Saturday Afternoon/Evening Open Game Thread
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 5:09 PM EDT
in Tennessee Volunteer Football
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PrintJoel and Will will be taking care of the postgame this weekend, though they still have a little bit of driving before they reach their respective homes. Until then, there's still plenty of action left on the opening weekend, including a close tilt in Stillwater, Oklahoma where Georgia and Oklahoma State are currently tied at 7 just before halftime. And as of right now, the SEC is 3-0 in nonconference play, thanks to UT and UK coming through on their cupcakes while South Carolina managed to find a more pathetic BCS offense in NC State.
So for the ongoing and upcoming games of this weekend, consider this your postgame thread. I will add my thoughts about the Tennessee game later on, once Joel and Will have had their say, but I want to look up some numbers and check out some of the replays first. I will say this much, though: the sideline-to-quarterback communication is vastly improved over last year; I focused on that for nearly the whole game and never once saw any hesitation between QB and coach - whether the QB was Jonathan Crompton or Nick Stephens.
And if you're on the fence about whether you want to attend a game at Neyland Stadium, go. There is never a dull moment on that sideline.
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Crompton
is a candidate for the player of the week.
Kirk Herbstreit: And this years Heisman Trophy goes to .. TIM TEBOW, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA!!!
[ Begin music]
Jim Ross: My.. My god, is that Eric Berry's music??!!
Kirk: I hope not ...
Crompton had a REALLY nice day today.
That first pick was all on him; he was too energized and he threw before he checked the cover scheme. But at least he threw after looking the safeties off – something that never happened last year.
But what you didn’t see on TV (trust me, I’m checking the ‘360 broadcast right now) is just how comfortable he was between plays. There wasn’t any hesitation or miscommunication between him and the sideline at all. And he didn’t appear to have any trouble with communicating the play and the audibles to the offense. It’s still early, but there’s a lot of reason to continue hoping.
Yeah, I blamed him for INT 1
But it wasn’t an OMG WTF BBQ??!! throw. Just trying to do a bit too much too quickly. the second INT was one of those “err” plays. And the running game was beyond amazing.
Kirk Herbstreit: And this years Heisman Trophy goes to .. TIM TEBOW, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA!!!
[ Begin music]
Jim Ross: My.. My god, is that Eric Berry's music??!!
Kirk: I hope not ...
From my vantage point, he looked really good.
And it should be noted that Stephens looked very sharp in cleanup duty as well. He’s a far more competent backup than what most teams have, which is kinda odd to say when you realize that we’re actually thin at that position.
big 12 refs are clearly not used to seeing defense played
Living in Alabama is like living 50 years in the past, they are still just as racist, just as educated, the state constitution forbids any kind of public transportation, and all they can talk about is Bear Bryant
Mississippi State with the offense.
Sure, it’s Jackson State. Does anybody believe MSU could have garnered 35 points in 3 quarters against anybody?
Georgia fans NOT happy.
Perhaps it’s wise to not intrude too much at the moment, but…
take a peek for yourself.
You know I really wanted OSU to lose, you know SEC domination and all
But I cant be too upset. It’s Georgia, I don’t have too much sympathy
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
In case anyone cares
Big game on today for the US men’s soccer team. Kickoff a few minutes ago at Salt Lake against El Salvador. If we lose this, we may have to say goodbye to the world cup next year. ESPN360.
I know VT/Bama is big too, but just thought I’d throw this out there. There’s always the possibility of one on the TV and one online.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions
Two ACC Teams down to FCS Schools
Duke 9 – Richmond 14 10:20 left in the 3rd.
Virginia 14 – William & Mary 16 3:50 left in the 4th.
Kirk Herbstreit: And this years Heisman Trophy goes to .. TIM TEBOW, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA!!!
[ Begin music]
Jim Ross: My.. My god, is that Eric Berry's music??!!
Kirk: I hope not ...
How’s the Bama game been looking?
