Fugly Football

#1
Volador

Volador

Orange you glad to be a Vol??
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#1
Totally pumped that our beloved Vols have beaten Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama in the same year. However, these last two games were just plain 'ol fugly. Seems to me (might not to you and well, that is your opinion) that our offense is having more than it's fair share of execution issues and, I for one seriously continue to question way too many play calls. On one of the highlight shows this morning, the announcer said of a 3rd qtr completion that Nico made down the sideline for a completion, that it was about time the Vols connected on a long pass. (my MO is to secure First Downs, Not Touchdowns, for if you focus only on First Downs, the TDs will come. But, if you continue to call drop back passes deep inside your own territory with a young QB and squad, you will do just like we have done in the past two games and that is to hand your team a pressure packed two plays to secure 10+ yards)

At the end of the year, I get it, we are measured by W's - not by how fugly the wins were. But there is an alarm going off in my head that says our lack of execution, excessive penalties and play calling is going to be met by a mightier team. Am hoping that is not the case of course, but if anyone thinks we played 4 quarters of great ball, than please raise your hand so you can be recognized. Yes, a Win is a Win is a Win. Just concerned that the way we are going about it (and of course this is almost all focused on our offense as our D has played lights out) will catch up to it unless, unless we get this Offense clicking like it did at the beginning of the season.

Oh, and one more thought. To my recollection, I don't remember playing a Bama team that that looked as poor on the field and had as many penalties (15 for a whooping 115 yards) as last nights Tide players, not too mention only 75 yards of rushing, 2 interceptions and going 3 for 14 on third downs (yes, we have a stout D!). If DeBoer plays like this many more times, he was going to wish he was back on the left coast!

Go Vols. 6-1 rocks!
 
#3
#3
Volador said:
Totally pumped that our beloved Vols have beaten Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama in the same year. However, these last two games were just plain 'ol fugly. Seems to me (might not to you and well, that is your opinion) that our offense is having more than it's fair share of execution issues and, I for one seriously continue to question way too many play calls. On one of the highlight shows this morning, the announcer said of a 3rd qtr completion that Nico made down the sideline for a completion, that it was about time the Vols connected on a long pass. (my MO is to secure First Downs, Not Touchdowns, for if you focus only on First Downs, the TDs will come. But, if you continue to call drop back passes deep inside your own territory with a young QB and squad, you will do just like we have done in the past two games and that is to hand your team a pressure packed two plays to secure 10+ yards)

At the end of the year, I get it, we are measured by W's - not by how fugly the wins were. But there is an alarm going off in my head that says our lack of execution, excessive penalties and play calling is going to be met by a mightier team. Am hoping that is not the case of course, but if anyone thinks we played 4 quarters of great ball, than please raise your hand so you can be recognized. Yes, a Win is a Win is a Win. Just concerned that the way we are going about it (and of course this is almost all focused on our offense as our D has played lights out) will catch up to it unless, unless we get this Offense clicking like it did at the beginning of the season.

Oh, and one more thought. To my recollection, I don't remember playing a Bama team that that looked as poor on the field and had as many penalties (15 for a whooping 115 yards) as last nights Tide players, not too mention only 75 yards of rushing, 2 interceptions and going 3 for 14 on third downs (yes, we have a stout D!). If DeBoer plays like this many more times, he was going to wish he was back on the left coast!

Go Vols. 6-1 rocks!
Click to expand...
The offensive line needs fixed and we roll, although we might not have the bodies to do that this year.
 
#6
#6
The Arkansas game was an ugly loss. The Florida game was an ugly win. The Alabama game was not a pretty win, but the offense looked better in the second half of this game than at any point in the previous 2 games. The sign of a great team is the ability to win even when it is not playing its best. I’m not saying this is a great team, but it has great potential. The defense is awesome and the offense has a high ceiling. It seems like the offense might finally be starting to click if they can build in what they did in the second a half of this game. One thing that can be said for certain is that this team did not give up in the last two games. The 2022 and 2023 teams were not able to come back and win games after facing adversity and performing poorly in the first half. This team has done it two games in a row. Hopefully we don’t keep putting ourselves in a position to have to make comebacks, but it is nice to know that we have that ability.
 
