University of Tennessee
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Students: 27,523 (undergrad 21,308)
Stadium: Neyland Stadium (capacity 102,455)
Overall record vs. USC: Tennessee leads series 22-5-2
2011 Record: 3-4 (0-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Derek Dooley ( 9-11 as Vols Head Coach)
Famous Alumni: Dixie Carter (Actor Designing Women), Deana Carter (country singer), Dave Ramsey (Financial Guru), Min Keo (Founder of Garmin), Paul Finebaum (radio host and journalist), and Peyton Manning ( NFL)
Let’s get to the Game:
South Carolina hasn’t had much luck winning in Knoxville, only winning once in 15 meetings. Both teams have had the injury bug bit and will be looking for replacements to step-up on Saturday. Not sure which is a bigger loss, Lattimore to the Gamecocks or Bray for Tennessee.
Tennessee on Offense: Tennessee has relied on the pass for most of the season but starting a freshman QB against one of the top pass defenses in the SEC is a interesting storyline. Coach Dooley will look to run the ball with Tauren Poole, a 1000 yard rusher last season, to help his young QB. So far this season, Poole has rushed for 462 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. As for wide receivers, Worley will look to get the ball in the hands of Da’Rick Rogers since the injury to Justin Hunter. On the season, Rogers has 37 catches for 608 yards and 6 touchdowns. Hunter is a big loss for UT as he had 17 catches for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns before the injury. Rogers is a big WR and has the ability to cause problems for USC’s secondary if allowed too. The wild card will be what Worley can do against the USC defense. Worley was National Player of the Year last year out of South Carolina but was not recruited by the Gamecocks (which we still can not understand).
Vols on Defense: Tennessee played Alabama tough last week in the first half before being blown out in the second half. Alabama did bring in the top scoring offense in the SEC, and was shut down by the Vol defense for a half before giving up 31 points in the second. Through 7 games the Vols defense is giving up on average 25 points per game, and 362 yards per game. Some key performers on defense for the Vols are A.J. Johnson and Austin Johnson, both with 45 tackles on the season. Linebacker play will be key for the Vols as freshman Brandon Wilds will get his first start for the Gamecocks. If the Vols can not stop the run, look for Spurrier to throw the playbook at them. Another key contributor to the Vols defense is Jacques Smith who has 5 tackles for lose on the season.
Prediction Time: While the children in Columbia are trick or treating…Clowney, Ingram and Allen will be teaching Worley about SEC football. It will be a defensive battle at first as both offensives will strugle to move the ball in the first half. That will all change just like last week, once Spurrier opens up the playbook. Wilds is no Lattimore but he will be affective at times. He will keep the Vols defense on their toes as Spurrier works to open it up for Alshon, Ace and Byrd to get there catches. Look for Bruce Ellington to have another big game and get the ball in different situations throughout the game.
In the end the Gamecocks will prevail
Carolina 21 Tennessee 13
Happy Halloween Gamecock Nation.
