UT-UF recap

Amazingly, Tennessee's offense and defense weren't terrible yesterday. Tennessee out gained Florida in almost every statistic but turnovers and points. And from what I have been told, those are two key statistics you need to win, in order to be victorious. But what's most disheartening is their ability to make absolutely egregious errors at the worst possible time. After a nice defensive stop, Tennessee got the ball back, and almost immediately Arian Foster got 15 in the wrong direction by committing a 15-yard personal foul penalty. That put them in third and long, which led to the pass out to the flat and the defensive hit on Hardesty as he was turning upfield, which of course led to the fumble and the score for Florida by jump pass. When they did get a nice drive going, running the ball, using the clock, keeping Tebow off the field, the Vols end up mismanaging a handoff in the red zone, fumble the ball, and headed back to the sideline with zero points.

Then there was the last drive before the half. Tennessee moves the ball into the redzone, and its first and goal from the 5. They run three ugly plays and its fourth and goal. 12 seconds left on the clock, with the score at 20-0. Tennessee should kick the field goal to get some points on the board and maybe some momentum in the locker room. Tennessee goes for it, Crompton throws a pick and its another wasted opportunity. Two trips inside the five and zero points.

One of the most frustrating things that happened yesterday was that they actually kicked to Brandon James. Who returned one in 2006 for a touchdown, luckily they called that one back. Then last season, they kick to him again, and he returns it for 6. So yesterday they knew that Brandon James should not be kicked to. They knew that they couldn't stop him, and what did they do? They kicked to him. They should have learned this lesson ages ago, and yet they continue to make the same mistakes.

Florida won 30-6, and from my standpoint it was a brutal game to watch. Florida has forced Tennessee into submission for the third year in a row, and it is not a comfortable feeling.