Oregon @ Tennessee preview
Neyland Stadium
Tennessee looked good last week in disposing of a lesser foe in its first game under new coach Derek Dooley. But are the Vols back? We’ll know a lot more after Saturday’s tilt with a legitimate, top-ranked team.
Because as good as Tennessee looked, No. 11 Oregon looked even better in annihilating its New Mexico. Tennessee smashed UT-Martin 50-0. Oregon was up 59-0 at halftime before cruising to a win 72-0 – and that was without its star running back. Tennessee held UT-Martin to 142 total yards. Oregon was even stingier, allowing a mere 107 and forcing five turnovers.
While some uncertainty still remains with exactly how good Tennessee will be, Oregon is viewed by many as the top team in the Pac-10. And with good reason. Last week’s scoring barrage was no fluke: the Ducks averaged 36 points a game last year, eighth best in the country. After a one-game suspension, running back LaMichael James returns to the lineup – not that he was missed in the opener. Last season he rushed for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns, and all five starting linemen return.
Tennessee’s young team will have to eliminate some of the mistakes (two turnovers, untimely penalties) it had last week in order to beat the Ducks, who scored more than 40 points in seven games last season. UT quarterback Matt Simms was impressive in his debut (14-24-181), but he’ll be without the team’s top receiver, Gerald Jones, who is out 2-3 weeks with a broken hand. Receiver Denarius Moore (ankle) and guard Jerrod Shaw (ankle) also are questionable.
Last week’s shutout by the Vols was their first since 2003. Linebacker Austin Johnson had a safety and an interception, and defensive back Prentiss Waggner had six tackles and a 54-yard interception return.
Replacing the departed Jeremiah Masoli, quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, while running back Kenjon Barner ran for 147 yards and scored five touchdowns. Cliff Harris returned two punts for touchdowns. The Ducks set a school record by racking up a whopping 720 yards of offense.
The Ducks (10-3 last season) obviously present a huge challenge for the Volunteers. With an encouraging win in the first game under the new coach, Tennessee and its raucous fan base are pumped and entertaining visions of becoming a national contender again, they believe. Beating up on a FCS school is one thing, but can the Vols defeat an upper echelon team?
Because as good as Tennessee looked, No. 11 Oregon looked even better in annihilating its New Mexico. Tennessee smashed UT-Martin 50-0. Oregon was up 59-0 at halftime before cruising to a win 72-0 – and that was without its star running back. Tennessee held UT-Martin to 142 total yards. Oregon was even stingier, allowing a mere 107 and forcing five turnovers.
While some uncertainty still remains with exactly how good Tennessee will be, Oregon is viewed by many as the top team in the Pac-10. And with good reason. Last week’s scoring barrage was no fluke: the Ducks averaged 36 points a game last year, eighth best in the country. After a one-game suspension, running back LaMichael James returns to the lineup – not that he was missed in the opener. Last season he rushed for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns, and all five starting linemen return.
Tennessee’s young team will have to eliminate some of the mistakes (two turnovers, untimely penalties) it had last week in order to beat the Ducks, who scored more than 40 points in seven games last season. UT quarterback Matt Simms was impressive in his debut (14-24-181), but he’ll be without the team’s top receiver, Gerald Jones, who is out 2-3 weeks with a broken hand. Receiver Denarius Moore (ankle) and guard Jerrod Shaw (ankle) also are questionable.
Last week’s shutout by the Vols was their first since 2003. Linebacker Austin Johnson had a safety and an interception, and defensive back Prentiss Waggner had six tackles and a 54-yard interception return.
Replacing the departed Jeremiah Masoli, quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, while running back Kenjon Barner ran for 147 yards and scored five touchdowns. Cliff Harris returned two punts for touchdowns. The Ducks set a school record by racking up a whopping 720 yards of offense.
The Ducks (10-3 last season) obviously present a huge challenge for the Volunteers. With an encouraging win in the first game under the new coach, Tennessee and its raucous fan base are pumped and entertaining visions of becoming a national contender again, they believe. Beating up on a FCS school is one thing, but can the Vols defeat an upper echelon team?