IIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!
And it’s fresh-off-a-bye-week Monday, rather than the always fun victory Mondays we’ve had. So, sometimes it takes a little bit to get back in the swing of things from a momentum and anticipation standpoint. Let’s get that going right now.
So, slip on those checkerboard space suits, strap into cockpit of those orange rocket ships, and let’s blast off into a world of Tennessee Volunteer-related thoughts floating around inside my mind.
1) I have to wonder if we missed a shot at being a part of a second straight College Gameday broadcast if Arkansas QB Taylen Green could have drive the Hoggers down for a last-second TD against A&M.
But, alas, he couldn’t, and Arkansas fell 21-17 to the Aggies in Arlington to fall to 3-2 on the season and spoil our hopes for another weekend with Kirk, Lee, Nick Saban, McAfee, Desmond, and the rest of the crew. Instead, Gameday heads out to Berkeley for their first-ever appearance there, as the Bears host top 10 Miami.
Still feels like #4 Tennessee versus a ranked Arkansas team (likely would have happened if they won) would have been the choice. Oh well. On we move.
2) The Vols opened as 13.5-point favorites over Arkansas.
I’m a little surprised Vegas put that number there. Yes, this appears to be a very good Tennessee team, but Arkansas has been right there with everybody they’ve played. Their two losses to Oklahoma State and A&M came in overtime and by 4 points, respectively. Legitimately two plays could have Arky undefeated right now.
Tennessee can’t for a second believe they can simply show up and win. Ole Miss and Miami appeared to have done that, and it bit the Rebels and almost did with the Canes. Arkansas is a place where the Vols haven’t won by double digits since 2001 (13-3), and even that game was a four-quarter struggle for one of the best Tennessee teams in the last quarter century.
Better not have anything but this game firmly on the brain going into Saturday.
3) Looking at the game, I think the difference for me is at the quarterback position.
Might be an easy thing to fall back on, but the numbers tell me a few things. Outside of the first game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Green has thrown at least one interception in each game, totaling 5 against 3 touchdowns. He’s also been sacked 3 times in each of those games. His completion percentage on the season is 54.3%.
As such, I see a lot of opportunity for this Tennessee defense to have a big day in Fayetteville on Saturday night. And that’s what will ultimately happen.
Even though I think 13.5 is a high number for Vegas to set, I’m still going to go with this group of Vols to cover it.
Tennessee 34, Arkansas 19