Nico, OU and the CFP- no free lunches

#1
O

oldvol50

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#1
The way in which the Vols beat OU altered Josh's "let 'er rip" mentality. He realized Vols would likely make CFP relying on solid defense, the run game and clean QB play. As a result, Nico was reigned in, coached not to make a mistake. Nico the evolving gunslinger was shelved for Nico the mobile game manager.
Whereas in Hendon's first year, he could learn on the fly thru trial and error and no mistake was going to pull the rug from under the season, Nico's playing clean was critical. Playing up tempo became more a 2 edged sword as shorter games and less possessions often worked to the Vols benefit given the team's strengths.

The trade off was that in exchange for maximizing Vols' playoff chances, Nico wasn't able to spread his wings and develop his gunslinger mentality. His development in the pass and up tempo games was naturally stunted. Josh often talks about the unique nature of each game and season. And how he coached the conference season got the Vols into the playoffs.

My orange crystal ball says one more spring and Nico the gunslinger will be on full display next season.
 
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#8
#8
oldvol50 said:
The way in which the Vols beat OU altered Josh's "let 'er rip" mentality. He realized Vols would likely make CFP relying on solid defense, the run game and clean QB play. As a result, Nico was reigned in, coached not to make a mistake. Nico the evolving gunslinger was shelved for Nico the mobile game manager.
Whereas in Hendon's first year, he could learn on the fly thru trial and error and no mistake was going to pull the rug from under the season, Nico's playing clean was critical. Playing up tempo became more a 2 edged sword as shorter games and less possessions often worked to the Vols benefit given the team's strengths.

The trade off was that in exchange for maximizing Vols' playoff chances, Nico wasn't able to spread his wings and develop his gunslinger mentality. His development in the pass and up tempo games was naturally stunted. Josh often talks about the unique nature of each game and season. And how he coached the conference season got the Vols into the playoffs.

My orange crystal ball says one more spring and Nico the gunslinger will be on full display next season.
Click to expand...
This is a plausible take on the season. A fresh and new perspective. No sarcasm
 
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#9
#9
Orangecrush#27 said:
The new clock rules drastically changed the game this season as well. Add in the reasons you mentioned about Nico, and the fact running the hurry up could drastically limit our Possessions with a young qb. Josh had to change on the fly.
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Disagree. Slowing tempo gives you less possessions. It might also give the other team less possessions. Sometimes that's a good thing, but that's not what our offense is built upon. Tempo is a key facet.
 
#10
#10
Vol865 said:
Disagree. Slowing tempo gives you less possessions. It might also give the other team less possessions. Sometimes that's a good thing, but that's not what our offense is built upon. Tempo is a key facet.
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Disagree. Use to first downs would stop the clock, and it would give the offense more time. Now with the clock running at all times you have less possessions and every one is very important. And with the style of offense we run, when we get 3 and outs we just used 2 mins of clock. And lost a possession. Turn it around and the other team sustains a drive they can absolutely bleed the clock even if they don’t run an offense that snaps the ball with 2 seconds remaining. The clock continually running puts more pressure on offenses. Especially with the style we play.
 
#11
#11
Orangecrush#27 said:
Disagree. Use to first downs would stop the clock, and it would give the offense more time. Now with the clock running at all times you have less possessions and every one is very important. And with the style of offense we run, when we get 3 and outs we just used 2 mins of clock. And lost a possession. Turn it around and the other team sustains a drive they can absolutely bleed the clock even if they don’t run an offense that snaps the ball with 2 seconds remaining. The clock continually running puts more pressure on offenses. Especially with the style we play.
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all for a guy who quit the year after implementation
 
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#12
#12
I think the OU game taught Tennessee that its offensive line, specifically its tackles, were a liability.

We had no backup QB that was serviceable.

We played to stay healthy as possible and leaned on run game and defense.

Our WRs were also disappointing and/or banged up.

I’m still puzzled why we weren’t throwing 5 yard outs to eat up OSUs cushion in the playoff game
 
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#15
#15
Vol8188 said:
“Where’s the meta narrative! We must find it!”-basically every thread this offense. People blindly searching for one thing that explains everything.
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Yep. Outside of Samson, this was a very limited offense. Don't see it being better next season with what's leaving and considering how suspect our evals are on the OL and WR. Our defense has a better chance of remaining a strength, but the schedule and the opponents will be tougher next year. I can see this being the "drop off" year for Heupel. 7 wins is about all I expect from this upcoming season. Just hope we make a bowl.
 
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#16
#16
CAVPUT said:
Yep. Outside of Samson, this was a very limited offense. Don't see it being better next season with what's leaving and considering how suspect our evals are on the OL and WR. Our defense has a better chance of remaining a strength, but the schedule and the opponents will be tougher next year. I can see this being the "drop off" year for Heupel. 7 wins is about all I expect from this upcoming season. Just hope we make a bowl.
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lol isn’t our schedule the same basically?

So everyone but us will get better?
 
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#17
#17
We'll most likely start the season ranked around 13/15.
11-1 and we're in.
After the disaster in Columbus
10-2 without an SECC and we will most likely be on the outside looking in.
 
#18
#18
Zues1 said:
We'll most likely start the season ranked around 13/15.
11-1 and we're in.
After the disaster in Columbus
10-2 without an SECC and we will most likely be on the outside looking in.
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Numerous 10-2 teams made it this season. Why do you expect that to be different?

If anything , the selection committee will move in the opposite direction and include 9-3 sec teams in the future over an SMU. Rather than moving in the opposite direction and excluding 10-2 SEC teams
 
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#19
#19
oldvol50 said:
The way in which the Vols beat OU altered Josh's "let 'er rip" mentality. He realized Vols would likely make CFP relying on solid defense, the run game and clean QB play. As a result, Nico was reigned in, coached not to make a mistake. Nico the evolving gunslinger was shelved for Nico the mobile game manager.
Whereas in Hendon's first year, he could learn on the fly thru trial and error and no mistake was going to pull the rug from under the season, Nico's playing clean was critical. Playing up tempo became more a 2 edged sword as shorter games and less possessions often worked to the Vols benefit given the team's strengths.

The trade off was that in exchange for maximizing Vols' playoff chances, Nico wasn't able to spread his wings and develop his gunslinger mentality. His development in the pass and up tempo games was naturally stunted. Josh often talks about the unique nature of each game and season. And how he coached the conference season got the Vols into the playoffs.

My orange crystal ball says one more spring and Nico the gunslinger will be on full display next season.
Click to expand...
Or… in 23 and in 24 the pocket that Hooker had in 22 was not there.
 
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#20
#20
Vol8188 said:
Numerous 10-2 teams made it this season. Why do you expect that to be different?

If anything , the selection committee will move in the opposite direction and include 9-3 sec teams in the future over an SMU. Rather than moving in the opposite direction and excluding 10-2 SEC teams
Click to expand...
We showed our hand, I imagine in your scenario the committee will add us to the first out.
Until we beat the Georgias of the football world we are one of those 9/3 type programs praying to luck in.
 
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#21
#21
Jackcrevol said:
We had Bru McCoy and Dante Thornton. And couldnt catch a cold.

Why dont we go get a bowling ball, like Velus Jones in the slot? Then a burner on the edge?

I know, we could get Cam Seldon back before its too late.
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Bru is physical. Thornton is maybe the least physical guy we have seen here. Talented, but I would never call him physical. He seemingly catches a touchdown or gets hurt every time he touches the ball.
 
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