The Morning After – Sober Reflections Week 9

[UTFranklinVol]

My first thought: Tennessee ran for 200+ yards AGAIN and scored more points than Kentucky, barely escaping what I thought was going to be a tough night road game.

1. Tennessee scored points on every drive of the first half and 7 of 10 drives total, although the last drive I think would have resulted in a FG had Kentucky not foibled up the end of the game and let UT run the clock out.
2. Milton had maybe his most solid performance going 18/21 with 228 yards and a TD and an 85.6 QBR. He also got it done on the ground putting his shoulder into so runs and even broke one off for 19 yards and didn’t run out of bounds too soon LOL
3. Milton also capitalized on a Kentucky mistake and hit a big home run throw. It goes without saying but we NEEDED that to not be overthrown and Milton delivered.
4. The 4th quarter, otherwise known as the Dylan Sampson show is what sealed the deal for the Vols who kept trading scores with the Wildcats for most of the game.
5. Both QBs were pretty good, although Kentucky relied on their passing game a lot more that UT as Ray Davis and the UK running game was mostly shut down.

On second thought:

1. The defense (both defenses) merely existed. Combined there were no fumbles forced, no interceptions and a total of just 3 sacks and 9 TFLs.
2. Kentucky’s D kept this game from being a blowout and held us 4 times to field goals as UTs red zone struggles continued.
3. Again, Tennessee struggled coming out of the half. Just like the Bama game, UT didn’t look like a team that had made any positive adjustments at the half. Luckily the opponent was Kensucky and not the Gumps so it ended up not biting us.

Looking ahead:

UT gets to go back home to play the hapless Huskies in their final non-con game of the year meanwhile our next opponent Missouri has to go down to play the Dawgs. My only hope is Georgia sufficiently beats them down and softens them up so UT can get another road win on 11/11.

 

[Orange931]

Agree with everything you said except for UGA needing to beat Mizzou. We need a Mizzou win in that one.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

It took a half a season but Hyp finally figured out how to best utilize Milton. Maybe a miracle will happen on the D side and they play better.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Agree with everything you said except for UGA needing to beat Mizzou. We need a Mizzou win in that one.

My comment was less about who wins the game and more about Missouri getting physically beat up and worn down before we play them. At this point I am more worried about our ability to beat Mizzou on the road than UGA at home.

 

[Orange931]

My comment was less about who wins the game and more about Missouri getting physically beat up and worn down before we play them. At this point I am more worried about our ability to beat Mizzou on the road than UGA at home.

I gotcha, sorry for the misunderstanding

 

[VolFanInBama256]

Just a note. With Milton’s long throw, even if the DB didn’t fall down, he was beat like a drum.

 

[Carp]

Agree with everything you said except for UGA needing to beat Mizzou. We need a Mizzou win in that one.

Rather Ole Miss beat UGA. I don't want a motivated Mizzu fighting for a SECCG berth. I want Mizzu demoralized when we visit them.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Just a note. With Milton’s long throw, even if the DB didn’t fall down, he was beat like a drum.

Yeah but I think the announcers even mentioned there was a mismatch and no safety coverage over the top which lead to a coverage bust and a wide open throw which means nothing if Milton would have overthrown the pass, which was more my point. Milton capitalized on it.

 

[OffTackleVol]

It took a half a season but Hyp finally figured out how to best utilize Milton. Maybe a miracle will happen on the D side and they play better.

I don't think our D played that bad. Shut down the run. Leary played out his a$$. He hadn't made those throws all year.

 

[VolsFan-TX]

It took a half a season but Hyp finally figured out how to best utilize Milton. Maybe a miracle will happen on the D side and they play better.

Coach mentioned a week or so ago that Milton was injured early in the season. Injuries may have contributed to running Milton less and limiting calls.

 

[TnVol!]

Agree with everything you said except for UGA needing to beat Mizzou. We need a Mizzou win in that one.

Ga favored by 20.5.

 

[dovervolz]

I don't think our D played that bad. Shut down the run. Leary played out his a$$. He hadn't made those throws all year.

The DB's were terrible. Most UK recievers had at least a 5 yard cushion. Very few contested catches. Most Qbs can hit those throws. We made Leary look like a Heisman winner.

