re: Tennessee at UGA I cant wait

Nice preview from tony basilio blog.........


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Georgia Game Preview
Posted: Thursday, September 25th, 2014, 6:20 PM
by Josh
On the Oklahoma game, obviously it was a lot closer than the final score. OU dominated the Vols' offensive line and was in Worley's face all night. I don't know if I've ever seen an offensive line get whipped like that. Despite that though, the Vols were in the game and threatening late until that pick 6 at the goal line. The defense performed very well against a typically high scoring Oklahoma offense. I said in my Oklahoma preview that it would be the defense that gave us hope and that was the case. Tennessee has a defense that will allow it to compete and be in just about every game it plays from here on out. That, with the fact that a lot of the better teams may overlook the Vols could spell a better season than most ever thought possible.

Going into the Georgia game, it seems that most of the country just looked at the final score of the Oklahoma game and assumed it was a thrashing. Those who watched the game know different. That's fine though because I think it serves Tennessee well at this time to be overlooked and counted out. Credit Barrett Sallee. He obviously watched the OU game and he sees the same matchup issues that I see with the Georgia game.

Remember when Georgia beat Clemson and people were ready to give them a ticket to the College Football Playoff? Well, I didn't buy it. That game was pretty close until the 4th quarter really and then a few breaks went Georgia's way and the game got out of hand, as they do sometimes. That game was closer than the final score, just like Tennessee's game with Oklahoma. When I picked South Carolina to beat Georgia, people thought I was crazy. I knew that Carolina would expose Georgia's secondary though. And I also knew that Spurrier always gives Georgia his best shot and he wasn't losing that game at home.

Tennessee always seems to give Georgia their best shot as well. Even in Dooley's (I just threw up a little in my mouth typing that) last year, Tennessee fell behind big and then Georgia shot itself in the foot and Tennessee climbed back into it to be tied at halftime before Bray being outdueled by Murray in the second half. We all remember last year. Georgia gets a lead and then Tennessee blocks a punt. That sparked the Vols as they would take the lead only to have Georgia drive down the field and send it into overtime, where Tennessee would eventually lose after a valiant fight. This year Tennessee has had a week off, and Butch Jones and his staff have had a lot of time to put together a game plan to exploit Georgia's weaknesses and to help the offensive line improve.

Tennessee's chances in this game rely on how well the offensive line plays. They had a lot of problems in the Oklahoma game but by the end of that game they seemed to get better and I think they just may have found something running the ball. Georgia will no doubt attack Tennessee's offensive line all game. If the offensive line can give Worley any time at all, he will torch them. Georgia's secondary is not very good at all and Tennessee has the athletes to punish them, despite not having Pearson and Smith. North, Malone and Pig Howard are all capable of attacking the Georgia defense. Add in a healthy Ethan Wolf and a little time for Worley to find them and Tennessee will put up a lot of points. I think Wolf and Malone will have big days and I think Jalen Hurd will actually have a pretty good day too. As I said, I think they found a little something at the end of the Oklahoma game. Another very important key will be to avoid turnovers. Tennessee can't afford to make stupid mistakes. I think Justin Worley will take care of the ball and continue to make good decisions and I think he will have a little more time to make them in this game. The offensive line doesn't have to be perfect, they just have to keep the pressure off for a few seconds.

Defensively the game play will be to stop or slow down the run and make Hutson Mason beat them, obviously. Georgia has some injuries at receiver and the guys that will face Tennessee aren't all that great. Not to mention their quarterback is pretty unproven. This is where we have to be careful though because in the past, Tennessee has made guys like Hutson Mason into stars. I think that Tennessee's defensive line has play very well this year though and I think this game has A.J. Johnson written all over it. I think Tennessee's corners are good enough to man up on Georgia's receivers and the safeties can help in run support if needed. Todd Gurley is a special player and he will get his yards. But I do believe that Tennessee's defense will be the best Georgia has seen this year. I think Tennessee will slow down Georgia's running game enough to give the offense a chance. I know a lot of you will call me a sheep for this pick but I invite you to go back and look at any of my previews over the past 4 years. I pick against the Vols when it is warranted. I picked Georgia to beat Tennessee last year. I also picked Tennessee to beat South Carolina last year. I have been wrong in the past, yes. No one picks every game right and I am certainly not bragging. I am just calling it like I see it and I think this is a good matchup for Tennessee. If I am wrong, I will be the first to admit it.

