The UConn game comes at a good time for Tennessee, as the following 2 weeks will determine the success of the season. Split with Missouri and Georgia and we're looking at a 9-3 season with a chance to win a 10th in a bowl game. I would call that a successful year that continues the progress of the program. If we manage to win both of those, then you suddenly have something bigger...a chance at the East and a chance to match last year's 11-win total. Some thoughts:
-I don't know if I'd start Campbell and Mincey against UConn. I might roll with Crawford and Davis at OT to let the two big dogs heal. Both are nicked up. And I don't think I'd play Karic either. Hopefully, all the backups are in by the 2nd half.
-Along those lines, I want to see Seldon, Nico, Ethan Davis, and other freshmen play a lot after halftime. But I'd also like to see what Unarov, Johnson III, Grant, Lang, and others can do on the Oline. None of those guys are in danger of burning a redshirt, so let's see what they can do. Especially Lang...replacing Mays is my biggest concern next year. And I wanna see those freshman DBs on defense.
-Our pass defense looked like it regressed some. It's concerning that Kentucky played us so much closer than they played Missouri (or Georgia, obviously). BUT, we also need to acknowledge that that wasn't the same offense or Devin Leary that those teams faced. I know. I watched. Leary couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat in those games. He was horribly inaccurate. The announcers were right...the bye week came at a good time for Kentucky and they made some adjustments to the offense to fit his strengths and keep UT's pass rush at bay. Being allowed to hold with impunity helped. But he looked like a totally different QB from the outset of that game.
-Heupel has earned a reputation as a QB whisperer and deservedly so. But Milton has been his greatest challenge. It's taken awhile, but I think the two are finally figuring things out. Heupel is finally calling games and game planning to JM's strengths. Early in the year, it was considered a weakness of Milton's to throw on the run. But he's looking good throwing on the run now. Using Milton's legs has really helped his game advance. Taking off and running and getting hit seems to get him locked in. It also helps that WRs are catching the ball now.
-Speaking of WRs, while I wanna see freshmen playing other positions in the 2nd half Saturday, I hope it's all Nimrod, Webb, and Thornton at WR. Those guys need as much PT as they can get to advance as players as quickly as possible. Nimrod looks like a really good Slot WR for the future (and he's decent now). Thornton belongs on the outside.
-Campbell has been money at Kicker. We had so many years with mediocre kicking, that shouldn't be taken for granted. Every kick mattered against Kentucky and he hit all 4 FGs and all 3 PATs.
-It's enjoyable to watch teams get better as a season goes on. That's a staple of this staff since they arrived. This team has taken longer than the 2022 version to improve and probably has a lower ceiling, but it is improving. That's encouraging. And with college football going to a 12-team playoff, that's a great sign for future success, as championships will be determined more by how you play late than early.
-Looking at next year, so much of next year's success will be determined by a) how much the young Olinemen develop, and b) how much success Tennessee has in the portal getting Olinemen. Saturday may be the first chance we get to see which of those young guys have a chance to fulfill part a. I'm lookng forward to it.
