Tennessee Football: 5 Things to Learn from Florida Game
Painful. Crushing. Frustrating. Enraging. All of these words are perfect ways to describe the loss against Florida last Saturday. But deflating is the way I best describe it. The Tennessee Volunteers didn't convert in the red zone and turned the ball over three excruciating times.
But if the team learns something from the game and uses it to improve, it's an acceptable outcome. We all wish the Big Orange could win and learn, but success often limits learning from whatever mistakes were made in the process. With the gut-wrenching loss on October 4, Tennessee has every reason to learn a lot.
Here are five things that stood out to me.
Wide Receivers Need to Step Up
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Football is the ultimate team sport, they say, which means that everyone's play affects the other. Because of that, improved play from your best unit can help a seemingly unrelated weak unit.
The wide receivers are clearly the best overall offensive unit. The offensive line is the weakest. While Marquez North can't help Coleman Thomas block a defensive end, he can go the extra mile to beat his defender off the line, nail his route and catch any ball that flies near him.
The receivers need to assume responsibility for blocking and scoring woes.
The Volunteers got away from the short-passing game that was so effective against Oklahoma and Georgia. It builds momentum and helps Tennessee have a running game without actually running the ball. The Vols need to get back to that style with a receiver corps that has a chip on its shoulder.
Right Side of Offensive Line Needs Help
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We've all heard that Tennessee is starting two true freshmen on the right side of the offensive line, Jashon Robertson and Coleman Thomas.
We've all seen the duo is getting beaten often, particularly Thomas.
While it's easy to yell and scream at the college rookies, the disappointment should really be directed toward upperclassmen like Dontavius Blair, Brett Kendrick, Dylan Wiesman and Austin Sanders. Their inability to take hold of the jobs in the offseason and early going has led to Robertson's and Thomas' promotions.
Justin Worley was knocked out of two series against Georgia due to an unblocked blitzer from the right side. He was sacked and fumbled against Florida from another blitzer off the right. It's time to stop hoping these players improve and give them some help.
On long-passing plays where additional time in the pocket is needed, the Vols should be placing their best blocking tight end on the right side and be done with it. No more hoping it fixes itself.
Volunteer Defense Is Outstanding
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If not for an offensive fumble, the Vols might have only given up three points against Florida. If not for a missed delay-of-game call by the refs, they might have given up zero.
The Tennessee defense is completing its tackles and turning opponents over pretty frequently. It is doing what it takes to win SEC football.
A.J. Johnson is playing extremely well, but his leadership might be even better than his play. Couple that with the All-SEC-caliber play of Cam Sutton and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and you have the beginning to a great defense.
More offensive support in future games can turn this defense into a real powerhouse by increasing its aggression against an offense that has to throw.
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November Will Be a Critical Month
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The goal from day one this year has been to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2009. While it's just one game, the Florida loss has made it a little more difficult to achieve that feat.
Ole Miss and Alabama are high-quality opponents. Tennessee can compete and beat most teams in the SEC with the kind of defense it plays, but there's no doubt that a victory over either of those teams would be a big upset.
South Carolina and Missouri are anomalies, but there's no questioning the talent they have. South Carolina in particular will be on point after last year's loss. Kentucky too is vastly improved. The Wildcats have turned into a formidable opponent.
To get to six wins, the Volunteers need to take care of business against UT-Chattanooga and find three victories in a very tough November (assuming there are no major October upsets).
The Future Is Extremely Bright
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I know it's difficult to always be looking toward the future, but there is actual reason to be positive about the coming years on Rocky Top. You can see it on the field.
Marquez North, Jalen Hurd, Josh Malone, Ethan Wolf, Daniel Helm, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Cam Sutton and Todd Kelly, Jr.: What do these names have in common? They're all true sophomores or younger and are integral parts of the team. They're scoring, moving the chains and getting turnovers.
The underclassmen aren't just contributing. They're the primary players. And they're good. This is why you continue to hear Butch Jones almost pleading with fans and the media to stay patient and let the program build, as noted in The Daily Times by Grant Ramey.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
