First the bad:
-That's the worst defensive performance, by far, of the season. It's also the worst defensive performance I can remember that ended in a Tennessee win in a long time. Especially considering that Kentucky's offense has not been good this season. The missed tackles were ridiculous. Busts in the secondary. Very little pressure on the QB. Allowing more QB rushing yardage (that HAS to be figured out). The off week helped Tennessee get healthy, but it didn't seem to help the defense at all. They regressed.
-Tiyon Evans just cannot be counted on. Heupel needs to sign at least 2 RBs in this class and Wright/Beckwith/Whitehead need to develop before next season. I thought Evans would be fine after his injury against SC because he was doing backflips after the game and looked fine on the sidelines. But then he didn't play against Ole Miss and played sporadically against Bama. I thought he'd be fine against Kentucky because he played some against Bama and had 2 weeks to heal. Then he takes one hit and doesn't play again. But then he looks fine on the sideline and celebrating after the game last night. I think this is a case of a guy not knowing the difference between being injured and being hurt. He's Tennessee's best RB, but if this is his M.O., it may be time to move on from him until he's ready to play at less than 100%. And did Small get hurt again? Why did Wright finish the game?
-The flag on Stoops after the missed facemask call was awful. I'm glad it didn't decide the game, but it could have. One of 1,000 reasons football is better than basketball is the impact that officials have on basketball. I hate the discretion given to refs for giving technicals because they don't like something a coach says. Let's keep that crap out of football. With targeting and the sensitivity of PI calls now, referee impact seems to be growing in football and I hate that.
-Tennessee was probably outplayed by Kentucky. Lost the yardage battle, fumbled 3 times (only lost 1), and the time of possession was very one-sided.
-Our Linebackers were terrible last night. Beasley had an awful game.
The good:
-Tennessee found a way to win in spite of being outplayed. That's the sign of a winning culture and a winning program. These kids believe they should win and the effort is never lacking. I love feeling this way again...that feeling that we'll find a way to win, even on off nights.
-Jeremy Banks had no personal fouls or stupid plays. Good for him.
-Wright looked better at RB than he has before. Maybe he's figuring things out and finding holes.
-Heupel's playcalling continues to be outstanding. As bad as the defense was last night, the offense was that good. It's amazing how open he gets WRs in this offense. And remember, Kentucky's strength all year has been its defense. No one has put up numbers on UK's defense like that.
-Three big "what-if" plays last night that would have made the margin more comfortable if they'd gone Tennessee's way: 1) Hyatt barely stepping out of bounds on the would-be long touchdown early in the game (3rd possession, maybe?). We fumbled on the next play, then they scored a TD. That's a 7-14 point swing (depending on what UK would have done having to go a longer field after the would-be TD); 2) On 3rd and 10, Hooker barely overshot Tillman on a post that would have been a TD. Then Tennessee failed to convert on 4th down. 7-14 point swing; 3) On 3rd and long (10 or 15 yards), Tennessee got a rare stop on a pass breakup, but Slaughter was called for a hold away from the play, giving UK a 1st down. He did tug the jersey, but it was close to within 5 yards, had no impact on the play, and usually isn't called. Had that ref kept his flag in his pocket, Kentucky punts for the only time that game. Instead they ended up with a TD. 7 point swing. Those 3 plays were the difference in 21-35 points.
-Cedric Tillman has become a very good SEC WR. I've said it before, but if he can pick up a half-step in speed this offseason, he'll be a household name and high draft pick next year.
-Hendon Hooker will be a legit Heisman candidate in this offense next year.
-Tennessee beat the #18 team in America on its home field, in a packed house, prime time game. The Vols will likely finish 7-5 in Heupel's first season. None of those things seemed like realistic possibilities before the season. Safe to say he has his signature win for Year 1 and, barring collapse, his first season is a resounding success. I thought 6-6 was best case scenario, 5-7 was my best guess, and 4-8 quite possible.
-I expect Georgia to win big next week, Tennessee should destroy Vanderbilt, and South Alabama should be a win (although that's a better team than many realize and may be closer than we'd like).
Man, this team is fun to watch.
