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Five answers: Bulldogs 51, Vols 44

  • http://tennessee.247sports.com/Article/Five-answers-No-5-Georgia-Bulldogs-51-Tennessee-Vols-44-93340

    The govols247 staff listed five crucial questions UT had to answer in Saturday's game at fifth-ranked Georgia. Here’s how UT answered them - or didn't answer them.

    This post was edited by Kevin Ryan on 9/30/2012 at 11:49 AM

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    Senior Writer, govols247 Email: wrucker@247sports.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wesrucker247 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrucker247

    Wes Rucker ●

  • Dooley seemed peeved that reporters reminded him that this was the first time in years that we have effectively rushed against a legitimate SEC defense. Our ground game made a HUGE statement today. If we maintain and improve on that, other D's will have to respect our offense. For the first time, I felt like we were not one-dimensional. That is major progress. Go Vols!

    VolBol

  • VolBol said...

    Dooley seemed peeved that reporters reminded him that this was the first time in years that we have effectively rushed against a legitimate SEC defense.

    Yeah, he was. And it was hilarious.

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    Senior Writer, govols247 Email: wrucker@247sports.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wesrucker247 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrucker247

    Wes Rucker ●

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    WVa Vol

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    bigorange ●

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    "Old School"! A strong defense wins championships!

    volviking

  • Like your assessment bigorange, better than Wes's :)

    Pastor Jax

  • I'm confused. Everybody's so positive about a step in the right direction. Was I watching a different game that involved a team with a very poor defense?

    Billvol301

  • Billwood301 said...

    I'm confused. Everybody's so positive about a step in the right direction. Was I watching a different game that involved a team with a very poor defense?

    I think you were watching a relatively talented defense in transition to a new scheme, which tends to result in playing even a little less experienced than they actually are. Also think you saw a powerhouse offense on the other side able to take advantage of that.

    But a lot of heart and resilience was also shown, and some very big stops and turnovers to help give us a chance to win the game. Gave up a lot of big plays and points, no doubt. But never stopped fighting and left it all on the field.

    Octoberblue

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    "Count it down with me. Five, four, three, two, one. The national champion is clad in Big Orange!"

    kyvolunteer

  • Well Dooley said he expected growing pains in the transition to Sal's defense he just didn't expect so many big runs. He will get this corrected and should be a strong emphases during the off week. If you watch the tape on all these long runs they are virtually hitting the same lanes. Blocking scheme may be similar. You can bet your a$$ these other coaches are going to watch the tape and have similar plays to exploit this weakness. Hopefully during the off week and on the fly we can get this corrected. When Dooley has a specific problem he is usually very good at finding a solution just hope it's done quickly, well except the kicking game.

    dirtyred

  • Well said Bigorange! The bamboo grew yesterday!

    +1

    Btw, thesportsanimal and UT may issue you a nasty letter for using the trademark big orange in your handle.

    orangetex ●

  • bigorange said...

    I heard Hart made the statement that we were really close to turning the corner and that was before the game. After last night you can chalk up one more step in the long process complete. We competed the entire game against a top 5 SEC team. We bounced back from adversity, we didn't just bounce back when we were slapped around in the first quarter we took it and then threw our own barrage of punches, last year when Patterson dropped the touchdown the rout would've been on and it would've gotten very ugly fast. The same thing happened in the second half we just ran out of time. This team should've learned a valuable lesson that Dooley has continually preached about just playing the next down and not worrying about the scoreboard. The next step is to win a game like this. I really hope Bray stays another year for his sake he needs it because of the time he missed from injury. I think UT would be fine with Worley or perhaps Peterson stepping in. Losing the WR's would be a bigger loss IMO. I think all three could be top 15 picks in 2 years but I don't know their situations. They wouldn't get the $ short term but they would get much much more the following year by staying. Even if we keep one and the entire O-line this team will be very very good next year especially if McNeil and Bonner progress like I think they will. Add Vonn Bell and a healthy Randolph with another year of learning the Defense and most of the back end weakness we have is gone. I think Recruiting will pick up especially if we do what I think we can and should the rest of the year. Barring an utter collapse I think Hart knows he already has his man and we will return to prominence very very soon. I've never felt so good after a loss or so optimistic. The Bamboo is finally growing and I for one am ready to finally enjoy the results. GO VOLS!!! Trust in Dooley

    Like everyone else, I appreciate the "no quit" in Saturday's performance against a team with better talent on both sides of the ball. From what I have seen thus far this season, I do not believe there is a first round or second round draft pick on the Vol roster this year, meaning that all juniors should return for their senior season. All of them could use another year to mature and get stronger. If that pans out, the Vols could be special next year. It is hard to remember how bad this team was two years ago. Recruiting is going well. Not sure Sunseri is the answer but too soon to tell. This team will provide a quality win or two this year but the overall record might not be what folks want. I'm willing to give CDD more time based on what I saw Saturday. And Tyler, you will learn from this and get better. GBO.

    volnsc

  • I remember I think right before our last TD run - on the previous set of plays we ran it 3 straight times from @ the 20 to the 9 or so for a 1st down and I said to my wife "we haven't done that in like 6 years!" - loved the heart and what I saw on Sat save the porous run defense....we obviously need more speed in the back end but love the progress against a legit opponent on their turf....we got to get some of these games soon! Would love to see Bray and co. come back for a serious SR year -

    dsmith1669

  • Agree with VolinSC...I know they may want to move on to the NFL and get their Sunday money, but I do not see conclusive evidence that anyone on this team is a sure-fire first/second rounder. I see a handful of players that could hugely improve their stock. Maybe that will come in the latter half of the season. Or maybe another year at UT...we would be truly loaded. Hmmm.

    VolBol

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    DCVOL

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