Homecoming on the Hill

Congratulations on VOL’s on a Great Homecoming Victory

The Team looks ready for Mississippi next week.

I was happy to see Crompton passing so well, I expected more of a running attack but Memphis never went away from stopping the run, so the VOL’s continued to pass all night long. So I was wrong in my prediction of the running attack, but the VOL’s called a great game plan in working what the Tigers defense gave them. Mississippi will now need to work on a defense that can cover both the pass and the run if they expect to stop the VOL’s new attacking Offence.

Congratulations to Crompton for being selected player of the game and now leads all SEC QB in passing touchdowns as of the end of the game.

I was happy that nearly all players got to play in the second half but expected our second, third string defense to be better, however the goal line stance at the end of the game is something to build on.

I got to listen to the game via the net and was very exciting game

Good Luck Memphis for the rest of the year

Go VOL’s

Good analysis Robert ... but the big question is whether Memphis will beat the 26 point spread.

Memphis Tigers are 2-6 and ranked 6th in Conference USA and the VOL’s are 4-4 and are 4th In SEC East and has beaten #2 Georgia and #3 South Carolina and lost to the two 1 one teams in the nation by a total of 12 points, and lost their four games by a combined total of 20 points.

Win/Lose: VOL’s Win and move to 5-4 The VOL’s running attack will dominate the game.

Reason: Memphis Tigers, Defense give up a average of over 416 yards on defense per game and the VOL’s running attack lead by Hardesty will dominate this game on offence, Brown should get a lot more carries and Oku may run the ball in the second half of this game. Memphis Tigers are lead by WR Duke Calhoun who leads Conference-USA with 95.5 receiving yards per game and RB Curtis Steele ranks fourth with 99.3 rushing yards per game.

Six of the last nine meetings in the series have been decided by 11 or fewer points, but this one has blowout potential.

Things to watch: Vol's will run and run again and short controlled passes Crompton may pass early to build confidence and soften the defense for the run, expect play action passes and not many straight drop back passes, Crompton has 11 touchdown passes and just three picks in his last five games.

Expect a lot of VOL true freshman playing and possibly starting in this game, Kiffin used competition as a motivator for this game, the VOL’s biggest enemy for this game is for the VOL’s to over look Memphis and play flat.

Hardesty, Brown and OKU all should have a big day rushing and receiving. The Offense line is improving and getting healthy and the receivers are catching and making big gains after the catch. Nu'Keese Richardson had a problem early in the week but expect a big game form him this week.
Hardesty will be running hard in attempt to go over 1000 yards for the year he needs 159 yard for the game to do so against a poor run defense. In the past five games, the Tigers have allowed 200 or more rushing yards to four opponents. In last week's loss to East Carolina, the Tigers yielded a season-high 275 yards. Tigers Defense ranks 105th nationally of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

The VOL's Defense has greatly improved each week and the VOL’s defense is 15th nationally against the pass and 13th in total yardage per game and has steadily moved up in the ranking. The defense took some big blows on injury department against South Carolina none more dramatic as the linebackers and this week three true freshman may start and or see significant playing time at linebacker positions. For the fourth game in a row the defensive will have to cover one of the top receivers in the nation.

The Tigers are eighth in the conference USA in total defense (416.5) and scoring defense (30.4). They are dead last in red-zone defense, allowing 28 scores (18 TDs) on their opponents’ 30 possessions inside the 20-yard line (93.3 percent).

The VOL's Special teams will have to improve the Memphis Tigers return man Curtis Johnson has 255 return yards and a average of 21.3 yards per return, the Memphis Tigers Matt Reagan is one of the Conference-USA punters named as candidates for the 2009 Ray Guy Award. He has averaged 45.3 yards on 43 punts with 18 inside the 20 and 13 kicks of 50 or more yards, including a long of 65 yards.

There will be several recruits in the stands this week and last week the VOL’s picked up commitments from two Junior College players that should come in and make a impact next year, Ken Adams The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Tight end, who is expected to start but depending on the makeup of the offense line next year may move to Offensive Tackle. The VOL’s also improved at Wide Receiver with four star Kenbrell Thompkins a lean, strong 6-2 and 185 pounds. He runs solid routes and is the type of player that has such an easy stride that he never appears to be working that hard as he glides by the defenders. He adjusts well to the ball in the air and uses his hands to meet the ball rather than have it come into his body.

The High School and Junior College season is winding down so except recruiting to start picking up.

With the upcoming game this game will be very important to get a lead early and rest some key players for the upcoming game against Mississippi who was ranked in the top ten this season prior to SEC play.

Let the new era continue

Just a prediction from Afghanistan

Go VOL's Happy Homecoming

Good Luck Tigers and I hope no one gets injured for ether team.