Trap Game Avoided - Now the Gators

I didn't want to acknowledge my fears about yesterday's Southern Miss game, but after the Air Force game last year (a two-point conversion away from disaster at home) I was terrified of the Golden Eagles. After the disappointing loss at Cal and Floriday a week away, yesterday had all the makings of trouble.

Trouble averted.

The Vols were dominant in the second half and look poised to challenge the defending National Champs in the Swamp next weekend.

My concerns after the Cal loss and how I feel about them today after the Southern Miss victory:

1) Defense - it didn't look great in the first half, but the second half was promising. They don't have dominant athletes on the defensive side of the ball like in the past (Al Wilson, Deon Grant, John Henderson, etc.) and that concerns me. The secondary will have to play big next week and there has to be some pass rush from the front four. If Chavis has to call blitzes all game to get to Tebow, we are going to give up some big plays.

2) Special Teams - specifically, kickoffs. The defense has had a short field too often this year after kickoffs - that shouldn't happen. After Fulmer switched kickers in the first half, things settled down and the field got longer for Southern Miss. I'm not sold this is fixed, but it looked better.

3) 3rd & short - still trouble. The offensive line has to win the battle here. It may be time to think big on these plays as defenses seem to be aggressively attacking the inside run/quick pass tendancies. I'm no football coach, but it feels like we're getting out-smarted and just plain whipped on these plays. I would love to see us look to Chris Brown over the middle here sometimes.

4) LaMarcus Coker - wow, he wasn't ready to play yesterday. First he went the wrong way on a 2nd & short, then dropped a 3rd down pass. If this guy isn't in Fulmer's doghouse right now, he is surely in mine. Awfully selfish behavior this off-season that is affecting a bunch of teammates on the field. Thank goodness for Arian Foster's dedication and heart right now.

5) Wide receivers - with just a few exceptions, I am feeling good about them. Austin Rogers is becoming my favorite Vol this year and, despite lacking the big play potential of last year's group, this year's wideouts seem to be getting open and catching the ball more often. It is more methodical, but with this year's defense, that might be a good thing.

The Vols have certainly been more tested these first two weeks than the Gators, though that trend has held true for the last fifteen years and rarely mattered. If Southern Miss is as good as I think they are going to be (Bowl team for sure, possibly C-USA champs), the second half of yesterday's game might be the springboard of confidence and swagger the Vols need to beat Tebow and Co. on Saturday.

For now, I'm going to enjoy yesterday's win and wait to worry about Florida until...who am I kidding? Six days away...