 

[captainsword]

I’m just glad to be able to proudly let this guy sit on my porch on a Sunday.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

My morning after reflection is I am disappointed in how many fans I saw on Twitter last night still trying to find a way to blame Joe for how close that game was. Honestly, Joe has played pretty well these past few weeks and seems to be improving week to week finally. Not sure if he’ll keep this up but if he continues to make some incremental strides each week and improve no reason we can’t go 9-3 or 10-2 if the defense gets its head out of their ass.

Joe is improving. Let’s finish strong.

P.S. For those interested, I looked it up this morning because I was curious, and Joe is on pace to exceed Anthony Richardson in almost every stat category if he continues to play like he has these past two weeks. I think Joe is going to get drafted higher than our fans think, but probably not first round.

Anthony Richardson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Anthony Richardson's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

Joe Milton College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Joe Milton's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Flipdaddy]

My first thought: Tennessee ran for 200+ yards AGAIN and scored more points than Kentucky, barely escaping what I thought was going to be a tough night road game.

1. Tennessee scored points on every drive of the first half and 7 of 10 drives total, although the last drive I think would have resulted in a FG had Kentucky not foibled up the end of the game and let UT run the clock out.
2. Milton had maybe his most solid performance going 18/21 with 228 yards and a TD and an 85.6 QBR. He also got it done on the ground putting his shoulder into so runs and even broke one off for 19 yards and didn’t run out of bounds too soon LOL
3. Milton also capitalized on a Kentucky mistake and hit a big home run throw. It goes without saying but we NEEDED that to not be overthrown and Milton delivered.
4. The 4th quarter, otherwise known as the Dylan Sampson show is what sealed the deal for the Vols who kept trading scores with the Wildcats for most of the game.
5. Both QBs were pretty good, although Kentucky relied on their passing game a lot more that UT as Ray Davis and the UK running game was mostly shut down.

On second thought:

1. The defense (both defenses) merely existed. Combined there were no fumbles forced, no interceptions and a total of just 3 sacks and 9 TFLs.
2. Kentucky’s D kept this game from being a blowout and held us 4 times to field goals as UTs red zone struggles continued.
3. Again, Tennessee struggled coming out of the half. Just like the Bama game, UT didn’t look like a team that had made any positive adjustments at the half. Luckily the opponent was Kensucky and not the Gumps so it ended up not biting us.

Looking ahead:

UT gets to go back home to play the hapless Huskies in their final non-con game of the year meanwhile our next opponent Missouri has to go down to play the Dawgs. My only hope is Georgia sufficiently beats them down and softens them up so UT can get another road win on 11/11.

Hopefully Missouri beats Georgia in an upset so they are riding too high and we win. If they play Georgia close and lose, their confidence will be through the roof. Isn’t funny how things change. I thought nerd Beamer would have a solid year with rattler and he’s tanked. I thought drinktits would probably get ran off this year. Crazy game it is.

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

Rather Ole Miss beat UGA. I don't want a motivated Mizzu fighting for a SECCG berth. I want Mizzu demoralized when we visit them.

I mean that’s true, but in this scenario we would essentially control our own destiny for the East again as well. I don’t think Florida beats Mizzou or LSU. So I’m not going to worry about them too much. My point is that we would have just as much to play for as Mizzou if they do somehow beat Georgia. Though, I don’t think they will. This is going to be an absolute beat down.

 

[vegasvolfan]

My first thought: Tennessee ran for 200+ yards AGAIN and scored more points than Kentucky, barely escaping what I thought was going to be a tough night road game.

1. Tennessee scored points on every drive of the first half and 7 of 10 drives total, although the last drive I think would have resulted in a FG had Kentucky not foibled up the end of the game and let UT run the clock out.
2. Milton had maybe his most solid performance going 18/21 with 228 yards and a TD and an 85.6 QBR. He also got it done on the ground putting his shoulder into so runs and even broke one off for 19 yards and didn’t run out of bounds too soon LOL
3. Milton also capitalized on a Kentucky mistake and hit a big home run throw. It goes without saying but we NEEDED that to not be overthrown and Milton delivered.
4. The 4th quarter, otherwise known as the Dylan Sampson show is what sealed the deal for the Vols who kept trading scores with the Wildcats for most of the game.
5. Both QBs were pretty good, although Kentucky relied on their passing game a lot more that UT as Ray Davis and the UK running game was mostly shut down.

