Why the Tennessee Game just got a lot harder

[NeuroHogg]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

[Porkatarian]

Michael Grant's knee injury.  He was by far our best pass defender from the safety position.

How is McFadden's ankle after that horsecollar tackle?

Porkatarian out...

[EastMemphisHog]

Injuries will hurt us. But losing an emotional game at home, that really hurts.

[excoach]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

[WILL CLINTON]

We will have to play a lot better next week, if we expect to win.  Ainge is twice the QB that MItchell and Newton are, and Meachem is almost as good as Syndey Rice.  Brett Smith is better than McKinley, and Tennessee will be looking for revenge. 

Our defense better learn to defend against the pass and not let a QB like Ainge do what a QB who hadn't played a snap in 3 weeks did tonight.  200 yds in a qtr and a half. 

Someone better get a Pit Bull mentality into whoever was calling the offensive plays in the 2nd half.  We need to go for the throat when we have the other team down by 20, not sit back and expect them to roll over. 

[The Hog]

Number 1 - No QB problems at Arkansas
#2 - Ainge will still be doubtful and if he does will he be 100%
#3 - We are the better team
#4 - CB Houston was taught all the Tennessee receiver tricks tonight.

[vol_in_ar]

If Ainge doesn't play, we know Crompton can.

It will come down to if our defense shows up or not

[101st Hogborne]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

The only thing that was exposed about our D was our coach. Herring insisted on Manning up despite Mitchell picking it apart. Hopefully, we learned something tonight and will improve defensively by next week.

[pimpndistress]

 Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

[vol_in_ar]

We'll stop the run and force you to throw the ball.

But who starts Mustain, or Dick?

And Meachem will have a huge day.

[EastMemphisHog]

Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

I wouldn't have coached that game any other way offensively. Defensively maybe.

[BigDawgHawg]

Any time you play not to lose, you almost always lose.  I guess some coaches cant get that through their head.

[beachhawg]

Hold up.  You cannot have a more sucessful QB against any defense than we saw tonight.  Call it what yu want, but not.  We will not have the same problem out of Tennessee.  Ainge is probably gonna be about 75%, so no mobility.  We now get to practice a week not worrying about mobile QBs.  Yu saw one of the best receivers i the nation in Rice.  Brett Smith is not that good, Tenn does not have a receiver as good as Rice.

[sevohog]

well if we had last year play calls, its a little bit different we are 8-1 and 5-0 in conference, so its a little bit differnet than last year. with out a doubt this is the most negative board and people there is.

[HogbyBirth]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

I don't know how you can get much better than 14 for 18 in the second half?  We do have a very weak secondary but you have to admit Blake Mitchell was on fire until the pick.

[Ouachihog]

Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

I wouldn't have coached that game any other way offensively. Defensively maybe.

Completely agree.  We actually gained 253 yards in the 2nd half alonoe (more than the 1st half).  In the first half we just got POINTS out of the drives.  2nd half we drove it down their throats 3 times.....1st time we kick a field goal from the 2, 2nd time we throw a pick at the 1/2 yard-line, 3rd time we miss a field goal by 6 inches.  Then on the final drive we drove it at will too.  Every 2nd half drive moved at least 50 yards if i am not mistaken.  The offense is fine.  The playcalling is fine.  Our pass coverage is what needs work, not our offense.  We had almost 500 yards!

[hawgfan80]

Hold up.  You cannot have a more sucessful QB against any defense than we saw tonight.  Call it what yu want, but not.  We will not have the same problem out of Tennessee.  Ainge is probably gonna be about 75%, so no mobility.  We now get to practice a week not worrying about mobile QBs.  Yu saw one of the best receivers i the nation in Rice.  Brett Smith is not that good, Tenn does not have a receiver as good as Rice.

Agreed. Rice is unbelievable. I know Meacham at Tennessee is good but he's not Sidney Rice. Our secondary got exposed a little bit but they kept fighting. And, as for the QBs, Casey Dick is better at this point. If it was any other position, everyone would be wanting the coaches to play the best one. I love Mustain and he will be great as a Hog, but Casey Dick is better at this point.

[ScotchHog]

Nutt's moods tend to last longer than just one game.  I seriously doubt Gus will have any input in next week's offensive game plan.  It will be - Run for 2, Run for 1, Pass for incomplete - for most of the game.
And yes, we are negative on this board.  Eight years of witnessing the same things over and over gives us that right.

