After cooling down....

[jcvols24]

Couple of thoughts about the MCB:

1. Yes, we should have won in regulation. We had the opportunity to get in decent FG range at the end and didn't. I can't however hold too much blame on the play call to go deep because Tillman beat his man and a jersey pull to slow him down that should have been PI was a good call.

2. In OT, I was actually supportive of BOTH calls to go for it on 4th down. It's a bowl game, defense was what it was, we needed to win with offense. Had this been a playoff or regular season game then yes take the points and hope for the best.

3. Officiating was horrendous. Multiple holds, pass interference, and at least one block in the back by Purdue that were never called. By the time it got to the infamous 4th down play i was already ticked off, afterwards i was livid. No impartial ref is going to judge forward progress stopped at the goaline on 4th down with the player still fighting.

In conclusion, it ended on a sour note but I think we are finally on the upswing. We found us a coach. We found an offensive scheme that is fun to watch and can have success. We need to now find us a defense that can support this offense. Not a shut em down type, although that would be nice too, but an opportunistic type that can get turnovers and occasionally a 3rd down stop. The kind of defense Tim Banks told us we were gonna be. We get that, we are set.

 

[knox73]

I noticed a funny comment on a UCF football board a few weeks ago. Someone wrote: "I miss all the long passes." The Gus style of offense was considered boring in comparison to Josh.

Heupel definitely knows what he is doing and operates an exciting, entertaining game for fans and players.

I enjoyed the Music City Bowl and it was great for Nashville and future recruiting in Middle Tennessee. Purdue's qb who started out as an eighth string walkon is quite a success story. Glad the Vols had the extra practice time and acquitted themselves well in the most exciting bowl game of the season. It was frustrating to lose in overtime but at some point the game concludes.

The officiating was rough but the team continually fought back like they did all year. The Vol future is exciting and the fact that Hooker, Tillman and other key players are returning is huge.

Glad fans can cool off and enjoy the season. Don't rule out a step up from many players who continue to work hard and apply themselves just like Tillman did between Year One and Year Two. This team set the all time scoring record in Year One. That is quite an achievement considering the 2021 schedule.

After 13 years in the football wilderness (minus a couple of Josh Dobbs years) Tennessee football is back to relevance and more exciting than ever before. Happy New Year.