We were simply a few missed plays from winning

#57
#57
GBOplayer said:
1. Nico overthrew Squirrel White on a long pass by about 2 steps which would have been a TD

2. We missed a safety by 1 yard in the first half…if we had that, we could have kicked a field goal at the end

3. The play near the end where Nico bobbled the snap and ended up being a short run by Sampson (we had to burn up a timeout) would have been a long pass play, it looked like we had someone open

This game could have gone either way. We are still on track to make the playoffs.
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If we did not make critical mistakes. !0 penalties, including a running into the kicker deep in the opponents side of the field, failure to field a punt which cost about 20 yards, false starts which killed at least 2 drives, missed blocks resulting in losses by Nico, etc., we would have won by 20 point.
 
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#58
#58
Behr said:
Yep. Say what you want about the rest of the game, but running into the kicker was the dagger.
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Absolutely changed the momentum, and we never came back from it. We were 2/2 on third quarter drives, made em go three and out, and then gave them a freebie. If you can make it 21-3 or even 17-3 they start folding. It’s the type of stuff that’s gotta drive coaches nuts.
 
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#59
#59
We play very poorly on the road at least once a season, sometimes two. Last year...Mizzou and UF, year before, USC junior.

The game that is the best analogy might be UF last year, since (a) Mizzou and USC junior both ended up being NY Day Six teams (or whatever thats called), and (b) UF stunk at least as bad last year as Ark does this year, and (c) it was a relatively close game at UF after we almost made it respectable in the second half vs twin blowouts.

So this was the "UF game" this year, I guess? Maybe what we need is to figure out why Heupel does so poorly on the road.

I will believe this is a long term endemic problem if we struggle on offense Saturday.

Having said that, the OL has underperformed two games in a row, and was worse probably against Ark. Injuries played a role vs OU, and maybe Heard and another couple are still hurting. IDK...but OL very concerning as it was supposed to be a strength, and has not been two games in a row.
 
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#60
#60
VOLINVONORE said:
If we did not make critical mistakes. !0 penalties, including a running into the kicker deep in the opponents side of the field, failure to field a punt which cost about 20 yards, false starts which killed at least 2 drives, missed blocks resulting in losses by Nico, etc., we would have won by 20 point.
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Taking one of two timeouts with 35 seconds left, add to the list, for sure. At least hurling the ball into the end zone as time expires. Maybe a few more, unfortunately
 
#62
#62
BowlBrother85 said:
How similar it was to the Florida game last year is a concern. It feels like mistakes are being repeated.
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Yup. Only thing I would say is, we were much closer in this game. I don't believe in "moral victories" and am certainly not claiming such, but after UF last year, it wasn't just like they beat us, but we were lucky to make it look somewhat respectible in the second half. While I still think (and still do!) we should have beaten UF last year, I KNOW beyond all doubt, we ABSOLUTELY should have beaten Arkansas and it should not have been close.

So in an odd way, I have less doubt this year.

If we beat UF by 2 or 3 TDs, it will go a long way to restoring momentum going into UA. I am not necessarily predicting that, but its not an unreasonable thing to predict.
 
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#65
#65
GBOplayer said:
1. Nico overthrew Squirrel White on a long pass by about 2 steps which would have been a TD

2. We missed a safety by 1 yard in the first half…if we had that, we could have kicked a field goal at the end

3. The play near the end where Nico bobbled the snap and ended up being a short run by Sampson (we had to burn up a timeout) would have been a long pass play, it looked like we had someone open

This game could have gone either way. We are still on track to make the playoffs.
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There are always plays in a one score game that could have changed the outcome…running into the kicker was huge. And letting them convert a first down when we had them at the half yard line was a killer - we would have may be gotten a field goal…

But conversely, the D made a couple of stops on 4th down attempts where we stopped them by a few inches..
 
#67
#67
Ever had anyone you tell you they were just a few numbers off from winning the lottery?
 
#69
#69
BowlBrother85 said:
You can go back and forth with the "If we/they did this ...." forever. The bottom line is, Tennessee did have a very good chance to win the game with a minute left. Among other things, the clock was poorly managed after the pass to Thornton. And Nico has played enough football to know he must get a pass into the end zone on that last play.
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That was my point, but our fans (and fans in general) always want to imagine a world where they (the fan's team) cleans up our mistakes only, ignoring the fact that the opponent made mistakes too. Sure no doubt we had a chance to win though, even with 6 seconds left, no one has disputed that.
 
#71
#71
CPVOL said:
It’s funny you mention that. Saturday they were playing possessed. QB reminded me of the Ultimate Warrior and they willed themselves to a win. Whereas we didn’t show much fire at all. Just not a lot of energy
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Yes, I felt very strongly they were going to score when they got the ball, with a no star midget QB. Warrior.
 
#72
#72
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda doesn't count after time expires. The harsh reality is we lost a game in which we more or less had our ass handed to us. A look at yardage stats, time of possession, etc. tells it all. For me and my psyche I once again must dial back my expectations that it is 2024 not 1997, or 1998, or 2022, despite my desperately wishing it was. Nothing would make me happier than the 2024 Vols prove me wrong. After watching Vandy, Georgia, Bammers, even Florida I think it is clear that on any given day in the SEC if you take the other team for granted you do so at your own peril.
 
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#73
#73
marcusluvsvols said:
The winning FG.

They had already punted us the ball. Those 3 points beat us.

Is this game on Ross? No. But the points that beat us are a direct result of his inexusable in junior high mistake. Wasnt even a punt block call. We sent nobody. Max protect. He did that all on his own.
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I agree that was the final turning point in the game. But it shouldn’t have ever come down to that in the first place. If the OL does it’s job just halfway decently; we are up by two scores by that point.
 
#75
#75
GBOplayer said:
1. Nico overthrew Squirrel White on a long pass by about 2 steps which would have been a TD

2. We missed a safety by 1 yard in the first half…if we had that, we could have kicked a field goal at the end

3. The play near the end where Nico bobbled the snap and ended up being a short run by Sampson (we had to burn up a timeout) would have been a long pass play, it looked like we had someone open

This game could have gone either way. We are still on track to make the playoffs.
Click to expand...
What about that play where the Razorback receiver was open by a country mile and their quarterback didn't see him? Moral: if a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn't have to bump his azz.
 
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