Is this the year we finally get the Heupel offense back or is Pope not the guy if not?

[SpookyAction]

Heupel's offense relies on QB awareness. Hooker had it better than any UT QB I've ever seen.
The big factor is hitting the running plays when the defense has to spread out.

JAguilar had 151.6 passer rating in 2023 when his team had 2400 rushing yds. 3700+yds passing. JA rushed for 245.
His rating went down to 132.9 with 14 INTs in 2024 when App St's run game only put up 1692 yds, 206 was Aguilar himself.

If we have our usual rushing success, JA will be more comfortable and should cut down on INTs.

 

[BruisedOrange]

My AI tool told me Halzle is the problem.

Well, then Al's a tool.

 

[VolInNW]

Let's see......

1. Opposing teams have figured out how to defend against Heupel's offense. We have not adjusted.
2. Several position coaches are not developing players or recruiting very well.
3. Outside of Hooker, who fell into his lap, Heupel has not had good luck evaluating and developing QBs

This is not a popular opinion, but this combo seems to me to indicate that the HC needs to move with purpose, replace position coaches not cutting it, adapt his base offense (continually) to keep opposing defenses guessing, and either re-focus his QB criteria or hire someone who will help him in this area.

We need to recruit better, and be PROACTIVE in the portal.

I'm not sure why so many in here are so very reluctant to see that Heupel needs to take immediate steps to avoid staleness and get his team moving again, but it seems clear as a bell to me. That is not a 'fahr Coach Heupel' statement. I DO NOT want to go through another painful coach search, I like Heup's personality, and I honestly think he has it in him to be a very good SEC coach. But his complacency concerns me.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Let's see......

1. Opposing teams have figured out how to defend against Heupel's offense. We have not adjusted.
2. Several position coaches are not developing players or recruiting very well.
3. Outside of Hooker, who fell into his lap, Heupel has not had good luck evaluating and developing QBs

This is not a popular opinion, but this combo seems to me to indicate that the HC needs to move with purpose, replace position coaches not cutting it, adapt his base offense (continually) to keep opposing defenses guessing, and either re-focus his QB criteria or hire someone who will help him in this area.

We need to recruit better, and be PROACTIVE in the portal.

I'm not sure why so many in here are so very reluctant to see that Heupel needs to take immediate steps to avoid staleness and get his team moving again, but it seems clear as a bell to me. That is not a 'fahr Coach Heupel' statement. I DO NOT want to go through another painful coach search, I like Heup's personality, and I honestly think he has it in him to be a very good SEC coach. But his complacency concerns me.

I would say " nice troll job", but that's clearly not the case. Bless your heart

 

[Volizona]

I actually think @VolInNW ‘s post was realistic and accurate.

 

[sjt18]

Just spitting out a theory... but maybe Heupel's O isn't flexible to talent. Maybe he needs to focus on getting guys who fit his system instead... particularly at QB.

Milton was more "talented" than Hooker in just about every way. Hooker was by far the better QB in Heupel's O. Nico was likewise more physically talented than Hooker and probably whoever starts this year but never looked comfortable running Heupel's O... and appeared unable to do certain staple plays like the quick sideline screens.

 

[Adam Sandler]

You call the guy a “simpleton” for having a bad take? What a complete a$$hole.

Do yourself a favor: hit the ignore button and don’t look back.

 

[VolInNW]

I would say " nice troll job", but that's clearly not the case. Bless your heart

Not trolling at all, just offering my concern about our coach and direction. Like most in here, I want Heupel to succeed. He has split with Florida and Bama since he has been here, and that says a lot in my book. All good. HOWEVER, it does not mean he is immune from criticism, nor should we look the other way as he lets things slide.

Look, he has made $30+ million since he arrived. That will take the drive out of a LOT of people. He is set for life. Is he still driven? I don't know, but I see some things that concern me.

You could have paid Saban $500 million and the guy would STILL have wanted to win constantly. Great coaches are like that. We will see over the next couple of years if Heupel is satisfied, or if he is still driven to succeed. I hope the latter.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Not trolling at all, just offering my concern about our coach and direction. Like most in here, I want Heupel to succeed. He has split with Florida and Bama since he has been here, and that says a lot in my book. All good. HOWEVER, it does not mean he is immune from criticism, nor should we look the other way as he lets things slide.

Look, he has made $30+ million since he arrived. That will take the drive out of a LOT of people. He is set for life. Is he still driven? I don't know, but I see some things that concern me.

You could have paid Saban $500 million and the guy would STILL have wanted to win constantly. Great coaches are like that. We will see over the next couple of years if Heupel is satisfied, or if he is still driven to succeed. I hope the latter.

You claimed in another post Heupel was "sleepwalking" through his job. You clearly have an agenda and try to mask it with phrases like "he isn't immune from criticism". How could YOU possibly have such an opinion? What sort of first hand experience do you have that supports your opinions of Heupel? Objective criticism is fine

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

Not trolling at all, just offering my concern about our coach and direction. Like most in here, I want Heupel to succeed. He has split with Florida and Bama since he has been here, and that says a lot in my book. All good. HOWEVER, it does not mean he is immune from criticism, nor should we look the other way as he lets things slide.

Look, he has made $30+ million since he arrived. That will take the drive out of a LOT of people. He is set for life. Is he still driven? I don't know, but I see some things that concern me.

You could have paid Saban $500 million and the guy would STILL have wanted to win constantly. Great coaches are like that. We will see over the next couple of years if Heupel is satisfied, or if he is still driven to succeed. I hope the latter.

73-69 in the 12 seasons before heup 0 wins vs bama, 1 win vs Florida, 2 wins vs UGA ..

