SEC East open game thread: 'Dogs, 'Dogs, and Not Dogs

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 9:06 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

The Tennessee-South Carolina open game thread will be along later this afternoon, but let's face it. The SEC East is a five-horse race and the other games matter. Scenario 4, scenario 4, scenario 4!!!

Here's your rooting schedule:

12:30 p.m. -- Mississippi State at Kentucky, on Lincoln Financial Sports. 'Dogs versus 'Cats. Go 'Dogs.
3:30 p.m. -- Florida v. Georgia, on CBS. Go 'Dogs again!
7:45 p.m. -- South Carolina at Tennessee, ESPN. Too bad we're not the underdogs in this one or we would have the cheering trifecta. Go Vols!

This will serve as an open game thread for the afternoon games, so leave your picks, thoughts, and rants below. Back with the Tennessee open game thread later.

Update [2007-10-27 16:4:54 by Joel]: The Tennessee-South Carolina open game thread will go live immediately following the Florida-Georgia game. I wanna play at a Cocktail Party!

Update [2007-10-27 17:14:46 by Joel]: One down, two to go. Mississippi State beat Kentucky 31-14, and Georgia is leading Florida 21-17 at the half.

Update [2007-10-27 19:4:2 by Joel]: Two for two, folks! We win tonight against Steve Spurrier, and we're back in the driver's seat. Open game thread coming up.

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MSU-UK

So far (early 2nd quarter), Mississippi State looks like the better team in this game. They are doing better than 2-1 on # of plays, and are really burning up the clock. If they keep this up, it's going to be a long 2nd half to the UK defense.

Maybe Tennessee's win against them is a little better than people figured.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

Kentucky's had a rough stretch, too, and I'm not sure how much they've really ever been under pressure as the favorite. We'll find out. Go Croom.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Clock-killin' time

8:16 left in the 3rd, and MSU has a 3-score lead. If Kentucky doesn't get at least 3 points on their next drive, MSU will be looking to chew up the clock. Of course, given that MSU has been hogging the clock the whole game, it really shouldn't look any different.

Yikes.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Looks like the blueprint for beating them, too, which could help us in a few weeks. Assuming we remember we have running backs.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

MSU up 24-7

KY melting down. Fumbled first kickoff, then fumbled first punt attempt on next drive. MSU then scored at TD.

KY marching now, though.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

U-G-L-Y

Neither team is protecting the ball. Much more of this, and they can both file for nonprofit charity status.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Nice

The 501(c)(3) offense. I like it.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks :)

I couldn't remember the right filing code. I'm doing double time with housework, so I don't have time to look that stuff up.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It helps

being a lawyer in the health care industry. It's been fire-branded onto my frontal lobe.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Beautiful Punt

by Woodson. Shame it was one of those overhand punts. 4th turnover on the day = game over.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Somehow

I don't think that Tennessee can rely on 6 Kentucky turnovers. It was a horrible outing by UK, but mostly their own fault, and mostly correctable issues. The one notable event was that MSU owned the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for the whole game. 6 in the box was sufficient for tremendous pressure on Woodson and solid run-stopping. That left 5 in pass coverage, including a guy or two who seemed to be dedicated to stopping the swing pass.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, but . .

. . . how many turnovers were due to KY trying to come from behind? MSU ran at will, consuming yards and clock. That's the ticket.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

On defense, UK is most vulnerable to the run. Just like playing the Colts in the NFL, limiting the number of possessions for the UK offense is the best plan.

On offense, UK's line looked horrible in that game. A standard 4-man front kept them off-balance for most of the game, and MSU was even able to generate pressure with a 3-man rush and a D-lineman in coverage on occasion.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

One down

Two to go. Mississippi State beats Kentucky, 31-14.

Go UGa!

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

AWESOME

Richt tells the entire team to empty the bench on Georgia's first TD for an excessive celebration penalty in the end zone. Very cool.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Not gonna be a pretty game

Both teams are too excitable right now. Unfortunately, I think Florida has a better shot at collecting themselves first. I don't think this game is as much of a rivalry to them as it is to UGA.

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

I love it

Love the excitement of both teams. Penalties are mostly offsetting. This game is as much about who's got the mental advantage than who gets the penalty yardage advantage.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 27, 2007 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Back in the UT-Florida game...

The announcers talked about the hits that Tebow took when he ran, and how they might add up during the season. It could be that the abuse is finally beginning to hurt Florida - to the benefit of every other team in the East. I'd like to think that the hits that UT laid on him are helping Georgia now (even if those hits came after Teow had ran for 15 yards vs. the Vols).

by David Hooper on Oct 27, 2007 6:08 PM EDT reply actions