The Ingredients To Win

Like any good chef a football coach knows exactly what ingredients he needs to create the perfect gameplan.Unfortunatley this will be a recipe for a team that has consistently beaten us for 25 years straight.As usual on paper Kentucky looks as if it should dominate.The Cats are averaging 34.7 points per game 441.5 yds offensively and allowing 28.9 points and 347 yds per game defensively.They are in the top five in several SEC statistical categories,while the Vols are only in the top five in a couple (F.G's,Interceptions,Pass Offense,and pass defense efficiency.)The Vols are allowing 25.6 points per game and 381.2 Yds defensively. As we've all seen this season looking at a Kentucky game on paper and automatically assuming a win is a mistake. This Vol team is 100 times better than they were at the start of the season,the defense has went from being 62nd in interceptions to 17th,and 3rd in the SEC.Their secondary is without a doubt talented.They have a good linebacking corps and a strong offensive line.Although they certainly have passing threats,what worries me the most is the rushing game.Poole is a powerful little runner who will be tough to defend,especially for a team that has done so poor against the rush. Poor tackling form in this game will cost the Cats.I hope Joker did alot of one on one tackling drills,sled work,dummy drills,etc last week because we could use the reps apparently. We simply have to get a push up front and get some penetration. Tyler Bray while a good quarterback with a strong arm,can be inconsistent at times as he showed at Vanderbilt. He threw 2 picks to Vandy and let the Dores hang around for a little longer than im sure Dooley wouldve wanted. If he's constantly having to move and step up into the pocket to avoid the rush hes going to have a hard time getting into a rythm.I am concerned about the play action possibilities as im sure Winston Guy will be brought up into the box quite a bit if Poole gets going,which will open up this defense to give up the big play.Steve Brown better bring plan A,B,and C,but it seems that he only has a plan A. Off and soft coverage,too much nickel,and no attack from the blitz would be a dangerous scheme to run against the Vols.Poole is best when running through the tackles and while he doesnt have the break away speed like Derrick Locke hes not afraid to square his shoulders and try to power through you or make you miss.But comparitively Bray has a strong arm great touch and has suprisingly good pocket presence for a Freshman QB.So if you stay mostly in the nickel you have the chance to get burnt by Poole but when you start running fire zone blitzes and expect defensive linemen to drop back youre looking at an obvious mismatch with poole as a recieving threat coming out of the backfield on a hot read. With a safety creeping up into the box theres always a chance with this team to give up a big play to Bray and his WR group.While I dont think an all out blitz the entire game is a good strategy,you have to get pressure from somewhere as it obviously hasnt come from the front 4.Steve Brown cannot let this defense become predictable,this is a Freshmen QB, sugar up your coverage and try to confuse his pre snap reads,walk that safety up when they come out with run heavy personnel,walk him up only to drop back into coverage,put those corners up on the line and press,then zone them on the flat a little,take away the inside routes.With all that said no amount of scheming can help this team if they cant tackle the ball carrier. Other than Danny T this group takes poor pursuit angles and often goes for the strip first instead of the ball carrier.Or simply just bounces off the runner.The big key in this game will be can Kentucky bring down the ball carrier. Offensively I think you have to be able to control the clock with time of possesion.When you have a defense thats questionable and an offense with explosive capabilities you have to keep them off the field. With Locke as healthy as possible and Cobb coming off an awesome game against Vandy you need to be commited to the ground game.You have to be able to consistently move the chains and manage the game.The Cats have to win the battle up front and get that surge.If the Cats come out with the turnover bug and give the Vols a short field,or consistently go three and out their first couple of possessions they absolutley cannot win this game.Obviously you cant become predictable on offense either,so you need to mix in play action and the short passing game a little.This is Hartlines bread and butter. You get the defense concerned with the run and those short completions and screens and you open up Chris Matthews on fades,posts,and go patterns.With UTs secondary being 3rd in the SEC in interceptions you cant give them a chance to utilize their strengths defensively. If Kentucky can limit penalties,manage the clock,avoid turnovers they have a real chance to win this game.