2nd Half D

[McDad]

You're welcome.

Your earlier comment got me thinking about it on a dreary boring day lol.

Here is a link for reference

2022 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

I heard we lead the SEC in turnovers gained as well

 

[swampfoxfan]

AR a terrible passer had a career day vs UT. Mizzou averaged more yds per play vs UT than any other opponent except Abilene Christian and La Tech. Their 24 points were the most they’ve scored against an FBS opponent this year.

That’s just two games. Statistically they’re in the bottom half of the SEC in many categories including pass D and total D.

I just don’t feel good about Banks. After showing some aggressiveness and what it could do he seems to have crawled back into bend don’t break. Except he keeps breaking

You forgot to mention LSU or Ky defensive shortcomings

 

[rocytop2624]

Rush defense has significantly improved from 2021 to 2022, 148 YPG in 2021 to 104 YPG in 2022.

Pass defense has regressed. 273 YPG in 2021 to 288 YPG in 2022.

They have gone from 56th in turnover margin in 2021 to 6th in turnover margin in 2022.

Scoring defense has gone from 31 PPG in 2021 to 21 PPG IN 2022.

There are issues with the defense but I think they have taken significant strides under Banks.

Far too soon to be pulling the plug on him and he probably deserves more credit than he has been receiving based on the improvement from Year 1 to Year 2. JMO.

Just get some DBs that are great at man to man. Then we are fine.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

sjt typically gives thought and reason to his posts. I find him to be routinely objective.

There is a lot of anti Banks and anti Martinez opinion on the board, though.

For me, a return to poor performance for a half isn't that big of a deal especially after getting our butts whooped in Athens.

Missouri was a "step back" in what way? Anti Banks & Martinez sentiment is certainly afflicting some folks, but it is not a problem to our actual team. So as long as it's a fringe radical group and not the team itself (or anyone important to the program) I'm fine with it.
Some folks have to have something to complain about. Completely understandable. The secondary recruiting is full of safety and corner types which will increase our ability on the back end and I'll be happy to see them get here. We were not pre-season SEC favorites because our roster was not top-notch. We've done well for year two. All the complainors be damned. GoVols.

 

[Sarms58]

Georgia didn't just take their foot off the gas. They decided to run the ball and milk the clock which was a tactical decision.

The lead, the weather and the nature of the opponent sort of dictated how they played in the second half. They were still trying to score on every series but Kirby didn’t want the ball in the air- he didn’t want us to get many offensive possessions. It would have been interesting if we had scored on that first drive in the third quarter but my gut says Georgia was going to pound the ball regardless- our D probably surprised them as I’m sure they thought they would score more.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

I heard we lead the SEC in turnovers gained as well

I believe that is correct.

Hooker not throwing interceptions and the RBs being pretty careful with the ball really helps the turnover margin.

They are top 5 or better in interceptions and fumble recoveries on defense.

 

[McDad]

I believe that is correct.

Hooker not throwing interceptions and the RBs being pretty careful with the ball really helps the turnover margin.

They are top 5 or better in interceptions and fumble recoveries on defense.

I think all the areas of improvement and the amount of improvement will surprise many.

 

[DaddyChad]

I never said that talent wasn’t part of it.

There were some reports earlier that Heupel had to pressure Banks to be more aggressive. I believe that was before UK. Probably the D’Souza best game of the year.

No idea if Heupel has said anything to Banks or not but I do know it was said in the offseason that we would be more aggressive this year on defense. Last season we were dealing with raw numbers, this we’ve been dealing with lack of talent and lack of experience. Defense has improved as the year has went by we still have some positions with huge talent voids.

 

[rocytop2624]

sjt typically gives thought and reason to his posts. I find him to be routinely objective.

There is a lot of anti Banks and anti Martinez opinion on the board, though.

For me, a return to poor performance for a half isn't that big of a deal especially after getting our butts whooped in Athens.

We got beat! We did not get are asses whooped!

