By Jimmy Hyams
After each Tennessee game, I do a “thumbs up’’ and “thumbs down’’ evaluation of the team’s performance – the players, the coaches, the overall effort.
Here is a look at my observations after the 15-9 loss to South Carolina.
Thumbs Up
* One-minute drill with 73 seconds left. The Vols marched 72 yards on nine plays before stalling at the SC 2-yard line. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano said he’s comfortable in the hurry-up offense, which he said goes back to high school. Maybe UT should incorporate that some earlier in the game.
* First half run defense. UT held SC to 49 yards on 13 runs.
* First half defense. UT held SC to 104 yards on 25 snaps.
* UT held SC to 129 passing yards – UT’s average. That average ranked No. 3 in the nation entering the game; it now ranks No. 1.
* Guarantano’s mobility. He had 44 yards gained but lost 46, mostly on seven sacks. He doesn’t run like Josh Dobbs, but he does run better than Quinten Dormady. That will be essential against Alabama.
* True freshman kicker Brent Cimaglia, subbing for the ill Aaron Medley, kicked three field goals. He even mouthed off to South Carolina 250-pound defensive end D.J. Wonnum, who bumped into Cimaglia after a made field goal. UT special teams coach Charlton Warren said Cimaglia has a “fiery temperament’’ and Butch Jones said Cimaglia is “very passionate.’’
* First-down production on the first two possessions. The Vols gained at least 6 yards on six of the first seven first-down snaps. On the next 14 first-down snaps, UT gained 24 yards. That’s one reason UT struggled to convert on third downs after the first two possessions – they faced six third-and-8-or-more in the second half.
* Nickel Rashaan Gaulden had 10 stops and was all over the field. Gaulden has emerged as Tennessee’s best defensive player.
* Punter Trevor Daniel averaged 52.3 yards on six punts with a long of 72. It’s usually not a good sign when one of your top performers is the punter.
Thumbs Down
* Red zone offense. Tennessee made four trips into the red zone against SC and kicked three field goals. The Vols are 0x7 on touchdowns in the red zone against SEC opponents. The Vols are last in the SEC in red-zone offense at 73.7 percent (14 of 19 with only 10 touchdowns). The TD-to-red-zone ratio is 52.6 percent, tied for 98th in the nation. Another problem: In 24 snaps inside the opponents’ 10-yard line, running back John Kelly, UT’s best offensive weapon, has just six touches.
* Second-half run defense. Against Georgia Tech (yes, even GT), Georgia (7 yards on 7 first-quarter carries) and South Carolina, the first-half run defense was good to acceptable. In the second half of those games, it’s been atrocious. Georgia Tech had 368 in the second half, 167 in the first half. SC had 145 in the second half after getting 49 in the first half. Georgia had 287 in the last three quarters.
Is that lack of depth? Lack of adjustments? Lack of strength? Whatever it is, the Vols have to get that fixed AFTER the Alabama; it won’t matter this Saturday.
* Play calling. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to UT’s calls. And the Vols haven’t shown any consistency on offense, having gone 10 quarters without a touchdown. The play-calling in the red zone has also left a lot to be desired.
* Third-down conversions. Tennessee was 3 of 12 against South Carolina, 1 of 12 v. Georgia. That’s 4 of 24 in the last 2 games. Much of that can be traced to poor production on first downs. When UT gets behind the chains, the offense isn’t good enough to compensate.
* And here are some sobering numbers: In the last 10 quarters, UT’s offense has 12 points (four field goals), only 27 first downs, 210 rushing yards, 243 passing yards, 453 yards on 142 plays (3.2 per play) and 10 sacks.
* Tennessee’s run game. The Vols have declined in run production since the season opener. Against FBS foes, UT has gone from averaging 6.7 against Georgia Tech to 5.5 against Indiana State, 3.5 against UMass, 2.1 against Georgia and 3.1 against South Carolina. Much of that can be traced to an offensive line that has underachieved.
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