I appreciate the shoutout, @Brent_Hubbs, but you know I don't like the pick. I'll respect the voodoo you're putting on it though.
[Warning: Long]
The_Power_T's pick:
Streaks are meant to be broken. Period. For the past two years, the Vol Faithful have thought it would happen, it didn't. But lost amid the Post-Florida Depression and angst of waiting another year to maybe do what 11 Vol teams have not done before is a quiet storm. Of anger. Of passion. Of rage. The talent is there for Tennessee; it's why analysts were so high on the Vols before two lackluster performances and a late-showing to the blowout party that was VT. But the execution hasn't been there against opponents UT should have mollywopped. That changes Saturday.
The Gators boast a formidable defense, and while the show has had a few better episodes than at this time last season, the characters and actors are the same. These are the same boys that gave up 250+ rushing yards to the Vols last year going up against the same cast of characters and actors who blocked them for that 250+. Familiarity will be the great equalizer in this matchup. We know their players and they know us, and we've been waiting to tee off on them for a whole year. The same can't be said about any of the first three opponents at all. I believe the OL performs better than expected and Dobbs handles the pressure better than this season's previous outings will indicate.
Florida's aggression and active LBs make this a perfect game for Tennessee to have great success working the middle of the field with its TEs and slot receivers. The triumvirate of Dobbs, Hurd, and Kamara will have a big day if they can get north and south quickly and avoid bouncing runs for bigger losses. On D, it comes down to linebacker play. Yes, Cam Sutton is out, and you can't replace a Cam, but Buchanon is a future star who just needs his moment to shine. Moseley's difficulties can be hidden through coverage and rotation, as Justin Martin will likely be the CB who gets the most reps of the two opposite Buchanon. So for me, it's what do we get from Colton Jumper? Will he just be in the right place, or will he bring the fire his hair would suggest he has? JRM will have a game, as will Barnett and the rest of the DL, but it's that MLB spot. WIll we see McDowell and JRM if things look dicey for Jumper? I don't know.
As far as the setting, it feels like it's the Vols against the world. Despite Vegas' line, most pundits have either discounted or straight disrespected Tennessee. Not to mention the gator trash talk bordering on the bizarre. It feels like the pressure is off. What the media was terming a "Tennessee has to win game" has turned seemingly into a, "can they even compete game?"That's good for the Vols because they play exponentially better when they have something to prove. And they will.
With all that said, Tennessee comes out ready for a fight and carries it to the gators for 60 minutes. My father always said be careful of the silent ones, and the Gators clearly didn't receive this lesson. Passion will lead to momentum for the Vols as they bust the Gators in the mouth early and often. The powder keg that is Tennessee Football gets its spark.
Tennessee 31 Florida 17
[Warning: Long]
The_Power_T's pick:
Streaks are meant to be broken. Period. For the past two years, the Vol Faithful have thought it would happen, it didn't. But lost amid the Post-Florida Depression and angst of waiting another year to maybe do what 11 Vol teams have not done before is a quiet storm. Of anger. Of passion. Of rage. The talent is there for Tennessee; it's why analysts were so high on the Vols before two lackluster performances and a late-showing to the blowout party that was VT. But the execution hasn't been there against opponents UT should have mollywopped. That changes Saturday.
The Gators boast a formidable defense, and while the show has had a few better episodes than at this time last season, the characters and actors are the same. These are the same boys that gave up 250+ rushing yards to the Vols last year going up against the same cast of characters and actors who blocked them for that 250+. Familiarity will be the great equalizer in this matchup. We know their players and they know us, and we've been waiting to tee off on them for a whole year. The same can't be said about any of the first three opponents at all. I believe the OL performs better than expected and Dobbs handles the pressure better than this season's previous outings will indicate.
Florida's aggression and active LBs make this a perfect game for Tennessee to have great success working the middle of the field with its TEs and slot receivers. The triumvirate of Dobbs, Hurd, and Kamara will have a big day if they can get north and south quickly and avoid bouncing runs for bigger losses. On D, it comes down to linebacker play. Yes, Cam Sutton is out, and you can't replace a Cam, but Buchanon is a future star who just needs his moment to shine. Moseley's difficulties can be hidden through coverage and rotation, as Justin Martin will likely be the CB who gets the most reps of the two opposite Buchanon. So for me, it's what do we get from Colton Jumper? Will he just be in the right place, or will he bring the fire his hair would suggest he has? JRM will have a game, as will Barnett and the rest of the DL, but it's that MLB spot. WIll we see McDowell and JRM if things look dicey for Jumper? I don't know.
As far as the setting, it feels like it's the Vols against the world. Despite Vegas' line, most pundits have either discounted or straight disrespected Tennessee. Not to mention the gator trash talk bordering on the bizarre. It feels like the pressure is off. What the media was terming a "Tennessee has to win game" has turned seemingly into a, "can they even compete game?"That's good for the Vols because they play exponentially better when they have something to prove. And they will.
With all that said, Tennessee comes out ready for a fight and carries it to the gators for 60 minutes. My father always said be careful of the silent ones, and the Gators clearly didn't receive this lesson. Passion will lead to momentum for the Vols as they bust the Gators in the mouth early and often. The powder keg that is Tennessee Football gets its spark.
Tennessee 31 Florida 17
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