The CheckerBoard

Let's see, A&M hung 17 on UF in the first halt with a redshirt freshman QB, no experience at WR, and a mediocre running game except for the QB running for his life on third downs (according to Sumlin, they were NOT running QB draws, the QB took off on his own). Yes, I was at the game.

A&M had none of the skill players that UT will put on the field, so yes, I think UT will score 30. Further, UF has essentially the same defense (actually much less of a defense due to the rash of injuries) as was on the field last year that couldn't cover Hunter and a bunch of less capable receivers than this year. There must have been 10 defensive holding or interference calls with several more that could have been called. Now that at least three of the best defensive players are out against UT, the UF defense will have even less experience and talent on the field.

Bray has proven that he can hold his own against the blitz, he doesn't appear to get rattled. We have more talent at WR and RB than we had last year and the OL is at least pass blocking as well as or better than last year. Yes, Bray threw 2 INT's last year; one was an "oh no," the other was trying to make something happen at the end of the game. He was sacked 2 times last year and completed 60 of his passes, even though UF KNEW he was going to be throwing every down.

And seven straight is history and has very little bearing on what will happen on Saturday. Will I be surprised if UT puts up 38 on Saturday? A little, but the talent is there to do so, especially against a weakened UF D. However, as they say, that is why they play the games. i will be in Neyland on Saturday to (hopefully) watch a UT victory. The last time I went to this game was 2001; what a memory!