So it turns out that we do have a defense. Not the kind that keeps OC's awake at night, but the kind that can be just enough of a pain in the caboose to allow the offense to find its' rhythm, which in this case was just enough to win a very losable game. I would not count on our defense to bail us out again, but it was nice to see what they can do when they bow their backs.
Our defense plays hard every down, they don't make as many assignment errors as in years past. I like our DC Banks because he has improved guys beyond what I thought they could achieve - 24 is a big example of this. They were in position to intercept at least 3-4 more balls but just couldn't squeeze 'em. I don't think we have seen the last of the improvement. Play the 2nd and 3rd team guys a lot next week get them on video and coach them up. Get us to where we have two or three deep at every position without a substantial drop off (because our D may play 90 downs a game) and this D just might be a credible threat to hold even the best offenses to <35-38 points per games which gives us a shot at anybody given our offense.
UF has a cupcake next week as well, so both teams will get to "tune-up" next Saturday for the coming battle on September 24th. It matters not to me one bit what UF's record is; who plays at QB for them; or what the rankings are. This is UT -vs- UF, and it's time to serve notice that Neyland Stadium is no longer a wildlife preserve. In Knoxville, Gators get served up fried and with a side of baked beans...
The wild card in the Gator game is their QB Richardson. I don't think he can or will stand in the pocket and deliver like Slovis, but the dude is a threat to take a busted play to the house at any time. My hope is Florida cannot run the ball on us consistently and have to rely on AR to convert 3rd downs through the air. Richardson will make some plays, but do to the Gators what we did to Pitt, make 'em attempt FG's in the redzone. Just don't give up a 76 yard run and 57 yd pass play for TD's like Pitt got and if our Offense gets back on track this could be a very fun day for the Vols. Barring more stupid special teams turnovers and chunk plays for scores, the Vols will win. 42-31 good guys.
Heupel's early success makes it easy to overlook the fact that he started in a huge hole, and there are still significant gaps in this roster that separate UT from the upper crust of the SEC. But we are pointed in the right direction, and if nothing else, yesterday's win showed that we do have a defense that is capable of playing tough when it needs to.
This staff is building a winning culture by focusing on the process and instilling in the players that if they do what they're asked to do, the wins will come. It's critical that we keep this staff together for at least 2 more years to establish the continuity in the program like good programs have. In today's world that's a tough ask.
Based on yesterday, there is room for improvement on offense, defense, and special teams. All 3 made good plays yesterday, and some bone-headed ones as well. Gotta clean that up. I have no illusions about the UGA and Bama games, but playing well from the start, and eliminating the mistakes will spell the difference between 7 wins, and 9 or 10. There's a lot of football yet to be played, but it starts...IMO...by exorcising the Gator Demon first. Do that, and we're ahead of the curve.
Agree to a point, but Texas, and even more so Marshall and App State illustrated Saturday that a double digit underdog can win on a given day. Not calling for an upset of either Bama or Georgia but stranger things happen with regularity in college football. You never know when the big boys may get a good dose of rat poison!
Akron will tell us nothing, no matter how it plays out (unless of course UT loses, which I seriously doubt).
While it is true Akron will tell us nothing about the quality of our team, it will tell us if our guys have bought into the proposition that in these games you're not competing with Akron as much as you're competing with yourself and the standard you have established for what constitutes good play. The score is less important than our execution. No turnovers, no special teams screw ups, no penalties (especially unforced - false starts, delay of game, unsportsmanlike, late hits OB, etc.) Look like a well coached well oiled machine going about our business and business is good!
Go Vols.
