Kent State Game Preview

I thought Tennessee would win easily but I didn't expect that. Tennessee's offense played about a B- or C+ game and they still won 51-10. NC State's only touchdown came on a pick six off a tipped ball. Tennessee's defense hasn't given up a touchdown since the 5:38 second mark of the 4th quarter against Vandy last year. 12 consecutive quarters. 3 games. The Vols only gave up 143 total yards against NC State. The fewest yards allowed by the Vols against a ranked team since the Auburn game in 1973. How good is this defense? We don't really know yet. But I do think we can safely say that the defensive line is elite and the linebackers are pretty freaking solid. The secondary still hasn't been tested and may not be for a while.

NC State kept Tennessee's offense in front of them. They tried to take away the deep balls and succeeded for the most part. It didn't matter. Heupel just went into 12 personnel and featured the tight ends and the running game. A new weapon emerged in Miles Kitselman as he had several key receptions and a touchdown. He had another touchdown that was ultimately called back but flashed some great ability nonetheless. Holden Staes also caught a touchdown. Dylan Sampson shined and Nico showed off his legs on a gorgeous untouched touchdown run.

A lot of people are starting to see what I've seen coming since the Citrus Bowl. Tennessee is a great, potentially elite football team. I've always thought the 2024 Vols could have a higher ceiling than the 2022 Vols. I know it's early but so far I'm tracking to be right. I've always bristled a bit when I heard people suggest that 2022 was the peak and no one will ever run Tennessee's offense better than Hendon Hooker did. I understand why people thought that. 2008-2020 was a very rough time and a lot of fans were ready to accept that our best days were behind us. It seemed inconceivable that the Vols could ever make it back to the top of the sport. But I never doubted the Vols could get back. 2008-2020 wasn't our new reality. It was a very dark exception and it was self-inflicted by bad leadership and bad hire after bad hire. No, our reality has always been and will always be that the Tennessee Volunteers are one of the all time great programs in the history of the sport. Our place is at the top of it. Competing for championships. Putting elite players on the field. Putting those elite players in the NFL. Until a few years into the Saban era, no SEC program had put more players in the NFL than Tennessee. Until 2003, Tennessee was top 6 all time in wins, ahead of Oklahoma, Penn State and USC. Until about 2008, Tennessee had the 2nd most bowl appearances of all time. That didn't go away because Tennessee was a bye gone program. It went away because of incompetent leadership. The void we left was filled by Clemson and to an extent Georgia. The potential was always there for Tennessee to get back to the top. They just needed competent leadership and the right coach. Tennessee has finally had that since January of 2021 and we are enjoying the fruits of that right now.

The scary part of that is, Tennessee can still get a lot better than they are even now. Recruiting is starting to rise to the upper echelon. There are two elite quarterbacks committed to the next two recruiting classes. Tennessee still only has 41 four and five start players on the roster. That's about 20 fewer than Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. Just imagine how good Tennessee can be as that gap keeps shrinking.

For you younger people who didn't live though it, this is what it felt like in the 90s. You went into pretty much every game expecting to win. Florida was the thorn in the side and Alabama was always a big deal but no other team really made you worry. In a lot of ways though, this era is more exciting than the 90s. Fulmer would get a lead and sit on it. Heupel loves to score points. Some people may think this sounds crazy but this era of Tennessee football reminds me a lot of 1990's Florida. Spurrier loved to score points and his defenses got better and better each year.

I don't want to get too far ahead of myself here but this is a lot of fun. Enjoy the ride. If you survived 2008-2020, you deserve this. Especially if you were too young or weren't around for the 90s.

Tennessee has a game this week but lets be honest. We're all looking forward to the trip to Oklahoma. We are free to do that. But the team has to focus on Kent State.

Kent State lost to FCS St. Francis 23-17 and were out gained by 120 yards. St. Francis lost their first game to Dayton and was 4-6 last year. This game is what it is. The main thing is to come out of it healthy.

Tennessee (-49.5) 70

Kent State 0

In other games...

LSU (-6.5) 31

South Carolina 20

Alabama (-16.5) 35

Wisconsin 17

Missouri 34

Boston College (+16.5) 31

Oklahoma (-13.5) 31

Tulane 13

Texas A&M (-3.5) 24

Florida 17

Last week 4-3(2-5 ATS) Overall Record 8-6(6-8 ATS)

Parting thoughts...

Kentucky is in for a rough year. They put all their chips in on Brock Vandagriff and he apparently sucks.

Frankie Jr. continues to randomly win games he should get blown out in. Guess he's the blind squirrel that occasionally finds a nut.

Texas appears to be legit although it's possible that Michigan just sucks.

Oregon barely survived again. Something's not clicking in Eugene.

Notre Dame isn't a threat to win anything of importance under Marcus Freeman.

Arkansas is a dangerous team. Luckily the Vols have a bye before that game.

Follow me on Twitter/X @Joshes_Journal

That's all I have for now. It's not a great weekend as far as big games are concerned but better Saturdays lie ahead in the near future.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe. Go Vols and God Bless.