Breaking Down Tennessee's Schedule

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Game by game match ups that The Vols must win if they want to be successful. I go through every game and show you the most important match up that The Vols must win to be successful. By no means will this produce victories. But this will showcase a game plan that will help the cause.

Please comment on the matchups and let me know what you think. I will try and comment you back when I can. Also keep on the lookout as I am working on a SEC slide show talking about the strenghts and weaknesses of every team in the SEC, Where champions are made. Year after year.

September 5th Western Kentucky

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 11: Chris Walker #84 of the Tennessee Volunteers walks off the field during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 11, 2008 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

On September 5th, Western Kentucky visits Neyland Stadium as one of the lowest rated teams in the NCAA. This will be a huge game for the Vols as Kiffin debuts in Knoxville. In this game look to the match up of the Hilltoppers offensive line against the new defensive front of Tennessee. The Vols will have to break in new ends Ben Martin and Chris Walker. If they can wreak havoc on the Toppers quarterback, then the Volunteer faithful will rest easier at night.

September 12 UCLA

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: UCLA Bruins cornerback Alterraun Verner #1 looks over the offense against the BYU Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 8, 2007 in Pasadena, California. The Bruins defeated the Cougars 27-17 (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Imag

The following week the UCLA Bruins will try and prove that last year’s win was not a fluke. This year look for quarterback Jonathan Crompton to show out against the 7 returning Bruin defensive starters. The Bruins return cornerback Alterraun Verner and free safety Rahim Moore.

September 19 @ Florida

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators watches the action against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Championship on December 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The biggest test for the new coaching staff will be on September 19th when they travel to Ben Hill Stadium to face the Florida Gators. The best match up for the Vols is Defensive Coordinator, Monte Kiffin against Florida Head Coach, Urban Meyer. The offensive guru of the SEC against the father of the Cover 2 defense, who figure out who will win the game.

September 26 Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 06: Boo Jackson #8 of the Ohio Bobcats moves to pass the ball during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After the hostile environment in the Swamp the Vols welcome the Ohio Bobcats to Neyland. Looking forward the Vols defense will have to be prepared for a strong passing attack by the Bobcats. Cornerbacks Dennis Rogan and Brent Vinson will have to lock down the receivers of Boo Jackson will have a career day in Neyland.

October 3 Auburn

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Antonio Coleman #52 and Chris Evans #59 of the Auburn University Tigers tackle Cullen Harper #10 of the Clemson University Tigers during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl on December 31, 2007 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by

October 3rd the Vols try and avenge last year’s loss to the Auburn Tigers. The best match up for the Vols will be Tigers defensive end Antonio Coleman against Chris Scott (left tackle). If Scott can contain Coleman, the Vols offense will have time to operate against the Tigers stingy defense.

October 10 Georgia

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Joe Cox #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up before play against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium on September 29, 2007 in Athens, Georgia. Georgia won 45 - 17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

After facing the stingy defense of the Tigers, the Vols will face the tough Georgia Bulldogs. The best match up for the Vols will be the possible 107,000 fans in Neyland Stadium against Bulldog quarterback, Joe Cox. If the Vol Nation can get in the head of the inexperienced leader of the Dawgs, the Vols can increase their chances of winning.

October 17 Off

The Vols get a much needed off week the week of the 17th and they must take advantage of the rest. If they can take the week and get everyone back to 100% then the rest of the season will be easier.

October 24 @ Alabama

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Terrence Cody #62 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jeffery Demps #2 of the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship on December 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

October 24th the Vols travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the 3rd Saturday in October. This year’s match up will feature one of the best defensive linemen in the nation in Terrence Cody. It will be up to Center Josh McNeil and guards Jacques McClendon and Vladimir Richard to establish the line of scrimmage.

October 31 South Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 13: Coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks calls instructions against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium October 13, 2007 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. South Carolina won 21-15. (Photo by Grant Halver

October 31st the Vols will host the South Carolina Gamecocks. This year will prove one of two things right: either Steve Spurrier has UT’s number or he had Phillip Fulmer’s number. So the key matchup is which Head Coach can manage the game better Spurrier or Lane Kiffin?

November 7 Memphis

The Tigers have to replace 4 of 5 offensive line starters and this will allow defensive tackle Dan Williams to destroy the Tigers hopes of pulling a repeat of the 1996 upset.

November 14 @ Ole Miss

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Jevan Snead #4 of the Ole Miss Rebels scrambles after a missed tackle by Rahim Alem #84 of the Louisiana State University Tigers on November 22, 2008 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris

In Oxford The Vols will have to beat the best overall quaterback in the SEC. This will be an great game of chess between Jevan Snead of Ole Miss and Eric Berry on defense for Tennessee.

November 21 Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Mackenzi Adams #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores passes against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vanderbilt Stadium November 10, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 27-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This game is dangerous for the Vols. If Vandy has a shot at going back to a bowl game look for the Commodores to be ready to invade Neyland Stadium. This is also a swing game to possibly make either team bowl elidigible. Look for The Vols to attack the poor quarterback play of Vandy.

November 28 @ Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 8: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats carries the ball during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Randall Cobb. The Alcoa native looks to make UT pay for passing on him a year ago. Can the Vols stop the attack of Cobb from every point on the field. If the Vols can stop Cobb, then the Wildcats have little shot at ending the 26 year losing streak .