What does it say about where the program has been and how the fan base seems to expect to lose these games that I have to put in a disclaimer to justify picking Tennessee to beat Georgia? Geez. We are coming out of it though. If we don't feel good after the game this Saturday, I am pretty sure we will next Saturday. The light is at the end of the tunnel. Reason for hope will be here soon. And I think it will come Saturday.

Tennessee 34
Georgia 30


In other games...

UCLA 28
Arizona State 23

Texas A&M 48
Arkansas 38

South Carolina 35
Missouri 24

Washington 27
Stanford 24

Duke 31
Miami 20

Season record picking games strait up-(14-4)

I'm sure you all will call me a sheep and that's fine. I'm just calling it like I see it. I really think Tennessee is about to come out of the abyss. If they can knock of Georgia, then beat Florida and win the bye game against Chattanooga, the Vols will be 5-1 going into the Ole Miss game. It isn't that far fetched. Think about it.

That's all I have for now. As always I appreciate every pair of eyeballs that look at what I write. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and for those who want you can follow me on Twitter @Joshes_Blog

Have a safe football weekend. Go Vols and God Bless!
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Georgia will no doubt attack Tennessee's offensive line all game. If the offensive line can give Worley any time at all, he will torch them.

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This is the biggest key to this game. If we can generate consistent pressure, like we did against Clemson, the game will likely end up the same. If not, then you saw what South Carolina was able to do.

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Tennessee 34 Georgia 30

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I can see UT scoring 34. I really can't see our offense being held to 30 at home. Just can't.

Yup, thanks for the help. This board looks like it could use a little trafficking

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Yup, thanks for the help. This board looks like it could use a little trafficking

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Don't mention it. We've finally started to get more than tumble weeds around here but traffic helps. Really, I love the back and forth and disagreement makes a board, imo. Most of us come from or have experienced VolNation so we're also used to rival and opposing fans adding to the conversation.

I don't want a true homer board here but that's me.

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Not trying to be a negative Nancy here but, I'll believe it when I see it

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I concur.

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That game was pretty close until the 4th quarter really and then a few breaks went Georgia's way and the game got out of hand, as they do sometimes

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If by breaks he means we busted several long runs for touchdowns against a tired defense then yeah, I could see those being breaks. But it's not like the ball bounced our way the whole time.

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Georgia has some injuries at receiver and the guys that will face Tennessee aren't all that great.

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Dude lost all credibility with me here. Bennett, Conley, Blaze, Rome, Davis, Tibbs are way better than this guy is giving them credit for. Some people were putting our WR corp in the top 3 in the conference. Mitchell will be missed but we have more than enough fire power there to make up for it. Not to mention we have the two freshmen wonders in McKenzie and Michel that have been lights out when they get their touches.

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I'll say that article seemed a little sunshine pumperish but if his picks record is legit can't argue to much

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Meh, I was 17-3 the first two weeks in the HGMFs.

Here's a couple of notes from VQ about the UGA and UF games

Jalen Hurd's role in the offense is increasing. Its only a matter of time before he cracks the starting lineup.

Look for Malone to get the nod on Saturday. Malone has really surged on the practice field these last 2 weeks. They like Pig's versatility. Johnathon Johnson will also be involved.

Saulsberry likely to play 8-12 snaps on Saturday. Jordan W and Danny O will man the interior with Owen W and Dimarya M getting some time as well.

On the edge, Vereen, Maggitt, Barnett, and Latroy Lewis will all be rotated with Jaylen Miller and Hendrix getting some time as well. Hendrix progress has slowed recently. He's hit the almighty freshman wall.

On the UF game tix sales... The students have done a great job of filling out close to their 12,000 allotment. UF fans have returned a good number of their tix and UT fans have swooped in and got those.

Butch was really pissed about the UF game being at noon. He had it planned for several months. He was for sure it would be a night game.

3rd Down for what has really hit it off in Knoxville. Where it originally started. Now teams like OK and Bama have started playing it at their games. UT set the trend. Lil Jon (artist if 3DFW) may be in attendance for the UF game.

Apparently so.

It's alright with me except I don't think they should play it every third down. I would just save it for big situations or something.