How Did Vols Become a Rushing Juggernaut?

[WiseOlVol]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

 

[VolnGermany]

Lots of reasons. But it sure helps having a real coach and staff.

 

[njvols]

Lots of reasons. But it sure helps having a real coach and staff.

Exactly. JH knew we’d have to lean on RBs this year and he coached towards it!!

 

[rocytop2624]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

We actually have 4 backs that could start.

 

[savannahfan]

Block hard and run hard and fast. That simple.

 

[Vol4gzus]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

 

[BIG SEXY]

Run blocking is much easier than pass blocking.

 

[bigorangepoppa]

Lots of reasons. But it sure helps having a real coach and staff.

Think about this; it was only a short time ago that some on here were suggesting that Tennessee needed to leave the SEC and drop down a division. What a difference a competent coach can make.

 

[tennesseeduke]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

GREAT COACHING with what you have to work season over season. You cannot force a previous offense into a bunch of new players. Shout out to JH and staff!

 

[JMSqb11]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

We became a rushing machine because Heupel finally got smart and listened to all the folks on social media saying Joe can't be trusted to be anything more than a game manager QB. Thanks goodness we were here to advise Heupel on the proper course for this season.

 

[VolMarine1371]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

We are top 5 in the country and #1 in the SEC in rushing. It’s more than just consistent.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Getting fundamentals right and recruiting young men withbthe right mindset, maturity, and physical skills

 

[rocytop2624]

GREAT COACHING with what you have to work season over season. You cannot force a previous offense into a bunch of new players. Shout out to JH and staff!

I like a good shout-out.

 

[Volador]

 

[GAVol]

We are top 5 in the country and #1 in the SEC in rushing. It’s more than just consistent.

Everybody pretends we run an Air Raid offense and we just don’t. We’ve consistently ran the ball 55ish% of the time ever since Heupel got the job.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Opposing teams have chosen to play safeties further back and try to limit quick passing game.

As a result, teams are daring us to beat them running the ball and with intermediate passing game.

To his credit, Heup is taking what the defense gives him.

I think our struggles on 3rd/4th and short or in Red Zone does prevent me from saying running juggernaut. We become a running juggernaut when we line up to run, they know we are going to run, they set up their D to stop the run, and they still can't stop it.....

 

[BruisedOrange]

Opposing teams have chosen to play safeties further back and try to limit quick passing game.

As a result, teams are daring us to beat them running the ball and with intermediate passing game.

To his credit, Heup is taking what the defense gives him.

I think our struggles on 3rd/4th and short or in Red Zone does prevent me from saying running juggernaut. We become a running juggernaut when we line up to run, they know we are going to run, they set up their D to stop the run, and they still can't stop it.....

Yes, it is as we all proclaimed during the off-season: for defenses we are "pick your poison."

And so they've picked. If they can prevent the long strike and keep our runners from breaking the big one, they'll make their stand in the red zone. Now it's our move in the strategic chess game.

That strategy by defenses puts a premium on blocking by receivers, as that's the difference between a 40-yard run toward the red zone, and a run all the way to the end zone. It's also another reason we miss Bru.

I'm also wondering if (someone who played O-line please confirm or educate me) run blocking takes a bigger toll on our O-linemen. That might explain why we slow down and take a breather (but without substitutions) when we get to the red zone. Yes, it also gives defenders a chance to rest, but maybe it's just as necessary for us. Without substitutions, we're at least keeping from bringing in a specialized red zone group package.

I also remember from last season that 13 plays at our pace was considered the limit for our offensive linemen, according to Coach Elarbee.

 

[utvolpj]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

The #7 rushing team in the country is just "consistent"?

 

[Carp]

We are top 5 in the country and #1 in the SEC in rushing. It’s more than just consistent.

It's nice to see that Huep and Co. can adjust their offense on yearly basis to match the teams strengths. That's something you see the elite coaches be able to do consistently.

 

[AthensVol2007]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

220 YPG in the SEC is pretty damn year a juggernaut. What would those numbers look like in the ACC or Big 12?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

View attachment 591602

No such thing

 

[rocketskates]

Good O-line play and the RBs being coached to let the lanes develop before just mindlessly rushing into the back of the guard.

 

[Volador]

No such thing

Did you notice the blue font?????

 

[FLVOL_79]

Starting O-line being almost all (or all) seniors helps.

But I'd say our trifecta of RB's actually have pretty good field vision. I've seen all of them make cuts to more bountiful running lanes with success.

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

We were a good rushing team last year. It is the hugest misconception about Heupel that his offense is pass happy. It's predicated on establishing the run and everything builds on that. Nonetheless, people just can't get the importance of the run to us into their heads, and our own fans sadly are the worst about it.