Understand what actually happened

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Hooker did have a bad game. He’s human, it was bound to happen eventually. Missed deep throws he’s been hitting all year and he needs to learn what a throw away is badly. But good post.

He had his "fortitude" questioned. We are awaiting the response.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Look, Kirby wasn't going to expose their offense to any turnovers in the 2nd half. It was raining and he knew that 3 touchdowns was enough to beat them. They could have scored much more if they wanted. Tennessee could not stop them in the 1st half, and Tennessee couldn't do anything against Georgia's defense all day. In fact Tennessee scored fewer point this year than last year against them. This doesn't mean Tennessee isn't a good team, the Vols weren't ready for Georgia, and it showed all over the field. Georgia did in fact show how to beat Tennessee's offense and they did it pretty efficiently, nobody can deny that. They have the players and talent to do it, a of of teams dont. You are right, Heupel will need to adjust his offense to overcome what Georgia did. SEC teams are not sleeping on Tennessee and all of them watched and learned what the Dawgs did.

Tennessee needs to win out, cannot sleep on Missouri or SC.

Speculation sir. Period. 27 is all they ass got. Why you tryna give them more. .?

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

1) Is UGA more talented? Yup

2) Were they absolutely dialed in for this game? Absolutely they were!

3) Did they take Tennessee seriously? They blitzed against our silent count the entire game. They tried to run time down and not risk turnovers with a lead. (Zero passing)
This isn't "letting your foot off the gas". This is smart football given your opponent and their capabilities. YES- UGA took us seriously.

4) UGA on a dry field at home still had an advantage in talent as well as the crowd noise. But the next time we meet them it will not be a home game for them this season.

We may not win round 2, but one bad half of football during our first go around shouldn't have you thinking we don't even belong on the field with them.

Hooker had a "bad game "?
Have ANY of you ever tried to throw a WET football against a super talented defense while them knowing when you would snap the ball?? Take the emotion out of it and look at circumstances for what they are.
CJ Stroud threw for 79 yards against Northwestern. Guess what? IT WAS IN THE SNOW. Damn he must suck....

Credit to UGAs defense for using everything at their disposal.
Credit to Tennessee defense for stopping Georgia the entire 2nd half.

Keep the main, the main thing.
They scored 27 because that is all they could score given the conditions. Do you really think Kirby wasn't doing what he needed to do with his strategy?

Good stuff LV. These are my thoughts:

1. I think we absolutely are capable of winning a rematch, but we've got to get way more out of our offense. Our offense is the undisputed strength of our team and to beat UGA (which will be a tall task) it's going to have to play like it. I get that UGA has a good defense and they really do, as much as was made of their losses in the front 7 they aren't a whole lot worse there than last year, and their back end is actually probably better than last year. When you play a good defense, your opportunities are fewer and so we are going to need to hit every open shot we get, which obviously we didn't do Saturday.

2. I really was surprised they shut down our offense to that extent, there was no way in hell I thought we would be held to anything less than 28 points or so.

3. Where I may disagree slightly is that I am not sure at all we can slow them down when they leave the playbook open. We stopped them once before they went ultra conservative due to the weather (and made themselves one dimensional) but they generally moved the ball on us nearly at will before that. It didn't start raining until mid way through their first possession of the second half that was like 8 minutes long and they kicked a FG to go up 27-6 leaving roughly a minute and change left in the 3rd quarter. From that point on they threw 1 pass. I think once the weather got sloppy after that 8 minute third quarter drive Kirby figured that we could not score 21 points on them in the time remaining unless they gave us some cheap scores so they took zero risks. If they had needed to score more, they probably would have taken more risks and done so, but they figured they didn't need to, and they didn't. I draw no encouragement from the fact that they didn't score any points in the last 17 or so minutes of the game.

4. If we are going to beat them, we are going to have to take advantage of every opportunity on offense and hopefully get some turnovers. If you look at their box scores for the year, they have statistically dominated every game, even the much ballyhooed Missouri and Kent State games, but they gave up turnovers at key times in those games, that's what kept those two close. The home field was worth at least 7 points Saturday (just like it was with us against Bama, screw Erik Ainge btw), and they won't have that next go round. It's going to be difficult to beat them but it's not impossible, I'd like another shot and I think we'll get it unless TCU somehow goes undefeated and wins the Big XII.

5. Regardless of what happens, who thought we'd be here in the pre-season? Not even the most wildly optimistic people on the board, okay maybe Nationdom, but that only proves the old adage that even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

They’ve been doing that for a few years. No way we should’ve been unprepared for that.

