Thoughts on the Vols: Crompton, Kiffin, and Those Pesky Gators

The Tennessee Vols find themselves standing with a 1-1 record after 2 weeks of games.  Those 2 games could not have been more opposite in spirit and play.  Granted, the opponents were vastly different.  Western Kentucky came into Neyland like a group of foreign tourists in helmets and shoulder pads.  This past weekend, UCLA did nothing of the sort, “out-physicaling” the Vols in a stiff test, one that rings true even in the score of 19-15.  So as we enter the “rivalry” (and I use that term loosely) game against Florida, here’s a few thoughts to consider…

 

1) Jonathan Crompton, wasn’t going to change with a new coach.  It’s mind-boggling how bad the kid’s performance was Saturday.  He threw 3 picks, and really could’ve had twice that amount.  Some of his throws even late in the 4th quarter looked like he was hurrying throws that he didn’t need to rush.  He constantly missed wide open receivers, and made poor decisions throwing into coverage. 

That said, Crompton was a big reason for the failures of last year’s team.  However, he never really became the scapegoat as much as Fulmer did.  Granted, Fulmer’s years of perceived mediocrity lit a fire under his own seat, but Fulmer wasn’t out there throwing the ball last year.  UT fans are sorely mistaken if the believed a change of coach would bring about a change of quarterback. 

2) The 4th quarter play calling Saturday was eerily similar to previous years.  There’s no question that any strength the Vols’ offense has lies in its impressive stable of running backs.  That said, when you show the opposing defense that you have no confidence in your quarterback throwing the ball, they immediately zero in on the run.  Before the final drive where UT had no choice but to throw, the ratio of run-to-pass plays was 17-5.  Unless you’re running some type of wing or option offense, consistently running with no variation doesn;t work (unless you’re playing Western Kentucky).  Certainly Crompton could’ve made matters worse had he passed more in the 4th, but by not mixing it up, it only hurt the team’s chances more.

3) UT must start winning the field position battle.  Only twice on Saturday did UT’s offense start a drive  on its own 35 or better.  That’s a problem, especially in a scheme where the passing game is non-existent.  Meanwhile UCLA began on its own 35 or better 6 times, not including the last victory formation drive. 

4) Kiffin is going to be a good coach.  He’s got the cocky swagger UT fans love, and even named his kid Knox, which endears him to the soccer moms around Knoxville.  He’ll get a pass on this year, and will get touted for a strong coaching staff and top ten recruiting classes.  But surely he doesn’t think the road will be easy.  Without a QB, winning in the SEC is next to impossible.  Winning without a crafty offensive scheme to outsmart SEC defenses is also tough.  Kiffin has a grace period, but grumblings will begin in December if the Vols fail to make a bowl.

5) If Florida wins Saturday by 50, will it really surprise anyone?  When I moved to Knoxville 4 and a half years ago, I couldn’t help but get inundated with the flair of UT football.  Part of that was the Florida/Tennessee rivalry, spurned on by years of back and forth smack between Phillip Fulmer and Steve Spurrier.  However, since UT last beat Florida in 2004, the Gators have outscored UT 126-53.  Ouch.  That doesn’t make for much of a rivalry.  Now with Kiffin at the helm, things have heated up again between the schools.  Kiffin talked some trash in the pre-season and even had the audacity to put up UT billboards in and around Gainesville.  That may be lauded in Knoxville as bold and ballsy, but for Gator fans (and most importantly players) it becomes bulletin board material.  Not that Florida needs any extra incentive to escort the Vols directly behind the woodshed, but Kiffin has added fuel to a fire that quite frankly wasn’t needed.  UT has a defense that can keep any ball game close, but when you’re playing one of the best teams in SEC history, it’s difficult to lay any claim to having some kind of edge, especially when visiting the swamp.  My prediction?  Florida 46, UT 17

Setting up the 2009-10 Bowl Matchups and Conference Winners

CONFERENCE WINNERS

SEC: FLORIDA over Alabama

BIG TEN: OHIO ST.

BIG 12: TEXAS over Kansas

ACC: VIRGINIA TECH over Florida St.

PAC-10: CALIFORNIA

BIG EAST: WEST VIRGINIA

MOUNTAIN WEST: TCU

CONF. USA: HOUSTON over East Carolina

WAC: BOISE ST.

MAC: CENTRAL MICHIGAN over Buffalo

SUN BELT: TROY

 

BCS BOWLS

TITLE GAME: Texas vs. Florida

ROSE: Ohio St. vs. California

SUGAR: Alabama vs. Boise St.

FIESTA: USC vs. Oklahoma St.

ORANGE: Va. Tech vs. W. Virginia

OTHER BOWLS

HUMANITARIAN: Colorado St. vs. Nevada

NEW MEXICO: Utah vs. La. Tech

POINSETTIA: BYU vs. Arizona

LAS VEGAS: TCU vs. UCLA

NEW ORLEANS: Southern Miss vs. Fla. Atlantic

ARMED FORCES: Tulsa vs. Air Force

HAWAII: East Carolina vs. Fresno St.

LIBERTY: Houston vs. South Carolina

MOTOR CITY: Michigan vs. Central Mich.

OUTBACK: Illinois vs. Georgia

CAPITAL ONE: Penn St. vs. Ole Miss

ST. PETERSBURG: Arkansas St. vs Marshall

PAPAJOHNS.COM: Cincinnati vs. MTSU

INTERNATIONAL: S. Florida vs. Bowling Green

TEXAS: Kansas St. vs. Navy

INDEPENDENCE: Nebraska vs. Kentucky

INSIGHT: Baylor vs. Northwestern

SUN: Colorado vs. Rutgers

ALAMO: Kansas vs. Iowa

HOLIDAY: Texas Tech vs. Oregon St.

