Tennessee Win Over NC State Makes Clear Statement

Statement game is one of those football cliches that gets tossed about with such regularity that it can lose impact, but Tennessee’s 35-21 defeat of NC State fit the definition. Talk of the Volunteers coming into Friday’s tilt was that Tyler Bray would be without leading receiver Da’Rick Rogers, leaving an offense dependent on its passing vulnerable against the most interception-happy secondary in the nation a season ago.

Bray was unafraid of NCAA-leading interceptor David Amerson, though. Quite the contrary, as Bray actually targeted the Wolfpack pick-off artist, scoring the first of his two impressive touchdowns directly off of the All-American. The answer to the question “Da’Rick who?” is now “Cordarrelle Patterson.” Few have ever had collegiate debuts quite like Patterson’s, snagging a Bray pass for touchdowns and rushing another score in himself.

And speaking of rushing, the Volunteer run game was abysmal in 2011. Tennessee was a case study in how valuable one player can be on certain rosters — Bray led the Volunteers in a beat-down of a very good Cincinnati team early in 2011 (more on that in a bit), but the team’s complete inability to establish a run game in his absence doomed UT to 5-7. The ’11 Volunteers are such a fascinating examination of what if, because with a healthy Bray, they win no fewer than seven games not including a bowl.

The 2012 team isn’t necessary any less reliant on a healthy Bray commanding the offense. His cannon arm and brazen — yes, that pun is intentional, deal with it — demeanor give Tennessee a swagger the program has been lacking the last few years.

To dismiss the accomplishment of Tennessee’s win is egregious. Sure, there will be no shortage of killjoys who will discount NC State based on the inferiority of the ACC compared to the SEC. But NCSU finished 2011 about as hot as any team in college football and returned a loaded roster. I still anticipate the Wolfpack having a solid, 8-or-9-win seaso. This is where the 2011 Volunteer-Bearcat game.

Cincinnati’s success was dismissed because the Bearcats lost — handily, I might add — to a Vol bunch that as mentioned, went 5-7. But September Tennessee was much different than the Tennessee struggling through October and November, due to Bray as mentioned. Rather than an indictment of UC, that game should have been evaluated as a crystal ball into what might have been. Likewise, NC State should not be dismissed based on the Vols’ 2012 record. Instead, it might be time to consider that if healthy, UT is a player in the SEC East.

There are areas of concern for this team, no question. NC State was moving the ball at will early on. The scoreboard didn’t reflect it because of a missed field goal on the Pack’s first drive, but Glennon was having his way against the secondary early. It’s difficult to criticize a unit that made four interceptions, but UT’s 16-0 eruption in the first half compelled the Pack quarterback to start pressing and forcing balls he might not otherwise throw. Credit UT for fostering that atmosphere, but it is worth keeping an eye on how that secondary develops.

Health is also the key sticking point. Tonight exhibited why Bray is so important to this team’s success. His gunslinger approach early spread the Pack defense, which opened holes for the rush. Marlin Lane had a great night, averaging better than eight yards per carry. NC State’s inability to crowd the box, as was so common against the Bray-less Volunteers, translated to a more free-flowing offense. That will be crucial against the aggressive defenses at Georgia and South Carolina.

But if things do break the Volunteers’ way, the regular season could end where it began: in the Georgia Dome.