ON MY ALLEGED MIND (11-26-21)

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS: Long-suffering Tennessee Football fans have seen enough change, turmoil and incompetence off the field in the last 15 years to last a lifetime. Imagine being a player embroiled in a living sitcom of that magnitude none of your making. I can’t blame those who were promised a Cadillac and handed a lemon for looking for greener pastures. But I have an immense affinity and respect and appreciation for those who chose to stay and as Chief Lone Watie of Outlaw Josie Wales fame was fond of saying “endeavor to persevere”. Those who are listed as Super Seniors on the Vol two-deep are WR Velus Jones Jr, DE Ja’Quain Blakely, DT Matthew Butler, DT LaTrell Bumphus (possibly returns), and Star Theo Jackson. Others may choose to forgo an additional year but the above-listed will complete their eligibility.

Thank you, guys, from the bottom of our orange hearts. While many chose to run from a proud program in flames you stayed and not only extinguished the fire but began to rebuild the structure. I for one will never forget your determination, loyalty and love for my university and wish you nothing but the best in whatever the future holds. Based on what you’ve proven here it will be bright.

COMMODORES VOL FANS SHOULD WATCH FOR:

QB Mike Wright -who seems to have wrestled the starting QB job from Ken Seals- threw for 241 yds while running for 61 vs Ole Miss. Wright is 77-144 for 844 yds, 7 TDs and 5 Ints

QB Ken Seals has thrown for 1173 with 5 TD and 8 Ints

RB Rocko Griffin (413 yds and 3 TDs) rushed for a career-best 117 yds and a TD vs Ole Miss.

RB Patrick Smith (360 yds; 4.4 ypr; 1 TD) has rushed for at least 75 yds in 3 conference games this year, including 75 at Florida, 95 vs Missouri and 84 against Kentucky

WR Chris Pierce Jr. (53-609; 11.5 ypc; 2 TDs) had an interception and a TD catch against Kentucky.

WRs Will Sheppard and Cam Johnson average 12.6 and 9.6 ypc with 3 and 4 TD receptions respectively.

LB Anfernee Orji leads the Commodores in tackles with 81 with 10.5 tfl and 1 sack

LB Ethan Barr has 76 tackles and 3 interceptions on the year

CB Jaylen Mahoney has 52 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 2 sacks and 2 tfl

S Dashaun Jerkins has 39 tackles and 3 interceptions

WHAT VOLS MUST DO SATURDAY:

EXHIBIT POSITIVE EMOTION: The sentiments of Senior Day are sometimes harder on the home team than the visitors. And I can’t imagine a group of seniors anywhere in America that have been through more than those who have toiled through the travails of being a Tennessee Football player. Those who stayed the course saw an expressway full of departures be it teammates, coaches or administrators. None could be blamed -if after they’re introduced- collapse in the middle of the T sobbing and convulsing with PTSD (Pruitt's Tennessee Stress Disorder). The Vols have been quick starters, devastating lesser opponents before they get the misguided notion, they have any chance of competing. Let’s make sure Vandy is the team overwhelmed at the start and not us.

PROTECT THE BALL: One thing Vandy does well is take the ball away. The Commodores have 15 takeaways -13 of which are interceptions- on the season, as good or better than all but four teams in the SEC. Vandy’s only path to victory on Saturday is the Vols gifting them points with short fields or defensive scores. If turnovers are even the only thing that will possibly be in doubt late is the 30-point point spread.

BE WHO WE’VE BEEN OFFENSIVELY: Vandy’s defense is not good. Clark Lea may be a defensive specialist but he’s not a magician. The Commodores can’t stop the run (184 .6 ypg; 12th in the SEC); the pass (274.3 ypg; 14th); sack the QB (0.82 sacks/game; 14th) or keep their opponent from scoring (35 ppg; 14th). The Vols are in the top-third of the league in Scoring (38.3 ppg; 3rd); Rushing (205.4 ypg; 4th) and 6th in passing at 255.3 ypg. This is a very good unit facing a very bad one. Just keep doing what we do and Vandy will have a lot of questions with few answers.

WHAT I WANT TO SEE:

VOLS HUNGRY FOR MORE: The Josh Heupel-led Vols have been outmanned on several occasions but we’ve yet to see them ill-prepared or unmotivated. Let’s not start Saturday. 2021 has been the first overachieving season Tennessee football players and fans have enjoyed since 2004. Much has already been accomplished including bowl eligibility once a given but of late a 50-50 proposition. This year’s roster and staff have been lavished with more kudos and thank-yous than any in recent memory. Heupel’s Monday press conference was one of the more reflective in memory. It’s understandable ahead of Senior Day for the conversation to center on what’s been accomplished but stumbling through a ragged win -or heaven forbid- a loss to the hated Commodores would undo much of the goodwill that’s been earned to-date. Here’s hoping we see a Volunteer squad on Saturday still hungry for more.

DEFEENSE GETTING OFF THE FIELD AGAIN: For one of the few -if not the only- times this season Tennessee’s defense was excellent on 3rd down versus South Alabama holding the Jaguars to only one conversion in 16 attempts. They kept the Jags in 3rd and long most of the evening and tackled well every down. Vandy will come into the contest with nothing to lose. They will employ a four-down offense as often as the Vols allow so first and second down efficiency by the Big Orange stop-troops will be essential. Last Saturday evening was a refreshing respite from opponents approaching triple-digit plays of offense. Let’s have a little more of that this week.

CROWD HONOR WHAT 2021 VOLS ACCOMPLISHED: This team deserves to be shown how much Big Orange Nation appreciates their efforts this season. Let’s fill as many seats as possible and be at our thankful and high-decibel best for a team that warrants it more than any I can remember.

WHAT I DON’T WANT TO SEE

HENDON HOOKER PARTICIPATE IN SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION: What a difference a couple of months make. Hendon Hooker has gone from a “what the heck is this guy doing here?” to a “what will we do without him?” player. I realize he’s 23 years old and his stock has risen precipitously in the eyes of NFL scouts over the course of the season -and no one would blame him for jumping- but selfishly I’d love for him to stay one more year.

NEXT TIME: Vandy recap

CLOSING COMMENT: I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend filled with faith, family and football.

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