Tennessee Volunteers - Mississippi State Bulldogs open game thread

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 9:14 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football Comment 52 comments

	October 13 , 2007, 2:30 p.m. EST TV: VideoSeat PPV Radio: Vol Network Internet Audio (game time): UTSports.com XM Radio: 233 Phone Broadcast: TeamLine Live Stats: MStateAthletics.com
No. 24 (BlogPoll)		NR (BlogPoll)

Tennessee rush v. Mississippi State defense	Tennessee pass v. Mississippi State defense	Mississippi State rush v. Tennessee defense	Mississippi State pass v. Tennessee defense
67	29	76	74
42	29	51	116
	Push

Field Goals	Tennessee punting v. Mississippi State punt return	Mississippi State punting v. Tennessee punt return	Intangibles
T-19	65	116
T-77	104	60

Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Mississippi State appears to have several advantages, based on national rankings. It appears they'll be able to stop our running game, and it's looking like we may not able to stop theirs. They'll also have the advantage when punting the ball unless Jonathan Hefney can take another step from not losing any yardage on punts to actually gaining some.

And if you're thinking that our respective schedules may indicate that the national rankings can't be trusted, well, have a look:

Mississippi State
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT/TIME
08/30	#2 LSU	L 45-0
09/08	at Tulane	W 38-17
09/15	at Auburn	W 19-14
09/22	Gardner Webb	W 31-15
09/29	at #16 S Carolina	L 38-21
10/06	UAB	W 30-13

Tennessee
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT/TIME
09/01	at #12 California	L 45-31
09/08	So Miss	W 39-19
09/15	at #5 Florida	L 59-20
09/22	Arkansas St	W 48-27
10/06	#12 Georgia	W 35-14

We've lost to two ranked teams and beaten one. They've lost to two ranked teams and beaten Auburn, who's beaten Florida, one of the teams to which we lost. That, plus give the intangibles to the Bulldogs, since they're at home and we're in a sandwich game. This is a real game, folks.

ttocswob wins this week's Hail Mary Haiku, with Hemingway says:

Hemingway says,
Mississippi State
Ask not for whom the cowbell
tolls...it tolls for thee!
by ttocswob

This should be a close one. I'm going with Tennessee, 28-24.

Leave your predictions and pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below.

Go Vols!

0 recs | Comment 52 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

DAWGS WHUPPED AGAIN

BIG ORANGE-35 DAWGS-14
GO VOLS !!!!

OLD SMOKEY

by old smokey on Oct 13, 2007 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Predictions...

Alright, I didn't have time for a full-blown predictions post this week, but quickly:

Tennessee rushes for over 200 yards -- Cutcliffe's newfound confidence in the running game and the o-line's newfound intensity sees the Vols rack up ground yardage.
Mississippi State rushes for under 150 yards -- This defense showed last week what they can do when challenged, and Croom's comment about putting nine in the box has stoked the fire.
Vols end +3 in turnovers -- State's passing game is an interception waiting to happen. Vols score early, forcing MSU to play catch-up in the air, and it doesn't end well for the Pups.

There is the chance that State catches the Vols off-guard today (in this season of college football, there's always a chance), but it's more likely that Tennessee enjoyed the taste of the right end of a blowout and wants to taste some more. In the end, Vols win 42-17.

Go Vols!

by CornFromAJar on Oct 13, 2007 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hemingway

Thanx to all...nice to
have an uncontested win
-ing haiku for once!

Anyone who remembers co-championships and tie games knows how it feels....

Ain't it good to be alive and be in Tennessee!

by ttocswob on Oct 13, 2007 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Vols vs Cowbells

Yes we both have losses to ranked teams
bad bad losses to Florida(TN) and LSU(Miss State)

Their win vs Auburn turns out to be pretty impressive and maybe more so than ours vs UGA

The CAL loss(ours) and SC loss(theirs)are reasonably comparable but I would think Cal would give SC a substantial beating

The MS State wins over UAB, Tuland & Gardner-Webb (the 1-4 Blazers & Green Wave plus a non BCS bowl sub-division team) offered much more opportunity to pad their stats used in your National Rankings comparisons. So I'm not sure where your surprise originates.

This is the kind of game that CPF seems to have trouble in the inspiration and motivation department. Tennessee has the better athletes and far more to lose given that MS State is out of any contention for the SECCG and the Vols control their own destiny.

As much as I would love to see us run the table and get revenge on LSU for 2001 it's just this type of game that usually screws up our chances. I think back to our miserable performance vs Air Force last year following our impressive performance vs Cal
and
Last years big win vs UGA followed up with an absurdly close call vs Bama after an open date.
10/7 *Georgia (9-4) W 51 33
10/21 *Alabama (6-7) W 16 13

I expect more of the same today - a nail biting misery with too close an outcome against a team we could beat handily with an inspirational coach who didn't need his job to be on the line to light a fire under his players.

I hope I'm wrong

by BullCS on Oct 13, 2007 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Random Question

I'm watching Iowa vs. the Fighting [NAME REDACTEDS] and just noticed the Iowa fans doing somewhat of a "Gator Chomp". Anybody have any clue what that's about? Certainly they're not poking fun of [NR], are they?

by Aerobab on Oct 13, 2007 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

STAPLES...

That was easy!(Is that stupid?) Nice drive, passed when they WANTED to, not when the HAD to.

Now if we could just get by Spurrier...

by Volorado on Oct 13, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Nicely done.

