Why Tennessee Wins At South Carolina Today

Here is a quick look at why Tennessee wins at South Carolina today. Tennessee may be the most improved team in the country this season, but has very little to show for it in the Win-Loss column. How do they get it done against the Gamecocks?

First of all Tennessee found a quarterback that runs Mike Bajakian’s Zone Read offense the way I believe it is supposed to look. Josh Dobbs came into the game to relieve Nathan Peterman against Alabama. We do not have time to rehash that game, but suffice it to say that Dobbs looked good, and made everyone on the offense look better.

Dobbs can again take pressure off of the offensive line with his ability to add the threat of him running the ball. This holds the linebackers for that quick half of a second for when Hurd takes the hand off. No longer can the defense key on Hurd and hit him as Dobbs may pull it down and run. This also opens the quick pass to the tight end (which I think you will see a lot today). The linebackers have to respect Dobbs ability to run. That puts pressure on the defense.

Dobbs instincts and quick decision making will be key today. Tennessee was able to play faster against Alabama. They will be able to do so against a weak South Carolina defense today. With Josh at the helm, barring any silly mistakes, the Vols should be able to create some long drives today. Long drives do two positive things for your team. One, they generally score points. Two, they keep the other team’s offense off of the field.

I look for Tennessee to have a big day offensively. A 400 yard total kind of day. With the threat of Dobbs run game, the Vols passing game will become stronger as well. Dobbs missed two easy touchdown throws last week to wide receivers that were wide open. I don’t think he will make those mistakes this week. Spurrier’s defense is not playing well, and can not cover Vol wideouts all day long. Marquez North, Josh Malone, Jonathan Johnson and Pig Howard will play a big role today, but do not forget the tight ends. Last week, Ethan Wolf had opportunities, but dropped the ball on two occasions. He won’t today.

As far as the defense, well, these guys have been great. AJ Johnson has been outstanding. South Carolina has a big, strong offensive line. They can keep a defensive line off of their backs making linebacking play critical. Well, we have two of the best. AJ will have another huge day. It will be his responsibility to shut down Mike Davis, another one of those great SEC backs. Davis is as good as it gets. The Vols counter Davis with Johnson, as well as Jalen Reeves-Maybin who is playing just as well as Johnson. I like this match up.

Derek Barnett has been a beast in his first year on The Hill. He and Corey Vereen have done a good job “setting the edge” on opposing teams backs from their defensive end positions. That will be critical today against the Gamecocks. If we see Davis get outside the defensive ends consistently today, it could be a long day for the defense. I don’t think that will happen.

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So that leaves the Ole Ball Coach where he is most comfortable. The passing game. The Gamecocks have began to gel here in recent games. They looked great against Auburn last weekend as Dylan Thompson scorched the Tigers inept secondary. Tennessee does not have an inept secondary. Look for Cam Sutton, Todd Kelly, Jr, and young Emmanuel Moseley to have interception opportunities today. They will pick on Moseley, but I think he will be up to the task.

The Gamecocks have one of the best receivers in the league however. Tennessee has to deal with another Cooper this week. Pharoh Cooper is another big, strong, athletic receiver like we saw last weekend in Amari Cooper. We didn’t do to well against Amari. Ironically, that meeting should help Tennessee this week in defending Pharoh. The mindset to stop Amari in the second half of last weeks game should spill over this week. The defensive backs of Tennessee do not want to go through that again.

Tennessee’s backs are up against the wall. We need this game today in order to help the cause of getting bowl eligible. It is pretty much a must win with only 4 games left and needing to win at least 3. This is a critical game. I think the Vols will play with a sense of urgency. It has to be today.

I know it is a home game in front of a great crowd. I know Spurrier will have them ready. I know they will be jacked by wearing their new black uniforms. I know they want revenge from last years loss to Tennessee. I also know Tennessee needs to win more than South Carolina does today. I also think Tennessee is actually better than South Carolina this year.

So as always, it will come down to the little things. Kicking game, special teams, and turnovers. It will be no different today. I just think Tennessee needs this more, and wants this more. That will be the difference.

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