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CFN Prediction Week 9 - Tennessee at South Carolina
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:05 am
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:05 am
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Week 9 Fearless Prediction – Tennessee at South Carolina
Tennessee (3-4) at South Carolina (6-2) Oct 27, 12:00, ESPN
Here’s The Deal: South Carolina is playing out the string before going to a New Year’s Day bowl somewhere in Florida, while Tennessee is looking for a big win to turn down the flames on the blazing Derek Dooley hot seat.
The Gamecocks went from looking like a true national title contender following a 35-7 obliteration of Georgia on the way to a 6-0 start, but a tough loss to LSU and a rough blowout at Florida eliminated any hope of winning the East and ruined any dreams of playing in the BCS. Can South Carolina find the energy and the fire with nothing truly big to play for? While shooting for back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in school history would be interesting, just getting a win to stop the slide might be enough for now. After winning three of the last four against the Vols, USC is on a roll and can lock up the No. 2 spot in the East with a win and a Georgia loss to Florida.
The Vols can be forgiven for being 3-4 considering the losses have come to Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama, but it’s time to start coming up with some wins. There’s still time to go bowling with an easy November ahead, but at 0-4 in the SEC and with two of the three wins on the season coming against Akron and Georgia State, there hasn’t been anything too positive to get excited about. Beating the Gamecocks wouldn’t exactly turn the program around, but it would calm everyone down. Just having an explosive and entertaining offense isn’t enough.
Why Tennessee Might Win: How much does South Carolina have left in the tank? It came out jacked up against Georgia, had to fight through a road game at LSU, and got embarrassed at Florida. Will the motivation be there? Will the intensity be there? This is a big, big game for Tennessee, and at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter much for USC. If Tyler Bray and the passing game can get off to a hot start, that could be enough to get the momentum rolling that the Gamecocks – if they’re unfocused - won’t be able to overcome.
Why South Carolina Might Win: The Tennessee defense has had big, big problems lately against efficient and effective passers. A.J. McCarron bombed away for the Tide last week hitting 17-of-22 passes for 306 yards and four scores. Mississippi State’s Tyler Russell threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns, and Aaron Murray threw for 286 and two scores meaning the Vol secondary has allowed nine touchdown passes over the last three weeks. Connor Shaw has struggled a bit over the last few weeks and had a tough time against Florida, but when he’s on, he can be among the most efficient and effective passers in the SEC. This week, he should be able to hang with Bray shot for shot.
What To Watch Out For: The Tennessee offensive line has been terrific. South Carolina’s defense begins with a devastating pass rush, but Bray is getting the ball out of his hands in a hurry and the line is doing a great job of keeping him upright. The Vols have given up a grand total of three sacks all season long, and while that hasn’t necessarily meant the offense rolled, it helps. South Carolina’s secondary has been great, but that’s mostly because Jadeveon Clowney and company have been hitting the quarterback; that won’t happen much this week. Bray was hurt for last year’s game, but he completed 9-of-15 passes for 159 yards and two scores with a pick in the loss two seasons ago.
What Will Happen: Will the return of Marcus Lattimore be enough to jump start the struggling Gamecocks? He ran for 184 yards and two scores in the win two years ago, and he’ll get his yards this week – it won’t be enough. Bray will get hot early and will keep up the pace even when South Carolina has a little bit of momentum. This will be Tennessee’s moment with Bray coming up with a strong enough performance to life the team to a key upset win.
CFN Prediction: Tennessee 27 South Carolina 24
Week 9 Fearless Prediction – Tennessee at South Carolina
Tennessee (3-4) at South Carolina (6-2) Oct 27, 12:00, ESPN
Here’s The Deal: South Carolina is playing out the string before going to a New Year’s Day bowl somewhere in Florida, while Tennessee is looking for a big win to turn down the flames on the blazing Derek Dooley hot seat.
The Gamecocks went from looking like a true national title contender following a 35-7 obliteration of Georgia on the way to a 6-0 start, but a tough loss to LSU and a rough blowout at Florida eliminated any hope of winning the East and ruined any dreams of playing in the BCS. Can South Carolina find the energy and the fire with nothing truly big to play for? While shooting for back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in school history would be interesting, just getting a win to stop the slide might be enough for now. After winning three of the last four against the Vols, USC is on a roll and can lock up the No. 2 spot in the East with a win and a Georgia loss to Florida.
The Vols can be forgiven for being 3-4 considering the losses have come to Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama, but it’s time to start coming up with some wins. There’s still time to go bowling with an easy November ahead, but at 0-4 in the SEC and with two of the three wins on the season coming against Akron and Georgia State, there hasn’t been anything too positive to get excited about. Beating the Gamecocks wouldn’t exactly turn the program around, but it would calm everyone down. Just having an explosive and entertaining offense isn’t enough.
Why Tennessee Might Win: How much does South Carolina have left in the tank? It came out jacked up against Georgia, had to fight through a road game at LSU, and got embarrassed at Florida. Will the motivation be there? Will the intensity be there? This is a big, big game for Tennessee, and at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter much for USC. If Tyler Bray and the passing game can get off to a hot start, that could be enough to get the momentum rolling that the Gamecocks – if they’re unfocused - won’t be able to overcome.