Also, in case anyone is interested, USA goes down 1-0 to El Salvador 35 minutes in, but score 2 goals in the last 5 minutes of the first half to take a 2-1 halftime lead.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions
UCLA roars back to lead 23-14 nearing halftime
Bama has only kicked field goals, up 9-7 2nd quarter. VT ran a kickoff back for a touchdown (see: “BeamerBall!”)
Will - Rocky Top Talk
VT picks off a tipped ball deep in Bama territory
I’m telling you, VT’s offense can’t score any points unless Bama helps them…and so far, they are
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Two 15 yard dead ball penalties
on Rolando McClain on the same play…VT has 1st and goal
Will - Rocky Top Talk
and touchdown
17-16 VT 1:02 left first half
Alabama 6 penalties 48 yards. VT has -7 rushing yards and 17 points
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Real ugly
NCAA can’t be top happy with the way sportsmanship week is heading
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Roy Upchurch
has 2 carries for 53 yards, knocked VT’s SS out of the game on the last one…two of the best runs I’ve seen this weekend.
But Bama yanks the FG, and Tech will take the lead to the locker room.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
That hit was great
Did the hokie make it back in though?
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Does it bother anybody else that Alabama's kicker's name is Leigh Tiffin?
Way too close sounding to Lane Kiffin
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
An announcer is going to screw that up
at least once this year
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Announcer just described crompton's performance today as "magnificent"
Is this the same guy? Disbelief…
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
UCLA blocks a field goal, ret for TD
33-14 late 3rd, Bruins look safe to avoid the upset
Will - Rocky Top Talk
And BYU takes over on downs.
1st with 1:23 left, and Oklahoma has one timeout. Quick math says that the game is over.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
BYU taking a knee.
BTW USA wins the soccer game 2-1.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions
Mountain West.
Layin’ waste to the Big 12 while Boise embarrasses the PAC-10. Man, I hope they can keep this kind of stuff up.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
With Bradford, I don’t think BYU wins. But still, they won. Period.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Gators have 62 against Charleston Southern
Think Urban is conscious of Lane’s 63?
Will - Rocky Top Talk
He's more conscious of the Vegas spread.
It’s a point of pride among the boosters that they can bet on the over.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
After Boise a few years ago
OU may be making a habit of losing by exactly one point to mid-majors.
So we know if BYU runs the table, they have a shot. But what if TCU runs the table. BYU on the road would be a quality win. Could get interesting.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions
The MWC suddenly has a lot of options for the BCS right now.
Heck, even Utah has an outside shot if they can do better than people expect.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
If Tyler Bray wasn't convinced today
I’m not sure I want him, because I’d question his decision-making
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding.
Just read through your writeup. And I’m pumped all over again.
By the way, the very first touchdown – that one by true freshman Bryce Brown – was right in front of all the visiting recruits. Nice incidence, that.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Who has the rights to VT/Bama?
I don’t see it on ESPN360.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions
I don't have ABC
I thought ESPN put all the ESPN/ABC games online.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
They blacked it out.
But I think it’ll be up for replay after the game’s over. If you really want to watch it.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
VT/Bama
The Tide are up 241-76 in yards, VT has 3 rushing yards…and still, Tech leads. These are exactly the type of games that VT usually ends up winning, because Bama’s letting them.
McElroy: 9 of 22, 1 pick
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Still a fan of the tier system
You’ve got Florida, Texas, USC, and the winner of this game as the top four, I’d think
Can BYU go in the next tier? Ohio State was lousy. Oklahoma State got what was supposed to be a big win, and I only heard it on the radio, but their numbers were underwhelming and UGA didn’t play well. I’d definitely put them above Boise.
I’m curious to see LSU later tonight
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends
Is Bradford coming back? I think he is, which mitigates OU’s fall somewhat. I think putting them both in the 8-12 range is reasonable.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Also
you going to rank the Vols this week? Cause I bet you wouldn’t be alone…
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
UT has made a good argument, even though is was WKU
Also, I think it’s justified to drop Ohio State below Oklahoma, despite the fact that they won and OU did not.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm seriously thinking over that.
