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.
