My post game randoms:
Let me get these out of the way first...
- I know a lot of people often times complain about the announcers in games. To me, 99% of the time they never bother me. I liken it how you have your TV on when you're playing on your phone - just background noise. But last night they were so blatantly genuflecting at everything alabubma, while discrediting our outright verbally crapping on everything Tennessee it was insanity. I don't know I've ever heard it that one sided before.
- I know a lot of people often complain about the officiating in games. To me, 99% of the time they never bother me. I mean, so much is subjective and it's hard to see everything and honestly a penalty can be called on just about every play if you try hard enough. But last night warrants some sort of explanation on many calls. I'm not even talking about the Bituli targeting, I just think thats a difficult rule to play football and not violate sometimes. I'm talking moreso the lack of a PI on Jennings in the end, the questionable holding penalties on us while turning a blind eye to alabubma holding - things like that. Mostly though, that beyond ridiculous foul on Taylor. That was a HUGE momentum changer. Never should've been considered, let alone actually called. It was bad.
- Lastly, I'm a conspiracy guy. I think there was more than one shooter 11/22/1963, and I think the SEC overlords saw uga loose last week, know alabubma still has to play LSU and Auburn, that uga has to play auburn still, and then theres the SEC championship game. I'm not saying it happened, but on a night when the refs go against you so blatantly, that it's ~excuse me, I have to adjust my tin foil hate~ its possible that word came down to protect the SECs bid to have at least one team in the CFP. You have to figure if a team loses two games then they're likely not going to get in. A lot of money is on the line. Gotta protect their flagship.
Now, on to the actual game play...
- Our team fought really hard. I was impressed. I mean, it looked like it was gonna get real ugly, real quick. Three and out to start, they drive down and score, we turn the ball over, and they march down again. And then it happened....
- I can't credit Nigel too much on that INT. I mean, I'm not discrediting him by any means - kid played his zone perfectly, but that was a pressure sack. Emerson and Crouch just came coming and Taeiou Tagaeiou made a moronic decision to throw it there. But was good to see. Nigel has frustrated me for years because I just assumed he'd be Dale Carter v2. Something seems to have turned for him and he's now playing his best football he ever has while here. Im happy for him.
- Emerson is a good one. And we've likely got him for another 3 years. Kids gonna be someone we can build around on the line.
- I mentioned this in the game thread, but Brian Maurer's undoing here is going to be his health. It isn't a coincidence that he's gotten banged up in every game he's started, to include not finishing the last two. Whats worse, these aren't injuries that just be solved by packing on weight. Kids had back to back concussions. I don't know the protocol or if he'll even be available to play against uscjr, but I'd be willing to bet muschamp would tell his guys to hit him hard and often. Even if it draws a penalty. Get him out of the game because we're a totally different team with him in there.
- Pruitt can say what he wants, and I guess I'm glad he's covering for JG - but that was plain as day that JG made his own decision there. The only miscommunication was the staff giving him the play, and JG saying "cool story bro but watch this..."
- I've been a JG supporter for a while but I sincerely hope the kid never takes another snap here. He looks so lost back there - like he can't process anything he's seeing. When he scrambles he actually looks moderately fast, but yet still only manages to get a yard or two at most. His throws are late and/or inaccurate, and now it turns out he can't even be relied upon to run the right play. And it's troublesome to me because he's not a bad kid, he loves the university, and I feel bad for the hand he was dealt. I don't wish failure on him, but he's ruined. IMO.
- I don't know whats gotten into Tim Jordan these past few weeks, but like Nigel, he's looked better than he ever has in a Vols uniform IMO. There were plays where he looked so quick and shifty last night I had to do a double take because I thought it was Eric Gray. Hope he keeps it up.
- Outside of JG (because I had high hopes for him this year), the player I'm most disappointed in is Ty Chandler. Hes a terrible kick returner, and is average at best as a running back. Hasn't provided anything in the passing game either.
- Hats off to the OL last night. Some gaffes overall, mostly by the rookie bookends, but they are getting better. That play where we carried the alabubma for like 8 yards was Tim Jordan, Jerome Carvin, and Darnell Wright - with Trey getting in there the last yard or two. I loved seeing that.
- Sad as it is to say, the highlight of my night was the back to back to back time outs, followed by the fans booing like crazy, and then the missed field goad. Pruitt is awesome.
- Last week we had Tee Martin on the sideline and that helped our WR rotation a lot, getting more people involved. This week we seemed to fall back into our habit of relying solely on JJ, MC, and JP. I'm not sure I saw anyone else play receiver.
- Enjoyed seeing Jaylen McCoullough make some plays. He's a hitter for sure.
- In closing, this team has fight and they're well coached. But you can tell that We just lack the horses now from top to bottom. And I think thats why we'll play the ufs, ugas, alabubmas etc tight for 2-3 quarters before the wheels fall off. They're simply deeper and stronger from top to bottom. But we're not that far off. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we beat saban in Knoxville next year.
Oh, EAD
@David Ubben.