 

[rocytop2624]

Are the shifting opinions supported by stats, is it "eye test", something else?

What ever it is is pure ass because Banks has the Defense playing out there mind!

 

[sami]

AR a terrible passer had a career day vs UT. Mizzou averaged more yds per play vs UT than any other opponent except Abilene Christian and La Tech. Their 24 points were the most they’ve scored against an FBS opponent this year.

That’s just two games. Statistically they’re in the bottom half of the SEC in many categories including pass D and total D.

I just don’t feel good about Banks. After showing some aggressiveness and what it could do he seems to have crawled back into bend don’t break. Except he keeps breaking

My only problem with the scheme against Missouri was that he wouldn't spy the QB and take away the main source of their offense all day. I was having Matt Mauck flashbacks there for a while in the 3rd quarter. They tightened things up after that.

 

[fuego]

Georgia scored touchdowns in the second half against every other team that they played. Except the Volunteers....

Rece Davis said the GA win against TN was just as much of a beatdown as GA against Oregon even thought the score wasn't as bad. Dominated in all phases of the game. Someone else said the fact that TN scored 66 the next week was actually proof of how dominant the GA defense is. That TNs offense didn't get back on track because it was never off track. It just proved they can score 60 pts on anyone but GA.

 

[sjt18]

What ever it is is pure ass because Banks has the Defense playing out there mind!

That's not even close to being true. Did you actually NOT watch the MU game? Cook is awful Really awful. Richardson had 453 yds vs Banks' D... and hasn't broken 300 against anyone else. Did you watch the UTM game?

I don't think that's just players.

 

[sami]

Rece Davis said the GA win against TN was just as much of a beatdown as GA against Oregon even thought the score wasn't as bad. Dominated in all phases of the game. Someone else said the fact that TN scored 66 the next week was actually proof of how dominant the GA defense is. That TNs offense didn't get back on track because it was never off track. It just proved they can score 60 pts on anyone but GA.

1. Rece Davis is a tool. Since when is he someone worth quoting as if it means something?

2. By this bizarre logic are we to come to the conclusion that it would have been better for UT not to score as much the following week?

 

[rocytop2624]

That's not even close to being true. Did you actually NOT watch the MU game? Cook is awful Really awful. Richardson had 453 yds vs Banks' D... and hasn't broken 300 against anyone else. Did you watch the UTM game?

I don't think that's just players.

It's because they are a aggressive defense that can bend but not brake. You gets sacks or get burnt you get a pick or get burnt. Did you see the Lsu and Kentucky game.

 

[sjt18]

It's because they are a aggressive defense that can bend but not brake. You gets sacks or get burnt you get a pick or get burnt. Did you see the Lsu and Kentucky game.

Oh, so that's why UF and MU could pretty much get a 1st down any time they wanted due to soft coverage and NO redirection off the LOS? That's why even UTM had excessive cushion and drove the ball all day?

I'm not saying "fire him". But Banks is NOT on par with the other coaches so far. He has to be more aggressive and has to improve his scheming and playcalling.

UK should be the MODEL for how UT plays every week. They were physical and aggressive. They sold out to get pressure. Where was that vs Mizzou?

UT's O has an "identity". You know they're going to be aggressive. You know they're going to spread you out then run if you try to give help with WRs. They're going to run tempo. I believe 4 out of UT's starting 5 OLs has been the SEC O lineman of the week... so you are going to get well disciplined, powerful OL play. On the 2 occasions when UT's O played out of character vs Pitt/UGA... it was obvious. You could see it was different.

After two years, what is UT's identity on D? Heupel has CONSISTENTLY said they were going to be aggressive on both sides of the ball... but Banks hasn't been consistently aggressive either in the way they coach players to play or how he schemes or how he calls plays.

 

[rocytop2624]

Oh, so that's why UF and MU could pretty much get a 1st down any time they wanted due to soft coverage and NO redirection off the LOS? That's why even UTM had excessive cushion and drove the ball all day?

