Week 1 observations/overreactions

[OH-Vol]

The two biggest things from my end were:

1. Thorton and Brazzell - We feel good about Uour pperclassmen Bru and Squirrell...However If these two physical freaks (6'4") continue to play like this and beyond, it will make this offense unstoppable. Imagine these four, then bring in Mike Mathews.

2. DL - I haven;t seen a UT D-line this D deep and talented in 20 years. They dominated the line of scrimmage with 2 and 3 levels of talent. Very concerned about our DBs, however the DL making Qbs take 3 step drops and force quick releases will make give the DBs time to improve.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

I don’t think we learned anything at all about the defense today. The offense appears to have the pieces to be great, Nico being the key. Next week tells us more.

 

[Other_Guy]

Heupel is running a much more conservative offense with Gaston against good opponents. Not too concerned. Nico looked amazing tho.

 

[WillieT]

Helmets & game shirts DO NOT match! Helmets too light.

 

[StoneColdStunner]

I think we have one of the best backup QBs in the SEC. It isn’t fair to compare his play to QB1’s when he doesn’t have the same crop of dudes blocking and receiving for him.

The INT was actually a throw right where it should have gone. Also, Brazzell should have kept his feet in on that first one if we want to point fingers. That throw was pretty damn good.

Hell of a performance by just about everyone. Gonna be an exciting year.

 

[hemivol]

Sampson FEASTED today and he will have a very good season.

Moore threw a bad pick and the defense bailed his ass out.

Dante Thornton shot up some NFL draft boards with his performance today.

looked like the backup receiver cut the route off. Happens all the time when backups come in to finish off games . Moore did enough to make me comfortable with him if something bad happens to Nico

 

[Volador]

I do think merklinger looked better than Moore today. Moore made some late reads. But with time and more experience, they should get more reps and get more comfortable.

Merk is mobile. Moore is immobile

 

[utchs81]

Comparing this game to the bowl game, Nico was less reliant on his scoring as opposed to letting his receivers and running backs do the scoring. Might have been due to level of competition as well, but less chance of injury if not using his wheels as opposed to his other weapons.

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Thanks Heup.

Don’t have to be heupel to know. Just knowledgeable about football.

 

[CDB]

Weary! Never heard of him. Made 2 outstanding catches

Agree. He’s Fred’s kid. Wow, I’m getting old!

 

[gobravesvols16]

Nico is the real deal and is only going to get better which is a scary thing for opposing defenses. Those WR’s? Yeah, good luck covering all of those guys. Tyre West is a beast. Boo got a lot of playing time. Great hustle by Leacock preventing the score. Our RB room is good. Maybe not as deep as last year but still pretty solid.

 

[jarnol32]

looked like the backup receiver cut the route off. Happens all the time when backups come in to finish off games . Moore did enough to make me comfortable with him if something bad happens to Nico

If something happens to Nico then Merklinger will be handed the reigns, you don’t play a walk on over a 4 star. The only reason Moore is 2nd right now is because of seniority. If a backup has to play meaningful snap it will be Merklinger.

 

[BigOrangeCrush32]

The Fact that Donte Thornton didn't drop a pass...speaks volumes about Nico's touch.

 

[BigALWiLson]

Strangest "no shows" for me today we're Squirrel White on offense and James Pierce Jr on defense. I kinda get what the deal was with Pierce, as it looked like UTC schemed around him with quick passes and heavy on the run. But I'm surprised at how few targets Squirrel had.

Every week people are going to have to pick your poison against this team. Squirrel was a known factor for UTChatt. They likely slotted him. Which left Thornton in some 1 on 1s and you know the result. There is just so much fire power on this offense if we can keep protection everyone is going to have a few problems.

 

[anbailey76]

Hard to judge after playing Chattanooga, especially in Game 1, but this felt like the cleanest, most dominate game against an FCS opponent that I can ever remember. We've looked sloppy in a lot of these type games over the years. My "clear" memory goes back to about '82-'83, lol. Future looks extremely bright. GO VOLS!!!

 

[butchna]

At least for one week we won’t get the “Gaston Moore should start” thread refreshed.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

Watched the game 3 times now.

We all saw the good. Nico is in mid season form. Receivers looked good. Dline was solid.
Was impressed with the secondary and the young guys. It wasn’t much of a challenge but they were on their mark.

The RPO run, took a hair too long to develop. With the blocking schemes, it left an edge open. This is simple to correct and work on.

The areas where we need to improve…Oline guards. They didn’t pull well and were worried about assignments vs getting the proper push. I expect this to get better as this was game one and the game plan was vanilla.

Linebackers either got their reads wrong or missed assignments. Luckily the rest of the defense was on point and it wasn’t noticeable because UTC couldn’t capitalize.


Otherwise, we looked great and if you aren’t betting TN minus the points vs NC State, then you are crazy. Excited for the season.

 

[Vfl2407]

Helmets & game shirts DO NOT match! Helmets too light.

I actually like the helmets. The uniforms are too dark. Almost the same as the Dark Mode.

 

[WillisWG]

fwiw
QB Nico Iamaleava — 87.3 (54 plays)
QB Gaston Moore — 72.2 (23 plays)
QB Jake Merklinger — 48.0 (17 plays)

PFF Grades: Tennessee vs. Chattanooga | Rocky Top Insider

See the individual PFF grades from Tennessee football's 69-3 victory over Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville.

www.rockytopinsider.com

 

[007Racer]

I’m worried sick about our punting game…

I am also! We need a real punter. no more Colquitts?

 

[901 Orange]

The last 2 Nico series were concerning…and I know everyone else was thinking the same thing.

I think anytime you see a flag on a drive there is a good chance that drive is going nowfast.

 

[901 Orange]

If Thornton, Bru, and Brazell play like they did today, there aren't going to be a lot of targets left to go around. Squirrel will get his opportunities, but we are stronger on the outside this year.

Those dudes look like a basketball team, and Nico is the new aged 6'6 PG. Squirrel will get his touches but it's going to be hard not to throw it to those 1v1 matchups outside

 

[NMVol]

Observation, not an overreaction: Lance Heard is a difference maker.

 

[Prayivm3rcy]

The last 2 Nico series were concerning…and I know everyone else was thinking the same thing.

More like concerning for the entire offense. Penalties can kill drives

 

[benchod]

Cmon, he completed 78% of his passes. And this is your focus?

We're talking about a kid. Just wait.