#7
#7
Volador said:
Totally pumped that our beloved Vols have beaten Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama in the same year. However, these last two games were just plain 'ol fugly. Seems to me (might not to you and well, that is your opinion) that our offense is having more than it's fair share of execution issues and, I for one seriously continue to question way too many play calls. On one of the highlight shows this morning, the announcer said of a 3rd qtr completion that Nico made down the sideline for a completion, that it was about time the Vols connected on a long pass. (my MO is to secure First Downs, Not Touchdowns, for if you focus only on First Downs, the TDs will come. But, if you continue to call drop back passes deep inside your own territory with a young QB and squad, you will do just like we have done in the past two games and that is to hand your team a pressure packed two plays to secure 10+ yards)

At the end of the year, I get it, we are measured by W's - not by how fugly the wins were. But there is an alarm going off in my head that says our lack of execution, excessive penalties and play calling is going to be met by a mightier team. Am hoping that is not the case of course, but if anyone thinks we played 4 quarters of great ball, than please raise your hand so you can be recognized. Yes, a Win is a Win is a Win. Just concerned that the way we are going about it (and of course this is almost all focused on our offense as our D has played lights out) will catch up to it unless, unless we get this Offense clicking like it did at the beginning of the season.

Oh, and one more thought. To my recollection, I don't remember playing a Bama team that that looked as poor on the field and had as many penalties (15 for a whooping 115 yards) as last nights Tide players, not too mention only 75 yards of rushing, 2 interceptions and going 3 for 14 on third downs (yes, we have a stout D!). If DeBoer plays like this many more times, he was going to wish he was back on the left coast!

Go Vols. 6-1 rocks!
Click to expand...

This is the SEC. I don’t understand how so many fans think these games should be easy and the Vols should just roll with ease.

I’ve been watching this conference since the late 80s. Teams fight back.

I thought we played a great game. Defense was exceptional in the first half and kept it close. Then, when the D started giving up some points, the offense answered. Complimentary football. It’s how you win tough games in our league.
 
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#8
#8
EZE said:
This is the SEC. I don’t understand how so many fans think these games should be easy and the Vols should just roll with ease.

I’ve been watching this conference since the late 80s. Teams fight back.

I thought we played a great game. Defense was exceptional in the first half and kept it close. Then, when the D started giving up some points, the offense answered. Complimentary football. It’s how you win tough games in our league.
Click to expand...

EZE - just curious. If you have time, go back and watch the first half and ask yourself if you would have called any of the plays differently. I love a W as much as anyone else and been a UT fan since the 60s, but IMO and perhaps mine only, we just are not utilizing our talent on offense properly. And not trying to be some moronic next day armchair QB. Ark, FL and Bama game plans (play calling) all the same. We should be winning these games by early in the 3rd quarter
 
#10
#10
Volador said:
EZE - just curious. If you have time, go back and watch the first half and ask yourself if you would have called any of the plays differently. I love a W as much as anyone else and been a UT fan since the 60s, but IMO and perhaps mine only, we just are not utilizing our talent on offense properly. And not trying to be some moronic next day armchair QB. Ark, FL and Bama game plans (play calling) all the same. We should be winning these games by early in the 3rd quarter
Click to expand...

We had numerous plays that were there to be made…but either missed the throw or had a drop. On deep and intermediate routes. Run game was getting stuffed, but by staying with it it opened up in the second half in a huge way.

Got into FG position twice.

Play calling was not the issue IMO. Just a hair off in execution.

I saw an offense that was just a bit snakebit and ready to bust out…and it did in the second half. Just through better execution. Play calling didn’t change.

At no point in that game did I feel like we were destined to lose. I believe CJH and staff coached a hell of a game.
 
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#11
#11
If Tennessee wins out, no debate.

If Tennessee loses only to Georgia in close game, very high chance Tennessee is in.

If Tennessee loses to Georgia and looks ugly in that game, I think we are at risk.

If Tennessee losses 2 or more games, no shot at Playoff.

Honestly, at this point, I really don't care that much about Playoffs. I want to beat Georgia. Tired of their fans and 1998 forever BS.
 
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#14
#14
Volador said:
EZE - just curious. If you have time, go back and watch the first half and ask yourself if you would have called any of the plays differently. I love a W as much as anyone else and been a UT fan since the 60s, but IMO and perhaps mine only, we just are not utilizing our talent on offense properly. And not trying to be some moronic next day armchair QB. Ark, FL and Bama game plans (play calling) all the same. We should be winning these games by early in the 3rd quarter
Click to expand...
It’s not just you.
 
