IIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!
And you all know what that means on this fine Tennessee victory Monday. It’s time to grab those orange bats, flip the switch, and swing away at those orange and white Tennessee Vols nuggets of thought that are coming in hot from my mind.
1) There’s not a whole lot to take from Saturday’s game. Well, there are a few things, I guess. First, that was a nice “get right” game for Bru McCoy.
4 catches, 37 yards, and his first two touchdowns of the season. In (probably, but not definitely) his last game in Neyland Stadium, the senior wideout had a couple of nice scores that were both noteworthy.
The first was a nifty catch in the corner of the end zone in the final seconds of the first half where he tapped both feet in bounds. Nice to see he can still make impressive plays like that.
However, the second really stuck out to me, not as much for the catch, BUT MORE FOR THE ROUTE. A slant route near the end zone! (head explodes in amazement). I’m not sure there’s a team that runs less slant patterns than Tennessee, but if there is, there aren’t many. I so wish I saw that incorporated into the offense more often. More of those, please.
2) Dylan Sampson set the UT record for single-season touchdowns.
His 14-yard scamper for the Vols’ first points gave him 22 on the season, passing Gene McEver, the man who he passed for single-season rushing scores earlier this season. Congrats, Dylan.
The Vols’ workhorse only logged 11 carries, but they didn’t need him to do more in a game the Vols eventually got control of. Bigger fish to fry in Nashville, so didn’t want any unnecessary injuries on Saturday.
3) I thought Peyton Lewis ran hard and looked good, as did the rest of the Vols’ backs.
7 carries for 46 yards and a pair of TDs for #27. He really has looked like this team’s best RB2 with the opportunity he’s gained with DeSean Bishop having been out with injury. As he’s a young player, I get the playbook and pass protection issues that come along with young players. However, he runs hard and can get tough yards. I look forward to watching him for years to come.
Cam Seldon, who had 44 yards on 9 carries, absolutely trucked a UTEP defender on a run. That stuck out to me, even days later. He might be the most punishing runner on the team.
4) On defense, yeah, just another day at the office for James Pearce, Jr.
4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss. One dominating performance from the start. He’s going to have his hands full trying to keep up with Diego Pavia on Saturday, but there aren’t many more players in the country you’d want on your defensive front than him.
5) Now, it’s on to Vandy, and….wow, what an expensive ticket to get in the door.
From what I saw, the going rate is around $350 for the cheapest ticket. So yeah, you KNOW Tennessee fans are driving up the market and will be there in full force on Saturday. Should be at least 80% Tennessee fans, if I had to guess. Vol fans need to have Vandy working with their silent count.
6) The mission is simple: win and the Vols are in the playoff. However, the rooting interests aren’t done yet.
Tennessee is in position to where all they need to do is win to get into the playoff. I think that’s pretty much a given at this point. However, there are still things that could happen that – IF THEY WIN AGAINST VANDY (still a big if, as I’m qualifying that here and knocking on wood) – could put the Vols in position to host a first-round playoff game. Miami losing to Syracuse (as a Miami and Tennessee double alum, I am not rooting for this personally) or SMU losing to Cal could eliminate the possibility of the ACC getting 2 teams in. A resurgent Georgia Tech takes on Georgia. Penn State hosts Maryland. Notre Dame plays at USC. Texas hosts Texas A&M. Any of those favorites getting upset would help the Vols’ chances of playing another game in Neyland Stadium. So, root accordingly.
Go Vols!