re: Tennessee +10 versus West Virginia

WV covers that that spread. If the Vols had anyone worth a shite at QB this would be a close game but WV will have no problem moving the ball while the Vols will be inconsistent and eventually get behind by a couple of scores. Only shot Vols have is if they get their run game rolling hard and control time of possession to keep Grier off the field.

quote:

---

Who does Tenner have on offense? No QB, no Kelly..

---

Ty Chandler averaged over 4 yards per carry backing up Kelly with a piecemeal OL. He isn't a superstar, but he is an SEC quality back.

Madre London (Grad Transfer) averaged over 4 yards per carry for 3 seasons in a backup role at Michigan State.

These two will probably carry most of the load on offense, with Princeton Fant and Tim Jordan in the rotation.

Tennessee's offensive struggles last year came from three areas:

1.) Offensive Line - They were decimated by injuries last year and were down to 4 scholarship players available at the end of the season. If they remain healthy, it could be a much better season.

2.) Offensive Coordinator - The transition from Mike DeBord to Larry Scott was a disaster. You made a guy who had never been an OC call the shots.

3.) Head Coach - He insisted on sticking with "his system" on offense when he didn't have a Josh Dobbs to run the show. He wouldn't allow the staff to adjust based on the player's strengths.

Not sure how much of an improvement Germy will be...but the OL and OC upgrades alone should help out immensely.

quote:

---

Hard not to choose WV, but over the years Tenn has seemed to find a way to win their first big game of the year.

---

By what measure?

2017: They barely beat a ranked GT team that finished 5-6. (Their game vs UCF was canceled so likely 5-7)
2016: UT actually finished ranked and their VT win was solid (UT wins the NASCAR championship)
2015: Lose a close game to Oklahoma
2014: Lose by 24 @Oklahoma
2013: Lose by 45 @Oregon
2012: Beat a 7-6 NC State team
2011: Beat a real solid Cincinnati team, lose to UF the next week by 10.
2010: Lose to Oregon at home by 35.

Legit kudos to UT for the scheduling, but going back to Dooley's first year that's a 4-4 record vs first 'big' games - that's if you include Cincinnati and not UF as the first big game - two of which were against ACC teams ended up being 5-6 and 7-6.

WVU will put up 30-35 if UT'S defense is marginally better. If the Vols can run they can probably put up 25 points.

Should the OL stink again we'll be destroyed. There's 8-win talent on the team, but who knows about the coaching?

quote:

---

Why would they be looking ahead to FL when theyre a 10 point dog to a top 25 team game one?

I've had this game circled for awhile and like the points quite a bit. TN is the play.

---

You obviously haven’t studied Tennessee, my friend. They live in the past and think they’re still on par with Bama because of ancient history. They overlook teams like WV and only consider teams like UF as their equal. Then when they get the shite kicked out of them, in the modern era, they point back to history and talk about how good they were then, and how the last couple of decades have just been because of bad coaching hires.

I'm going to stick with my opinion that TN, coming off a 4-8 season, isn't overlooking their first game of the season against a top 25 team. That's just a ridiculous assumption and your post didn't do anything to help it.

WVU will stay in that 3-3-5 stack and blitz your balls off all night unless you have a threat at QB and on the outside at WR.

Is this a neutral site game?

quote:

---

Guarantano was just terrible last year,

---

It's hard to throw when you are running for your life.