Game of the Week: UT v. Cal
Although it isn’t easy for anyone, one has to commend Phil Fulmer and the Vols for going out of conference and across the country to test themselves right off the bat. The last three UT/Cal games have been played in Knoxville, and now that the Bears have a very solid team, they thought it was high-time to bring it out to Berkeley. UT is solid on offense and defense, but DeSean Jackson will play an extremely pivotal role returning kicks and catching passes. The loss of Marshawn Lynch may cost the Bears, especially if their running game doesn’t produce. However, if Nate Longshore can limit his mistakes and get Jackson touches, it may be all she wrote for the Vols. Contrarily, if UT is able to shut Jackson down, Cal doesn’t have a chance.
On offense, UT may be in more trouble than expected. Erik Ainge has a broken finger; although he says he will play, it remains to be seen how effective he will be. LeMarcus Coker, cleared from his suspension by Fulmer will need a big game to supplement Ainge and the questionable passing attack of the Vols. Ainge has gotten a lot of publicity this offseason; now he needs to produce.
In the end, UT wins this game. They have experience and a solid defense and I see Jackson getting shut down and Longshore throwing at least two interceptions. If this happens, it will be a relatively easy win for the Vols. However, if Longshore is effective and Jackson is able to get the ball, look for Cal to win going away. It could almost go either way, I just see the former as being more likely to occur.
As for the LSU/MSU game I see a bloodbath. As I said yesterday, over at halftime.
Upset pick tomorrow…
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