I'm not saying "fire him". But Banks is NOT on par with the other coaches so far. He has to be more aggressive and has to improve his scheming and playcalling.

UK should be the MODEL for how UT plays every week. They were physical and aggressive. They sold out to get pressure. Where was that vs Mizzou?

UT's O has an "identity". You know they're going to be aggressive. You know they're going to spread you out then run if you try to give help with WRs. They're going to run tempo. I believe 4 out of UT's starting 5 OLs has been the SEC O lineman of the week... so you are going to get well disciplined, powerful OL play. On the 2 occasions when UT's O played out of character vs Pitt/UGA... it was obvious. You could see it was different.

After two years, what is UT's identity on D? Heupel has CONSISTENTLY said they were going to be aggressive on both sides of the ball... but Banks hasn't been consistently aggressive either in the way they coach players to play or how he schemes or how he calls plays.

UT 's D does have a identity as a aggressive D that gets turnovers and stopping the run . Cook is going to be a good QB and they was shut out the 2nd half Alot of teams have been shutout the second half. Florida got alot of garbage yards on the Vols at the end and made the game look closure than it was. There has been alot of improvement from year 1 to year 2. That’s what you want isn't it?

 

[sjt18]

UT 's D does have a identity as a aggressive D that gets turnovers and stopping the run .

Some games yes... some games no. Some games pressure. Some games sit back. That's not an "identity".

Cook is going to be a good QB and they was shut out the 2nd half

UT is eying the playoff. Mizzou is one of the worst if not the worst O in the SEC. It shouldn't take a half for your DC to figure out how to stop their O. And realize what you are saying... you are saying that one of the worst O's in the SEC basically beat their season averages in the 1st half against your D.

Cook more than likely won't be their starter next year. People who follow MU football consider him a place holder... they hope for Sam Horn.

Alot of teams have been shutout the second half. Florida got alot of garbage yards on the Vols at the end and made the game look closure than it was.

That's an interesting revision of what happened in that game.

There has been alot of improvement from year 1 to year 2. That’s what you want isn't it?

There has been some improvement. Not enough and they're still not playing at the level of talent or above. The O is consistently playing above the sum of its player talent.

We have seen talent cover coaching inadequacy recently. Butch Jones had a bunch of talent legacies and homers fall into his lap. The talent made him look much better than he ever was. I NEVER want to see UT cover bad coaching with talent again. Great talent deserves great coaching.

 

[rocytop2624]

Some games yes... some games no. Some games pressure. Some games sit back. That's not an "identity". UT is eying the playoff. Mizzou is one of the worst if not the worst O in the SEC. It shouldn't take a half for your DC to figure out how to stop their O. And realize what you are saying... you are saying that one of the worst O's in the SEC basically beat their season averages in the 1st half against your D.

Cook more than likely won't be their starter next year. People who follow MU football consider him a place holder... they hope for Sam Horn.

That's an interesting revision of what happened in that game.


There has been some improvement. Not enough and they're still not playing at the level of talent or above. The O is consistently playing above the sum of its player talent.

We have seen talent cover coaching inadequacy recently. Butch Jones had a bunch of talent legacies and homers fall into his lap. The talent made him look much better than he ever was. I NEVER want to see UT cover bad coaching with talent again. Great talent deserves great coaching.

Usually when you have a high powered offense that runs alot of plays and scores alot of points and has the ball 20min on offense then the defense is going to give up points and yards that's the way are team is.

 

[sjt18]

Usually when you have a high powered offense that runs alot of plays and scores alot of points and has the ball 20min on offense then the defense is going to give up points and yards that's the way are team is.

Not necessarily. If you get off the field on 3rd down, limit 1st downs, and do not allow long drives then opponents may not run more plays or score lots of points.

