The Official #6 Tennessee vs. #7 Clemson Orange Bowl Game Thread, 8:00 PM ET, ESPN

[hUTch2002]

I just hate that TN's DBs don't know to turn their head when the opposing teams WR's hands go up.

Seems like Defensive Back 101 to me.

But it seems more like TN's DBs are coached to "commit the 15 yd penalty" as opposed to, y'know, defending the pass

I don’t disagree. And playing so far off when it’s 3rd and short drives me nuts but the coaches seem to be doing the best job possible with this terrible secondary. The fact we only gave up about 23.5 PPG is amazing and that’s not a terrible number actually. I seem to be in the minority but I think Banks has done a good job. Martinez, not so much but he’s always struggled everywhere he’s been.

 

[RiverVol]

Really just pathetic. I was just thinking how if I was one of the announcers I would have said, on the air "okay, we can stop doing that now". He made two total moron mistakes in a row.

It is... but the bottom line is that they prep content that feeds every phrase they utter in a game. They do a LOT of prep work... and in the planning phase, they anticipated the first half going differently - thought Milton would choke and Kublik would shine and be a darling story. That's what they prepped, and they just don't have thoughts, phrases, stats, or musings on us or Milton... or our defense. (but... I get that one)

 

[esarmstrong]

It helps when the Clemson QB "brain farts" at the end of the half and tries to run it in with no timeouts.

 

[VolArmy74]

Wow. Milton is 13-18-155 (no overthrows) and a td in the first half against a top 25 defense with 5 star talent (5th most talented team in CFB) yet the legion of the ignorant are somehow seeing that as "Milton can't play."

 

[Other_Guy]

No we shouldn’t but it’s painfully obvious at times that Golesh isn’t there doing his part of the game plan.

What is his part tho lol do we even know what he or heupel did exactly?

 

[Voltopia]

The ESPN suit was right though; Tennessee needs those second level throws to keep drives alive. All or nothing is tough to make work for four quarters.

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

Literally waiting for “my god a freshman” at this point.

 

[Vol8188]

Anyone else glad they got in on that TN +6.5 line?

 

[tnvols72]

29 passes for the kid in the 1st H.

If he throws another 20-25, we're bound to get a pick or 2.

our DBs has to turn around to see the ball 1st

 

[BreatheUT]

Thank you. Beasley is a monster.

Beasley is at his best when he's blitzing.

 

[cgrish]

Not convinced Milton has been the problem tonight. Need to get him some help

milton playing a good game. several passes that should have been caughtwere not caught

 

[VolFreakJosh]

What is his part tho lol do we even know what he or heupel did exactly?

They’re just looking for any reason to bash Heupel because they didn’t get the coach they wanted

 

[hUTch2002]

ok. hahaha... 1st half reflections.

1) For reasons unknown, the refs genuinely do NOT like Heupel... and thus our team.

2) Clemson's O-line is USELESS without arm-bar holding. We need to counter that or expose it.

3) PI has never been so useful. I'm amazed

4) Milton needs a confidence booster in the locker room and needs to reset. New game. New day. the last 15 minutes never existed.

5) We NEED to win so that Heupel can take a long, flirty look at that ref, smile... and subtly chuckle as he walks off the field.

oh... #6... bonus: TN needs to come out and come AFTER Clemson's QB... relentless on the first possession.

So you’re taking Milton’s bomb to Squirrel away?

 

[Other_Guy]

29 passes for the kid in the 1st H.

If he throws another 20-25, we're bound to get a pick or 2.

Been close to a couple. Also their WRs aren't dropping any either.

 

[VolMarine1371]

Tyler Baron is playing legit, everyone else on defense isn't carrying their weight at the moment.

Beasley best player in defense tonight for UT.

 

[Doyle Hargraves]

I fear the real Tennessee defense will take the field in the second half...

 

[OrangeTsar]

Missing Hyatt bigtime

 

[LadyinOrange]

Dabo looks like a big dumbass
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He'd better drink some Gatorade before he starts cramping up.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Running game is struggling

For real. Bring in Sampson.

 

[Dudleys87]

The ESPN suit was right though; Tennessee needs those second level throws to keep drives alive. All or nothing is tough to make work for four quarters.

A lot like basketball and living and dying by the 3. Eventually you fall on the sword.

 

[ButchPlz]

Like I said, so far, they've done just enough. I wouldn't call it praise-worthy. It's not like they're dominating. With that said, neither is the offense. Seems like we're ok sitting on an 11 point lead. The screen on 3rd and 8 said it all.

3 points, even with missed FGs from the other team, is absolutely dominant. It's a defense designed for a high powered offense. If they had both we'd murder everybody. But they don't. They're just not that talented.

I'll always take a defense that forces the other team into situations for less points that they have a good chance of screwing up. Always.

 

[84Volfan]

Thank you. Beasley is a monster.

Well tigers are cats so...

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

It is... but the bottom line is that they prep content that feeds every phrase they utter in a game. They do a LOT of prep work... and in the planning phase, they anticipated the first half going differently - thought Milton would choke and Kublik would shine and be a darling story. That's what they prepped, and they just don't have thoughts, phrases, stats, or musings on us or Milton... or our defense. (but... I get that one)

Vastly underrated comment.

Some of y'all don't realize how much of a game call is a narrative that's been decided well before the game starts.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Tennessee playing way better than I expected, especially the defense.

 

[VolMarine1371]

ok. hahaha... 1st half reflections.

1) For reasons unknown, the refs genuinely do NOT like Heupel... and thus our team.

2) Clemson's O-line is USELESS without arm-bar holding. We need to counter that or expose it.

3) PI has never been so useful. I'm amazed

4) Milton needs a confidence booster in the locker room and needs to reset. New game. New day. the last 15 minutes never existed.

5) We NEED to win so that Heupel can take a long, flirty look at that ref, smile... and subtly chuckle as he walks off the field.

oh... #6... bonus: TN needs to come out and come AFTER Clemson's QB... relentless on the first possession.

Milton is 13/18 155yds 1TD. In the 1st half. Milton doing just fine.