[hawgfan80]

Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

I wouldn't have coached that game any other way offensively. Defensively maybe.

Completely agree.  We actually gained 253 yards in the 2nd half alonoe (more than the 1st half).  In the first half we just got POINTS out of the drives.  2nd half we drove it down their throats 3 times.....1st time we kick a field goal from the 2, 2nd time we throw a pick at the 1/2 yard-line, 3rd time we miss a field goal by 6 inches.  Then on the final drive we drove it at will too.  Every 2nd half drive moved at least 50 yards if i am not mistaken.  The offense is fine.  The playcalling is fine.  Our pass coverage is what needs work, not our offense.  We had almost 500 yards!

Good point. We moved the ball all night. Just didn't get points out of drives in the 2nd half. If we score a TD either one of the drives in the 3rd quarter....its a blowout.

[BentonvilleJeff]

Any time you play not to lose, you almost always lose.  I guess some coaches cant get that through their head.

No way did we play not to lose. We are a running team. We pound our running backs down people's throats. If we had not passed on third down like we were doing and settling for punts then that is playing not to lose. We won the game the old fashioned way, we ran the ball.

[EastMemphisHog]

I was at the UT-LSU game. Here's why I think we will win.

1) Their Defense CANNOT stop the run.....period
2) Ainge is hurt, and I doubt he starts next week. LSU nailed him on one play leaving him wimpering on the sideline
3) UT's O-line is terrible. They cannot block. Pass or Run. Crompton evaded tackles that would've been sacks if Ainge was in.
4) They are down on themselves. I was at the Florida game too, but Neyland Stadium was nothing but crying and cussing tonight.

[dirthog]

houstons has taken over the paly calling that will lose it every time, today we were lucky to win, in the first half though it looked like he were gonna score 50

[Hawgz4Life]

The difference is being able to step up and make something happen...the interception is what sealed the game for us. We were on the ropes, and would have possibly lost the game, but our secondary made that ONE crucial play when we needed it. But I agree, we looked waaay to soft in the secondary coverage for me to feel good about next weeks game, whether Ainge is hurt or not.

[EastMemphisHog]

houstons has taken over the paly calling that will lose it every time, today we were lucky to win, in the first half though it looked like he were gonna score 50

Are you stupid?

[hogwild84]

Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

I wouldn't have coached that game any other way offensively. Defensively maybe.

Completely agree.  We actually gained 253 yards in the 2nd half alonoe (more than the 1st half).  In the first half we just got POINTS out of the drives.  2nd half we drove it down their throats 3 times.....1st time we kick a field goal from the 2, 2nd time we throw a pick at the 1/2 yard-line, 3rd time we miss a field goal by 6 inches.  Then on the final drive we drove it at will too.  Every 2nd half drive moved at least 50 yards if i am not mistaken.  The offense is fine.  The playcalling is fine.  Our pass coverage is what needs work, not our offense.  We had almost 500 yards!

I completely agree. We moved the ball in the second half and left at least 6 (possibly 10) points in the second half. If monk caught that ball that ended up as an INT, the game is over. You just have to question why it took so long for Herring to make adjustments when Mitchell came in.

[WestMemphisHogFan]

Yes I thank HDN took over the play calling WE looked like we pulled out last years play book

I wouldn't have coached that game any other way offensively. Defensively maybe.

I was thinking the same thing.  You wanted to run the ball and take time off of the clock.  We couldn't stop Mitchell.  I feel like offensively we played very solid.  We missed some GREAT opportunities to score.  Monk missed a couple that would have been TD's, even though he had a GREAT game.  We missed a Field Goal.  Defensive played great the first half, but got schooled in the second half.  They will make adjustments and be a better Defensive team because of the second half.

Bottom line...8-1, 5-0 SEC.  WPS

[SquirrelMasterFunk]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

Finally intelligent post.

excoach and NeuroHogg you two reinstilled my faith in this board.

The Hogs will have a tough time pulling off a win next week.
This win is more costly than anyone realises.

[PigManLives]

Attention IDIOTS!  Monk dropping two TD PASSES is not playing to lose.  Get a feakin clue you nutt haters.  He catches those and the game is not close.  Great game by Monk but he's got to pull those two balls in.

[Hoot72]

The play calling did get conservative in the secod half, playing not to do anything that would hurt us.  But, although Marcus Monk had a great game, did he miss two in the second half that he had his hands on in the end zone.  He catches those two, and we are talking about how badly we bear Tennessee.  I am concerned about the defense, I was afraid that Herring would be stubborn to change to zone -- but he did when he had to.  The worst thing about next week, is having Michael Grant injured.

