patterson this week.

The big question for Tennessee heading to Athens this week will be whether or not the Vols can put together an entire game against a big time opponent.  We saw the Vols come close two weeks ago at home against Florida.  The Vols played nearly three flawless quarters against the Gators, before collapsing as quickly as a house of cards.  When the breaks begin to go in Georgia's favor, will Tyler Bray be able to keep his composure and lead his team?  We are about 17 hours away from finding out.  And in a series which has seen its fair share of upsets in recent years, I am predicting we see another one tomorrow "in between the hedges".

W_o_P Says:

 

Big ORANGE 31-27

 

 

 

Derrick Henry to Alabama...

Coveted high school recruit Derrick Henry chose the Alabama Crimson Tide over the Tennessee Volunteers this afternoon. Alabama's depth at the running back position was obviously not enough of a factor to propel the Vols over the Tide in this highly contested recruiting battle. It appears as though the coaching stability at Alabama, along with the chance to play for a team competing for championships year in and year out was too much for Henry to pass up. Rumors surrounding coach Derek Dooley's job status at Tennessee did not help matters either. But if there is a silver lining here, it is that signing day is not for another four months.  Until Henry officially signs with Alabama in February, there will still be a glimmer of hope for the Vols.  A strong close to the season by the Vols could give Henry something to think about.  But for now, it looks as though Henry's commitment to the Tide is solid. 
 

Thank you!

I wanted to take a quick minute to thank everyone in their support of this site. It has been a dream of mine for some time and have had rave reviews in this first week. On that note, I would like to encourage all, if you have enjoyed the blog, to keep coming back. Through your support I plan to make this an everyday deal. This past week has been an outline of the things that are to come. I urge you to subscribe and comment, and always let me know your thoughts! I am not giving up on the boards (EVER), but this will now be my main place for voicing all things Tennesse.

Tomorrow, I will be going over the Henry decision and then making my prediction for Saturday down in Athens! GBO!

Again, I can not thank the fans enough for how this first week has turned out.

Keep checking back in with Pards!

SEC Quick Hits...

2013 Alabama commitment Deon Johnson has been arrested and charged with first degree rape. This marks the second time this month that Johnson, a highly rated wide receiver recruit, has been arrested and charged with rape. Here's guessing Nick Saban cuts ties with Johnson after his second rape arrest. Just my opinion, though.  But what do I know?

 Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith says he expects to play at South Carolina this weekend, even though the Wildcat signal caller has a separated shoulder. Smith's presence should NOT make a difference in the game however, as the Gamecocks will run wild all over the struggling Wildcats. 

Arkansas has publicly declared they will stick with interim coach John L. Smith for the remainder of the 2012 season. With everything that has transpired around the Arkansas program over the past 6 months, it is wise of AD Jeff Long to stick with the current coaching staff and ride out what will most likely be a rocky remainder of the season. It can't get much worse than it already is in Fayetteville. It would be in the best interest of the program to let the season play out and reevaluate the situation at the conclusion of the season.

Tyler Bray: Time to step up...

We all remember it like it was yesterday. Freshman quarterback Tyler Bray, the "laid back California gunslinger", came in and replaced the much maligned Matt Simms on the road against South Carolina. The Vols lost the game, but from that point forward, there was no looking back. The Volunteer faithful had their quarterback of the future, and a reason to look to the future with optimism. Bray, surrounded by a core group of talented freshman, were set to be the group of Vols to lead the Big Orange back to the promise land. Four straight wins, and a trip to the Music City Bowl in 2010 gave Tennessee fans much to look forward to in 2011. But fast forward to today, and Tennessee fans are once again looking for a reason to believe.

