Sumlin recognizes magnitude of matchup versus Tennessee
The significance surrounding this weekend’s game between No. 9 Tennessee and No. 8 Texas A&M is truly palpable.
These undefeated squads will square off in College Station. The Vols are trying to continue on a road to Atlanta — whilst the Aggies are setting out to prove they shouldn’t be taken lightly. This contest is also the site of the famed ESPN College Gameday. Suffice it to say, but a carnival-like atmosphere will surely be present.
During Kevin Sumlin’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, he delved into how important this game is for his program:
Sumlin: Saturday will be the kind of game our administration visualized a few years back.
— Battalion Sports (@battsports) October 4, 2016
Sumlin: It's a big deal that Game Day is comming here. They don't go to bad games. It puts in perspective the relevancy of the game/program.
— Battalion Sports (@battsports) October 4, 2016
He also spoke about the challenges of facing the UT personnel — particularly quarterback Josh Dobbs and defensive end Derek Barnett:
Sumlin: Tennessee has a veteran QB who is number one in the SEC for points responsible. We have a big challenge ahead of us.
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) October 4, 2016
Kevin Sumlin on Tennessee DE Derek Barnett: "He's one of the best in the country athletically but he's also productive and disruptive."
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) October 4, 2016
Dobbs has been gaining confidence in the passing game over the course of the last few games. While he hasn’t completely been unleashed when running the football on designed plays, his legs certainly are something A&M has to compensate for — especially if he’s flushed from the pocket and has to improvise. Dobbs has proven in the past to be very lethal in this capacity.
Barnett will be the best defensive end A&M has faced to date. Without question, he poses a threat to be incredibly dominant — especially in obvious passing situations.
The next three weeks are going to be crazy — it’s essentially a round robin of the top 3 teams in the SEC. It’ll be fun to see what happens!
This should be a very good game. Tennessee seems to make everything exciting. There were beyond lucky last week against what appears to be a very average UGA team. The Vols will have to play much better to get a win against the Aggies. While I can definitely see that happening, I think the Aggies will win this one.
Sumlin- ” Tennessee has a veteran QB who is number one in the SEC for points responsible. We have a big challenge ahead of us.”
This is exactly what I was talking about when I posted total TD stats for QB’s around the country. Dobbs is at or near the top of that list. What does it matter if its on the ground or through the air, Josh Dobbs gets in done way more often than he doesn’t. 18 Total TD”s by 1 player in 5 games is good no matter who you are.
Sorry Aggies, didn’t mean to hi-jack this story.
Garrett vs Barnett is going to be REALLY fun to watch.
Have a feeling both QB’s will need every bit of mobility they have with those two monsters bearing down on them.
Interesting match up between two defensive ends. I’m guessing Barnett will be trying to block Garrett since Derek is not as good of a pass rusher.
Uh oh, shot fired!!
look dude garrett is a freak of nature but your argument is kinda flawed when you see the stats saying A. barnett has more sacks and TFL so far this season and B. barnett also has dang near double the amount of sacks and TFL in SEC games in his career than Garrett does. take the stats for what you will but you cant really trash a player when hes outperforming the one you say is better
Wait a minute, Barnett has a total of 4 sacks and Garrett has 3?
Here’s the kicker, Garrett sat out last week!
LMAO!!!!!
It doesn’t matter. If/when Tennessee beats TAM, all they will talk about is how “lucky” UT is. And How they have no chance against Bama. GBO!!!
Gig’em aTm.
You probably love getting an atm. LMAO!!!
Some games you just have to play to see what happens. That is this game. I sure am glad for home field advantage.