COTTON: Oklahoma vs. LSU

GMAC: Wake Forest vs. Buffalo

EAGLE BANK: NC State vs. Memphis

EMERALD: Boston Coll. vs. Oregon

MEINIKE CAR CARE: Miami vs. Pittsburgh

MUSIC CITY: North Carolina vs. Auburn

CHAMPS SPORTS: Clemson vs. Michigan St.

GATOR: Ga. Tech vs. Notre Dame

CHIK-FIL-A: Tennessee vs. Florida St.

2009 Pac-10 Football Preview

PAC-10 PREVIEW

 

(Each of my conference previews are determined in part by using a simple formula using certain nine variables to determine a teams ability to win games. These nine categories are as follows: Quarterback, RB/WR/TE, Offensive Line, DE/LB, Secondary, Coaching, Schedule Difficulty, Home Field Advantage, and Player Experience. Each team is ranked in descending order according to their strength in these areas. For example, the team in a conference with the best QB will be given a one, the second best rated team by QB will be given a 2, and on down through the remaining teams in that conference. This formula goes on for all categories. After all categories and teams are ranked, those rankings are added up to give the team’s a total score. The lower the score, the more likely a team will be successful this year and win more games than teams with higher overall scores. By no means is it an exact science, just my personal predictions for the upcoming season.)

 

 

For the past seven years, the Pac-10 conference has been more like “USC and the PAC-9”. The choke hold that Pete Carroll and his Trojans have had on the rest of the league has been rather impressive, similar to the way Florida State owned the ACC in the 1990’s. But with the loss of QB Mark Sanchez and a severe lack of experience on defense, can the Men of Troy keep the dominance going?

 

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS

 

1. Jahvid Best will be in New York in December as a Heisman finalist. No, he’s not a quarterback, but he is an absolute speed demon who, despite not having much size, isn’t afraid to take a hit. Not to mention his moves, seen here:     He makes more cuts on the football field than Governor Schwarzenneger does to the California state budget.

2. Freshman QB Kevin Prince will lead UCLA back to a bowl. One of the most heralded recruits from 2007, Prince has the tools to make the Bruins at least competitive this year. Last year, 6 of UCLA’s 8 losses were by 20 points or more. Much of that was due to inconsistent play from their quarterbacks. Prince knows the system after one year as a redshirt, and is ready to step in with a capable offensive group around him.

3. Cal will dethrone USC and play in the Rose Bowl. The biggest question mark for both teams will be the quarterback position, but beyond that, Cal has much of the advantage. I don’t foresee either team ending undefeated, so all the chips will be on the table for their matchup in early October.

 

THREE GUYS READY FOR DRAFT DAY

 

1. Taylor Mays, S, USC- Could be the first DB taken in the draft. Great open field tackler with toughness.

2. Jahvid Best, RB, Cal- Speed. Quickness. If he stays healthy he’ll be like Barry Sanders at the next level. (Don’t get mad..I said LIKE.)

3. Dexter Davis, DE, Arizona St.- The only player in the nation to have recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons, Davis can get after the QB like few can.

 

Davis is hoping for his third straight double-digit sack season.

THREE “CAN’T MISS GAMES”

 

1. USC at Ohio St., September 12- Early test to prove just how “real” the Trojans are this year.

2. Cal at Oregon, September 26- The toughest road game for the Bears this season. They can’t look past Oregon to the next week’s matchup. The Ducks can play.

3. USC at Cal, October 3- There’s a good chance both teams come into this game undefeated, but either way, it will have a huge impact on who claims a trip to Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

 

Cal hasn't played in a Rose Bowl since 1959. Beating USC would help them get there.

 

THREE THINGS WE WON’T SEE THIS YEAR

 

1. A quick turnaround for Washington. Despite the end of the Ty Willingham era, Huskies’ fans won’t be eying bowl tickets just yet. Former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will develop Washington into a contender eventually, and Jake Locker being behind center gives them glimmers of hope in 2010, but this season, expect much of the same.

2. A USC QB to make the All Pac-10 First Team. No Palmer. No Leinart. No Sanchez. No first team QB. Does that mean the cupboard is bare? Not at all. In fact, depth wise no one competes with USC in the QB department. But whether it’s Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain, or Matt Barkley behind center, expect rookie mistakes this year from the Trojan gunslingers.

3. Dennis Erickson avoid the hot seat. That’s not to say he’ll get fired should the Devils miss a bowl berth again, but everyone expected more from ASU the past few years. They were thought to be one of the top teams in the Pac-10, but have quietly eroded into mediocrity. Now with the rise of rival Arizona, the Devils need to win and win soon.

 

THREE REASONS TO WATCH THE BIG EAST

 

1. The fall of Troy? Be it the Yankees, Lakers, or New England Patriots, every sport has their most hated team. That hate breeds typically from jealousy of a team’s success. In college football, USC is that team. There’s no question of the tremendous success that the Trojans have experienced. For the first time in a long time, however, they’re not a clear cut favorite to win the Pac-10. Tons of football fans will be watching just to cheer on anyone NOT named Southern Cal.

2. Jake Locker. He may be the best QB that you’ve never heard of. Despite playing on bad teams, Locker has provided some offensive spark to an engine otherwise dead. Perhaps now with a new coach, Locker can get some help so he doesn’t have to do it all on his own. Think of Locker as a poor man’s Colt McCoy.

   

   Locker leads a revived Huskies' offense.

3. The “Civil Wars”. This could be one of the better year’s in recent memory for the conference’s rivalries. Oregon/Oregon State probably being the most notable, especially since both teams should be strong. USC/UCLA will garner more attention, as will Arizona/Arizona State.

 

BOWL QUALIFIERS

Cal, USC, Oregon State, UCLA, Oregon, Arizona