The Tennessee Volunteers (6-3, 3-2 SEC) can point to the stretch run of Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, knowing a sweep puts them in the SEC championship game on Dec. 1.
It's a good time to see an experienced fifth year senior return to the field.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said Vol fans should look for tight end Brad Cottam to hit the playing field Saturday. The Germantown, Tennessee senior injured his wrist in a preseason scrimmage. Cottamwas expected to team with fellow senior Chris Brown as anchors for the Tennessee passing game, which was dealing with the loss of all three starting wide receivers from 2006..
“We’re playing for a championship here over the next several weeks. Brad was ready and we were ready and he’s had his wrist re-evaluated. We’re glad to have him back. He wants to play now,” Fulmer said after Wednesday’s workout at Haslam Field. "We’re trying to get ready to play a really fine Arkansas team.”
Having Cottam back just might be the extra weapon Eric Ainge needs to keep the Razorbacks on their heels.
Is Tennessee a second tier SEC team as many seem to be enjoying saying this year? I am not sure of that yet.
I wasn't that impressed with Kentucky last night.
Let's see how Georgia and Tennessee goes. Then we will know more.
The Bulldogs have won their last three visits to Neyland Stadium. UT rallied for a 51-33 triumph a year ago in Athens—the Vols second straight win at UGA’s Sanford Stadium. The visiting team has won the last five games in this series.
“We have to play the run well, better than we have done to this point," said Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer. "Their two backs are quality backs, hard to tackle and certainly a challenge for anyone that plays them. We can’t forget about the past, obviously, but the first order of business will be to take on their run game and try to get the downs and distances in our favor. Defensively, our challenge is to be consistent in our gap patrol, playing off blocks and making the tackle. The big plays that we have given up have come from these areas that we have addressed during the open date.
The Tennessee Volunteers still can not stop the run.
The Arkansas State Indians (1-2) were paced by Reggie Arnold who gained a game-high 130 yards and scored once on 16 carries.
The Vols are giving up a staggering 37.5 points a game. UT ranks 107th out of 118 teams in the nation in scoring defense. And most coaches will tell you scoring defense is the critical stat in the pantheon of college football numbers.
California lit up the Vols for 45 points on opening day. Then Florida hung 59 on them.
Whatever chance Tennessee has to salvage its season counts heavily on the defense finding some answers.
Kentucky ranks No. 17 nationally in total offense. The Arkansas Razorbacks rank No. 19 in total offense, almost totally on the strength of their ground game.
If UT's defense doesn't get significantly better, it will set a dubious standard. The most points UT has allowed in the modern era was in 1988 when opponents averaged 26.0 a game.
The Vols are off Saturday. Between now and Georgia's visit on Oct. 6, the defense has significant work to accomplish on the practice field.
I don't normally like making predictions on the next football season until the NFL's early-entry deadline passes. One departure can radically change a depth chart. For instance, I was going to get brave and predict South Carolina to win the SEC East next year until receiver Sidney Rice changed his mind and bolted for the NFL.
But with most of the major decisions already announced -- aside from a couple of the Florida guys -- I'll go ahead and predict the SEC in 2007.
I think Urban Meyer will really get to unveil some of the nuances in his offense with Tim Tebow taking all the snaps. In that case, the Gators will once again be difficult to prepare for among the conference schools.
No comment on Florida. What could I say? What could I do? Hugs.
2. South Carolina
Ten starters back on defense. A confident Blake Mitchell. A strong running game. Sidney...dang it.
I'm not entirely sure who Erik Ainge is going to throw the ball to. So much for the touted 2005 class helping the Vols at receiver. Also, defensive coordinators seemed to figure out David Cutcliffe toward the end of the season.
I am not enamored with Fulmer and Cutcliffe these days. Back in the day? Yes. These days? No.
4. Georgia
If you look back, great SEC teams almost always have superior defensive lines. Just look at Florida this year. Look how Tennessee got run over this season. The Bulldogs will not have a great defensive line next year.
Hey, unsportsmanlike conduct on the Tennesee comment. This guy must be a University of Tennessee Chatanooga Moccassins fan. Not Golden Moccasins Lisa. Not even Water Moccassins, which would help the understanding of the mascot. Who's afraid of soft shoes? Hard shoes maybe, they could hurt, especially if they had buckles. Just like that little hand purse my junior high girlfriend used to pop me on the head with. Yeah, the little black one with the big gold buckle. Thanks a lot Deb? But Lisa, Moccassins, that's pretty good isn't it?
5. Kentucky
It's really hard to put the Wildcats here, simply because they return so much from an outstanding season. But it's still Kentucky.
Too bad for Wildcat fans. No, I'm serious.
6. Vanderbilt
I like quarterback Chris Nickson and the job Bobby Johnson is doing, but the SEC East is loaded and there's really no place to put the Commodores except their familiar position.
That gives it away right there. The guys a Furman fan. Furman? Don't know Lisa. You'll have to look that one up.
SEC West
1. Arkansas
Darren McFadden is probably the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy next season. He's surrounded by a lot of underclassmen who contributed to the SEC West championship run.
McFadden is one tough S.O.B.,.
2. LSU
The quarterback situation is starting to become slightly terrifying with Ryan Perrilloux's potential legal troubles, though Matt Flynn is certainly capable.
Flynn can gett'er done!
3. Auburn
The Tigers seem to enjoy winning ugly by running the ball, playing field position and working the clock.
Lisa, which mascot do you like? These guys have never been able to make their minds up. Tigers? Plainsmen? War Eagles? Dumbo Jackson's? Boknowsitalls?
4. Alabama
Nick Saban will need a year or two. He didn't immediately work miracles at Michigan State or LSU. The Spartans went 6-5-1, 6-6, 7-5 in his first three years. LSU went 8-4 in his first year there.
Lisa, here is another one or two. Crimson Tide? What the hell is that? Elephants? Pink Elephants? T.P.'s? Big Orange Boxes?
5. Ole Miss
The Rebels are possibly a year away from making the top-tier teams a little uncomfortable. They're still young and will really miss Patrick Willis at linebacker.
Fired David Cutcliffe. Dumb!
6. Mississippi State
It's hard to look at the talent and believe the Bulldogs are preparing to compete with Arkansas, LSU and Auburn.
Tennessee football coach Phillp Fulmer talks with reporters about the upcoming Super Bowl, featuring former Tennessee assistant coach Lovie Smith and former quarterback Peyton Manning during a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
University of Tennessee Assistant Head Football Coach Trooper Taylor announced Saturday he has removed his name from consideration for the head football coach position at Howard University. I have chosen to remove my name from consideration as the head football coach at Howard University. I appreciate them contacting me. "I am extremely excited about what we are doing here at Tennessee, and my family and I love and respect Coach Fulmer, our staff and the city of Knoxville. I really appreciate the support I have received from our fans and our players that wanted me to stay.
Tennessee receivers coach Trooper Taylor withdrew his name as a candidate for the head coaching job at Howard. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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