Tennessee-Vanderbilt: A Microcosm of the Macrocosm
Vanderbilt 41 Tennessee 18
17 November 2012 | Vanderbilt Stadium | ATT: 40,350
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The Ancient Greeks saw the same patterns reproduced in all levels of the cosmos, from the largest scale all the way down to the smallest scale.
On Saturday night in Nashville, the Grecian Formula was in effect — the Volunteers exhibited the same deficiencies that we have seen all season long: (1) big plays/poor defense; (2) turnovers; and (3) coaching.
Vol Karma: Breaking the Groundhog Day Syndrome
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In the first half, the Tennessee defense held Missouri to 7 points (scored on a kickoff return for a TD), only 27 snaps, no big plays (none >20 yards), no Red Zone visits, only 4 first downs, and only 64 total yards.
Then, after taking the second-half opening kickoff, Kendial Lawrence ran a rather simple misdirection running play up the middle for 77 yards and a TD.
It cut the Tennessee lead to 21-14.
It cut a big hole in what confidence Sal Sunseri’s defensive troops may have gathered during the opening half.
It cut open the floodgates of the habit of losing.
Good Night, Irene
Maybe someday I will write a post-game article about today’s 51-48, 4OT loss to Missouri.
But then again, maybe I won’t.
Until then…
Big Things, Little Things, Everything
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Tennessee’s offense set a new school record for most number of total yards in a game (718). Tennessee’s defense set a new school record for the most number of total yards allowed in a game (721).
Both of these events happened on the same day, in the same game, which also saw the most combined yards in any Tennessee game (1,439).
During his introductory press conference in 2010, Derek Dooley said that under his leadership, the Vols would play exciting football. Saturday was exciting, but Dooley didn’t have Saturday in mind when he said this almost three years ago.
A Similar Script
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It would be easy to write something like, “It’s getting comical.”
The problem is that it isn’t.
Is Hart Listening to Ford?
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Alabama’s resounding victory over Tennessee Saturday showed why the SEC will likely be playing for yet another national championship.
Tennessee’s depressing performance showed that the decisions made in the coming weeks by Dave Hart and his advisors/financiers will determine when the next sellout of Neyland Stadium will be.
