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Pennington: Emotion gives Vols edge
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Fans talk a lot about X’s and O’s. Media mouths talk about strategies and game plans. But one thing that often gets overlooked is simple, old-fashioned emotion.
When Tennessee leaves the Georgia Dome floor as conference champions tonight (and I believe they will), it will probably have more to do with emotion and drive than it does scheming and drive charts.
That’s no knock on Tennessee’s coaching staff, but following their two biggest games of the year, the main word in terms of strategy was “simplify.” The coaches said that they stressed fundamentals and “went back to basics” in those weeks of practice leading up to the Georgia and Arkansas games.
The Vols got back to basics all right. The Dogs and Hogs were publicly flogged. No special schemes. No real running quarterback packages (with LSU’s recent woes don’t be surprised to see receiver Gerald Jones play some QB today). Just fundamentals and emotion.
In both games Tennessee’s players came out like lightning bolts on crack. They were super-charged and frenzied. Players who have missed tackles all year long were dropping Heisman candidates like third-period French.
Emotion is on UT’s side of the ledger again this afternoon. The Vols are playing for their first conference title since 1998. They’re playing to hush their coach’s critics. And their coach has cultivated in them a very effective, “nobody believes in us” attitude.
As for LSU, well, let’s just say they’re probably not going to be as fired up as Tennessee.
Last week, “Two-Loss Les” Miles, as he’s known in Louisiana, saw his Tigers blow their national title hopes with an ugh-inspiring performance at home against Arkansas. His team is beaten up and bruised. His once-proud defense has allowed nearly 1,000 yards in their last two games. And that’s not the worst of it.
All this week the media focus has been on Miles leaving the Bayou for Michigan. (Side note: Michigan, if you can’t win “the big game” versus Ohio State, why hire a man who has never won a “big game” for any kind of title as a head coach?) If that weren’t enough, LSU’s defensive coordinator Bo Pelini has been talking to Nebraska about the Cornhuskers head coaching job.
But let’s say the Tigers can get over their devastating loss. Let’s say they can put the distractions of Miles and Pelini aside. That leaves them playing for the SEC title (not as shiny to a 20 year-old as a national title) and a trip to the Sugar Bowl.
For Tennessee’s kids (and their fans), the Sugar Bowl would be spectacular. For LSU, it’s a short drive from Baton Rouge. It’s a return engagement (they played Notre Dame in the Superdome last year). And it would most likely mean a match-up with … Hawaii.
Hooray.
Odds are LSU will come out flat today. I’m talking “Tennessee in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl” flat. Aunt Jemima pancakes flat.
Which means that the Vols should carry the emotional advantage into Atlanta. I know the Georgia Dome has been more like a Terror Dome for the Vols since 1998, but that streak’s got to end at some point, doesn’t it?
So if the Vols do win today and claim their sixth SEC title since 1970, how will this year’s squad be remembered? Resilient is probably the word that best fits.
In terms of talent or production, would this team stack up well against Phillip Fulmer’s 1997 and 1998 teams? Not in the same zip code.
What about the talent-rich 1989 and 1990 teams that went a combined 20-3-2? You think Andy Kelly, Alvin Harper and those guys would like to go up against this year’s secondary?
The 1985 Sugar Bowl champions? Why, the way that team finished its season I think it could give this year’s New England Patriots a run.
Nope, talent hasn’t been the key for this year’s bunch. And neither has consistency. This team has had three double-digit losses (Cal, Florida, Alabama), two great wins (Georgia, Arkansas), a pretty good win (Mississippi State), a few cupcakes and three close calls (South Carolina, Vandy, Kentucky).
To be honest, this year’s team probably wouldn’t even match up well with last year’s Tennessee team. Both squads finished 9-3 in the regular season, but last year’s team whipped California, lost by just a point to Florida (eventual national champion) and by just four points to LSU (eventually ranked No. 3 in the nation).
The Vols also held fourth-quarter leads in both of those losses.
Ainge has been more effective this year, but there aren’t many other positions where the 2007 Vols look better than the 2006 Vols. Aside from the SEC standings, of course.
Last year, Florida didn’t re-open the door for Tennessee by losing multiple times. This year, they dropped three games post-Tennessee and UT took advantage (though it wasn’t easy).