#16
#16
Also, I believe Nico unlocked the next level during the second half with just a little bit better OL play. The better they play, the better he's going to get.
 
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#17
#17
UT97Vol said:
Milroe looked like garbage, but I think he was rattled by the defense, General Neyland's awesome stadium design, and the orange out.
Click to expand...

Man, if you get Milroe off-platform, there is telling where the ball is going to go. Some of those throws looked like they could get into the stands.
 
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#18
#18
A key here is that the D-Line intentionally tempered the rush IMO. They wanted Milroe to throw from the pocket and not let him get out where he is dangerous. His last two posessions there was something wrong with him. Missed wide open throws and he was making those earlier in the game. He has never been the best passer but he was either hurt or not seeing the field well under pressure.

As for the offense it is execution plain and simple. We are up at least two scores if we hit passes (Nico rushed a few throws) and don't drop. O-Line has to get better push but its football, we are going to lose 1:1s from time to time. Penalties also hurt both teams. Two missed FGs and uncharacteristically poor special teams play also was a factor.

At the end of the day games seem to take on a certain personality. This one was an ugly defensive struggle we were able to pull out. That has been the theme since Arkansas (And we should have won that one). If we can keep it close we know we have the weapons to win. If that is who this team is take your blood pressure meds my friends, each game will be stressful! 🤣
 
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#19
#19
Kylo said:
If UT wins the rest of their games, then they win the title. No style points necessary.
Click to expand...
And they literally never matter. Just keep winning the games. Whether they are pretty or ugly is something that does not matter in the win loss column, or reality in general..
Can't believe people still keep starting off their congratulations with a damned negative. You are happy we won or you're not. Farck how it looked. Models don't even have to be pretty. Why should football games?
 
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#20
#20
EZE said:
Man, if you get Milroe off-platform, there is telling where the ball is going to go. Some of those throws looked like they could get into the stands.
Click to expand...
Fo shizzle. The football equivalent to Ricky Vaughn.
 
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#21
#21
Volador said:
EZE - just curious. If you have time, go back and watch the first half and ask yourself if you would have called any of the plays differently. I love a W as much as anyone else and been a UT fan since the 60s, but IMO and perhaps mine only, we just are not utilizing our talent on offense properly. And not trying to be some moronic next day armchair QB. Ark, FL and Bama game plans (play calling) all the same. We should be winning these games by early in the 3rd quarter
Click to expand...
If you watch the first half, you’d understand the playcalling was NOT the problem. We were scheming guys wide open. We have got to connect on some of those. Nico settled in during the 2nd half and we started to move the ball much better. Not to mention we were moving the ball even with the misses, two costly turnovers right at the red zone left us with 0 points.
 
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#22
#22
Ned Ray McWorkher said:
And they literally never matter. Just keep winning the games. Whether they are pretty or ugly is something that does not matter in the win loss column, or reality in general..
Can't believe people still keep starting off their congratulations with a damned negative. You are happy we won or you're not. Farck how it looked. Models don't even have to be pretty. Why should football games?
Click to expand...
You’re saying a fan can’t be happy for a win and critique play. Funny.
 
#23
#23
Some might not see it but I think we are getting very close on offense. We ran the ball well in the second half against Florida and Bama. We got the passing game going in the second half against Bama. Our D is just flat tough! We scored 23 and 24 in the second half in the last 2 games. Our D hasn’t givin up 20 all freakin year. I guess some don’t think we will improve any on offense but I will go on record as saying I think our offense will continue to improve. I seen something out of Nico against Bama. Once Nico got hit on the hip, he came back in and took off for 28, then he started hitting passes and making plays. The light is coming on and the O-Line is getting better. We ran for 170 yards against Bama almost all in the second half. Bama only has 2 runs over 10 yards on us all day. One for 10 and another for 11. We on the line of scrimmage big time on both sides in the second half. Our D line won both half’s. If Tennessee keeps a grounded hard nosed focus on each game we will have a great season!!!!GBO
 
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#25
#25
RockyTop140 said:
If you watch the first half, you’d understand the playcalling was NOT the problem. We were scheming guys wide open. We have got to connect on some of those. Nico settled in during the 2nd half and we started to move the ball much better. Not to mention we were moving the ball even with the misses, two costly turnovers right at the red zone left us with 0 points.
Click to expand...

Yep. It’s funny how those play calls start to look genius when the execution gets better.
 
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