For me it's the inconsistency and lack of production at the QB position. The UT offense hasn't been (a) sustaining drives, or (b) scoring points. Our rushing/passing offense is producing (I think) around 19 ppg. Defensively, we're giving up (again, I think) almost 28 ppg. That's not counting pick-6's. Depending on how you parse your stats, UT is anywhere from 9 to 12 ppg behind our opponents to date. Thus, we're 2-3, and probably lucky to not be 1-4. Ugly, but it is what it is.
I don't know what UT's "3 and out", or "non-scoring drive" percentage is, but when you only score 17 points on offense, it means you scored on 3 drives, and on the rest...you didn't. Those 3 and outs and non-scoring drives put pressure on the defense to keep the opponent from scoring, and when you're playing with a 9 to 12 ppg disadvantage, it means you're losing that battle of attrition / field position. It's really a matter of simple math when you step back and look at it: If your opponent is averaging 28 ppg, then you need to average 29 or more in order to tip the overall numbers in your favor.
Yes, we have issues on the DL...can't defend the slant...need to improve tackling...DB's get beat too often...etc. But that defense spends so much time on the field that they get their mail at the 30-yard line. Complimentary football requires the offense to help out the defense, and vice versa. Having an offense that struggles to sustain drives as consistently as this one does puts all of the weight on the backs of the defense, and well...then you give up 28 ppg.
The raw numbers suggest that UT might...might beat the likes of Vandy this year, with this team. Anybody out there like our chances against any of the other four? No, me either. Clearly, something must change if UT is to even have a chance to finish 5-5 this year.
I doubt if we can find 11 new starters on defense, but I do believe we can find 1 new starter on offense. And I'd really like to see what this team might be capable of if Maurer were given the opportunity to run the offense. Nothing against Shrout or Bailey, but I think Maurer has the edge over Shrout, and I think Bailey is probably still a good spring and fall camp away from being ready to run the UT offense. Maurer should have seen enough to have a grasp of the basic playbook by now. So roll with Maurer, and let's see if we can sustain more drives, and score more points.
JG is what he is. He's a 19 ppg game manager who throws a gorgeous fade and not much else well. He throws too hard, too high, and too late. He's about as dual-threat as I am, and he's also a turnover machine when things don't go well. In short, he's a 19 ppg QB. Not good enough for the SEC.
With JG at the helm, the O/U for UT is 3.5, and that might be generous. If you're okay with that, then pull up a chair.
If you're not, then pull JG, and start Maurer.
Go Vols.