So when the Vols capture the SEC flag, this team won’t be remembered as one of the deepest or most dangerous Tennessee teams. It will be remembered as one of the most resilient.
For the 2007 Vols, it’s not been about the journey, but the end destination. They’ve needed chance after chance, but they’ve always seemed to take advantage of the last chance offered up. I think they’ll do so again today against an LSU team that has a bad tendency of giving their opponents second, third and fourth chances.
Emotion is on the Vols’ side. So is resilience. And if the Tigers come out flat, that’s a serious trifecta paving a Big Orange route all the way to New Orleans.
John Pennington hosts the Hall’s Salvage Sports Source on Sunday at 11 a.m. on WATE.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by givim6 on November 30, 2007 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pennington got it right for a change.
Emotion and the underdog stigma is the edge that will win us the SEC Championship.
Go Vols!!!!
Posted by givim6 on November 30, 2007 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pennington got it right for a change.
Emotion and the underdog stigma is the edge that will win us the SEC Championship.
Go Vols!!!!
Posted by troubleinc on November 30, 2007 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope you are right Pennigton. GO VOLS!
Posted by bigorangetrain on November 30, 2007 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the WR's won't drop passes and Rogan has a good day in the return game and we keep Holiday from getting big returns we can win this game regardless of what LSU brings to the game. The off the field distractions for them and the way the Arkansas game played out has got to have some negative effect on LSU.
GO VOLS!! Make us proud!!!
Posted by sjt18 on November 30, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John, For the most part I agree... but you are missing one fact. Whether they have talent or not... this is the first UT team to break 400 points since 2001. That's also the last time they averaged over 30 ppg in a season.
If they hold on to that 35 ppg pace, this O will rank 3rd in ppg during the CPF era behind the 93, 95, and 96 teams. There is an outside chance that they can break the points per season record of 484 albeit with an extra game.
Unfortunately, this is also the first time in the CPF era when the D gave up over 300 points. Granted 150 were given up in the first 4 games and the D has done better since... but you can really lay this season's success at the feet of Cutcliffe, the O, and CPF for the decision to bring him back.
Posted by sjt18 on November 30, 2007 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Woops, they'll rank 4th but not far from third.
Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on November 30, 2007 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pennington, you make an excellent case. We're playing for everything, the world. Not sure if the LSU players know what they're playing for.
Chavis's defense is the key, especially the half-time adjustments he makes (and I pray he does make them.)
Posted by goeltzd on November 30, 2007 at 6:57 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tngeoff on November 30, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just win the game Vols! We have the talent. We have the coaching capabilities. We have the incentive. This team is showing the heart of a champion now. So it will come down to one thing. That one thing will be lived by only team tomorrow. At the end of the game we will know who wanted it most. GO VOLS!
Posted by philfan on November 30, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the difference between a divorce in Louisiana and a tornado?
Answer: There is no difference. With either one, you lose the trailer.
Posted by 02champs on November 30, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pennington's an idiot. I guess his "sources" told him this.
Posted by vegasvol on November 30, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LSU comes out flat? If so, I say VOLS 59, Tigers 20. Why not? It's been a crazy year!
Posted by reelvol on November 30, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On the drive down to Atlanta this evening for the game tomorrow I picked up Sports Radio out of Louisiana. The night before the SEC Championship and their call-in show talk was dominated by callers wanting to discuss the coaching situation.
The big discussion didn't even center around Miles or Pellinni - but on Saban coming back to LSU. (Now that would be great!)
I hope their players are that distracted.
Posted by DennisVols on November 30, 2007 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nebraska picks Pelini as its coach
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/...
LSU could not stop McFadden from running away from them and now their coaches are doing the same.
Posted by IPOrange on November 30, 2007 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The house of cards is starting to fall at LSU.
Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on November 30, 2007 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is going to be a lopsided game a'la 1985 SugarVols where the score was 35-7 (Burned in my memory like no other game)
Speaking of that game, does anyone from the Knoxville area remember hearing a spoof on the foreigner song "Hot Blooded" (remade as "Orange Blooded")...A DJ on Rock 103.5 WIMZ (I think it was) played this song 35 times in a row after the Vols won the game...I can't remember if it turned out to be staged but it seems he was "fired" after that night. Am I dreaming this or did it really happen? I can't remember the DJ's name but it seems it was Mad-man Jack or something.