UT's problem hasn't been scoring very much. When the field is compressed, they seem to do better. The problem is that they give up A LOT of 1st downs... which allows opponents to control clock... which keeps the O off the field. UT gives up the 2nd most 1st downs per game in the SEC. That's not good. And it is primarily caused by UT giving up the 10th most pass yds/play in the SEC... and that is because UT consistently gives up medium pass plays. Teams pass more against UT than any other SEC team- over 40 times per game on average. Teams get all of those 5-12 yd completions because UT doesn't play aggressive at the LOS.

 

[McDad]

Not necessarily. If you get off the field on 3rd down, limit 1st downs, and do not allow long drives then opponents may not run more plays or score lots of points.

UT's problem hasn't been scoring very much. When the field is compressed, they seem to do better. The problem is that they give up A LOT of 1st downs... which allows opponents to control clock... which keeps the O off the field. UT gives up the 2nd most 1st downs per game in the SEC. That's not good. And it is primarily caused by UT giving up the 10th most pass yds/play in the SEC... and that is because UT consistently gives up medium pass plays. Teams pass more against UT than any other SEC team- over 40 times per game on average. Teams get all of those 5-12 yd completions because UT doesn't play aggressive at the LOS.

The defense is improving in most areas compared to last year. No comparison is perfect but I prefer to look at this year compared to last rather than where we are this year compared to other SEC teams. That broad scope brings in too many variables.

I think you are being too hard on the team right now. The secondary has been a revolving door of personnel this year. I just don't know what else can be done right now. We have seen flashes of improvement. We have also seen regression to the mean. The D line get a significant number of hurries and pressures. I think they are also doing well with sack overall. Our weakness is pass defense. And, i think that was predicted given who we lost from last year's team.

 

[sjt18]

The defense is improving in most areas compared to last year. No comparison is perfect but I prefer to look at this year compared to last rather than where we are this year compared to other SEC teams. That broad scope brings in too many variables.

I think you are being too hard on the team right now. The secondary has been a revolving door of personnel this year. I just don't know what else can be done right now. We have seen flashes of improvement. We have also seen regression to the mean. The D line get a significant number of hurries and pressures. I think they are also doing well with sack overall. Our weakness is pass defense. And, i think that was predicted given who we lost from last year's team.

Just not sold on Banks. I'm not against him. There are risks in letting him go and replacing him beyond X's and O's that cannot be ignored when culture is as big of a part of your success as it has been at UT these past two years

I would love to believe that he's the answer. I just don't yet.

 

[rocytop2624]

Just not sold on Banks. I'm not against him. There are risks in letting him go and replacing him beyond X's and O's that cannot be ignored when culture is as big of a part of your success as it has been at UT these past two years

I would love to believe that he's the answer. I just don't yet.

Need some 5* DB's that can play man.

 

[hUTch2002]

We've talked about what a difference a year or two makes but I was thinking about our 2nd Half D.
We've given up an average of 10.7 points per game in the second half all year and almost exactly the same average of 10.6 points per 2nd half against the SEC. I think that's pretty impressive and a refreshing change from the old guards who didn't seem to make any adjustments at half time.
If you dig a little deeper, they've given up 10 TOTAL points in the second half if the last THREE games. KY-0, GA-3 and Lossouri 7.
Props to the coaches and players for being able to make adjustments.

Must’ve been raining in all those second halves and those teams clearly took their foot off the gas.

 

[McDad]

Just not sold on Banks. I'm not against him. There are risks in letting him go and replacing him beyond X's and O's that cannot be ignored when culture is as big of a part of your success as it has been at UT these past two years

I would love to believe that he's the answer. I just don't yet.

I get it. I believe you have a more objective view about Banks than others. I sense an axe to grind against him for some people and yet no one can explain why that is.

I definitely don't want to see us get trapped in mediocrity in our coaching. But that's been one of the highlights of our team this year. I have finally breathed a sigh of relief that our coaches are able to 'coach up' the roster. Plus our recruiting is improving, too. We just got a crystal ball prediction for the 5* DL recruit out of NC.