[rmjvol]

SEC powerhouses meet Saturday for the UT vs LSU game in Knoxville.

The Tigers bring a 6-2 record and a #13 ranking to Neyland Stadium. The Vols are 7-1 and ranked #8 after getting the win against Steve Spurrier and the USC Gamecocks.

LSU leads the SEC with 26 sacks so the Erik Ainge Ankle Injury may come into play more than we want. He'll need to be able to step away from pressure like he's done all season if we're going to have our best chance at beating the Tigers.

What will happen? Who will win? What's your score prediction? What will be the keys to the UT vs LSU game?

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[UT Vols News]

Up to the minute news about the UT Vols football team.

TENNESSEE VS. LSU -- GAME PREVIEW :: Vols And Tigers Kickoff Saturday At 3:30 p.m. EST On CBS

Tennessee hosts LSU for the first time since 2001, as the Tigers and Vols meet for the 29th time at Neyland Stadium Saturday. An open date following LSU's Oct. 21 rout of Fresno State has given the Tigers an extra week of preparations for Saturday's clash on Rocky Top.The Vols took the last meeting between the two teams in historic fashion, turning a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit into a 30-27 overtime win in Baton Rouge last year. The Vols trailed by as much as 21 points in the second half; both deficits rank as the largest UT has overcome in school history.

Mon,30 Oct 2006 16:16:03 +0000

Post your comments about this story here.

[Lefty Noob]

Ya know, my gut was telling me to pick the Vols. But after reading about how they let Tennessee come back on them last season, I've got to figure that LSU is going to be hungry for this one. Give me the Tigers in a 24-21 upset.

[KENVOL]

With the way that we have been playing I'd be happy with any kind of a win. My goodness when will we ever learn to run block. This is going to come back and bite us in the rear. This could be the game it happens. I'm still holding the faith. Tennessee 21 LSU 17.

[chsbletz]

JaMarcus Russell, the LSU quarterback, has played poorly in the two most closely-contested games the Tigers have played in---Auburn and Florida. UT will be wise to run all kinds of stunts and blitzes to keep him on the move. He doesn't seem to do very well when he is pursued hard. I see this game going right down to the wire. I think it will be something like UT 21 LSU 20.

[tvolsfan]

With the Ainge injury, not feeling so good.

LSU 23 UT 13

[rmjvol]

My hopes have been falling based on Fulmer's comments about Ainge this week. At 1st it was "everything's fine" but now it's more like "we'll see."

If Erik Ainge isn't 100% for Saturday's UT vs LSU game, we're going to have a tough time. LSU has a great defense and a pretty good offense. We're gonna have to put up some big numbers if we want to win. If Jonathon Crompton is filling in for Ainge, it'll be tough for us to score enough to keep up.

[willcoman48]

Originally Posted by UT Vols News

Up to the minute news about the UT Vols football team.

TENNESSEE VS. LSU -- GAME PREVIEW :: Vols And Tigers Kickoff Saturday At 3:30 p.m. EST On CBS

I am an ex football player and was recruited by both UT & Arkansas out of high school as a punter/QB/ & split end, back in '67. I believe that if the Vols maintain the same level of intensity on both sides of the ball, that they've shown since the Georgia game, which I believe was the turning point/ gut-check of the season, they will not only take care of LSU, but will win the SEC championship, as well! ...Bill C.

[rmjvol]

Hi Bill, welcome to our forum.

I agree about Georgia being the turning point. The team has showed a different level of sprit since that point. But I just don't see how we'll get past Florida now. Our only chance if if they get knocked off by Vanderbilt (not a chance) or by the Gamecocks (not much chance either).

I hate we're not in the SEC championship game but a 10-1 or even a 9-2 record is a pretty good year. Especially considering what happened last season.

Look forward to chatting more with you.

[willcoman48]

Well, you see, I'm assuming, based on a gut feeling I have, that Vandy might have a partial ref. on THEIR side this year, as apposed to last year's travisty, and who knows how much the home crowd might help?! I also have a feeling that Steve Spurrier might like to make a statement this year to the folks in Gainesville! Just a couple of things to ponder?!!....Bill C.

