Coach didn’t say it but we think the proverbial hay is in the barn. Saturday was a make-believe Tennessee game day to rehearse final details.
You go there. You stand here. Avoid confusion. Be sure you know who will cover punts and who will help with returns. Certain assistant coaches are assigned to the press box and others will be on the crowded sideline.
Kickoff at Neyland Stadium (preserved by Pilot) is set for 3:30 on September 5. The matchup with Furman did not attract network television. The show will be on ESPN+ and the plus part of the SEC Network. That may encourage you to pay extra.
Vol Network radio does not charge listeners. Forty sponsors will pay production costs. Mike Keith and new color analyst Jayson Swain will describe the action. Swain is a former wide receiver of some renown.
Hay in the barn? It seems Derek Owings exceeded expectations in his nine-month crash course in greater strength and speed. Jim Knowles implied that smart Volunteers have learned much of his defense.
Josh Heupel and Joey Halzle have supposedly prepared Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre for exciting days ahead. Hopefully both plus Ryan Staub will get to play against the purple Paladins.
Hopefully (again) Glen Elarbee has guided the experienced offensive line toward improvement. We know the group is a year older.
“All of us are really just focusing on violence,” said guard Sham Umarov.
DeSean Bishop and the other running backs may be outstanding. Could be receivers will actually catch more passes. Maybe there is a replacement for Chris Brazzell.
The defensive front is younger and not as deep as desired. There are more linebackers than playing time. Thank goodness the secondary is almost guaranteed to be better.
Half of the kicking game is good. It remains to be seen if returns make more impact.
Generally speaking, the team appears healthy. Tight end Ethan Davis missed almost all preparation with a knee sprain suffered in an awkward landing – before players even had pads in place. That may or may not put DeSaahn Brame in the starting lineup.
Just guessing Furman might be overmatched by two or three touchdowns. The Paladins did win their opener, 20-3, over Division 2 Anderson College. Their running attack was more productive than the passing game.
Quarterback Jake Garcia does have an interesting road record. He was originally a four-star recruit who started one game in two years at Miami, moved to Missouri and on to East Carolina.
He became the Pirates’ starting quarterback but lost that job after throwing 12 interceptions in six games. Surprisingly, his next stop was Michigan. He appeared in one game for the Wolverines but had no statistics.
The Vols and the sellout crowd will check him out.
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