On second thought:

1. The defense (both defenses) merely existed. Combined there were no fumbles forced, no interceptions and a total of just 3 sacks and 9 TFLs.
2. Kentucky’s D kept this game from being a blowout and held us 4 times to field goals as UTs red zone struggles continued.
3. Again, Tennessee struggled coming out of the half. Just like the Bama game, UT didn’t look like a team that had made any positive adjustments at the half. Luckily the opponent was Kensucky and not the Gumps so it ended up not biting us.

Looking ahead:

UT gets to go back home to play the hapless Huskies in their final non-con game of the year meanwhile our next opponent Missouri has to go down to play the Dawgs. My only hope is Georgia sufficiently beats them down and softens them up so UT can get another road win on 11/11.

Huge dub. My call at the beginning of the year was 9-3, 8-4 with a ceiling of 10-2. Yet I was concerned we could completely implode and go 7-5 or worse after seeing Missouri take KST and we played the way we did at the beginning of the season while KY destroyed FL. Yeah we dropped the FL game, but we played Bama well in Bama and beat A&M, USC and KY on the road to get a much needed road win. We have had some unfortunate injuries throughout the year, but we are getting better with the guys on the field. Milton hit two beautiful passes on the run. Were those his first? He’s running with more confidence and that ball, albeit Thornton was wide open, was beautiful. I’m proud of that kid and everyone else on this team. Georgia is starting to look like Georgia again, but I’m still hopeful. To your point Missouri first. If we rattle off a 10-3 season with a bowl win that is a HUGE success IMO considering all things. If coach does better than that, he goes down in history as our best coach ever. Not to say he’s not anyways, but jury is out. I’m off topic at this juncture… big big win. Go Vols!!!!

 

[MurphyVol]

2nd half offensive play is still a concern. If Sampson hasn't just refused to be tackled, we'd have gone yet another game without scoring a TD in the 2nd half.

In conference play were averaging .8 offensive TDs in the second half...omit SC and it's .5 TDs.

Huge concern with Mizzou and UGA on the horizon

 

[OrangeSquid]

My comment was less about who wins the game and more about Missouri getting physically beat up and worn down before we play them. At this point I am more worried about our ability to beat Mizzou on the road than UGA at home.

If the universe tries to balance out the last 2 weeks of horrendous officiating, Georgia and Missouri beat the living Shizz out of each other.

 

[TennEddie]

Let some guys get healed up and rested this week;
Let some others get experience;
Finish strong.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

If the universe tries to balance out the last 2 weeks of horrendous officiating, Georgia and Missouri beat the living Shizz out of each other.

That's my hope. Then we can clean up the mess.

 

[Remy]

2nd half offensive play is still a concern. If Sampson hasn't just refused to be tackled, we'd have gone yet another game without scoring a TD in the 2nd half.

In conference play were averaging .8 offensive TDs in the second half...omit SC and it's .5 TDs.

Huge concern with Mizzou and UGA on the horizon

THIS ALL DAY. IT IS NO ACCIDENT OUR OFFENSE DISAPPEARS IN THE 2ND HALF OF GAMES. I think our play calling tightens up and we start the the 3 n out thing. Example, in the 2nd half of the UK game at a pivotal juncture where they were displaying a little momentum :1st down Milton runs a QB draw for perhaps a yard, 2nd down RB runs straight up the middle for perhaps 2 yards. 3rd and long we drop back to pass and they immediately and easily sack Milton. My point being, instead we proved them correct stopping our run on 1st down was no accident as they stopped our run up the middle the following down. Now where does that leave us? I liked the 1st down call. Hated the 2nd down call in that situation. It was the perfect time to throw the ball downfield either long or short instead we allowed them to prove stopping our middle run on first down was no fluke and they did it again. So where did that leave us? 3rd and long, an obvious passing down. Our call? We dropped straight back for a pass they knew was coming. They easily and immediately sacked us as they knew we were passing. THAT down was the perfect time to set up the screen, not a bubble screen outside but the old screen play we all ran in middle school when they have their ears back and coming after your QB. But no, not us, we telegraphed and did the obviously dumb thing helping them stop us. We need much better play calling from our staff and somebody needs their donkeys kicked until they get it right.

