We all know where this is headed, so we’ll let UT go first.
MTSU vs. Tennessee
What Mike said:
The Blue Streaks come in super fired up and hang tough for a half. UT scores 4 times in the second half to put the game away. Final score UT 38-13 8-1
What Steve said:
Thank goodness for November! I won’t predict a Vols loss here because they are better than the Blue Raiders, but this has trap game written all over it. Rick Stockstill is an excellent coach who recognizes what a win here would do for his program. More than that, he’s an excellent coach not coming off a four game murderer’s row hoping for a breather before facing it’s fifth nationally-ranked program in six weeks. The Vols letdown, but not enough to lose. Score UT 23-20
What actually happened: The Vols cruised in the first half scoring four times, and taking a 24-0 lead into the break. It was all they would need as the second half was scoreless for both teams.
Mike’s reviews, retractions, and/or mea culpas: I didn’t give the defense enough credit. I’ll take a shut-out any day of the week, and twice on Saturday. I sorta had this prediction right and backwards. I thought UT would struggle in the first half, and blow them out in the second. They took care of business in the first, and never let it get closer. The lack of a running game is disconcerting though. MTSU came into the game 113th in the country against the run, and UT still couldn’t move the ball on the ground. Justin Worley had a good game 23-32 for 291 and a touchdown. He looked sharper than he did against South Carolina, but it’s MTSU. But, it was a win.
Steve’s reviews, retractions, and/or mea culpas:The Vols didn’t let down, and they managed a shutout. Not only that, they scored more points than I gave them credit for (by one) for the first time since Cincinnati. The lack of a running game isn’t going to do Worley any favors next week against Arkansas, but for now, he looks like a kid with a great arm who needs time to develop.
LSU vs. Alabama
What Steve said:
LSU could come into this game 0-8 and I would still be antsy. I used to believe Les Miles was lucky, but luck isn’t as sustainable as he’s made it. This game has been a nailbiter since Coach Saban got to Tuscaloosa, and this version is no different. Jalston Fowler will be called for unsportsmanlike conduct for diving into the end zone from the four at the end of a long run. Alabama fans would argue that he was stretching for the pylon to avoid getting knocked out of bounds short of the go-ahead TD. Alabama will then fail to advance from the 19 on three consecutive downs and then to pour salt in the wound, Jeremy Shelley will miss the field goal. With ten seconds left and a two point lead, LSU inexplicably elects to snap the ball and take a knee on fourth down from their own 25. Alabama ball. Cade Foster hits the 42 yarder for the one-point win. Score: Alabama 24 – 23
What Mike said:
Breathe easy Steve. Les Miles’ luck runs amok. The Tigers play well for the first half. Zach Mettenberger’s first trip to Tuscaloosa is not a fun affair for him. LSU runs into a fired up Tide team. Alabama 20-6
What actually happened: Those prepared for an epic defensive battle got that and then some. Both teams played well, but neither was perfect and the Tide’s mistakes were certainly more costly. While most point to the kicking — myself included — the two plays that were the real difference in the game didn’t involve special teams. The first was Mark Barron’s interception. He returned the ball to the LSU five yard line only to have it called back because of a block in the back at the twenty-five. The second was the interception at the goal line that killed what was a to that point a solid drive that featured Trent Richardson doing what he does best, breaking tackles for a big gain. Still, the score may not have been large, but the game left very little doubt as to who the two best teams in the country were, and that they played to a standstill in regulation reinforced that.
Steve’s reviews, retractions, and/or mea culpas: All good things must come to an end, and my perfect record is no exception. I’m now 16-1 on the season. And disappointed, but only in the circumstances. Alabama has nothing to be ashamed of in losing in overtime to the top team in the country. As for my prediction, obviously it was so hyper-specific as to have practically no chance of being accurate. I missed the points scored pretty dramatically, but the most ironic part was suggesting Alabama would hit a field goal to win it.
Mike’s reviews, retractions, and/or mea culpas: Such is the danger of making pre-season judgements on games in November. LSU is good, much better than I expected. I know several columnists around the country bemoaned the fact that this was a “boring” game. Said columnists don’t understand football then. I couldn’t agree more with Steve’s suggestion that the block in the back killed Alabama. No way Trent Richardson gets denied four times from inside his own five. My prediction was obviously wrong. Zach Mettenberger never even saw the field. Had he seen it though, well then maybe I would’ve been right! After all LSU only scored six in regulation.
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