I only had them a couple spots out in the first place, and that only as a check to my own optimism. Right now, we have only one game, and that was against WKU. But on the surface, it was just as impressive as Florida’s win, and they’re obviously going to stay at number one. So I don’t know yet where I’m putting them.
I’m very open to suggestion.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Iowa has to come out after today's escape
So you’ve got a spot open already…is there another unranked team who deserves the bump into the poll more than the Vols?
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Not yet.
If UWash happens to win, I’d have to consider them. But that’s a long ways off yet.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd keep it low...23-25
Hard to judge one blowout over another with some of these other teams in the poll, and to me I’d have to then default to what happened last year, which the Vols will lose to anyone
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
that's kinda my thought too
They’ll always have UCLA to help us figure it out.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
My call:
LSU wins, but not by more than 2 scores. Washington is a bad team with Locker, but they aren’t an 0-12 team. Also, they’re at home, and I find LSU a tad overrated.
by Incipient_Senescence on Sep 5, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
And Washington just got down to the red zone on a 3rd and 12 on their side of the field.
…3rd and Chavis, anybody?
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Touchdown Washington. 6-0, XP pending.
Nice start for Sarkisian.
…just exactly how much coaching talent did Carroll have stockpiled a few years ago? We may find out this year.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm gonna feel for Fulmer & Chavis a little bit tonight
They’re gonna get blamed for some things that weren’t all their fault
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah.
I’m not ragging on Chavis at all. That LSU defense will be far better than last year, thanks to him.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Bama's D is looking very impressive
But the way their offense is playing bodes well for us.
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions
UCLA wins 33-14
stats of note:
UCLA 145 rush 215 pass 360 tot
SDSU 39 rush 238 pass 277 tot
Kevin Prince: 19 of 29, 176, 1 TD 2 INT
Taylor Embree 6 catches 97 yards
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Marquis Maze!
If McElroy throws it deep 20 times, eventually he will complete one
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Followed by a pick six!
There’s one for the Chief
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Live TV is way ahead of '360 then.
The INt-6 just now happened on the ’net.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Quick trivia for you:
Jonathan Crompton had a 189.5 quarterback rating (NCAA system; NFL system would have been 109.1). His highest last year was 134.7 (NCAA) vs. UAB. The highest of any qb last year was Stephens against UNI: 161.2.
I figured it must be pretty good.
After the first pick, the usual drunk mouth-breather that always seems to be near me no matter where I sit decided to start talking trash about Crompton. So I fought back, passive-aggressively; everytime anything went wrong, I loudly blamed Crompton. “Dammit Crompton, wheres the drink guy?” “Come on Crompton, that sousaphone player clearly missed a note!” That shut him up for the rest of the first quarter, until Crompton shut him up in quarters 2-4.
There was a guy near me
who kept angrily yelling “Give him time, o-line!” all day.
I think Crompton was touched once.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched Crompton very closely
And from what I could tell, he did a very good job of not locking on receivers, going through his progressions, and not making any colossally stupid plays. I’m looking forward to watching the repeat on CSS this week.
He was looking off safeties all the time.
He really looked sharp out there, and the stats, as far as I can tell, match his performance well.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't wait
to “break down the film” tomorrow after church. TiVo has changed my life forever, and for the better.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I am seriously looking forward to that.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
On that note:
Last year, I did a full play-by-play of the UCLA game. That doesn’t appear to be in the cards for me this year, with the blogpoll ballot in the way. But some work along those lines would be very much appreciated.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
And when was the last time
You actually looked forward to replaying a game? Even the wins last year were ugly. What a great day to be a Vol.
Uh oh
fumble on the kickoff, Bama recovers…Tech will never score twice with only 12 minutes left, Bama can end this
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Fortunately, nothing.
But yeah, Twilight Zone and all that.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Can I just say
how much fun it is to be able to watch other teams play and not be distracted by my own thoughts of frustration with my own team?
