I won't touch the subject on offense at all, because we all know the stories behind it. The OL, the inconsistent of the passing games, and the turnovers issues.
Tennessee defense ranks No. 19 overall in total defense, and No. 8 in opposing third down conversion percent and No. 29 in scoring defense.
They're also no. 16 in points per possession, ranking first in SEC East.
There has been pleasant surprises at various positions on defense. AJ Johnson, Jalen-Reeves-Maybin, Derek Barnett, Cameron Sutton, Brian Randolph Ladarrell McKneil and Todd Kelly jr.
The defense is giving up 166.3 in passing and 159 in rushing yards. By the way, Tennessee's SOS is ranked 5th out of 128 in the nation.
So here are my following questions based on this information provided.
1. On the Volslaw offense, what are the game plans that we should consider against Tennessee given the issues with their OL and their passing game? Will we blitz more than usual? From the edges, up front, or combination of both?
2. What are we expecting out of Tennessee offense at this point in the season? It seems to me that their passing games is based on slow developing routes that usually results in deep passes at times. Am I right?
3. Will our goal for this game to force turnovers and actually catch the balls for once on defense ? I am predicting four turnovers, two ints and two forced fumbles.
4. We know the defense has improved a lot this year, so what will Coach Kiffin will do to create mismatch for the defense? I don't think Tennessee has any clues to what we'll do because we can change our game plans each week and there's no telling what we'll do ever since we came out of the Texas A and M a different team. I would expect them to put Sutton on Cooper. I would expect Randolph and Maybin to have long nights with our WRs and TEs, and then having to deal with Henry and Yeldon. I don't think this team can afford to put a safety on the top of Cooper, because I don't think it is strong enough on their own to hold against the Alabama's running game. Look for Sims, Stewart, Black, White, and Jones to get few looks in the game. Cooper should easily have 100 yards, but it'll be a fight early in the game. So in all, I would expect Kiffin to start off the game with a deep ball to White, Howard or Cooper. ( I pray Howard actually catch the ball this time.)
5. Will the team's chemistry change with Kelly back in the lineup this week? If the offense stalls for a series or two early in the game, will Bozeman enter in the game? ( Unlikely, but could happen)
6. No question here, but rather a comment: We need to pay attention to the sideline during the game for Offense and Defense, how Kiffin and Smart are communicating to the players on the field during the game. I'm hoping that all issues we had with away games will be finally fixed and we should play better this weekend. This is not the same team we saw that played in the last four team. This is a different team, and I think they found their identify and they are going with it. They need to win this game by double digits to show the world that we got this.
7. Will Kiffin bring his wife to the game?
Tennessee defense ranks No. 19 overall in total defense, and No. 8 in opposing third down conversion percent and No. 29 in scoring defense.
They're also no. 16 in points per possession, ranking first in SEC East.
There has been pleasant surprises at various positions on defense. AJ Johnson, Jalen-Reeves-Maybin, Derek Barnett, Cameron Sutton, Brian Randolph Ladarrell McKneil and Todd Kelly jr.
The defense is giving up 166.3 in passing and 159 in rushing yards. By the way, Tennessee's SOS is ranked 5th out of 128 in the nation.
So here are my following questions based on this information provided.
1. On the Volslaw offense, what are the game plans that we should consider against Tennessee given the issues with their OL and their passing game? Will we blitz more than usual? From the edges, up front, or combination of both?
2. What are we expecting out of Tennessee offense at this point in the season? It seems to me that their passing games is based on slow developing routes that usually results in deep passes at times. Am I right?
3. Will our goal for this game to force turnovers and actually catch the balls for once on defense ? I am predicting four turnovers, two ints and two forced fumbles.
4. We know the defense has improved a lot this year, so what will Coach Kiffin will do to create mismatch for the defense? I don't think Tennessee has any clues to what we'll do because we can change our game plans each week and there's no telling what we'll do ever since we came out of the Texas A and M a different team. I would expect them to put Sutton on Cooper. I would expect Randolph and Maybin to have long nights with our WRs and TEs, and then having to deal with Henry and Yeldon. I don't think this team can afford to put a safety on the top of Cooper, because I don't think it is strong enough on their own to hold against the Alabama's running game. Look for Sims, Stewart, Black, White, and Jones to get few looks in the game. Cooper should easily have 100 yards, but it'll be a fight early in the game. So in all, I would expect Kiffin to start off the game with a deep ball to White, Howard or Cooper. ( I pray Howard actually catch the ball this time.)
5. Will the team's chemistry change with Kelly back in the lineup this week? If the offense stalls for a series or two early in the game, will Bozeman enter in the game? ( Unlikely, but could happen)
6. No question here, but rather a comment: We need to pay attention to the sideline during the game for Offense and Defense, how Kiffin and Smart are communicating to the players on the field during the game. I'm hoping that all issues we had with away games will be finally fixed and we should play better this weekend. This is not the same team we saw that played in the last four team. This is a different team, and I think they found their identify and they are going with it. They need to win this game by double digits to show the world that we got this.
7. Will Kiffin bring his wife to the game?