I think Hooker is a very good player.

I don't actually think Tennessee is a very good team. While a great QB can cover up some team deficiencies, against teams that are very good (Bama, UGA, OSU, etc)... that's generally not enough by itself. You need something else to go with it... usually an excellent defense (think of what Clemson had with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, or Auburn when Cam was there).

Tennessee looks good against teams that aren't very good... but I think their lack of talent becomes evident this week. With Young playing, I don't think this game will even be close. I don't think the UGA game later will be either. JUST having the QB isn't enough, and they don't have enough talent to go with Hooker to let them win.

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Posted by Marktastic86

Pismo Beach, CA

Member since Dec 2020

12457 posts

Posted on 10/12/22 at 10:28 am to DawginSC

Here are some of Anthony Richardson's stats for the year.

8/14 66yds 1 TD/1 INT against Missouri

10/18 0 TD/2 INT's against South Florida

24/44 453 2 TD's/1 INT against UT

Yikes

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Posted by DawginSC

Member since Aug 2022

4181 posts

Posted on 10/12/22 at 10:38 am to Marktastic86

quote:

8/14 66yds 1 TD/1 INT against Missouri

10/18 0 TD/2 INT's against South Florida

24/44 453 2 TD's/1 INT against UT

Yikes

The only reason Tennessee has done well in games is the fact Hooker protects the ball well and their defense has gotten turnovers.

But the ugly truth about turnovers is a big part of them are simply luck.

UT has had no games where they've been negative in turnover margin. But they've had two where they were even instead of positive.

What two games were those?

Their 7 point win over Pitt with a backup QB for half the game and a 5 point win over Florida. The two games where they didn't look like a top 10 team.

If they go negative on turnovers, I think a lot of pretty bad teams will beat UT.

I'm not saying this is just a UT thing... but looking at turnovers does explain close wins for good teams. The thing is, for teams that actually are really good, being even in turnovers doesn't create a close game against a bad team, they have to go negative in turnovers to do so.

UGA was -2 against both Mizzou and Kent State. Bama was -3 against A&M. But UGA even in turnovers against AU... 32 point win. Bama even against Arkansas... 23 point win.

Tennessee can win... but they'll need to be at least +2 in turnovers because the reality is their team isn't good enough to beat Bama without that kind of edge.

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