How the changing game has affected Tennessee

[HooahVol]

I know we need another theory on how we have got here like another hole in the the head but here we go. Saban's initial success at Alabama really centered around a well coached, solid team with an incredible defense. For the period it worked. He went on to win championships with some mediocre QBs like Coker, McCarron and McElroy. Bama became the envy of the SEC and many programs, including ours, tried to poach the assistant coaches that made those teams possible. We ended up with Pruitt, a defensive guy, who still thinks QBs don't matter, offenses can be mediocre and defense wins championships. The problem with this mentality is the game has dramatically evolved. Now it is all about flashy offenses and especially flashy, high producing quarterbacks. LSU won a national championship with that alone. Looking at the current playoff contenders it is Clemson with Trevor, Ohio State with Fields, Bama with Jones and even Florida with Trask. Mentioning Jones it is important to realize Saban has even realized the change in game philosophy and this season especially has a great offensive team with an above average defense. The point I am getting too is we are behind the times with a coach whose philosophy is stuck in a different era. At this point we do not need a manageable QB, we need a game changing QB. Using LSU again as an example look at them without Burrows. They are pathetic. This would be the argument I would make that we need to start developing Bailey, if he is the guy, to move forward. Not an Earth shattering conclusion for sure but a logical argument on why we go nowhere with JG at this point.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Here's the differences between good lieutenants and good captains. Good captains can see the big picture, make adjustments, and get the most out of people. Good lieutenants are good at following orders.

Saban saw how the game was changing (partially due to how Ole Miss was attacking his defense) and Saban made adjustments to his offesnive philosophy. There's high level QB play at Alabama, several first round WRs, and a modern offense. None of these things existed there in 2011.

Coach Pruitt is stuck in 2011. He thinks big corners and big LBs work because Bama had those back then. First, Bama had elite 5* players at those positions so those players were big and good. The game has shifted towards speed. We don't have enough speed on offense and really don't have enough on defense. Even the burners we have on offense (Hyatt) don't play enough. We are trying to run the 2011 Bama defense with inferior athletes with the rest of the college FB world knowing the blueprint to beat that defense (i.e. slants).

 

[VolZen]

I completely agree. Pruitt has modeled our team after a championship formula that worked 10 years ago but has since expired.

 

[The Tall Gguy]

It's like using dial up for internet today.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Just so tired of it all.

 

[tennrich1]

This is not a rebuttal BUT LSU lost almost their entire team including to the NFL, players sitting out, injuries etc. Obviously without Burrow's experience (and talent) they werent going to be nearly as good. Also, I'm thinking Jeremy is around this 24/7 and he probably has a little better idea of how to win in the SEC and on a national level more than I do (I can hear the screaming now "NO HE DOESNT"). We've gone through every theory there is I think but I still don't know exactly what the problem is (and most of we fans don't either although it passes the day for us to think we do). I personally hope for the Vols sake Jeremy and the team figure it out and he has a long successful career here at Tennessee. Now I realize there are some who have taken it so personal and SEEM to really hate Jeremy. I know. I know. They SAY they don't but "you will know them by their fruits" and a lot of the mean spirited name calling etc. speaks volumes otherwise. It's just my opinion and that's all. I'm not a despicable wretch (my wife thinks otherwise) just a Vol fan.

 

[HooahVol]

tennrich, I agree with what you are saying. I am a dime a dozen family doc and would not presume to know more about the game than Pruitt. I am confident that we are declining though, not improving and I really just want to know why.

 

[5FingerVolPunch]

Just look at the last several hires in the SEC and that gives you the proof that the game is shifting to high powered offenses. Mizzou - Drinkwitz, Arkansas - Pittman, MSST - Leach, Ole Miss - Kiffin, UF - Mullen, A&M - Fisher. All offensive minded head coaches. There's a reason for that. I'd bet my paycheck that USCjr hires an offensive minded coach too. UT needs a fresh minded OC. I like Chaney, but his time has come and gone.

 

[Savannahbayvol]

I completely agree. Pruitt has modeled our team after a championship formula that worked 10 years ago but has since expired.

Almost like Bowden Wyatt 60 years ago when we were the only team in major college football running the single wing. Just like Trevor Lawrence and Michael Penix now Steve Spurrier and Steve Sloan didnt fit our system.

 

[photovol]

You must have better players than UT has been able recruit, it’s really pretty simple, the best players win

 

[EZE]

The real theory is actually very simple.... Good coaches find a way to win, and bad coaches don’t.

And right now, Pruitt has absolutely no clue as to how to start winning games. He’s flailing around grasping at straws.

 

[LAVol1]

The real theory is actually very simple.... Good coaches find a way to win, and bad coaches don’t.

And right now, Pruitt has absolutely no clue as to how to start winning games. He’s flailing around grasping at straws.

Hard to argue with that. I think Pruitt, like many posters here, thought with the OL we had, we could line up and run over most of our opponents and be competitive against UGA, AL and UF. The OL has not come close to meeting expectations. They don't play as a cohesive unit. They are making far too many mistakes and incurring too many penalties. I put that on the OL coach. With as much talent as we have on the OL, there is no excuse for the poor performance. I was hoping, with Brumbaugh fired, that PF would be a coach and fix the problem. He was a great OL coach and, along with Walt Harris and Cutcliffe, one of our three best OC's.

 

[TuVol4u]

Defenses still need to prevent the ball from moving the chains, get sacks, TFLs, and intercept in order to stop the offense- which requires good defensive coaching.

Do you think Saban would still let his DC stick around if teams were hanging 45+ every game on him even when Bama comes out with the W?

College football is now a boat race to the finish line and the SEC is now the Big 12 it seems.

 

[jarnol32]

Almost like Bowden Wyatt 60 years ago when we were the only team in major college football running the single wing. Just like Trevor Lawrence and Michael Penix now Steve Spurrier and Steve Sloan didnt fit our system.

It makes me sick that Trevor Lawrence didn’t “fit”Butch Jones’s system, but Jarret Guarantano did. Thanks Butch for blessing us with the worst multiple season starter in Tennessee history.