Why South Carolina Might Win: The Tennessee defense has had big, big problems lately against efficient and effective passers. A.J. McCarron bombed away for the Tide last week hitting 17-of-22 passes for 306 yards and four scores. Mississippi State’s Tyler Russell threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns, and Aaron Murray threw for 286 and two scores meaning the Vol secondary has allowed nine touchdown passes over the last three weeks. Connor Shaw has struggled a bit over the last few weeks and had a tough time against Florida, but when he’s on, he can be among the most efficient and effective passers in the SEC. This week, he should be able to hang with Bray shot for shot.
What To Watch Out For: The Tennessee offensive line has been terrific. South Carolina’s defense begins with a devastating pass rush, but Bray is getting the ball out of his hands in a hurry and the line is doing a great job of keeping him upright. The Vols have given up a grand total of three sacks all season long, and while that hasn’t necessarily meant the offense rolled, it helps. South Carolina’s secondary has been great, but that’s mostly because Jadeveon Clowney and company have been hitting the quarterback; that won’t happen much this week. Bray was hurt for last year’s game, but he completed 9-of-15 passes for 159 yards and two scores with a pick in the loss two seasons ago.
What Will Happen: Will the return of Marcus Lattimore be enough to jump start the struggling Gamecocks? He ran for 184 yards and two scores in the win two years ago, and he’ll get his yards this week – it won’t be enough. Bray will get hot early and will keep up the pace even when South Carolina has a little bit of momentum. This will be Tennessee’s moment with Bray coming up with a strong enough performance to life the team to a key upset win.
CFN Prediction: Tennessee 27 South Carolina 24
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Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:07 am to Crompdaddy8
No. Tennessee will be typical Tennessee under the Dooley era. Play hard and keep it close to halftime. Then fall apart. USC scored final 20 points of the game to run away as the winner.
Then Tennessee wins the rest of their game.
Then Tennessee wins the rest of their game.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:08 am to TennMike
quote:
Then Tennessee fires Dooley and hopefully wins the rest of their games.
This post was edited on 10/25/12 at 8:08 am
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:11 am to Crompdaddy8
quote:
CFN Prediction: Tennessee 24 South Carolina 27
FIFY. Sorry.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:11 am to Crompdaddy8
Dooley saves his job with this game 
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:11 am to TennMike
quote:
Play hard and keep it close to halftime. Then fall apart
This
I've personally witnessed it several times myself now. Sal will not be able to stop the bleeding on 3rd down.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:13 am to sugatowng
quote:
Dooley saves his job with this game
Dooley already knows he's not returning.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:30 am to Crompdaddy8
UT wins, Dooley stays, Spurrier retires. What I would call a win/win deal.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:33 am to ohiovol
Please tell me you have something more than just second hand word from players. I want so badly for this to be true, but only if hart has lined up the donors to pay for a REAL coach.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:35 am to Domination
quote:
Please tell me you have something more than just second hand word from players. I want so badly for this to be true, but only if hart has lined up the donors to pay for a REAL coach.
I can't tell you with certainty that Gruden is coming, or anything like that. However, I am very confident that Dooley is done. People I trust say he's already been informed he won't return, and to be completely honest, there's not really another option.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:42 am to Crompdaddy8
SC 38
UT 23
UT 23
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:46 am to ohiovol
quote:
I can't tell you with certainty that Gruden is coming, or anything like that. However, I am very confident that Dooley is done. People I trust say he's already been informed he won't return, and to be completely honest, there's not really another option.
I still think Gruden is a pipe dream. I want a proven coach not named Petrino. If the cash is not there to make this happen, I believe we are better off to keep DD. No more of this diamond in the rough BS.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:52 am to Domination
Let's see, a proven coach, not named Petrino.......how about Fulmer? NCAA champ, high winning percentage in the SEC. I can't think of a better fit.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:54 am to Crompdaddy8
Congrats, you get to keep Dooley if they're right.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:54 am to bigDgator
quote:
UT wins, Dooley stays, Spurrier retires. What I would call a win/win deal
That would be awesome. Then we wouldn't have to hear the cock fans complain about how UGA backed into the SECCG
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:54 am to bigDgator
quote:
Let's see, a proven coach, not named Petrino.......how about Fulmer? NCAA champ, high winning percentage in the SEC. I can't think of a better fit.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 8:56 am to Crompdaddy8
DO
NOT
WANT.
NOT
WANT.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 9:42 am to joe.liberst
quote:
SC 38
UT 23
Something like this.
Posted on 10/25/12 at 10:05 am to Crompdaddy8
South Carolina should win easily. The team is not mentally tough at all, and I don't expect them to play well.
This post was edited on 10/25/12 at 10:07 am
Posted on 10/25/12 at 10:06 am to bigpapamac
quote:
Congrats, you get to keep Dooley if they're right.
I doubt it.
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