If you’ve ever seen a diamond in the rough, it’s not really much to look at. It is similar to gravel in a way. To the untrained eye, its value could certainly be overlooked.
It takes tremendous pressure and constant heat to achieve the transformation from carbon to the hardest mineral on earth. Yet, its journey is far from complete. A cutter will polish a small window to look inside and see what quality the stone is and how best to use it.
Once evaluated, the molding process begins. Cutting, faceting, and polishing. In the end an amazing gem, highly valued and much appreciated.
Lane Kiffin and his coaching staff have been working hard at this process. Some of these ‘diamonds’ are still being evaluated. Some are in the faceting stage, and others have yet to arrive. Collectively, you could say the Tennessee team is a diamond in the rough.
So what would give us a glimpse this week that the future of the Tennessee football program will indeed be sparkling and bright, scintillating to watch?
While no one is crying ‘imitation stones’, there is a stark reality. The Vols must get better in some key areas to improve on a 1-2 start.
True, they are currently 5th in the nation (number 2 in the SEC) in total defense. Inside that number comes a fourth ranked national pass defense (number 1 in the SEC), and a nationally ranked 12th in tackles for loss (Number 1 in the SEC).
However key areas that need more faceting in Saturday’s game with Ohio will be:
1)Turnover margin. Currently Tennessee is 98th out of the FBS 120 teams in this category. While some of this falls on the offense (seven interceptions in three games), the defense needs to be more opportunistic. Case in point, UCLA laid the ball on the ground 6 times, lost one.
2)Kickoff returns. David Oku is going to have his share of big plays at Tennessee. Dennis Rogan is also very capable. 20 yards per return doesn’t seem all that low until you realize Kentucky is averaging over 42 yards per return and the Vols are ranked 86th nationally in kickoff returns.
3)Passing Offense. 104th and that’s factoring in the Western Kentucky game. Without that season opener, per game numbers go from 154 to 93 passing yards per game. The quarterback position has struggled to say the least. The wide outs need to step up though and Coach Kiffin has said as much.
A nice cache for this game with the Bobcats would be to win the game first and foremost. But in the process a +2 in the turnover margin would be a nice start.
Starting beyond the 30 on kickoffs with a straight up return on (the reverse on the kickoff return in the Florida game was a really good call, but is a gadget play and not used often).
No interceptions and some completions down field. Rebuild some confidence. The running game could make some nice strides if Tennessee can get some vertical success in the air.
A handful of diamonds in the rough. Eager, hungry, looking for that final polish that brings the future to the present. Will YOU be there to watch for the gems this Saturday?