The Tennessee Volunteers control their own destiny in the SEC East with a large hill to climb this weekend against Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden and his Arkansas Razorbacks. Last year Arkansas defeated the Vols 31-14 in Fayetteville, with the highly touted McFadden rushing for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns thus proving his meddle. Jonathan Crompton played the entire game at quarterback for UT, as Erik Ainge sat out the contest with an ankle injury suffered two weeks before at South Carolina.
You can't convince me that Tennessee has fixed their problem and will be able to stop McFadden or the Hawgs passing game. I just don't feel it in my heart. So can Arkansas stop Tennessee? That will be the question that decides the game.
Arian Foster
“Getting back into the conference is a big deal,” Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “We prepared well last week, worked a lot on fundamentals, and it showed. Hopefully, it will carry over into this football game with Arkansas.” “Our team knows that every week is a challenge. We’re certainly capable of meeting the challenge, but we’ve got to have ourselves centered. We’ve done a good job of that the last couple of weeks.
Daniel Lincoln kicked a game-tying 48-yard field goal with 5 seconds left, then provided the only points in overtime, and Tennessee recovered after blowing a big lead to beat No. 15 South Carolina 27-24 Saturday night October 27th. The Volunteers' 59-7 victory against Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday was their most lopsided in seven years.
Against South Carolina Tennessee gained only 70 yards in the second half. South Carolina outgained Tennessee 501-317 and held the ball for more than 36 minutes. Cory Boyd finished with 20 carries for 160 yards.
Against Louisiana Lafayette (Southwest Louisiana State to Old Timers) Tennessee showcased a season-high 273-yard running game. Arian Foster finished with 100 yards on 20 carries, propelling him just past the 2,000-yard career mark. Lennon Creer finished with 109 yards on seven carries.
"South Carolina scored 21 (in the second half) last week," Foster said. "And when Louisiana-Lafayette scored to start the second half, we said it won't happen again."
Well Arian, the Rajin' Cajuns weren't exactly the Gamecocks. The question is are you ready for Arkansas? I must admit, Darren McFadden is scaring the #### outta me.
We have been here before. Eric Ainge is hurt! Will he play? Or will Jonathan Crompton lead the Volunteers? While it is certain Tennessee Football Coach Phillip Fulmer did not ask for this situation, it is just as certain that he is not going to show his entire hand to the California Golden Bear coaching staff either.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday he expects his senior quarterback to play in Saturday’s opener at California, despite the latest news that Erik Ainge has a broken little finger on his throwing hand.
“He is going to play,” Fulmer said of Ainge. “He has thrown and it looks like he’s going to be able to throw just fine. I appreciate him showing the toughness to get himself back out there.”
Fulmer faced a similar situation last year when Ainge was injured late in an Oct. 28 win at South Carolina. Ainge started the next week against LSU, but Jonathan Crompton played most of the way in Tennessee’s last-season loss to the Tigers.
“If it doesn’t work out great, then obviously Jonathan will have to be ready,” Fulmer said. “I have the utmost confidence in Jonathan getting the job done. We have said all along we’re going out there to win this football game as a team, and that’s exactly what we’re going to try to do.”
Crompton, a junior, has one career start in seven appearances. He has completed 47-percent of his career passes (31-of-66) for 401 yards. The Waynesville, N.C., product passed for 183 yards last year in the LSU game, then followed that with a 174-yard effort in his start at Arkansas. Crompton had two TDs and one interception in each of those games.
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.
Did this guy just pick the Cocks over Tennessee?
3. Tennessee
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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Arian Foster
