Tennessee – Third Down For What

Tennessee Coach Butch Jones grabbed the microphone at the open practice held in Neyland Stadium in August and introduced the fans to “Third Down For What”. I thought he had lost his mind.

At that time during practice Jones had the Vol offense and Vol defense going up against each other in a third down situation. Jones urged the crowd to get on our feet to cheer wildly for the Vol defense. The Vol faithful quickly jumped to their feet all around me and just got plain loud. He said that was what he wanted throughout the year. I paid no attention at the moment, and turned my interest back to the play at hand.

At that same time ex Vol quarterback Sterling Henton, who was dj-ing the game, began blasting Rap Star Lil Jon’s “Turn Down For What” throughout the stadium. Immediately the Tennessee defensive sideline erupted with heads bobbing, chest bumping, high fiving and head butting each other. That music meant something to them. The crowd went wild. It meant something to them as well.

The play ran as designed by the offense, and the defense stuffed the play at the line of scrimmage. Third Down For What became an immediate success.

I personally did not realize that this may have been the single best sports psychological move in the history of College Football. The team immediately became focused and energized when Lil John basically screamed his Lyrics. This has been a huge success for Tennessee’s third down defense through 4 games in 2014.

The Vols were absolutely horrible on third down last season. The opponents time and time again converted third and short, third and medium, and third and long routinely. The Vols could not get off of the field. This was not lost on Butch, and he knew it had to become an area of improvement. Third Down For What became that battle cry early in 2014.

Tennessee ranks number 1 in the entire country in preventing third down conversions. Teams have converted only 20% of third downs on the Vols. Opponents have had 53 attempts and have converted only 11. Tennessee had individual games last year where they allowed 11 third down conversions.

The Vols are not padding this stat by playing Little Sisters of the Poor. There are games against Oklahoma and last weeks offensive juggernaut opponent Georgia. The Bulldogs were held to 1 of 10 third down conversions. (I must note they did convert 2 4th and ones. What song will be 4th Down For What?)

Tennessee will look to keep this streak up against Florida. This stat will play a big role in the outcome of this game. Florida Quarterback Jeff Driskell is a threat to run on third down and has done so extremely effectively. Two years ago Driskell had his coming out party against the Vols in Neyland. He will be looking to repeat that performance Saturday.

I may be giving Jones too much credit. Maybe this is all by accident, and not by design. Then again, I don’t think this coach leaves anything to happenstance. He knows what he is doing.

Third Down For What has received so much publicity that Lil Jon himself has reached out to the Vols. Who knows what will be in store this week within Neyland Stadium. Will Lil Jon show up in Orange or Smoky Gray? Well, regardless if Lil John shows up or not I can guarantee this much….. a good Florida team will show up, the Vol fans will show up, and I guarantee the Vols defense will show up on third down. I just hope it shows up for first and second down as well.