Solid tale of the tape: TN vs. LSU

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Tennessee (3-2, 0-2) welcomes #1 LSU (6-0, 3-0) into Neyland Stadium this weekend. Morale seems as high as it’s been in a while on the Hill, and the feel around the locker room is that something special could happen on Saturday. Without further adieu, let’s break down the match up position by position:



Tennessee QB’s/WR’s/TE’s vs LSU DB’s

LSU comes into this contest ranked 13th in the nation in interceptions. Their secondary features sophomore sensation Tyrann Mathieu, a virtual turnover machine. LSU’s secondary plays physical, in your face football.

The Volunteers come into this game with their two biggest offensive weapons, Justin Hunter and Tyler Bray, out for the year. Couple that with an embarrassing rushing attack, offensive lineman who cannot run block, and a quarterback who holds onto the ball for 12 seconds in the pocket, and you have to think this one is pretty obvious.

Advantage: Batman


LSU LB’s vs Tennessee RB’s

Tennessee limps into this game with what I’m guessing is the worst rushing attack in the history of college athletics on any level. Tauren Poole is a statue. He doesn’t move. At all.

The Bengal Tigers come in allowing a total of only 588 yards in 6 games. It features one of the biggest front 7's the Vols have faced this decade. Facing a Volunteer team who ran for -20 againt a somewhat suspect Georgia defense, this looks to be one sided as well.

Advantage: Rocky Top


LSU DL vs Tennessee OL

LSU has done a good job of getting to the quarterback this year, proven by their sack total of 13. This defense likes to pic their ears back and get after the quarterback. Big, physical line with speed on the ends is a nightmare for even the best of offensive lines.

For Tennessee, arguably the biggest disappointment of the year has been the play of the O Line. After a good finish last season, this unit has seemed to have digressed mightily. Led by cockeyed offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, the Vols just haven’t been able to get this group rolling.

Advantage: Big Orange


LSU QB’s/WR’s/TE’s vs Tennessee DB’s

For a team not known to air it out, LSU comes into the game with a respectable 1100 yards through the air. With play makers like Reuben Randle, the Tigers are definitely a threat through the air. The return of Jordan Jefferson could also signal a mobile quarterback that the Vols defense will have to factor in.

In the secondary, Tennessee has been less than stellar this season. With only two interceptions in 5 games, the defense is struggling getting off of the field. The DB’s are led by Junior Marsalis Teague, who hasn’t gotten his hands on a football since catching a pass against Florida during Kiffin’s only year in Knoxville. Prentiss Waggner is a safety who doesnt hit, and Brent Brewer works out a lot. If Art Evans gets in the game, all bets are off.

Advantage: Orange and White


LSU RB’s vs Tennessee LB’s

As is their style, LSU comes into this year once again with a “pound the rock” mentality. The backfield features two bruisers in Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. This group has blistered defenses to the tune of 1200 yards this year on the ground, and do not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

Tennessee comes into this contest with a slow white linebacker in the middle and two true freshmen on the outside, one of which being terribly out of position. They play really hard, so that is good.

Advantage: Y’all hear Smokey?


LSU OL vs Tennessee DL

LSU’s offensive line is impressive to say the least. Only giving up 4 sacks on the year, it is in question whether or not their QB has had to wash his jersey all year. As mentioned before, LSU is a terror on the ground, and that starts up front.

Tennessee’s DL is a work in progress. Anchored by defensive tackle Malik Jackson, youth and inexperience has led to quite a few mistakes in this young season. The guy that Kiffin paid a young blonde coed to go “visit” in high school tweets more than he plays, and defensive end Jac Smith looks great in a football uniform.

Advantage: D Line U


LSU Special Teams vs Tennessee Special Teams

I want to be shot in the face. Right now.

Advantage: “Stubbed 5 Iron” Palardy


One Man’s Fearless Prediciton: Football is more than statistics. So many times, we as fans get caught up in silly number crunching to determine the winners and losers of football contests. Hell, even Vegas does it which baffles me. Here is a free tip, Vegas: Heart, grit, determination, and a band that was outdone by a local high school last week are the real keys to victory. You see, you can’t put a number to those intangibles. Luckily, I can sense these sort of things. That is why I have achieved message board moderator status before the age of 30. Maybe I am under valuing the facts, but I doubt it.

Final Score: Tennessee 23 LSU 20