Observations, conclusions and lessons learned …
Several times this season Josh Heupel has mentioned “some things we need to clean up.”
Coach hasn’t said when that will be accomplished. It didn’t happen during the recent open date. There was no hint of real progress in the New Mexico State game. Time is running short.
Heupel has said he wanted to see growth, improvement in a lot of different areas, play hard (check), play smart for 60 minutes (pending), play with discipline (not yet).
I think he may have been talking about alignments, assignments, eyes, keys, technique, execution, communication, clock management and some fuzzy play selections – and maybe a bunch of other stuff above my pay grade.
I can see missed tackles and blocks and turnovers. Officials explain hits out of bounds. I know a little something about winning the line of scrimmage. I can grasp the difference in overall sharpness, really tuned in, and just there.
Some Southeastern Conference teams show marked improvement as their season goes along. Tennessee has not.
Oklahoma defense is an example of getting better. Just ask Alabama – 17 points off turnovers. Georgia tore up Texas, 21-0, in the fourth quarter.
Can you believe the Vols’ best victory was at Mississippi State on September 27?
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If Florida tries as hard in Gainesville Saturday as it did in Oxford two days ago, Tennessee will have more problems than its negative history in The Swamp.
These Gators, dangling without a coach for the future, are 3-7 but a bit better than that implies. Believe me, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a house of horrors, will be a hostile environment for Volunteers.
So, it has been since just after the beginning of time. Tennessee last won in Gainesville in 2003. Before that was a smaller streak of seven consecutive losses.
Through the years, Florida has pushed Tennessee around, hurt some feelings and left scars on otherwise really good seasons.
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II #17 completes a catch and run as Tennessee got a 42-9 Homecoming win over New Mexico State. (Photo by Andrew Ferguson/ Tennessee Athletics)
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Leftovers from New Mexico State: The net result, mundane, did not build confidence. Injuries are a growing concern. Joey Aguilar, as good as he has been, is now trending toward what he was at Appalachian State. He has lost 10 interceptions. Some were not his fault.
He thinks you just saw his worst game. Maybe. He ran for a touchdown, threw one TD pass and just made it past 200 yards.
New Mexico State was supposed to be a growth opportunity for the young QBs. It didn’t happen.
“Limited time, just the way the fourth quarter unfolded,” said Heupel.
UT’s offensive line didn’t dominate. UT converted only three of 11 third downs. Slot receiver Braylon Staley and running back DeSean Bishop did what they could. The defense allowed the 3-7 Aggies to pass for season-high 313 yards.
Young linebacker Jadon Perlotte cost a 15-yard penalty and blew a zone coverage but was fun to watch. He hits. Veteran tackle Daevin Hobbs and veteran end Dominic Bailey were impressive. Hobbs led with nine tackles and had two pass breakups. William Wright scored on a 35-yard interception return. Ty Redmond had a pick.
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Boo Carter is gone. He may not have officially departed but he is headed out the door.
Boo was a bad buy, not as bad as Nico, but a gamble that turned into a poor investment. Three high schools in two years were yellow or red flags. Skipped workouts in the summer upset UT teammates. Exceptional ability earned him a second or third chance. He’s been on the team in body but not in heart and soul.
Boo didn’t play a defensive snap against Oklahoma. He did not attend the New Mexico State game.
“There’s a standard you’ve got to meet to be in that locker room,” said Heupel. That sounded like the benediction.
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Motivation: What the Volunteers do the next two Saturdays will determine how this season is defined. Victories over the Gators and Vanderbilt will mean a finish at or above August expectations.
If the Vols lose, this will be a sad November to remember. Only five UT teams dropped their last three SEC games.
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Homecoming: Is it possible to be further out of touch than two shades of grey uniforms on the one Saturday when alumni and old Vols gather to dust off precious memories?
If ever the team should dress in its old dull-and-drab orange and white, it is homecoming. Those have been official school colors since 1889.
It’s about the money, you say? If that outfit was intended to inspire the sale of a few more souvenir shirts before the end of the Nike contract, just pass the hat and take up more donations. The athletics department does that brilliantly.
Don’t make a big deal of the fundamental blunder but, if you so choose, send Donde Plowman an e-mail to help her help those who came from far-away places and are not yet in touch – chancellor@utk.edu.
Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com
The sense of urgency in this piece is palpable and, frankly, justified. It’s clear that the team has the raw talent to compete, but the consistency and focus just haven’t been there through the first part of the season. The breakdown of the specific areas needing improvement—especially on the defensive end and in reducing unforced turnovers—is spot on. Those are the margins that separate good teams from great ones in conference play.
My question is about the path forward: Beyond just “playing harder,” what is the one specific, coachable adjustment you believe would have the biggest immediate impact on closing out these tight games? Is it a schematic change on defense, a simplified offensive set in crunch time, or something more intangible like establishing a clearer vocal leader on the court?
I have been following the Vols for over 70 years. Yes, I’m old.
I didn’t graduate until ‘73 after a hitch in the Navy. The uniforms
were a disgrace, especially for us old grads on Homecoming.
Uninspiring play and hideous uniforms made for a sad Homecoming.
I’m with you on those orange and white uniforms. This is Tennessee, by golly. The orange and white should be as ubiquitous as running through the T before the game.
Also, can you imagine what this team could have accomplished if it had a better defense?
Agree with you, as usual: I won’t make big deal of the grey unis but gee, one “dark mode” a season is too much — but willing to put up with it if the players like it. Still, not to wear orange jerseys during homecoming is just as you said, “a fundamental blunder.” (Does bama ever wear anything other than crimson and white, or put anything other than numbers on their helmets? Some things you just don’t do.)
And please Vols, beat Florida and, Please Please beat Vandy. If you think Vandy fans don’t taunt with the best of them, you weren’t there during any of their five wins since 2012. As a Nashvillian, I don’t want to put up with that until we beat them in basketball.
Who do we hold responsible for that hideous uniform display fostered upon us? Dr. Danny? Plowman? Boyd? Whoever made that decision should not be allowed to buy toilet tissue for the locker room. On Homecoming Day, those rags were a disgrace to Tennessee’s heritage and tradition. They absolutely take the ribbon for ugliest outfits ever to grace Shields-Watkins field-Neyland Stadium, Preserved by Pilot. The players played as if they were embarrassed to be seen in public.
Funny, Virgil
Thanks for posting. A good view of where the Vols are in their season. Now is make-or-break time.
Now Bill, that is the epitome of profound. Unfortunately, the Titanic already hit the iceberg.
Marvin, I couldn’t agree with you more on anything/everything you’ve said. Put me in the “no confidence that UT will finish the right way” box. Florida WILL play like their hair is on fire, and so will Vandy, and frankly Vandy is a much better team than this edition of the Vols. How will the Heuple apologists explain 7-5, and no significant victory within the 7? I know. Blame it on Nico. “Wait till next year”!