Three Things I’m Looking For In Tennessee’s Game Vs. ETSU
Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
By Cody McClure
The Big Orange home opener is just 24 hours away.
Roughly. Depending on when you read this.
Tennessee takes on ETSU Saturday afternoon with plans of advancing to 2-0 after last week’s 45-26 beatdown of Syracuse.
It’s one of those games that is unlikely to be competitive. A good ole, classic blowout against the Buccaneers.
Anything short of that will have the fan base in an uproar. But no need to even consider that possibility.
Let’s take a look at three things to watch for tomorrow.
1. Get Healthy/Stay Healthy
The old cliche. It goes without saying, but it is so important in games like this.
These “gap” games as you might call them — easy wins in between conference/good opponents — can be good or bad.
In terms of the good, it is an extra week for some players to get healthy without too much riding on the game. It’s not that big of a deal if some banged up guys don’t play. Keep rehabbing.
A guy like Jaxson Moi for example. Just go ahead and sit this one out and get healthy. Tennessee is a bit thin right now on the defensive line.
The bad, well… don’t get any thinner. The last thing Tennessee needs here is a Cedric Tillman vs. Akron situation.
Just get out of this one injury-free and be ready for Georgia.
2. A Big Day From Mike Matthews
We’re still waiting for a breakout game from the former 5-star prospect.
Not to say that is Matthews’ fault. The guy barely got to play last year. And Lord knows Nico Iamaleava wasn’t lighting up the passing game.
With that said, Matthews’ best game in his limited action was a three-catch, 30-yard performance with a touchdown against Vanderbilt. He had four additional catches last season with one other touchdown against Kent State.
In Week 1 vs. Syracuse, Matthews hauled in two catches for 29 yards.
Timing seemed to be the biggest issue last week between the sophomore wide receiver and quarterback Joey Aguilar. Hopefully they’ve continued to work on that in practice.
Matthews has shown a few flashes, but the big games just haven’t been there yet.
The guy has the talent. I believe that he’s due for a standout performance. It’s going to happen at some point this season.
It happened for Braylon Staley in Week 1. Why not Week 2 vs. Kent State for Matthews?
3. …72 Points?
BSE. Big Score Energy.
Games like this always have me point watching. I wanna see this offense CLICKING, and Josh Heupel has shown little regard for taking it easy against these type of opponents.
Some notable UT point totals vs. inferior, low-level teams in recent years — 63 vs. Akron, 65 vs. UT-Martin, 66 vs. Missouri, 69 vs. Chattanooga, 71 vs. Kent State.
Would I be content if we only scored 49? Yeah. Would I be happy if we scored 56? Yeah.
But I’m always on the lookout in these games for Heupel to break his single-game scoring mark at Tennessee.
As it stands now, the biggest number is that 71 vs. Kent State (it was 65-0 at halftime!)
I’m not saying the boys have to get in the 70s tomorrow afternoon, but I’ll be looking for it.
A fun exercise — let’s match our point total to tomorrow’s high temperature! (74)