Pregame Nov 9

It's IS Saturday, and what a day it is. A lot of lopsided games in the SEC today, so I'm going to talk about the two that are going to matter. To me anyway.
Mizzou @ Tennessee
This is the one it all comes down to for the Vols. With a win here, you show the Tigers who's boss and let the world know that Tennessee hasn't dropped to the standards of Kentucky. With a loss, Dooley goes bye-bye by Monday and the Vols are back at sqaure one while all the Big Orange faithful sleep with visions of Chucky dancing in their heads.
The fact is, Mizzou is the stronger team coming into Knoxville. Tigers QB, James Franklin, looks to be back to full health as Mizzou comes to Rocky Top and that will mean trouble for Sal Sunsari's lack-luster defense.
The Tigers have something to prove, and seem to be more driven than the Vols. Case and point: Last week's bare-knuckle-brawl with Florida/ last week's broadway musical with Troy.
Both the Tigers and Vols have a bowl game oppurtunity hanging by a thread, and a loss for either team spells d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.
There is no doubt in my mind that Tennessee comes into this game with the better offense. They are a great running back shy of the best offensive unit in Tennessee history (going to hear an earful from the Manningites about that one). The offensive line is a thing of beauty. Brays arm is what NFL scouts drool over. And with all the targets he has to throw to (Patterson, Hunter, Rivera, ect) the receiving corp is as breathtaking as a clear autumn night high atop the Great Smoky Mountains.
But with a defense that can't stop a 50 year old Hershel Walker, the offensive unit is going to stuggle with daring come from behind victories that seem to never work in our favor.
If Derek Dooley really is responsible for our offense, and is now working more with the defense, we can only hope it, too, will turn to gold.
Tennessee has to put Mizzou in its place. For the sake of the SEC. It's a welcoming ceremony for the Tigers. And don't ever say we play "Old Man Football."
FINAL: 41-28 VOLS

Texas A&M @ Alabama
With last week's showing against Mississippi State, A&M proved they were well beyond the comparisons to a second teir SEC team. But they aren't yet quite a first teir either.
They have had tough losses against Flordia in week one (20-17 @home) and LSU (24-19 @home) and now they have to travel to the yellow hammer state to take on the best defense in college football. A&M right now is hanging in a strange SEC limbo, and a big upset win against Bama could be just the thing to push them to top.
There is a lot of speculation about how the hard-fought LSU game will affect Bama, but I think it's nonsense. This is the undefeated, defending national champions. Actually, that can't hold a candle to the fact that this a Nick Saban team. A football team reflects the attitude of the coach, and this team is nothing but focus.
Jonny Football showed he can make mince meat out of a secondary with last week's win against Miss. St. But here's the thing: In all their wins, the Aggies are averaging 52 points-per-game. But the wins come against teams not known for their defense. In their losses they're averaging 18 points. Now they're facing the best.
As a Vols fan, I can tell you, offense is awesome. But it don't mean jack-diddility-squat against a true-blue SEC defense.
This one is going to hurt their feelings, but get ready to hear rammer jammer. Early.
FINAL 35-17 ...Give 'em hell Alabama.




Until Next Time
Go Big Orange!