The Tennessee Volunteers Will Regain Their Home-Field Advantage
The Tennessee Volunteers college football program has struggled recently. Surprisingly the Volunteers have struggle both on the road and at home. With a capacity of more than 100,000 fans, Neyland Stadium is certainly one of the more raucous venues in college football. The perception is that visiting teams are easily intimidated by the noise and atmosphere in Knoxville, Tenn. The reality has been different in recent seasons. In the 1990s, Tennessee was one of the top five programs in college football. However, in this decade, there has been a drop off. The Volunteers hit rock bottom in 2005 with their first losing season since 1988. Tennessee's record against the point spread, especially at home, is a strong reflection of some recent struggles. The Volunteers have dropped 10 straight against the number at home. Since early in the 2002 season, Tennessee has a dreadful 5-21 against the spread mark at home. The supposed home-field advantage hasn't really been there for the Volunteers. With most of these being conference games, the reality is that SEC teams are exposed to similar hostile environments on a regular basis. This season may be different. The 2006 opener against non-conference opponent Cal could actually provide the right spot to end the streak
California faces some difficult road challenges in the Pac-10 on a yearly basis. However, the atmosphere at a big-time SEC stadium is clearly a notch above any stadium environment in the Pac-10. Also, some intangibles seem to favor the Volunteers in this matchup. While Tennessee is a slight two-point favorite, the Volunteers are the "underdog" in the polls (Cal is ranked 12th, Tennessee is 23rd). The Tennessee defense wasn't to blame for the team struggles in 2005. Despite only one returning starter for the defensive front seven, this unit has stayed ahead of the offense in early fall practice scrimmages. David Cutcliffe, the former Mississippi head coach, has returned to the Tennessee coaching staff. The Rebels hired Cutcliffe after he helped guide the Volunteers to the 1998 national championship as the offensive coordinator. Talented but injury-riddled quarterback Erick Ainge should benefit most from Cutcliffe's arrival. While Cal head coach Jeff Tedford is known as a quarterback guru, the Golden Bears have evolved into a rushing team the last two seasons. The game's outcome will probably hinge on Tennessee's defense being able to contain the Cal tailback tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. The two juniors combined for more than 2,200 yards on the ground in 2005. The rushing game is especially critical with Cal having to go with an inexperienced quarterback at Neyland Stadium.
With several important home games to come (Florida, Alabama, and LSU), this game may very well set the tone for the 2006 home schedule. The home-field advantage should finally come into play with a quality non-conference opponent coming to town. Early line movement has shown some backing for the Volunteers, and the apparent value is still there as a favorite of less than a field goal. We like Tennessee to win and cover.
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2 comments:
Quote from article:
"California faces some difficult road challenges in the Pac-10 on a yearly basis. However, the atmosphere at a big-time SEC stadium is clearly a notch above any stadium environment in the Pac-10."
Three words: East Coast Bias.
I attended last year's UCLA game at the Rosebowl and the 2004's USC away game. Both featured 'atmospheres' I had not experienced in past Cal road trips. In the past, cal did not generate much excitement when it traveled because they were a poor team - but in recent years they definately have experienced 'big time atmosphere' on the road as we are now a big-time opponent to the home crowd. I just hope the outcome at Tennessee is different and Cal can claim a big-time victory at a big-time venue.
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