Tenn Game Plan

[StripedSquad18]

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine a week or so ago and I wanted to get some other peoples opinion. I think we can all agreed headed into the year that the run game will be the bread and butter along with the expected o-line play. Tenn strength defensively (to my understanding) is the defensive front. If you're a quarter into this game and have 3 rushing yards are getting stacked up at the point of attack, when do you go and open up the play book? I said right away because odds are you're gonna need it at some point. Friend of mine was saying that you kind of got to stick to what is going to carry you throughout (I guess kind of a live by the sword or die by it). Anyone else have any thoughts or any expectations on what we are gonna do?

[huskie3]

Run the stretch on first play with HBO option pass to TE or WR on backside.

[bigdaddyg]

Shhhhhh. Their coaching staff might be on our board.

[Yosef84]

I am sure we will try to run the ball since that is the way our team is built, but if some of those young WRs don't step up and if we don't have a strategy that makes them respect the passing game, we are going to have a long day. If we let Tennessee stack the box and blitz at will, it will be ugly. That said, Satterfield is an excellent strategist and I believe we will make this a game!

[bigdaddyg]

All kidding aside I agree. The key could be with our receivers. They have to get separation and make UT respect the pass. Can't see many long pass opportunities but quick hitters always loosen up the defense. They will absolutely stack the box because running is our bread and butter no doubt. They will be quick to try to smother the stretch plays. We can't afford to screw up special teams like dropping kicks- starting drives at the 5 yard line and such. Ball control is paramount. A trick play here and there will be nice. If we have 3 yards rushing after a quarter against anybody that would be a stunner.

[S.Lewis15]

We haven't seen what this recieving corps can do yet, but in past years our WRs have had trouble getting separation from DBs at the line of scrimmage in these "money games". If they can't do that, then it will be another long day and another loss against a P5 school.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Taylor Lamb will need to play much much much better than Clemson. We will have to pass the ball and can not afford turnovers, especially ones that lead to points. I just think Tennessee has a more experienced team with a realistic goal in winning the SEC East this year, thus will give their all each week. Some on here might think they will take us lightly, but I doubt it. We're a proven team, and their coaches know that and will prepare to play us like all other teams. My 2 week out prediction is 38-17 Vols...We show some promising moments to give fans confidence in the following 11 games, and escape healthy.

[bigCasu]

The sooner we can get our receivers feet wet the better.

[appstate77]

All kidding aside I agree. The key could be with our receivers. They have to get separation and make UT respect the pass. Can't see many long pass opportunities but quick hitters always loosen up the defense. They will absolutely stack the box because running is our bread and butter no doubt. They will be quick to try to smother the stretch plays. We can't afford to screw up special teams like dropping kicks- starting drives at the 5 yard line and such. Ball control is paramount. A trick play here and there will be nice. If we have 3 yards rushing after a quarter against anybody that would be a stunner.

Agreed on special teams. When Quick dribbled the opening kickoff against Florida, it gave them field position and we struggled all day.

[sixtoes9134]

If we aren't able to run the ball, it will be a tough game. You don't just open up the play book when you can't run the ball. Running the ball successfully opens up the play action and everything else. At least we have a little more height at receiver this year which might help Taylor, but he will have to make better decisions than he did at Clemson.

[moonshine]

/\, I was thinking the same thing in regards to the score (38-16). UT's D should be improved from last year with the addition of Shoop at coordinator. I believe Clemson had to replace 7 starters on D last year and they still shut the run game down. UT returns 8 starters on D and they are every bit as talented as Clemson last year. From what I've read, Shoop has simplified the D to allow their athletes to utilize their talents. I agree with others about the WR's since it's been the case over the past several years when facing an Autonomy5 program. I feel App will need to use the pass to open up the run game.

With Shoop instituting a new scheme, we can hope their D makes a few mistakes that App's O can capitalize on. The offense can ill afford going 3 and out on numerous occasions, especially in back to back possessions early on. Definitely need to move the chains in the first few possessions to try and keep field position in App's favor and hope the Mountaineers' D holds serve.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Often times we think and it is said on here that Tenessee might be over looking this game for VT. With a more realistic chance to beat Miami at home, does anyone worry we will over look this game and be content to walk away healthy?

