Tennessee looks to go to 3-0, end a three game losing streak to Georgia and start 3-0 in SEC play for the first time since 1998. To help get you ready for this huge game, we empty the notebook to close out game week with the week 3 installment of 10 Things I Think I Think
1. Stay committed/patient running the ball — Some say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result and there’s truth to that. For the Big Orange Nation, Saturday afternoon at times might feel like insanity but offensive coordinator Jim Chaney can’t abandon the run even if it yields little results early.
In the last two match ups with the ‘Dawgs Tennessee has been out gained on the ground by 353 yards (489-136). Tennessee hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards in any of the last three match ups and the Vols haven't had a rushing touchdown. This is by far the best offensive line Tennessee has taken into this game over that time. Now, Georgia’s defensive front is good so it will be tough sledding but the Vols can’t get away from running the football.
2. A few good men — If you listen to Jeremy Pruitt in his pre-game speech before Missouri he sounds like Jack Nicholson in the court room when asked if he ordered a “code red”.
I think the two sides might like to order one for the other Saturday afternoon. It’s no secret that Kirby Smart isn’t happy Cade Mays is eligible. It’s no secret that Jeremy Pruitt’s time in Athens wasn’t the best. It’s no secret these two programs aggressively recruit against each other 365 days a year and everyone knows how well they know each other.
So the pre-game speeches will be fiery, the sideline intensity will be there from the coaches. The question is can the two teams match their intensity and sustain it for 60 minutes? If they do, we will be in for a hell of show and CBS will be on cloud nine.
Georgia overwhelmed Auburn to start the game a week ago. Tennessee simply cannot let that happen if they want to make it a four quarter game, something it’s not been since Jauan Jennings broke the ‘Dawgs hearts. (I mean did you really think I wasn’t going to make some reference to that in this piece).
3. Jumbo, jumbo, jumbo — Where’s the beef was Jeremy Pruitt’s first question upon arrival at Tennessee.
Well, the Vols have it in year three. The Athletic’s David Ubben tweeted out this week that Tennessee’s combined weight in their jumbo formation is 2,175 pounds. And in the most Pruitt thing, when asked what they called that formation, he said he had no idea. Some have referred to it as TVA which is an throw back reference to a line in the 80’s.
Whatever they call it is not important. What is important is that it continues to work. We talked about it on multiple podcasts this summer that we thought Chaney would use an extra lineman in the run game to help with the inexperience and concerns at the tight end position.
I didn’t expect to see it as much as we have seen it to this point. It certainly caught Missouri off guard last week. Georgia will obviously have some kind of plan for it so what’s Chaney’s counter. Does he throw out of it? Is there a screen game in that formation? One would think that Chaney has a wrinkle or two out of that look this week,
4. Don’t fall behind the sticks —Tennessee has to win on first down to avoid third and long. In 2018, the Vol offense was in 3rd and long most of the day. The Vols averaged 6.7 yards per third down try.
In 2019 it was even worse. Tennessee’s average yards to go was 9.5 on third down. Seven of the Vols 12 third downs were 3rd and 10+.
If Tennessee is going to have a chance to pull the upset Jim Chaney’s offense must avoid third and long on Saturday afternoon. If they can’t then it’s going to be a long day.
5. The kicking game — Brent Cimaglia is 1 for 3 on the season and his two misses have been pull hooks. Pruitt indicated this week it was a technique issue that was correctable and would get corrected. Cimaglia must get back on track. Points in my opinion will be at a premium in this game. A year ago Cimaglia missed a 47 yard field goal with less than a minute to go in the half that would have made it a 20-17 game at the half. Georgia took that miss and went 70 yards in :50 to turn it into a 27-14 game at the half and take control. Now the loss is not on Cimaglia last year but that was a huge momentum changer. The Vols need their senior to be on point. They need their coverage teams to be on point as well. The Bulldogs are averaging 43 yards a kickoff return. Paxton Brooks needs to find the end zone off the tee.
1. Stay committed/patient running the ball — Some say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result and there’s truth to that. For the Big Orange Nation, Saturday afternoon at times might feel like insanity but offensive coordinator Jim Chaney can’t abandon the run even if it yields little results early.
In the last two match ups with the ‘Dawgs Tennessee has been out gained on the ground by 353 yards (489-136). Tennessee hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards in any of the last three match ups and the Vols haven't had a rushing touchdown. This is by far the best offensive line Tennessee has taken into this game over that time. Now, Georgia’s defensive front is good so it will be tough sledding but the Vols can’t get away from running the football.
2. A few good men — If you listen to Jeremy Pruitt in his pre-game speech before Missouri he sounds like Jack Nicholson in the court room when asked if he ordered a “code red”.
I think the two sides might like to order one for the other Saturday afternoon. It’s no secret that Kirby Smart isn’t happy Cade Mays is eligible. It’s no secret that Jeremy Pruitt’s time in Athens wasn’t the best. It’s no secret these two programs aggressively recruit against each other 365 days a year and everyone knows how well they know each other.
So the pre-game speeches will be fiery, the sideline intensity will be there from the coaches. The question is can the two teams match their intensity and sustain it for 60 minutes? If they do, we will be in for a hell of show and CBS will be on cloud nine.
Georgia overwhelmed Auburn to start the game a week ago. Tennessee simply cannot let that happen if they want to make it a four quarter game, something it’s not been since Jauan Jennings broke the ‘Dawgs hearts. (I mean did you really think I wasn’t going to make some reference to that in this piece).
3. Jumbo, jumbo, jumbo — Where’s the beef was Jeremy Pruitt’s first question upon arrival at Tennessee.
Well, the Vols have it in year three. The Athletic’s David Ubben tweeted out this week that Tennessee’s combined weight in their jumbo formation is 2,175 pounds. And in the most Pruitt thing, when asked what they called that formation, he said he had no idea. Some have referred to it as TVA which is an throw back reference to a line in the 80’s.
Whatever they call it is not important. What is important is that it continues to work. We talked about it on multiple podcasts this summer that we thought Chaney would use an extra lineman in the run game to help with the inexperience and concerns at the tight end position.
I didn’t expect to see it as much as we have seen it to this point. It certainly caught Missouri off guard last week. Georgia will obviously have some kind of plan for it so what’s Chaney’s counter. Does he throw out of it? Is there a screen game in that formation? One would think that Chaney has a wrinkle or two out of that look this week,
4. Don’t fall behind the sticks —Tennessee has to win on first down to avoid third and long. In 2018, the Vol offense was in 3rd and long most of the day. The Vols averaged 6.7 yards per third down try.
In 2019 it was even worse. Tennessee’s average yards to go was 9.5 on third down. Seven of the Vols 12 third downs were 3rd and 10+.
If Tennessee is going to have a chance to pull the upset Jim Chaney’s offense must avoid third and long on Saturday afternoon. If they can’t then it’s going to be a long day.
5. The kicking game — Brent Cimaglia is 1 for 3 on the season and his two misses have been pull hooks. Pruitt indicated this week it was a technique issue that was correctable and would get corrected. Cimaglia must get back on track. Points in my opinion will be at a premium in this game. A year ago Cimaglia missed a 47 yard field goal with less than a minute to go in the half that would have made it a 20-17 game at the half. Georgia took that miss and went 70 yards in :50 to turn it into a 27-14 game at the half and take control. Now the loss is not on Cimaglia last year but that was a huge momentum changer. The Vols need their senior to be on point. They need their coverage teams to be on point as well. The Bulldogs are averaging 43 yards a kickoff return. Paxton Brooks needs to find the end zone off the tee.
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