So, what would you recommend they do?

 

[RDU VOL#14]

So, what would you recommend they do?

Not get shook.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

1) Is UGA more talented? Yup

2) Were they absolutely dialed in for this game? Absolutely they were!

3) Did they take Tennessee seriously? They blitzed against our silent count the entire game. They tried to run time down and not risk turnovers with a lead. (Zero passing)
This isn't "letting your foot off the gas". This is smart football given your opponent and their capabilities. YES- UGA took us seriously.

4) UGA on a dry field at home still had an advantage in talent as well as the crowd noise. But the next time we meet them it will not be a home game for them this season.

We may not win round 2, but one bad half of football during our first go around shouldn't have you thinking we don't even belong on the field with them.

Hooker had a "bad game "?
Have ANY of you ever tried to throw a WET football against a super talented defense while them knowing when you would snap the ball?? Take the emotion out of it and look at circumstances for what they are.
CJ Stroud threw for 79 yards against Northwestern. Guess what? IT WAS IN THE SNOW. Damn he must suck....

Credit to UGAs defense for using everything at their disposal.
Credit to Tennessee defense for stopping Georgia the entire 2nd half.

Keep the main, the main thing.
They scored 27 because that is all they could score given the conditions. Do you really think Kirby wasn't doing what he needed to do with his strategy?

GA showed us what a championship football team looks like. In the past five recruiting classes, Georgia has signed 25 five-stars, UT two. The talent gap was glaring. And, for our game at least, I think GA had better coaching. Disagree all you want, that’s what I believe I saw.

From where I sit, this loss is probably the best thing that could have happened to us moving forward. It shows us where we need to be to compete for championships — where the next level is. It all starts with recruiting, of course.

 

[Delmar]

What actually happened? Lol. Here comes mr I know football and nobody else does. Many are over thinking this. We got beat by a superior team. That’s it.

Yes we did.

 

[Vol737]

Speculation sir. Period. 27 is all they ass got. Why you tryna give them more. .?

On a dry field and no rain, Kirby would have kept throwing over the top of our safeties and scored close to 40. Bennett was roasting our secondary. He didn't have to since their D was letting us do nothing and it gave him the opportunity to just run the ball and the clock. Very smart football.

 

[overseasorange2]

They would have scored 55 if they could. Folks are just crazy with this narrative.

Oh Yeah, They didn't score more because they didn't want to shame us.

 

[turbovol]

Here's a question: If we played georgia again, in two weeks, on a NEUTRAL field, what would the line be? My guess is
that the pups would still be favored by at least 7.5.

 

[hUTch2002]

Hooker did have a bad game. He’s human, it was bound to happen eventually. Missed deep throws he’s been hitting all year and he needs to learn what a throw away is badly. But good post.

I think a lot of that is Hooker hasn’t had to throw deep passes with the precision UGA was forcing due to their coverage. The WRs have been so wide open that Hooker could be a little behind and still get the score but not with the UGA coverage. The best deep ball he threw was unfortunately intercepted but it was just a great play by the defender.

 

[UT-Rex]

They scored 27 because that is all they needed to win. They could have scored much more if they needed to.

Did GA feel the need to score 49 on Oregon (49-3) ?

Or, why did We TN go so far as to score 44 on KY (44-6) ?

Edit: I forgot about the Rain !

 

[hUTch2002]

Nice intelligent response.

UGA threw 4 passes in the 2nd half.

Maybe that’s because we adjusted. One of those passes was a deep ball with 4 minutes left. we adjusted and they were running with success, which also kept it away from our offense. That’s not backing off, that’s playing smart. A team that backed off isn’t going deep with all their starters in and only 4 minutes left. They were going for the jugular and missed.

 

[gerg68]

Maybe that’s because we adjusted. One of those passes was a deep ball with 4 minutes left. we adjusted and they were running with success, which also kept it away from our offense. That’s not backing off, that’s playing smart. A team that backed off isn’t going deep with all their starters in and only 4 minutes left. They were going for the jugular and missed.

Agreed. Bennett hit 3 deep balls and missed one late. Hooker missed 4 deep, one being an interception, and hit 1 deep late to Hyatt. He also was under near constant pressure but took 3 to 4 unnecessary sacks. Pair that with all the presnap penalties and the result is ugly.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Not get shook.

LOL. That's what I thought.