Photo by Adam Brimer

The physical tools have always been there. Tyler Bray stands an impressive 6 feet 6 inches tall, and has one of the most impressive arms I have ever seen on a Tennessee quarterback. The stats have been there. Bray has lit up opposing teams for over 300 yards passing on 7 different occasions, and has eclipsed the 400 yard mark twice in his career. But what has been lacking for Tyler in his time in Knoxville, is the ability to lead his team when the breaks don't go the Volunteers way. Over the course of the past two years, I have yet to see Bray show the maturity and leadership skills it takes to be a top notch competitor not only in the SEC, but in the future at the NFL level as well.

As a freshman, I think many of us attributed Tyler's immaturity to just that: being a freshman. He was lighting up opposing defenses, so we all turned the other cheek when Bray gave his infamous throat slash gesture after throwing a touchdown against North Carolina in the Music City Bowl. But this is an immaturity which has lingered, and an immaturity that does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. This past summer there were multiple off field incidents involving the Tennessee quarterback. Bray was ticketed for "hot dogging" on his jet ski on the fourth of July. He was also accused of throwing empty beer bottles off of an apartment balcony on to parked cars. This was not the behavior Tennessee fans expected, or wanted to see from their star quarterback heading into his junior year.

The season got off to an outstanding start. Big wins over North Carolina State and Georgia State had Tennessee fans believing a win over the Florida Gators was looming. Not since 2004 had the Volunteers beat the Gators. ESPN's College Gameday was on their way to Knoxville, and the emotion surrounding this game had reached a fever pitch. The Vols seemed poised to beat the Gators. But as the tides began to turn late in the 3rd quarter, so too did Tyler Bray's mental toughness. After several plays did not go the Volunteers way, Bray was shown on camera pouting and giving off the appearance of someone who had given up. The fans could sense it as well. The Vols were still in the game, and within striking distance, when the fans started flocking towards the exits to beat traffic. They had seen this song and dance before. The Vols were down, and in the eyes of the fans, there was no coming back from a 14 point fourth quarter deficit. Turns out the fans who left were right. The Vols completely packed it in on offense and never threatened the Gators again. Bray looked like someone who had quit while the game was still being played out. As the team's leader, Bray set a bad example by not rallying everyone together in an attempt to make a late game comeback. The team only goes as far as its leaders will take them, and in this case, their leader had completely shut it down.

The Volunteers now head to Athens this week with their sights set on stunning the #5 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. If the Vols want to pull the upset, they are going to need Tyler Bray to step up to the plate and lead his team when the going gets tough in between the hedges this Saturday. We have yet to see this from Bray, but we should still be hopeful that some day in the near future we will see a level of maturity matching up with the physical tools he puts on display week in and week out. The time is now. Will a new Tyler Bray show up this Saturday? Time will tell...

Volunteer Target Derrick Henry to Decide Friday...

One of Tennessee's most important targets remaining on the recruiting trail is Yulee, Florida athlete Derrick Henry. Henry, who recently broke the Florida state high school record for rushing yards in a single game(502 yards), is set to make his college choice this coming Friday. It has long been thought that the Alabama Crimson Tide have been the favorite to land the services of the talented Henry. Tennessee however, has made a late push in his recruitment, and is said to have made the final two along with Alabama. Many recruiting experts maintain Alabama still holds a slight lead here, but as we have seen time and time again in recruiting, things sometimes are not always as they appear. Why would Henry commit to the Tide and bury himself on the depth chart? The Tide have two stud freshman running backs in T.J. Yeldon and Dee Hart. Eddie Lacy is also likely to return for his senior year putting Henry at the bottom of Alabama's running back totem pole. There has also been speculation that Coach Nick Saban is recruiting Henry to Alabama as a running back, but once he is on campus, Saban would end up flipping him to the defensive side of the ball to play linebacker. Tennessee is in dire need of a star running back. The Vols have had several serviceable running backs over the past few years, but the one thing they all seemed to lack was the ability to hit the home run. The Volunteers have been without this type of running back for quite some time. Decision day is Friday, and you can add this one to the toss up column. The experts are saying Alabama, but I've got a funny feeling about this one...

