Why is everyone on the QB for the issues?

[volbound1700]

I saw a defense that would NOT get off the field and gave up 8 minute drives that kept our offense from even being on the field. The defense was the primary weakness in Gainesville and needs to be fixed. It looked worse than last year (notably against the run).

 

[SmokeyLives]

QB is physically gifted but the mental game is lacking.

 

[volbound1700]

QB is physically gifted but the mental game is lacking.

True but we were already in a 2 TD hole before the INT was thrown.

Also the FALSE STARTS really didn't help the situation.

Perhaps a QB change may improve some items but the defense was the real culprit that cost Tennessee the game. They gave up a lot of easy, early runs by Florida. I don't even think it was totally on the defenders, I think it was poor play calling on defense that cost us. We didn't have players in the right spots or lined up properly when Florida was hiking the ball.

Our Offensive line kept digging Milton and offense into holes with false starts and poor blocking. Milton isn't Hooker, I get that. However, Milton isn't the only problem nor is he the MOST GLARING problem.

If I had anything that I could pick to change, it would be our defense right now.

The most glaring alarm behind all of these errors on offense and defense was that the team wasn't coached properly for the noise. This happened last year in Athens as well.

 

[sjt18]

In spite of all that went wrong, better decisions on the part of Milton would have resulted in more points. There are a ton of other issues that contributed to the loss. However Milton didn't manage the O particularly well.

 

[agent|orange]

Milton is limited but IMO is good enough to take this team 8-4/9-3. Could we have won the game if we had Hooker? Maybe. We also laid two absolute eggs on the road with Hooker and last years O on the road so maybe it's more of a problem than we initially thought.

The OL, on/off WRs and the entire D are far bigger issues. The entire OL and D looked unprepared and without any intensity or purpose.

 

[TucsonVol]

I saw a defense that would NOT get off the field and gave up 8 minute drives that kept our offense from even being on the field. The defense was the primary weakness in Gainesville and needs to be fixed. It looked worse than last year (notably against the run).

Well I will agree that Milton looked like terrific player for Florida.

 

[philly1972]

Our defenses was atrocious last year bur Hooker was able to keep us in the game with his talent. Milton doesn't that.

 

[Sam I Am]

I blame Ollie Lane.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I saw a defense that would NOT get off the field and gave up 8 minute drives that kept our offense from even being on the field. The defense was the primary weakness in Gainesville and needs to be fixed. It looked worse than last year (notably against the run).

The answer to the question is that a lot of people are lazy and uninformed. They just watch ball and they just want to blame the guy that has the ball in his hand every play. Milton has to improve, but the blame doesn’t squarely fall on him .

 

[VolInDayton]

Because every football fans favorite player is the 5* freshman backup quarterback.... if they have one on their team.

 

[esarmstrong]

Because every football fans favorite player is the 5* freshman backup quarterback.... if they have one on their team.

With fans, the backup quarterback is always the most popular player.

 

[volbound1700]

Our defenses was atrocious last year bur Hooker was able to keep us in the game with his talent. Milton doesn't that.

Possibly but the defense could at least stop the run and force teams to pass. The defense Saturday even failed at that.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Milton has earned a share of the blame, without a doubt. However, it seems most fans are focused solely on him, as if a change at QB(even slightly improved play) would solve the problems this team. Focus just on Milton is shortsighted.

 

[EZE]

It doesn’t matter what we think.

Do the other players believe in the QB? This is vital, and we have a quote from McCoy that is concerning.

Do the coaches believe in the QB? We are seeing very basic play calls that resemble nothing from CJH’s first two seasons. Also concerning.

 

[EZE]

Milton has earned a share of the blame, without a doubt. However, it seems most fans are focused solely on him, as if a change at QB(even slightly improved play) would solve the problems this team. Focus just on Milton is shortsighted.

Milton is by no means the biggest issue on this team so far. Defense and O Line are much bigger issues.

But as I stated above, what do his teammates and coaches think?

 

[OL SMOKEY]

Both lines were pathetic and our guys can’t tackle for crap. Milton needs to play better.

 

[AdoptedVOL]

Too obvious an answer. The evidence is on video.

 

[SNAFU]

We make too many mistakes and play poorly in too many other areas to mask the deficiencies at the QB position. Milton is too slow with his checkdown reads if he does checkdown and is inaccurate with intermediate throws. Yes, the receivers could be better and help him out but some of the drops are because of the ball not being on time or on target, ie, receivers having to reach behind to get hands on the ball.

 

[FLVOL_79]

For me, and this is an unprofessional opinion and observation, when a QB, regardless of ability to actually run, cannot see open field first down yardage in front of them and refuses to step up and get in but instead stays in the pocket to throw at all costs, there is a problem.

 

[OrangeTsar]

This was a TOTAL TEAM failure. Yeah Joe had his issues but so did everyone else except maybe for the people on special teams.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

If Milton is the issue and Coach Heupel does want Nico to get ready, thoughts and prayers for the training/nutrition staff and Nico.

They're going to be working their butts off to get some serious muscle on the young man.

And before you guys say he's big enough, he's not big enough to stand behind the 2023 Tennessee Volunteers offensive line.

Before you start pointing at Tua or someone, the guys who were true freshmen and had success in the SEC were behind quite a few guys who work on Sunday now. Look at our offensive line and tell me who is "for sure" NFL quality lineman.

 

[gobigorange91]

I saw a defense that would NOT get off the field and gave up 8 minute drives that kept our offense from even being on the field. The defense was the primary weakness in Gainesville and needs to be fixed. It looked worse than last year (notably against the run).

Yes the defense needs to be fixed. But scoring 16 points is pathetic. Especially when we had more yards than them. We couldn’t finish. Play calling sure points to not trusting him to throw it. If we score just 30 points we win this game. Yes the defense needs to be fixed but 16 points is awful. Following only putting up 30 against AP.

So yes the defense needs to be fixed but that doesn’t change the fact so does the offense. It’s never been smooth with Milton and it won’t be. He will make great throws time to time but we need someone to run it smoothly. We will see Nico at some point this season.

 

[Vols1313]

I saw a defense that would NOT get off the field and gave up 8 minute drives that kept our offense from even being on the field. The defense was the primary weakness in Gainesville and needs to be fixed. It looked worse than last year (notably against the run).

Because if you look at the pace we play this year as opposed to last year it’s night and day, we aren’t playing with the same sense of urgency and that is lack of leadership. 6th year guy who has to look to the sidelines every play. Yes defense was an issue but was an issue last year that was covered up because when you score 45 pts it doesn’t matter as much .

 

[DonDiego]

I'm going to have to go back and watch that interception by Milton again. If I remember correctly, he had a receiver downfield, but unfortunately, he was wearing a 400 lb defensive lineman when he let the pass go,

 

[UTFanHades]

The qb play is a big part of the issue but really only half the position groups on either side of the ball are SEC level. That is a coaching issue in not coaching guys up or seeking guys who can via the portal.