I still question whether or not TJ Yates can play in big games although he had a great year. They slowed down the stretch and Tenn comes into this game hot holding their last 4 opponents to 13ppg while averaging 37.5 ppg themselves. It was a complete 180 from a 2-6 start of the season and Tenn did it with the switch at QB from Matt Simms to Tyler Bray who threw 14 TD's and just 5 interceptions over his last 5 games. He had 354 yards passing against a good Kentucky secondary ranked 18th vs. the pass. He'll have to have another big game vs. a talented secondary of UNC.
Yates too will have to pick his poison because Tenn knows the team can't run with their two starters Elzy and White out and veteran Shaun Draughn is not the same he was a few years ago he's injury plagued and they have nobody really behind him so look for lots of passing in this one and Tenn has really improved the most in their secondary. IN their last 5 games they had 11 interceptions and gave up only 5 passing touchdowns. Watch out for big play maker Prentiss Waggner already drawing comparisons to Eric Berry. He had 5 interceptions and took back 3 to the house. OL is another issue for the Volunteers and it's not for lack of talent but the lack of experience. The extra time to prepare and the extra practices for a young Tenn team is huge. They gave Bray a lot more time down the stretch.
Wrapping up here both teams played LSU. Tenn played on the road and nearly had a win before LSU pushed the ball into the endzone with 0 seconds for a 14-16 win while North Carolina lost at home to open the season 24-30 as they trailed 30-10 at the half. Look for Yates to get some yards but also to make mistakes. There will be no run game so Tenn will have UNC figured out by half time as they have a lot of veteran leadership on defense including two srs up front and 3 linebackers that are sr's.
