Today On Rocky Top: Vols Looking For Lost Edge

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jason Croom (18) congratulates wide receiver Marquez North (8) for catching a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From the Times Free Press

"Somewhere on the road, Tennessee lost its edge.Or perhaps the Volunteers simply left it in Knoxville.Either way, the style of play that nearly earned them a win over Georgia and did grant them an upset of South Carolina two weeks later was nowhere to be found in blowout losses to Alabama and Missouri.Now Tennessee is hoping to rediscover it Saturday against seventh-ranked Auburn, the Vols’ third consecutive top-10 opponent and fifth in 10 games this season."

From WBIR

"The fourth-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols don’t have to be reminded of how the post-Pat Summitt era began.Tennessee was stunned by Chattanooga in its opener and the Lady Vols are once again preparing open to the season against an in-state opponent on the road.Lady Vols center Isabelle Harrison says the Chattanooga game is “always in the back of our mind.”"

From Bleacher Report

"If the Tennessee Volunteers are going to pull off an upset of Auburn, they’ve got to take some of the burden off true freshman quarterback Joshua Dobbs.That onus falls directly on UT’s coaching staff after concocting a questionable game plan during a 31-3 loss to Missouri last week.The Vols must employ more quick-hitting, high-percentage passes to take some of the post-snap pressure off their young signal-caller. UT also needs to pound the running game more with Marlin Lane, keeping Auburn honest, and then hit the Tigers with play-action."

From TN Sports Radio

"Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs is improving daily. But the improvement isn’t coming from increased confidence. That’s always been there.Dobbs played his first career snaps on the road at No. 1 Alabama. He followed that up with his first career start on the road at No. 9 Missouri. If that wash’t enough, he will get his first taste of Neyland Stadium against No. 9 Auburn on Saturday.All of that put together is enough to rattle most true freshman quarterbacks, but Dobbs remains in control of his emotions.“Confidence has never been lacking in Josh,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian said. “I think what he has benefitted from is the added reps he has gotten in practice and the added reps he has gotten in the games.”"