Heup last 3 seasons: 30-12 only 1 home loss, a playoff appearance, and another top 6 finish.. 2 wins vs bama 2 wins vs Florida.. like I understand critique where it is warranted but to act as if heup has shown any signs of “staleness” is insane… I’ll argue his coaching job last year showed tremendous growth.. to win in ways he had never won before and get us to the playoffs in the sec is being undervalued.. he definitely isn’t perfect but I wouldn’t want any other coach leading us right now. He will have a chip on his shoulder this year too and I think it will rub off on a physical team.

 

[loosecannon]

Seems like I heard a wise man once say something like "It's not the XS & Os, but the Jimmy's and Joes". I wonder if that relates?

You gotta have the right Jimmy or Joe to execute the X and O’s.

Years ago on Hard Knocks, at KC, they cut a qb. He said something to the effect of “You expected me to turn chicken s*** into chicken salad.”

I don’t think we were Chicken Scat personnel wise, we had some competency, but a lot were pretty fundamentally poor. Drops, not stacking on verticals and drifting, poor positioning on contested throws. Those portal guys weren’t really wanted though they were as recruits. Are they misses or not developed? Hard to tell.

 

[LWSVOL]

Is Pope the offensive coordinator??

Can’t Halzle point out these same things you did?
Can’t Halzle know NOT to send 4.8 speed Bru McCoy on a 9 route?
Can’t Halze understand they are playing corners covers on down 1-2 and blitzing on 3rd down?

Only a simpleton would blame the WR coach for an average predictable offense .

Pope needs to recruit better, but he’s not the reason for our stale offense…

People still don't understand who has the heavist hand in this offense. They don't understand who is the architect of this offense and the one that makes it go. Josh Heupel has the largest influence on what happens on the field each Saturday and on the practice field. If there is any coach not doing his job, Josh Heupel will let them know and correct it. You can bet on it.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Just spitting out a theory... but maybe Heupel's O isn't flexible to talent. Maybe he needs to focus on getting guys who fit his system instead... particularly at QB.

Milton was more "talented" than Hooker in just about every way. Hooker was by far the better QB in Heupel's O. Nico was likewise more physically talented than Hooker and probably whoever starts this year but never looked comfortable running Heupel's O... and appeared unable to do certain staple plays like the quick sideline screens.

Milton was bigger and could throw harder. That’s it though.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Just spitting out a theory... but maybe Heupel's O isn't flexible to talent. Maybe he needs to focus on getting guys who fit his system instead... particularly at QB.

Milton was more "talented" than Hooker in just about every way. Hooker was by far the better QB in Heupel's O. Nico was likewise more physically talented than Hooker and probably whoever starts this year but never looked comfortable running Heupel's O... and appeared unable to do certain staple plays like the quick sideline screens.

Talent alone is not the answer. The mental aspect of the game is as important as the physical when it comes to winning close football games. That is true for players and the mental aspect is also true for the coaches. Coaches can coach correctly, but if the players are not mentally able to execute the play, it will fail.

 

[wmcovol]

Defensive coordinators are not stupid. They have chosen to play both safetys deep, drop 7, sometimes 8, force Tennessee to run the ball (which they’ve done effectively usually) & take 8-12 plays to score. Inconsistency at OL w/penalties & QB w/misses has helped the defense with stops.

Add to this Tennessee WRs were a MASH unit last year. Bru & White were best all to hell & Thorthon was hurt off and on constantly.

OL will be bigger & I believe better this year.. With a more balanced run game, a qb who can & will run, it will force DCs to play more balanced. If WRs stay healthy….& hungry, the offense should be much better.

 

[jasonvol18]

Total Offense:
2021- 7th
2022- 1st
2023- 37th
2024- 14th

I was really surprised to see where we were last year, I guess because of the struggles in conference games and the long touchdown droughts are what stands out to me. I guess the easy games really padded the numbers.

Agreed! We really padded our stats in non conference games. We had a very manageable schedule last year and it's even easier this year. We gotta take advantage of it. We didn't get Ole Miss,LSU,Mizzou,S.Carol or Texas last year or this one.

 

[Frozevol]

Not trolling at all, just offering my concern about our coach and direction. Like most in here, I want Heupel to succeed. He has split with Florida and Bama since he has been here, and that says a lot in my book. All good. HOWEVER, it does not mean he is immune from criticism, nor should we look the other way as he lets things slide.

Look, he has made $30+ million since he arrived. That will take the drive out of a LOT of people. He is set for life. Is he still driven? I don't know, but I see some things that concern me.

You could have paid Saban $500 million and the guy would STILL have wanted to win constantly. Great coaches are like that. We will see over the next couple of years if Heupel is satisfied, or if he is still driven to succeed. I hope the latter.

I get your point, and have had similar thoughts. However, comparisons to Saban should be avoided as no current coach can measure up (Sorry, Dabo and Kirby).
Heupel comes across as an introvert. Seems to have an offensive lineman’s demeanor though he played one of the most extroverted positions. He doesn’t shine in media interviews as it is obvious he doesn’t like them. That’s just him. He has other gifts and one of them is he can win ballgames and he has the competitive spirit of a player. But I wonder sometimes if he is truly enjoying what he is doing.

 

[BDP!]

Is Pope the offensive coordinator??

Can’t Halzle point out these same things you did?
Can’t Halzle know NOT to send 4.8 speed Bru McCoy on a 9 route?
Can’t Halze understand they are playing corners covers on down 1-2 and blitzing on 3rd down?

Only a simpleton would blame the WR coach for an average predictable offense .

Pope needs to recruit better, but he’s not the reason for our stale offense…

CJH calls the plays, always has.