[WILL CLINTON]

houstons has taken over the paly calling that will lose it every time, today we were lucky to win, in the first half though it looked like he were gonna score 50

that's one of the problems, we should have scored 50.

I actually said at halftime, we should win 47-10, or at least 37-10. 

[Puerco Diablo]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

1.  There is no QB controversy.  Casey is the logical choice.
2.  Our secondary did a fine job.  They are alone in man to man coverage every time.  The defensive line didn't get the same pressure in the second half.  Defense got the stop when they needed it... interestingly, by dropping into a zone coverage.
3. Tennessee has some problems of their own. 
4. We racked up 500 yards of offense.  Half of those yards came in the second half.  What game were you watching? 

[sanfordhog]

From Tennesse site:

Fulmer on quarterback Erik Ainge: "He got tackled, and he not only reinjured that ankle a bit, but I think he hurt the other one a bit as well. In pregame, he looked like he could (play)."

Will Crompton start next week at Arkansas? Whoever starts, it's a must win game. UT can still finish this regular season 10-2.

[enwhog]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

I don't buy the fact Gus wasn't responsible for much of this.  Neither of our coord's called great games.

[Puerco Diablo]

Attention IDIOTS!  Monk dropping two TD PASSES is not playing to lose.  Get a feakin clue you nutt haters.  He catches those and the game is not close.  Great game by Monk but he's got to pull those two balls in.

I agree with you.  Monk had a good game but at times he looks lacsidasical, including the dropped passes in (or near) the end zone.

[threeNout]

I don't understand how Monk dropping two passes (one that richocted for the INT, and another at the 1) means we had conservative play-calling.

our playcalling was no different from the 1st half, we had a ton of yards in the 2nd half.

Our first drive of the 2nd half netted 3 points, I thought we should have ran twice at 3rd and goal from the 3, but we threw incomplete, and got 3.

Then we drove 70 yards, and Monk dropped the pass that was intercepted.

then we drove 50 yards and missed a FG.

We threw for a first down to run out the clock on that last 3rd down

Our 2nd half play calling was not conservative.

[BlackKnightHogFan]

Tennessee cannot run the football...that will be their downfall and the reason we beat them...period.

[Puerco Diablo]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

I don't buy the fact Gus wasn't responsible for much of this.  Neither of our coord's called great games.

We looked predictable at times... but it was plays from Gus's book that we kept going to.  I hope he was saving something for the Vols.

[GAMECOCKBOY]

i think the hogs will beat the vols....ya'll have a running and passing team...vols don't have a running game and they have trouble stopping the run at times...

[SquirrelMasterFunk]

Tennessee cannot run the football...that will be their downfall and the reason we beat them...period.

So that means they will throw it right?

Quick question, How was the pass D tonight?

Angie will light the Hogs up, especially with Grant gone.

[edinburghawg]

Some of yall are some of the most negative SOB's on the earth.  WE WON!! Hey Sir Pigs, SUCK IT!

[gsad]

Any time you play not to lose, you almost always lose.  I guess some coaches cant get that through their head.

We actually played aggressive I thought. We went after them and we won. Why stop running when they can't stop it or anyone else for that matter?

[Shoatly]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

It was pretty obvious it was Nutts old offense tonight and I dont care what anyone say's, he was telling Gus what plays to call. Your post is very accurate, our secondary is the weakness of our defense. Tenn will be much better in the passing game.

I don't buy the fact Gus wasn't responsible for much of this.  Neither of our coord's called great games.

Watch the game again.  Whenever Dick came off the field, he ran straight to Nutt.  Nutt was leading the offensive huddles on the sideline before the team took the field.  The second half play calling was vintage Nutt. 

[Atl_Hog]

We dropped sure touchdowns in the second half. Atleast 2 to Monk and one pass that had Damian Williams open but we couldn't get the ball to him. I don't think this was playing to lose. Also, our biggest concern for next week is whether or not Mcfadden is hurt or not. I love Felix but we need DMac as well to beat Tennesee next weekend.