 

[jimed1]

This game was won and lost at the line of scrimmage and with Georgia's ability to play UT man and not get beat. Yes, it is as simple as that.
Winning the line of scrimmage was by far the biggest factor. They just have better Jimmy's and Joe's. By far the fastest defense we have played and probably fastest the the country.
They will beat LSU if they can contain Daniels most of the night. I think they have the speed to limit him. Then we wait for Selection Sunday to see where we fall in the CFP.

 

[Volsurance]

Bennet didn't miss that deep throw. It literally went right through the receiver's hands. It was a perfect throw.

I do think we could do much better against Georgia offensively, maybe put up 24 points.

But I also don't think we can keep them from scoring at least 30 right now.

They are just a better team than us but it will change over time.

 

[gr82batnvol]

It was a bad game. They happen. All this Georgia love is fine but people they weren’t unbeatable. Our receivers had space. Hooker didn’t step up and make big throws. He needs to mature if round 2 (hopefully) will be any different. They got the breaks…so is football. That stupid line shift though…I wish teams would stop biting on that. Does that make them more intimidating? Take away the senseless penalties, turnovers, and punt…and you’d have a much different game. Also, play on neutral turf, that changes the outlook imho. The so called dominance of Georgia was 14 points. If that’s dominance by today’s standard then teams are really narrowing that gap. Georgia was the better team ON THAT DAY.

 

[DukeDaisySam]

Maybe that’s because we adjusted. One of those passes was a deep ball with 4 minutes left. we adjusted and they were running with success, which also kept it away from our offense. That’s not backing off, that’s playing smart. A team that backed off isn’t going deep with all their starters in and only 4 minutes left. They were going for the jugular and missed.

So UT made it rain?

 

[Visiting Dawg]

Maybe that’s because we adjusted. One of those passes was a deep ball with 4 minutes left. we adjusted and they were running with success, which also kept it away from our offense. That’s not backing off, that’s playing smart. A team that backed off isn’t going deep with all their starters in and only 4 minutes left. They were going for the jugular and missed.

The deep ball was because it was 3rd down and gave the O a chance to hold the ball with no danger or giving TN good field position. If it was intercepted, the defending interceptor would have been pinned to the sidelines 40 yards down the field. An interception would have effectively served as a punt but a completion there closes out the game.

If you've watched UGA at all this yr, you would know that when Kirby gets a big lead in the 2nd half, he starts what has become known as the death march and tries to shorten the game. In most cases the opposing D wilts and more points are scored but it was obvious once the rain came that Kirby was placing more importance on ball security and the clock than chasing stats and scores. It was 100% complimentary football.

 

[LadyVolette]

Muschamp as much as I hate him is a great defensive coach.

yep, Bama fans are foaming at the mouth to try and get Pruitt back (good luck with that).. but Muschamp is better (and so are probably a half dozen other people)

 

[Sudden Impact]

yep, Bama fans are foaming at the mouth to try and get Pruitt back (good luck with that).. but Muschamp is better (and so are probably a half dozen other people)

Saban would never hire Muschamp because he cannot control him. Pruitt was like wet putty in Saban's hand.

 

[LadyVolette]

Saban would never hire Muschamp because he cannot control him. Pruitt was like wet putty in Saban's hand.

That’s what I always thought (esp seeing his defenses first hand lol)… Saban was micromanaging the he!! Out of him, that’s why he was successful under him but not out on his own…. That was several years back and I doubt Saban wants to do all of that anymore

 

[Sudden Impact]

Georgia showed the SEC the template for shutting Tennessee's offense down. Georgia could have scored as many as they wanted against our defense, Kirby went conservative in the 2nd half during the rain so they could maintain their lead and not turn the ball over.

Kirby made some early coaching mistakes at Georgia, especially with Alabama.
He was not going to do that with Tennessee because he knew if he did not have ball control in the 2nd Half that Tenn was capable of putting up 3 touchdowns in a matter of minutes.
So yes he went Conservative to control the Game and to slow it down. Wise Move. It is simple why throw it around in the Rain and risk blowing a lead.

The Template has always been there. The execution of it with Average Athletes is another Story.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

This game was won and lost at the line of scrimmage and with Georgia's ability to play UT man and not get beat. Yes, it is as simple as that.
Winning the line of scrimmage was by far the biggest factor. They just have better Jimmy's and Joe's. By far the fastest defense we have played and probably fastest the the country.
They will beat LSU if they can contain Daniels most of the night. I think they have the speed to limit him. Then we wait for Selection Sunday to see where we fall in the CFP.

Just like last years UGA game. And the next one too....