Anyway, I predict a score on the same order of magnitude but instead of 35-7, I predict 35-14 Vols all the way baby!!!!
Posted by DennisVols on November 30, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What do you call 75 men wearing a special black jersey, sitting around a TV watching the SEC Championship game?
Answer: The GA Bulldogs
Posted by wheatbarley on November 30, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Win, lose, or draw, the Vols have overcome, adapted, improvised, and quite frankly, been lucky. Go Vols and Ooh Rah!
Posted by DennisVols on November 30, 2007 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In the final 7 games of the season this is what happened.
SEC Ranking:
OFFENSE
(1)LSU Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.57
(2) UT Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.14
DEFENSE
(1) UT Average Points Per Game Allowed: 24.25
(2) LSU Average Points Per Game Allowed: 30
If you discount the LA Tech cupcake for LSU they gave up an average of 36 points per game.
LSU could not stop McFadden from running away from them. UT held him to 177 yards.
For the season here are some more interesting FACTS!!!
If everything evens out and it comes down to special teams then UT has the advantage.
KICKOFF RETURNS G Ret Yds TD Avg
------------------------------------------------
1. Tennessee........... 12 54 1313 0 24.3
10.LSU................. 12 37 741 1 20.0
PUNTING G No. Yards Avg/P PR Avg TB Net/P
---------------------------------------------------------------
4. Tennessee........... 12 53 2226 42.0 214 4.0 4 36.5
5. LSU..................... 12 54 2339 43.3 188 3.5 13 35.0
PUNT RETURN AVG G Ret Yds TD Avg
------------------------------------------------
5. Tennessee........... 12 28 265 1 9.5
12.LSU................. 12 21 127 0 6.0
PENALTIES G No Yds Avg/G
------------------------------------------
6. Tennessee........... 12 69 581 48.4
12.LSU..........m....... 12 104 800 66.7
RED ZONE OFFENSE G RedZone Percent TDs R/P FG-AT Fumb/Int/Downs/Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Tennessee........... 12 51-54 94.4 37 15/22 14-15 0/ 1/ 1/ 0
2. LSU................. 12 61-65 93.8 43 28/15 18-20 0/ 0/ 2/ 0
FIELD GOALS G Made Att Pct
--------------------------------------------
2. Tennessee........... 12 21 26 .808
3. LSU................. ....12 23 29 .793ts
The stats for special teams an some important offense cat. clearly favor UT. It will be hard fought and even if one team builds an early lead I believe it will come down to the final minutes of the game.
Posted by eefor10c on November 30, 2007 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams and Pennington both picking the Vols. That is bad news. Pennington, I want to see a follow-up article on what your unnamed former players are saying about things that are wrong in the UT program. I think the Vol's record is better than Adams and Pennington's records in picking the Vol games. On the bright side tdTN says we are going to lose and thats good!
Posted by slovog on November 30, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now that the staff has proven wrong Pennington and his "unnamed sources", this piece's author implies that the big wins this year come from players' emotion and have little to do with coaching. But will Pennington adopt the stance, if Tennessee loses to LSU in the SECCG, it was because of players' LACK of emotion? Or will he revert to the "same ol', same ol'" that we hear from the losers/haters ... "the staff can't motivate the players", "bad coaching", "conservative play calling", etc.?
Looks like Pennington is merely exposing himself to be another wanna-be coach who can't do it on the field and therefore feels the need to knock those who can.
Posted by TommyJack on December 1, 2007 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SloFog: Gee, you seem irritable tonight.
Posted by bigorangelbcake on December 1, 2007 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anybody have any comments on Tennessee playing in the dome and on astro turf? Will it help us or will it hurt us? GO VOLS!
Posted by nicksjuzunk on December 1, 2007 at 1:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm stinking pumped as crap for this game!!! Even after Florida, I thought this COULD happen but I admitted my own half -blind optimism.
Now, the tables have turned, and yes indeedy, we just may take the cake.
LSU is still loaded with the talent but we ARE improving.
Another thing is the coaches are sure to play the "Everybody else is saying we are emotionally drained and distracted so let's show em'" card so I don't count on that being a factor although it could be.