Oh and thank God for Sampson. He single handedly took the team on his back and willed them into overcoming the dumbaxx plays being called. He was shut down twice and fought through ln his own saving our victory. The #1 rule of being a great play caller is to get the ball in your play makers hands as much as possible. Our staff seems to find a way to cool our play makers off running them into un successful plays. Sampson kept being run into bad plays and by hi ssheer will and talent refused to let UK take him down.

 

[Volfan1000]

My first thought: Tennessee ran for 200+ yards AGAIN and scored more points than Kentucky, barely escaping what I thought was going to be a tough night road game.

1. Tennessee scored points on every drive of the first half and 7 of 10 drives total, although the last drive I think would have resulted in a FG had Kentucky not foibled up the end of the game and let UT run the clock out.
2. Milton had maybe his most solid performance going 18/21 with 228 yards and a TD and an 85.6 QBR. He also got it done on the ground putting his shoulder into so runs and even broke one off for 19 yards and didn’t run out of bounds too soon LOL
3. Milton also capitalized on a Kentucky mistake and hit a big home run throw. It goes without saying but we NEEDED that to not be overthrown and Milton delivered.
4. The 4th quarter, otherwise known as the Dylan Sampson show is what sealed the deal for the Vols who kept trading scores with the Wildcats for most of the game.
5. Both QBs were pretty good, although Kentucky relied on their passing game a lot more that UT as Ray Davis and the UK running game was mostly shut down.

On second thought:

1. The defense (both defenses) merely existed. Combined there were no fumbles forced, no interceptions and a total of just 3 sacks and 9 TFLs.
2. Kentucky’s D kept this game from being a blowout and held us 4 times to field goals as UTs red zone struggles continued.
3. Again, Tennessee struggled coming out of the half. Just like the Bama game, UT didn’t look like a team that had made any positive adjustments at the half. Luckily the opponent was Kensucky and not the Gumps so it ended up not biting us.

Looking ahead:

UT gets to go back home to play the hapless Huskies in their final non-con game of the year meanwhile our next opponent Missouri has to go down to play the Dawgs. My only hope is Georgia sufficiently beats them down and softens them up so UT can get another road win on 11/11.

Connecticut gave Boston College a close game last week only losing 21-14 and they have a very solid coach in Jim Mora Junior.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Connecticut gave Boston College a close game last week only losing 21-14 and they have a very solid coach in Jim Mora Junior.

I think we would destroy Boston College worse than we did Virginia. Ucon giving them trouble doesn't mean much to me.

 

[vegasvolfan]

THIS ALL DAY. IT IS NO ACCIDENT OUR OFFENSE DISAPPEARS IN THE 2ND HALF OF GAMES. I think our play calling tightens up and we start the the 3 n out thing. Example, in the 2nd half of the UK game at a pivotal juncture where they were displaying a little momentum :1st down Milton runs a QB draw for perhaps a yard, 2nd down RB runs straight up the middle for perhaps 2 yards. 3rd and long we drop back to pass and they immediately and easily sack Milton. My point being, instead we proved them correct stopping our run on 1st down was no accident as they stopped our run up the middle the following down. Now where does that leave us? I liked the 1st down call. Hated the 2nd down call in that situation. It was the perfect time to throw the ball downfield either long or short instead we allowed them to prove stopping our middle run on first down was no fluke and they did it again. So where did that leave us? 3rd and long, an obvious passing down. Our call? We dropped straight back for a pass they knew was coming. They easily and immediately sacked us as they knew we were passing. THAT down was the perfect time to set up the screen, not a bubble screen outside but the old screen play we all ran in middle school when they have their ears back and coming after your QB. But no, not us, we telegraphed and did the obviously dumb thing helping them stop us. We need much better play calling from our staff and somebody needs their donkeys kicked until they get it right.

Oh and thank God for Sampson. He single handedly took the team on his back and willed them into overcoming the dumbaxx plays being called. He was shut down twice and fought through ln his own saving our victory. The #1 rule of being a great play caller is to get the ball in your play makers hands as much as possible. Our staff seems to find a way to cool our play makers off running them into un successful plays. Sampson kept being run into bad plays and by hi ssheer will and talent refused to let UK take him down.

I have a question for everyone with this theory that we tighten up in the second half. Does Heupel not call the plays? He was full throttle last year. Why would he be any different this year? Or, is it a Golesh vs Halzle thing? I thought maybe Golesh left a little early, but he has a team who was 1-11, 2-10, 1-8 last 3 years at 4-4.