a tale of 2 halves: UT's Jekyll & Hyde persona

#1
kamoshika

kamoshika

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#1
We got a taste of this split-personality trend in the bowl game against Iowa, where we dominated the 1st half (35-7 lead, 335 yards total offense to Iowa's 192) and then sleep-walked through the 2nd half (outscored 21-10, outgained 283 yards to 157).

While that drastic turnaround obviously didn't cost us the win, we've continued this disturbing trend in 2015 and reaped the consequences, showing the nation how to squander double-digit leads like no other team has managed to do.

Rushing offense
* 1st half: 130 carries for 690 yards (5.31 ypc) & 9 TDs
* 2nd half/OT: 112 carries for 435 yards (3.88 ypc) & 4 TDs

Passing offense
* 1st half: 52 of 80 (65.0%) for 551 yards & 5 TDs...143.49 efficiency rating
* 2nd half/OT: 29 of 59 (49.2%) for 413 yards & 2 TDs, 1 INT...115.75 rating

Passing defense
* 1st half: 41 of 90 (45.6%) for 566 yards & 3 TDs, 3 INTs...102.72 rating
* 2nd half/OT: 52 of 89 (58.4%) for 646 yards & 5 TDs, 1 INT...135.69 rating

Our total offense would rank 20th nationally (496.4 yards per game) if we repeated our 1st-half performances in the 2nd half. Conversely, we'd rank 110th (339.4 yards per game) if our 2nd-half numbers were duplicated in the 1st half.

Looking at our much-maligned passing offense, we showed a very similar pattern of 2nd-half inefficiency last year:

Passing offense
* 1st half: 163 of 242 (67.4%) for 1782 yards & 12 TDs, 3 INTs...143.10 rating
* 2nd half/OT: 118 of 211 (55.9%) for 1132 yards & 11 TDs, 11 INTs...107.76 rating

Josh Dobbs didn't see any 2nd-half action against Western Carolina, but he's thrown just 1 TD pass in the 2nd half of our past 7 games.
 
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#3
#3
makes you wonder whether other teams are just making better in-game adjustments, or we just have a team culture of just not finishing games
 
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#4
#4
It's not just that we don't finish games--that seems too polite. We play badly in the second half--and Jones better start figuring out why.
 
#5
#5
Not sure its a huge mystery why. Due to weaknesses in the trenches and lack of depth, players get tired getting leaned on all game. Also, for the same reason, we are unable to adjust to the adjustments made by the opposing teams.
 
#7
#7
This all the Vol nation agrees on: we have MAJOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. And imho, there is no quick fix.
 
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#9
#9
I don't think the Iowa game is a very adequate indication, because the outcome was decided about 15-20 minutes in. But the 2nd half falloff has been a very real phenomenon for us this year. We've scored less in the 2nd half than the 1st in all 5 games, and given up more in the 2nd half in 4 of the 5 (the last 4).
 
#10
#10
One main problem is we just recycle the same plays over and over. In the second half we call the ones that worked best for us in the first quarter -- only time the defense knows what is coming and waiting for it

Players are blamed for failing to execute the play that was called. But that is hard to do when 5 defenders best you to the spot and blow it up in the backfield
 
#11
#11
livefaith said:
With 7 remaining and only 2 gimmes, Butch will have to win 2/5 real games and beat whoever in a Music City type bowl just to be .500 after 3 years.
We Are Tennessee
Click to expand...

1 gimme, my friend. Vandy isn't horrible and could have their offense much more together by the end of the season when they play us.
 
#12
#12
Clove said:
makes you wonder whether other teams are just making better in-game adjustments, or we just have a team culture of just not finishing games
Click to expand...

One has led to the other IMO. Butch said after OU that adjustments were as important as scheme and execution. The OP's stats absolutely put the lie to Jones' philosophy here IMO. It's clear that his initial gameplan is good, is solid.....but he doesn't alter or stray from that gameplan and once the opposing coach makes his adjustments it's Katie bar the door.
 
#13
#13
I remember in the late 90's and early 00's we were a second half team. Showed up half asleep and then came out strong in the second half. That's what lazy talent does i guess?
 
#14
#14
This is not new, it started with Dooley. We were tied with Bama at the half in 2011 6-6. We lost 30-6. We were tied with LSU, lost badly. Close with Oregon, got drilled in the second half (the one here, during the cloudburst). We dominated Florida in 2012 in the first half, then the wheels came off in the second half. The reason for this is lack of depth. We have improved to the point where we are now competitive in every game, but the depth is still lacking to finish the game, and we are still not quite there at certain key positions, but help is either here bulking up, or on the way. Do not despair. Look at the big picture, we are miles ahead of where we were when Butch got here, and we will be miles further down the road as times moves forward. Brick by brick.
 
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#15
#15
kamoshika said:
We got a taste of this split-personality trend in the bowl game against Iowa, where we dominated the 1st half (35-7 lead, 335 yards total offense to Iowa's 192) and then sleep-walked through the 2nd half (outscored 21-10, outgained 283 yards to 157).

While that drastic turnaround obviously didn't cost us the win, we've continued this disturbing trend in 2015 and reaped the consequences, showing the nation how to squander double-digit leads like no other team has managed to do.

Rushing offense
* 1st half: 130 carries for 690 yards (5.31 ypc) & 9 TDs
* 2nd half/OT: 112 carries for 435 yards (3.88 ypc) & 4 TDs

Passing offense
* 1st half: 52 of 80 (65.0%) for 551 yards & 5 TDs...143.49 efficiency rating
* 2nd half/OT: 29 of 59 (49.2%) for 413 yards & 2 TDs, 1 INT...115.75 rating

Passing defense
* 1st half: 41 of 90 (45.6%) for 566 yards & 3 TDs, 3 INTs...102.72 rating
* 2nd half/OT: 52 of 89 (58.4%) for 646 yards & 5 TDs, 1 INT...135.69 rating

Our total offense would rank 20th nationally (496.4 yards per game) if we repeated our 1st-half performances in the 2nd half. Conversely, we'd rank 110th (339.4 yards per game) if our 2nd-half numbers were duplicated in the 1st half.

Looking at our much-maligned passing offense, we showed a very similar pattern of 2nd-half inefficiency last year:

Passing offense
* 1st half: 163 of 242 (67.4%) for 1782 yards & 12 TDs, 3 INTs...143.10 rating
* 2nd half/OT: 118 of 211 (55.9%) for 1132 yards & 11 TDs, 11 INTs...107.76 rating

Josh Dobbs didn't see any 2nd-half action against Western Carolina, but he's thrown just 1 TD pass in the 2nd half of our past 7 games.
Click to expand...

This predates the Iowa game going back to 2013.

It's interesting to look at the box scores of these games his first couple of seasons.

The Vols under Jones seldom if ever put 4 good quarters together against quality competition.
 
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