W_o_P says: Henry to the Vols!

The Morning After (No Pill Required)...

Tennessee's victory Saturday night over the Zips of Akron was nothing to write home about, to say the least. The game was sloppy, the fans were never emotionally invested in the game, and the Vols appeared to sleep walk through the entire first half. It took the Vols 30 minutes but they finally realized Terry Bowden's Akron squad had come to Knoxville with the full intention of pulling the upset. Coach Derek Dooley's team got their act together in the second half and pulled away from the Zips late to clinch a 47-26 win. But that's not to say the Vols don't have plenty to work on before the Georgia game this Saturday, because there are plenty of issues which need to be corrected.

Photo by Michael Patrick

Game MVP

A number of players had solid performances against Akron. Tyler Bray threw for over 400 yards with 4 touchdowns, Derrick Brodus hit all of his field goals, Justin Hunter had over 100 receiving yards with a touchdown, but to me, this week's MVP award has to go to Rajion Neal. Tennessee's coaches had been criticized all week for abandoning the run game against Florida last week while the Vols were in control of the game. This week, offensive coordinator Jim Chaney proved he was committed to the run game. As a team, the Vols ran the ball 45 times. Rajion Neal was awarded the bulk of the work load as he carried the pigskin 22 times for 151 yards. Neal also hauled in 3 passes for 22 yards and a touchdown.

Photo by Michael Patrick

Needs Improvement

Two areas of concern coming out of Saturday's game against Akron are ball security and drops by receivers. The Vols put the ball on the ground too many times against Akron. While they only lost 1 fumble, the Vols put the ball on the turf several other times. Whether we recovered our own fumble or our player's knee ended up being down, we simply are putting the ball on the ground too often. Sooner or later coughing up the ball is going to come back and bite us in the butt. We were very fortunate to only have one of our fumbles go the other way. Receiver drops is another area where the Vols need to tighten up. A handful of drops throughout the course of the game cost the Vols big plays, or ended up halting drives. Tennessee's receivers have to focus and squeeze the ball with two hands. Big time drops will not be acceptable once we get into the heart of the SEC schedule. Dropping a few balls against Akron is something you can get away with, but against Georgia next week, we have got to make sure to make all the catches we are supposed to make if we want to pull the upset on the road.

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Want to See More

Tennessee ran the ball effectively out of its wildcat package last night against Akron. It is something offensive coordinator Jim Chaney should continue to tinker with, and use when he feels the time is right. Down around the goal line, A.J. Johnson is almost a sure thing to punch the ball into the end zone. He has scored two times this season out of this package, and I am not sure anyone would be able to stop him when the Vols are knocking on the door. Justin King has also looked very impressive running the wildcat. He only carried the ball once last night, but gained 18 yards on the play and faked the pitch on the option very well. Two players I can't wait to see more of in the weeks ahead are receivers Alton "Pig" Howard and Jacob Carter. Howard made a very impressive catch early in the game which moved Tennessee deep into the Zip's territory. He also garnered a carry out of the wildcat formation. Alton is extremely quick and shifty, and I believe lining him up in the wildcat will allow him to showcase his true potential on the field. Jacob Carter is another player I hope to see more of this year. The former walk-on has caught everything thrown his way this year, and finally broke into the end zone late against the Zips last night. If Tennessee's other receivers continue to drop the ball in critical situations, expect to see the Volunteer coaches use Mr. Carter more and more each week.

Big Orange vs. Zips Game Summary...

The Volunteers got off to a rocky start Saturday night on Rocky Top. Fans had barely settled into their seats before Tennessee's Tyler Bray carelessly threw a ball off his back foot into Akron defensive back Avis Commack's hands for an interception which was taken back for six quick points. The game was 35 seconds old, and the Vols had already fallen behind by a score of 7-0. The Vols responded nicely however, with a long drive capped off by a 2-yard TD run from Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson. This was Johnson's second touchdown of the season. Johnson gives the Vols a much needed power look out of the wildcat formation any time the Vols get close to the Checkerboards. Tennessee and Akron swapped field goals as the opening frame expired, and headed into the second quarter tied at 10.

