I am happy to report the Golden Flashes of Kent State football team has stopped the nosebleed that resulted from the butt-kicking they got from the Tennessee Volunteers on September 14, 2024. With a half-time score of 65-0, the butt-kicking (yes, I am being polite for me) ended with a 71-0 final score. Fortunately, nobody was severely injured on either team, Kent State was able to cash a reported $1.35 million check from UTK Athletics, the Vols set a number of school offensive records and threatened others, Vol fans got hoarse singing Rocky Top, UT’s male cheerleaders added two inches to their biceps doing pushups after scores, and everyone left Neyland Stadium satisfied (for the moment).
The Vols win was expected. The margin of victory and the velocity of the onslaught was not what I expected. I thought there could be a bit of a slow start to this game after last week’s tussle with North Carolina State. After all, there were some expectations placed on UT going into the game against the Wolfpack and I expected a bit of a slow start following the dominating performance against N.C. State. As the score reflected, there was NO SLOW START versus the Golden Flames.
Some folks questioned the Vols playing their starters into the second quarter versus Kent State, and many raised an eyebrow when UT kicked on onside kick with a 30-point lead. My thoughts about both of those circumstances remind me that coaches coach and players practice to use their skills to play the game. Why practice an onside kick if you will never use the play? Why not use the game to execute a play you ask your players to practice on a regular basis, particularly when there is minimal risk if it is not executed to perfection? When you have a large lead, if the play does not work perfectly, there is insignificant damage to the team’s result. When it works, like it did for the Vols, the players understand that what the coaches are teaching can actually be properly deployed during game conditions. So, while some may have felt like the Vols were “piling on” with the onside kick, I say they were simply practicing in game conditions what they had practiced on the practice field and preparing for a time when proper execution of the play could well-have more significance. And the Vols paid handsomely for the opportunity to practice in a game atmosphere!
As in its previous games, Tennessee was again DOMINANT. The Vols had 740 yards of total offense compared to Kent State’s 112 yards. Ugh! Tennessee had 80 offensive plays to State’s 48 plays. Time of possession was close, with the Vols controlling the ball for 31:46 compared to the Golden Flashes’ 28:15. Final score 71-0. Enough said.
After three games, the Vols have scored 191 points and their opponents have scored 13. That is an average of a bit more than 63 points per game for the Big Orange. Tennessee has amassed 1918 yards of offense compared to 482 for their opponents. To date, the Chattanooga Mocs offense has been the most productive opponent in yards gained, amassing 227 total yards, and scoring 3 points. N.C. State scored 10 points, but the touchdown was scored on an interception returned for a touchdown. In short, after three games, the Vols played like a juggernaut. Now it is time for SEC competition – and a road game to boot!
Tennessee’s next opponent is the Oklahoma Sooners. The game will be played in Norman, Oklahoma on September 21, 2024, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. eastern. Like the Vols, the Sooners are undefeated at 3-0 entering their first contest as an official member of the Southeastern Conference, having defeated Temple, Houston, and Tulane. To date, Oklahoma has played a more challenging schedule than Tennessee. The Sooners have also been less productive, scoring 101 points while yielding 34. On average, Oklahoma has achieved comfortable wins in each contest. However, the Vols will present challenges in all phases of the game that the Sooners have not yet seen this year. Similarly, Oklahoma will present Tennessee with a physical and athletic challenge it has not yet confronted this season.
Entering the game, the 15th ranked Sooners are looking to make a statement to their new conference competitors and a national television audience that Oklahoma is a national title contender. Likewise, Tennessee is seeking to announce its arrival among the nation’s most serious college football elite teams and demonstrate to its season ticket holders their new investment in a 10% talent fee and 4.5% increase for football season ticket prices for 2025 is warranted! Though the administration of college athletics in general, and college football in particular, is tumultuous these days, I hope we can set all the administrative aspects aside and enjoy the pageantry, festivities, and competition this game will provide. Two important state universities with storied college football traditions will meet on the field this coming Saturday night. Perhaps we can ignore the craziness of the current environment and celebrate the night’s play. Even though the competition will be held in Norman, Oklahoma, it will be FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! I predict a Vols victory and happy homecoming for Coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee 38 – Oklahoma 23. Welcome to the SEC, Oklahoma.