Mayo had a great hit on defense, and the offense did basically whatever they wanted. Ainge's TD pass to Brown wasn't a very good throw, but Brown had the nice hands to bring it down and jog it in. Excellent call.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additionally...

It's good to be back. Here in Colorado, it's been crazy following the Rockies! We're all in a purple haze (not just Boulder). I've been over at purplerow.com, SB Nation Unofficial Rockies blog. Good thing they're off today, I can fully focus on the boys in orange.

Go Vols!

Now if we could just get by Spurrier...

by Volorado on Oct 13, 2007 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Late hit?

Did anybody see a late hit by Hefney?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That QB

hasn't been sacked yet, but he's getting pressured and hit.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh-oh

Now we have to punt to . . . somebody.

Quick, do they have a good punt returner?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whew

Fair catch.

He kicked it 49 yards, but was 10 yards deep in the end zone. I guess that's 39 then, right? Bummer for a punter.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um . . .

. . . I think that was pass interference.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

TD, MSU. On a pass. Don't they stink in the passing game? Hmm.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Followed up . . .

. . . by a bad drive.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Golly Heck

Can you say "suicide"?

Ughhh...we're beating ourselves...again.

by Aerobab on Oct 13, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least . . .

. . . it's early.

Right?

What's up with all of the missed tackles?

Did we have our fifteen minutes of fame?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't stop

their running game.

This is frightening.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Um . . .

. . . that's not a face mask, is it? He had him by the forehead.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

End of first

57 yards rushing in the first quarter.

Another 30 yards on the first play of the second for a TD.

Oh, and we have 17 yards on the ground.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Penalties

Ugh!

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We need a stop

Good on first down. Almost sacked QB, gang tackled dump off receiver.

Almost intercepted by M. Johnson deep.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Third down

Nicely covered the receiver in the flat.

Fourth and four.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There we go

A long TD catch, over the back of the secondary. First time this season. To Taylor.

Excellent. Tie game.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Question

That tackle by Hefney, he launched at the guy and knocked him down impressively. He's psyched by it, and it appears that the rest of the team is as well.

But it wasn't a form tackle. Should he be praised for that? The next time, he may just dive and whiff.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Woo!

Another wicked tricksey play!

Direct snap to Foster for 29 ziggedy zaggedy yards.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaaaiiii!

Austin Rogers open in the end zone . . .

. . . drop. Aaii. Might have been tipped, but should have been caught. Hope it doesn't get to his head.

Stopped on third. Lincoln misses for the first time this season. Hope that doesn't go to his head.

Seven points gone.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Carroll out . . .

. . . because of that monster hit by, who was it, M. Johnson?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Block in the back?

Anybody see that one? On Hef's punt?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lincoln recovers

Hits a 47-yarder to close the half. After a squib, of course.

Hopefully.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hamilton's head

Man, I hope he's wearing sunscreen.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And . . .

. . . is it me or does Russo sound like he's always talking at double-speed?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spotlight on CfaJ

Tennessee has 68 yards rushing.
MSU has 99 yards rushing.

TOs: none.

We'd better get busy on all three counts if we're going to make CfaJ look good.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Austin Rogers . . .

. . . for toughest guy on the team, okay? What a shot he took!

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay, scored on first drive of the half

Can we stop their running game this half?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And another . . .

. . . passing touchdown for the Bulldogs.

24-21, UT.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yikes

Creer muffs a return and tries to pick it up. He recovers it, but, yeeeoow.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Foster goes over 100 yards

Woo for Foster. He and Ainge are saving this game.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shaping up for a scare

27-21, Vols. MSU will be getting the ball. If they drive like they did last time . . . Vols down by one?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Um . . . no again

Pass interference? Let's see it again.

No way.

That's three.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marsalous Johnson and some receiver

Are really mixing it up. Smacking each other in the fact after the whistle. Somebody's going to get caught.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Face

Yeah, face.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both Vinson and Berry

are getting beat on the slant. Every time.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tennessee stops them at midfield

Nevin McKenzie in the nickel.

Oh, wait, they're going for it. Fourth and six.

Time out.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tipped at the line

Would have been caught, but no.

But, wow, it looks like he caught it. Not reviewed.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But Vols give it back

Ainge threw two wobblies in a row, the second of which was intercepted.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally

They fail to complete a slant. Thanks to pressure on the QB. M. Johnson defending, wasn't it?

Vinson almost gets an INT on the next roll-out pass. He's going to be good back there.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Third and something like eight, and they call a draw to Foster. Raised the eyebrows, did that, but Foster got it. He's having a fantastic game, no?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hardesty also looks great

Fast up the middle, would-be tacklers bouncing off of him and riding him three yards downfield before he's tackled.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Killer drive by Tennessee

Milked the clock, ran well. Should have scored seven, but got three and extended the lead to two scores. Should seal the game.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Victory formation

CfaJ, you continue to amaze.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Oct 13, 2007 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

VOLS PUT COWBELLS OUT TO PASTURE

Bubba , MSU's Bull Dawg proves that Bull Dawgs can't run with the BIG DAWGS. He can join his CUZ UGA and they can lick each others wounds. GO VOLS!!!

OLD SMOKEY

by old smokey on Oct 14, 2007 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Ok, Enough Is Enough....

by VolBrian 12 days ago

32 comments | 8 recs

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Chris's drug test had revealed evidence of human chorionic gonadotropin,...

by Joel 4 days ago 1 comment | 4 recs

Rocky Top Talk: An SB Nation Community

Network Bar

Rocky Top Talk -