In the second quarter, the Vols and Zips once again traded field goals to tie the game at 13. It wasn't until midway through the second quarter that the Vols found some separation when Tyler Bray connected with Brendan "Downsy" Downs for a 6 yard touchdown and a 7 point Volunteer lead. Akron was not willing to fade into the night however. Akron kicker Robert Stein pulled the Zips within 4 points with 5 minutes to go in the half when he connected on a 37 yard field goal attempt. This was his 3rd successful attempt of the game. After a botched Tennessee possession, Akron took over at their own 30 yard line when running back Quentin Hines broke loose for an uncontested 70 yard touchdown scamper. A late Derrick Brodus field goal for the Vols tied the game at 23 as the teams headed for the locker room.

Photo by Michael Patrick

The second half started with no real emotion coming from the Volunteer team or its dejected fan base of around 80,000. Akron seemed poised on taking its opening possession and scoring on the Volunteers. Just when it seemed as though the Zips were about to punch the ball into the end zone, quarterback Dalton Williams threw an interception deep in Tennessee territory to completely swing the momentum of the game. The interception was safety Byron Moore's second of the night. It was the first time a Tennessee player had recorded two interceptions in one game since 2007. The Volunteers went on to score on a 3 yard pass from Tyler Bray to Rajion Neal to pull the Vols ahead of Akron 30-23.

The fourth and final frame began with Akron driving deep on the Tennessee side of the field. Robert Stein nailed his fourth field goal of the night to bring Akron within 4 points of the Vols. But from this point forward Tennessee was determined to put this pesky opponent away. Akron would not score again, as Tyler Bray proceeded to connect on a pair of touchdowns to receivers Justin Hunter and Jacob Carter. An additional Derrick Brodus field goal was added, and the Volunteers went on to close out the Zips en route to a 47-26 victory inside Neyland Stadium. The Vols travel south next weekend, as they prepare for battle with the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens...

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Big Orange vs. Zips...

The Volunteers limp into week 4 of the season coming off a heartbreaking defeat to the #18 ranked Florida Gators.  In total control of the game, the Orange and White inexplicably blew a 7 point 3rd quarter lead, and fell to the Gators 37-20.  As much as last week's loss still lingers like a crazy ex girlfriend, it is time to move on. The Akron Zips (1-2) come calling this week, and if the Vols are not mentally prepared for one of the nation's best passing attacks, they will be completely embarrassed and will be caught with their pants down.

Akron's Dalton Williams enters the game as the nation's #4 ranked passer in terms of total yards (1004) through the air.  And while their competition has been inferior to what the Volunteers have faced thus far, the Volunteer's loss of Brian Randolph at the safety position could prove to be a major headache come Saturday.  Randolph was leading the team in total tackles (22), and his absence will be felt immediately when the Vols take the field this weekend.  Replacing Randolph has been the team's top priority this week, and it will be interesting to see what direction Coach Derek Dooley and Coach Sal Sunseri take this Saturday.

While the Zips early season passing success is somewhat intimidating, the Big Orange should have no problem matching up with this mid-major from rural Ohio.  I expect a huge game from junior quarterback Tyler Bray.  Akron's defense is susceptible to giving up points in bunches, and I expect nothing less from them inside Neyland Stadium this Saturday.  Bray and company should have no problem moving the ball and putting up points at will.  Expect to see Tennessee's reserves early and often in this match-up.  

Terry Bowden's coaching experience will not be enough to get the Zips past Coach Derek Dooley and the Vols this weekend.  The Vols simply have too much talent on both sides of the ball to get tripped up by Akron heading into the Georgia game.  

W_o_P says:

41-17 Big Orange

Cheers and Beers!!