Keys to the Top Oct. 23 Games Oct 23, 2004
By John Harris
a. May the Force be with you – You’re coming to Knoxville with one of the better run-dominant offensive lines in the conference. You have a strong running back in Kenneth Darby, who’s replaced the injured Ray Hudson. You’re down to your third string quarterback, who threw all of nine passes against Southern Miss. It’s just a hunch, but there’s a good chance that there are going to 100 Volunteers in the box to stop the run, forcing Spencer Pennington to beat them through the air. So, on the first play from scrimmage, give ‘em what they want – air that sucker out. The Vols should have single coverage on the Tide’s freshman wide outs: If they’re playing off, throw a hitch and go, if they’re in bump and run, throw a deep fade. In so doing, Mike Shula gives Pennington some confidence and takes away some of the jitters (for freshman WR DJ Hall and Matt Cadell as well). Even if they don’t hit it, Bama goes after a less than average secondary and sends a message that they aren’t scared to throw the football. As the game continues, Pennington can’t be coddled, so to speak, Shula has to stay aggressive with him, within his physical limitations. He’s going to have to throw the ball downfield at some point; quick screens, tunnel screens or slip screens will only give them so much working room.
b. The Burn – Although the Bama offensive coaching staff will default very early to the running game, Tennessee cannot leave their corners on an island all game long. Thus, the onus for stopping the run has to fall on the linebacking corps, led by senior all-conference candidate Kevin Burnett, to shut down Darby and give the safeties more freedom in pass coverage. With Kevin Simon out after his unfortunate injury against Florida, Burnett has had an extra burden of stopping the run without his California running mate with him. He’s fared well and his presence on the weak side gives Tennessee DC John Chavis some leeway to run some games and stunts, knowing Burnett is there to account for any problems that might arise. It’s going to be awfully important for Karlton Neal and the Tennessee ends to not get reached by left tackle Wesley Britt so as to cut off Burnett’s pursuit from the inside. If Burnett lines up in space, outside the tackle, he’s got pressure on him to contain and also play outside in on the ball carrier without losing his leverage.
c. Isolate the middle – Over the past four or five years, the Tennessee Volunteers have made a living, feasting on inside runs between the B gaps. Whether it’s pure and simple fullback isolation or the power G, the Vols want to keep their running game between the tackles. Thus, the Tide defense must take the Vols out of their comfort zone running game. Two things are a must: Riggs, Houston, et al. cannot get in a groove on middle runs and the Bama defense must not lose the time of possession battle. Bama has speed at the linebacker and safety position (Roach, Ryans, Harper, Roach, Wortham, Peprah) and must use that to their advantage, consequently, they need to have their front four ‘bounce’ as many inside runs as possible to the outside. In so doing, the linebackers and secondary have the time to fill the alleys and not allow the Vols running backs sufficient perimeter yardage. Plus, the more the Tide can get the Vol RBs to run laterally, the better off they are. If Riggs and company get their shoulders square to the LOS, it could spell trouble for the Tide. Hey, Tide and Bounce – going together for more than just laundry.
Conclusion: If you like your SEC football Hal Mumme style, this one’s definitely not for you. This one will be smashmouth to the nth degree. However, in those situations, typically one QB makes a special play that turns the game in his team’s direction. Although Erik Ainge is a freshman, he’s got poise and doesn’t make many mistakes (even though the writer is convinced that Brent Schaeffer is still more difficult to prepare for, if given the reins to the offense). At home, Tennessee wins a close one – Tennessee – 21 vs. Alabama - 18
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Columnists/JH/Oct_23/Alabama_Tennessee.htm
~~~~ Rick
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