[Black Saturday]

If we aren't able to run the ball, it will be a tough game. You don't just open up the play book when you can't run the ball. Running the ball successfully opens up the play action and everything else. At least we have a little more height at receiver this year which might help Taylor, but he will have to make better decisions than he did at Clemson.

Being the competitor we know Lamb is, I'm sure the Clemson game has been bothering him since. I reckon we see a better game than last year from Taylor in Knoxville.

PS- If we only try to run against a top SEC defense, count on it being be a bad night for our team. Hope we haven't been planning to go to Knoxville for the nice check, especially when 2016 has potential to be the best APP Football team ever put on the field?

[EastHallApp]

Agree with you SS18 - we'll need to throw early IMO. We won't be able to run the ball down this D's throat like we do against the Sun Belt, and if we wait until it's 3rd and 9 to throw it every time we'll get killed.

Doesn't mean we have to throw deep balls every other play, but some slants, curls, screens could help keep them honest.

Everyone always talks about how poorly Lamb played against Clemson, and that's true. But from what I saw, his receivers couldn't get open and his line couldn't give him time. If that happens again, we'll get housed again, as virtually no QB will play well under those circumstances.

[hapapp]

You can bet the UT staff has watched our Clemson game and the ability of Clemson to shut down our WRs. I can't believe they won't employ a similar strategy. I'm glad the game is two weeks away and not tonight. Our OL and WRs need the work between now and then.

To be honest, I'm not very optimistic that this will be much different than our past ventures to P5 territory. The bit of optimism I do have is that our defense might be able to keep UT in check early. The longer we can stay in game obviously, the better our chances of extending the game, and then who knows.

[Yosef10]

Put Jalen Virgil on the field first play in the outside receiver position, have him run a go route and throw him the ball.

Other than that I'd like to see us use the pass to open up the run. Or at least attempt to. I know our philosophy is usually the opposite but against this front 7 we'll get Clemson-like results operating that way.

[moonshine]

As fans, I think we can put to rest CBJ not having the Volunteers ready. If we look at their results from the past few seasons, we can surmise his teams are prepared. Based on scores alone, USA was the only team from the G5 or FCS to keep it within 1 possession. Astate kept it respectable with a 2 possession deficit. No team that faced CBJ's Volunteers with weeks to prepare for the game kept it within 2 possessions (16 points or less).

2015 - UTk margin results
BGSU +29 (opening game with weeks to prepare)
WCU +45
NT +24
NW +39 (bowl game with weeks to prepare)

2014
USU +31 (opening game with weeks to prepare)
stAte +15
UT-C +35
Iowa +17 (bowl game with weeks to prepare)

2013 - CBJ's first year
APSU +45 (opening game with weeks to prepare)
WKU +32
USA +7

[S.Lewis15]

If Tennessee comes out and plays like they did against North Texas or South Carolina last year, I think we have a chance. North Texas went 1-11 and they only put up 24 points on them, and that South Carolina team lost to the Citadel and Tennessee barely won.

They were inconsistent last year, but so were we especially against Troy and South Alabama. There's a chance to beat them, but it is very slim.

Even though we don't have Blair, Gibbs, or Middleton on the defensive side of things, reports from camp about the DBs speed/playmaking ability and linebacker depth have me excited about what these guys can do Sept 1st.

[VFL25]

I'll give an opposite point of view here. I think UT will come out and run the ball until yall show you can stop it. From what I've read on here about App St.'s D we may have to do other things. But I would imagine unless we have to open it up, we'lll run the ball the majority of the game. Especially with the RB depth we have.

[Yosef10]

I'll give an opposite point of view here. I think UT will come out and run the ball until yall show you can stop it. From what I've read on here about Apple St.'s D we may have to do other things. But I would imagine unless we have to open it up, we'lll run the ball the majority of the game. Especially with the RB depth we have.

I'd do nothing but run as well if we had a 6'4" 240lb RB. Jalen Hurd is a monster.