[Nashville Joe]

Olajubutu was definitely not himself tonight.  Sure hope he recovers.  It didn't seem like our linebackers were mentioned at all.  And I believe that the announcers were right about the slant being open all night.  Blake was unbelievably accurate when he came in.  It seemed like we had good (decent) coverage on all of the big completions except when Grant or Kelly didn't help on the touchdown to the middle late in thegame.  I am positive that Ainge is not as accurate as Mitchell.
Both of our lines appeared to get tired mid-way through the third quarter.  
However, I think we'll mix in a little more zone D against TN.  We'll have to pick and choose a bit more when and where we safety blitz.
I believe we'll need to pull out a gadget play next week against TN, just to screw with them.  
Now Miss State decides they want to start playing ball.  
Why didn't Mitch Petrus play (or did he)?

[HatfieldHog]

Feel Free to add yours.
1. Nothing like a quarterback controversy right before your biggest game of the year.  I just don't see benching your quarterback after the first series.
2. Our secondary was exposed.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it will allow for some extra focus during this week's practice.
3. If I am Tennessee, my recipe to win is: Pass the ball.  Stack the line.
4. It appears that Nutt has taken over play calling.  For the 2nd half of the game, we looked poor.

Tennessee losing a game right before they play you, just gives them more incentive to play well.

Our injuries, plus Tennessee's desperation, will probably make next weeks game a toss up.

See ya

[HatfieldHog]

Olajubutu was definitely not himself tonight.  Sure hope he recovers.  It didn't seem like our linebackers were mentioned at all.  And I believe that the announcers were right about the slant being open all night.  Blake was unbelievably accurate when he came in.  It seemed like we had good (decent) coverage on all of the big completions except when Grant or Kelly didn't help on the touchdown to the middle late in thegame.  I am positive that Ainge is not as accurate as Mitchell.
Both of our lines appeared to get tired mid-way through the third quarter.  
However, I think we'll mix in a little more zone D against TN.  We'll have to pick and choose a bit more when and where we safety blitz.
I believe we'll need to pull out a gadget play next week against TN, just to screw with them.  
Now Miss State decides they want to start playing ball.  
Why didn't Mitch Petrus play (or did he)?

When Herring finally switched to Zone, and disguised it, with a "Man" formation, we got the pic.  Before that, Man coverage for a pocket passer, is like Christmas in November. 

One thing is for sure, Spurrier put a spark into his offensive line at half-time.

See ya

[artyhog]

Attention IDIOTS!  Monk dropping two TD PASSES is not playing to lose.  Get a feakin clue you nutt haters.  He catches those and the game is not close.  Great game by Monk but he's got to pull those two balls in.

I agree.  Should have been 2 more touchdowns.  Those are catches he makes and did make tonight.  Wish that he could have caught them.

You can not blame that on Nutt.

By the way, the hogs had one of their best passing games for the year.

[razorback903]

There was nothing wrong with the play calling in the second half.  We had two great drives that were only stopped by a bobble interception and a third and long pass that was dropped.  If it wasn't for that we would have won by 20.  Casey Dick had a wonderful night he was very prepared to lead the Hogs to victory and that is exactly what he did.  When you are playing a team like SC you can't afford to have many mistakes.  After MM's first mistake THE COACHING STAFF apparently decided that they can't risk this so they put in Dick.  If Dick started making mistakes they probably would have put MM back in.  But Dick didn't make mistakes all together he did a wonderful job.

Our major weakness was exposed tonight, but then again we all know that.  Pass defense needs some major work before Tenn.

Overall it was a good game.  There is not a QB controversy.  It is plain and simple, the QB who makes the least mistakes and can put a W on the books will play.

GO HOGS GO!!!    11-1 BABY....I BELIEVE!!!!
:razorback: :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

[ballhog88]

Nutt's moods tend to last longer than just one game.  I seriously doubt Gus will have any input in next week's offensive game plan.  It will be - Run for 2, Run for 1, Pass for incomplete - for most of the game.
And yes, we are negative on this board.  Eight years of witnessing the same things over and over gives us that right.

500 yards tonight of offense and 8-1.. I'm sorry but I love WITNESSING THIS. GO HOGS

[razorback903]

Attention IDIOTS!  Monk dropping two TD PASSES is not playing to lose.  Get a feakin clue you nutt haters.  He catches those and the game is not close.  Great game by Monk but he's got to pull those two balls in.

I agree.  Should have been 2 more touchdowns.  Those are catches he makes and did make tonight.  Wish that he could have caught them.

You can not blame that on Nutt.

By the way, the hogs had one of their best passing games for the year.

Yeah what these guys said!!!