UT Offense Sputters to 13-9 Win Over Northern Illinois

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer made an anticipated quarterback change, going with redshirt sophomore Nick Stephens over struggling Jonathan Crompton in Saturday's game against Northern Illinois. Stephens, from Flower Mound Texas, near Tatum (East Texas), managed the game well, tossing a perfect 54 yard TD pass, going 10 of 17 for 156 yards, with one interception and one fumble as he was hit hard from the blindside.

Unfortunately, the Vol offense as a whole continues to be much less productive than fans and coaches expect from what was billed in preseason as an explosive offensive. Although RB Arian Foster ran for 75 yards, UT managed only 225 yards of total offense. Big plays have been sadly lacking so far this season.

The defense continues to play well, and are ranked 5th in the nation in total yards allowed. Compare that to the Tennessee offense ranking of 97th. The question marks this year were supposed to have been with the defense. Northern Illinois, a decent mid-major team which scored more than 30 points against Minnesota, managed only 195 total yards and 3 field goals.

Needless to say, if the offense continues to sputter and is unable to move the ball effectively as the Vols enter the heart of their SEC schedule, it is doubtful the defense will be able to carry the team.

Tennessee needs to find a way to get the ball into the hands of some of the playmakers and better athletes on the team. Expect the Vols to play three running backs against Georgia, Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer, and to get the ball more to big tight end Brandon Warren, a transfer from Florida State with lots of potential. Don't be surprised to see offensive coordinator Dave Clawson figure a way to get the best athlete on the team, Defensive Back Eric Berry (from Georgia), some playing time with the offense. Also, one would expect more direct snaps to Gerald Jones in the so-called G-Gun package. Jones is a receiver who played QB in high schools and can throw and run. For the most part, the receivers have been disappointing this year. A good showing from this underachieving group is essential if the Vols are to have a chance to beat Georgia in Athens this weekend.

One can only imagine the pressure Coach Fulmer is feeling, with the 2-3 start and the self destruction the Vols have shown so often this year. Some remarks by retired Tennessee coach Johnny Majors did not help. Majors was asked about the Vols while a recent guest speaker at the Huntsville Alabama Quarterback Club. Majors stated he was not about to get into what was going on the Knoxville right now, but reportedly did say that Defensive Coordinator John Chavis has carried Phil Fulmer for the past 10 years, and that it was not surprising that Fulmer did well in his first years at Tennessee becuase of the "good program we left him."

Tennessee has too much talent to be 2-3 at this point in the season. Fulmer has developed a reputation for failing to get his teams ready to play up to potential early in the season, and then
getting them on track just in time save the season. ie, thumping Georgia in Knoxville last year.
It is that time again........Against conventional wisdom, I predict UT will upset Georgia this weekend, on the leg of Britton Colquitt, who is back from a 5 game suspension. UT 27, GA 24.
GO VOLS.

Thanks