If you watched the first quarter of this game, you'd figure that the Vols would just roll all over UAB.
But then the first quarter ended and the futility set in. Erin Ainge, who lit it up last year, looked like a freshman back at quarterback. And I actually found myself agreeing with the fans at Neyland who chanted to put Rick Clausen back in the game when Ainge took snaps in the third quarter.
I did find myself pondering if Eric Ainge might not be the Ben Rothlesberger of college football. Last year, Rothlesberger overachieved in every possible way, setting up the potential of a disappointing season no matter what he does this year. I wonder if the same may not be true of Ainge. Certainly, I saw Rothlesberger look as average as Ainge did in the game he played against the Redskins a few weeks ago. And both had the same problem--overthrowing receivers.
A sub-par effort can beat UAB. It will in no way be close to good enough to go on the road and beat Florida in a two weeks.
I have to admit, I'm very disappointed in the team. Especially in execution on offense. Too many dropped balls and after controlling the line of scrimmage for the first quarter, the o-line just looked average the rest of the game. Our defense looked good, but the one big question about the secondary remains unanswered. UAB got some things done in the passing game against us, racking up over 200 yards there. And with the pass happy offense that is Florida coming up in two weeks, this is something that needs to be addressed NOW.
Don't get me wrong....I'm happy we won. But there are some glaring things that must be dealt with if we're to compete for an SEC East title.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 9/03/2005 03:22:00 PM |
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