Jesus said something like this, "He who has forgiven much loves more than he who has been forgiven little." similarly, LSU expected to be here. TN had to fight and scrape every inch. They want it more.
TN 34 LSU 21 (my call)
I don't know if heaven has odds on the game.
Posted by slovog on December 1, 2007 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll take no grief from the jacka$$ (TommyJack) who called Dewey "the old SwampFox" in the comments under Adams' "SEC title will do wonders..." earlier.
What an idiot.
Posted by TommyJack on December 1, 2007 at 2:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SloFog: ok, pal. the gloves are off. I'll be inspecting each of your words with vengence. Each thought will be monitored...each sentence diagramed. You're on notice.
Posted by cltvol on December 1, 2007 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
watch our young 2ndary win this game - hef will make a big play or 2 himself to go out on a high note!!!
Posted by marc_ash on December 1, 2007 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! Actually a great article. I'm heading out the door in 2 hours to watch the Vols bring it home!!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!!
Posted by UTvols12342000 on December 1, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I found a link to watch the game online at channelsurfing dot net for a free video feed. AWESOME!
I think we will open the game wide open, maybe in that 4 wide set with Foster in the backfield playing the pivotal role IMO. Ainge will get his fair share of dink and dunk passes and the screens, but it will be Foster, along with the line naturally, that will either give Ainge the time and protection he needs and the outlet he provides as a receiver that will determine the outcome of this game. If we get a lead, then we pound Foster till the cows come home. I firmly believe that this O line and Foster will control the game for us. I love our chances today! GO BIG ORANGE!
I also hope we have something special cooked up at just the right moment. Its been brewing all year, something has been in the cook for an entire season people....simmering, smoldering, growing......today, I think the our boys become men, and with that...a championship.
from holland
RTYAB
Posted by utvols1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This team needs 60 minutes of emotion - not 30!
Posted by pdhuff on December 1, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Emotion, Trooper Taylor, that'll be your call. Fire them up, you're the only one capable on that sidelines of that high a state of emotion. Throw and catch, hold onto the pig. NO FUMBLES! Somehow, somehow....
Posted by VolnFlorida on December 1, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MARC_A$$
Don't return. How long will it take Greyhound to get you there?
Posted by KCSD on December 1, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer will run out of bubble gum today. LSU 48 - TN14
Posted by IPOrange on December 1, 2007 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WARNING - slovog, do not try to match wits with TJ. You'll just end up looking like Barney Fife after a discussion with Andy. You've been warned, pal.
Posted by movol77 on December 1, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pennington, I am saving this article. And next year, when the Vols will proclaimed as "loaded" with young, experienced talent, I am going to serve it back to you. You are comparing apples to oranges...seniors to freshman/sophmores. You are a fine writer, but a reasoned football writer?
Posted by movol77 on December 1, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
slovog, you have outed Pennington again. Great post.
Posted by TommyJack on December 1, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IPO: thanks. SloFog is a Slow-learner. :)
Posted by bigfan502 on December 1, 2007 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IF VOLS LOSE...PLEASE MR. HAMILTON DO NOT ACCEPT THE PEACH OR BRRRR COTTON BOWLS...BOWL GAMES ARE REWARDS FOR THE PLAYERS...THE TWO BOWLS MENTIONED SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED>>DON'T ALLOW MR. SLIVE PICK A BOWL FOR YOU....VOL FANS MAY NOT FOLLOW THE TEAM IF EITHER OF THESE BOWLS ARE CHOSEN AGAIN.
Posted by slovog on December 1, 2007 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm very bright, actually. Bright enough to know that "Slow-learner" shouldn't be hyphenated. Very nice!
And I don't think I got a response in the other thread, TommyJack. Just which letters have you left off of the end of your screen name ... o-f-f, or a-s-s?
Posted by djstatik on December 1, 2007 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In retrospect this article was just plain silly. LSU clearly better than Vols. Much better than the 7 point difference on the score board.
Posted by cooperF2 on December 1, 2007 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ainge was the difference, it seemed like everyone else wanted it but him. Too bad, it was just the SEC Championship game. A senior QB with four-years experience has got to make better decisions than he did.
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