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And without trading
anticipation for frustration, which is what we’ve done after the last two season openers. I like myself more when I’m this way instead.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
The first half of last year was bad after the losses.
But by the second half of the season, I was just numb. And the only joy I was able to take in football was watching other teams (Michigan and Notre Dame, primarily) suffer. Oh and the Titans. But pro football has always been and will always be a poor substitute for college ball.
I went to VT-Maryland in Blacksburg on Thurs. night
three days after Fulmer announced his resignation last year. Darren Evans ran for 253, Tech won big, they were all so happy…and I could not stand it. At all.
If Tennessee’s not relevant (for the right reasons), I’m not happy in my overall sports life. Even the Titans, with me, only frustrated me as well – if Kerry Collins could do it, why not Jon Crompton?
Today is much, much better.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
As I said to people around me in the stands
today doesn’t erase the memories of last season, but it really, really, really helps. And the fact that most of the scoring was done in the endzone I was directly looking into helped too. :)
It will be hard to forget last year
Sorta feel like it hangs over everything that goes on now, no matter how much we want to think “clean slate”
That being said, I think I just drank another pitcher of the orange kool-aid today
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
After the first quarter, there was ample grumbling in the stadium.
After the fourth quarter, there were 100,000 people there who would take a bullet for Lane Kiffin. If the team plays with that level of intensity all season, the fans will stick with them through the losses. And even though turnout today wasn’t what I’d hoped for (sure, it’s WKU, but how often do you get to see a coaches first game at Tennessee? I’ve been lucky enough to be at the last two) I’ll wager that we will pack the house for UCLA.
Speaking of which, anyone have a spare ticket or two? ;)
After that run
total yards now stands at 428-163 Alabama. BeamerBall and Alabama’s birthright to cheat and be penalized are the only reasons this game is close
Will - Rocky Top Talk
These freaking late games
refuse to be one-sided, and keep me up way too late
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Sep 5, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Just looked at my pool picks
and realized in a brain-dead moment, I picked them backwards. So my 11 point pick is Rutgers over Cincinatti. Oy.
Okay, I take it back
Bama looked pretty dominant in the 4th qtr, saban kept working them hard and they played through it. Looked tough.
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Sep 5, 2009 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
Georgia let us all down today
UK looked very strong, Bama strong tonight on the stat-sheet in a big way, even ol’ Dan Mullen put up 45 points
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Stillwater's going to be very happy with the polls this week.
Norman, not so much.
by David Hooper on Sep 5, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
That was fun.
Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs
by Chris Pendley on Sep 6, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm now really intrigued about the UGA/USC game next week.
I suspect UGA’s offense is a non-starter, but I need more info to see it. I don’t think the game today was between the 9th and 13th-ranked teams at the end of the season.
Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs
by Chris Pendley on Sep 6, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with that.
But I just wonder what next week will look like. One game’s not enough to draw conclusions, but it’s interesting. There was a lot this weekend I didn’t expect.
Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs
by Chris Pendley on Sep 6, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Next week will answer a lot of questions, I think.
How good UT, SoCar, and UGA are will be among the foremost.
by David Hooper on Sep 6, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I think I have my answer about the Gamecocks.
But the Bulldogs – and us, really – are still enigmas to me.
Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs
by Chris Pendley on Sep 6, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking more of how SoCar stacks up in relation to UGA and UT.
They’re not nearly as good as their fans think they are, obviously.
by David Hooper on Sep 6, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Alright, that's gonna do it for me
goodnight all – enjoy waking up in the morning and feeling good about the orange
Will - Rocky Top Talk
Having grown up in Oklahoma, the Sooners are my backup team.
Luckily, they seem to have an agreement with Tennessee not to suck at the same time.
Money quote from their open game thread:
This game reminds me of watching Tennessee last year
From inocybe.
If so, we may be in business for therapy.
by David Hooper on Sep 6, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Misery is like matter
It can neither be created nor destroyed, just transferred.
by danmarcel on Sep 6, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
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