[willcoman48]

For those of you who might be concerned about the status of Ainge on Sat., I want to remind you of 2 things; (1st) The tigers have been studying film of Ainge and don't have much film on Crompton. (2nd) Never underestimate the ability of a back-up QB! I remember in '67, when a 3rd string back-up QB named Bubba Wyche for Tennessee, came into the Alabama game, at Tuscaloosa, and led the Vols to an upset win over a heavily favored, Bear Bryant, football team!!! Look what Rick Clausen did last year at Baton Rouge! Besides, as good as Ainge has been this year, he still has thrown some balls into coverages that shouldn't have been thrown! So rest easy, and have faith in our BIG ORANGE tradition!!!...Bill C.

[volsmom2]

I am going to have to agree, it will be tough. But I have seen Tennessee come thru some rough times. Depending upon Crompton, or Ainge, that's our bet. But..aside of all that...I think we have a great offensive Team as well as Defense that can hold em'. NO WORRIES......

UT 30 LSU 27

Originally Posted by rmjvol

My hopes have been falling based on Fulmer's comments about Ainge this week. At 1st it was "everything's fine" but now it's more like "we'll see."

If Erik Ainge isn't 100% for Saturday's UT vs LSU game, we're going to have a tough time. LSU has a great defense and a pretty good offense. We're gonna have to put up some big numbers if we want to win. If Jonathon Crompton is filling in for Ainge, it'll be tough for us to score enough to keep up.

[Volfansforpresident]

i think this will be a close sec powerhouse game both defenses will do a good job but i believe tennessee will be able to defeat the tigers with that lethal ainge and wrs connection tennessee 27-lsu 13

[KENVOL]

The thing that really scares me is the lack of a running game. We have never had a team who could not run the ball. I think Ainge will play most of the game, but I expect Crompton to start. At the first sign of a problem Ainge will be there.

[rmjvol]

A few useful links to stories on the UT vs LSU game...

SATURDAY'S MATCHUP 'WHY YOU COME TO TENNESSEE' :: Game Captains Announced

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer says his Vols need to stay "focused, hungry and humble" heading into Saturday's Southeastern Conference matchup against 13th-ranked LSU. UT is ranked eighth in the polls but is smack in the middle of a challenging stretch of games.

In talent contest, LSU is clear winner over Vols

Tennessee, like LSU, is trying to position itself for its first BCS bowl since 2000. So far, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe has quarterback Erik Ainge making a difference in just about every game. His worst games, against Florida and Alabama, were the result of defenses keeping him off balance by mixing up coverages. Alabama used zone blitzes, a plan it hadn't shown all year, to force Ainge into three interceptions. Florida used a combination of blitzes and pressure from its front four to sack him twice and hurry several of his throws. LSU has the defense to make Ainge play into its hands.

LSU 20, Tennessee 14

2 scenarios from Tenn Vol Champ's Thoughts:

If the Vols win, it'll be 17-13. LSU's defense will be VERY difficult and we get a couple of big plays that lead to a couple TD's.

If LSU wins, it'll be 27-13. Vols stumble in red zone, give up a turnover for an easy TD, and LSU has 3-4 drives where they get a TD or field goal.

Here's a few thoughts from Sportsocracy

#13 LSU's defense is one of the toughest in the nation. Erik Ainge and #8 Tennessee had trouble with Alabama at home and even had a little trouble away at South Carolina. Those two defenses were cuddly compared to LSU. Gamebreaker here is JaMarcus Russell in Knoxville, he must have a mistake-free game (unlike the ones against Auburn and Florida) in order to win this game. The Tennessee defense has 5 turnovers against top-10 teams this year, not bad.

And finally we're wrap it up with all the game data you could want from VOLuntarilyConservative:

Location: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville (capacity 104,079).

Surface: Tifway Bermuda grassed mowed at ¾ inch height which drains 12 inches an hour thanks partially to a 16 inch crown in the center of the field.

Time: 3:30 P.M.

VolWalk: The Vols will make their way to the stadium at 1:15 P.M. from the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex.

Pride of the Southland procession: The band makes their way to the stadium at 1:50 P.M.
Vol Network's Kickoff call-in show: Starts outside of Gate 21 at 2:00 P.M.