No. 15 Tennessee football is off to a 2-0 start after wins over Furman and Georgia Tech. While the strengths are there for the Vols to build on, the beginning always brings the areas that need improvement.
In my opinion from watching this team the first couple of games, there aren’t any major issues that can’t be whipped into shape quickly.
What I really like about this is what is not the problem, and that’s a freshman quarterback. Faizon Brandon lets the game come to him, and he knows that he doesn’t have to be the superhero. His mindset seems ahead of his time. Heupel saw the same thing in Atlanta, and he wasn’t worried about the numbers.
“The stat sheet’s not gonna be elite,” Heupel said. “I actually really liked the way he played the game. I thought he was composed. He handled himself in situational football pretty well. First game on the road, 18 years old, handled himself well, took care of it.”
That composure is the part that stands out to me. A lot of freshmen can move the offense when everything is clean. Brandon did it on the road in a game that saw its challenges, and he never looked rattled. Heupel said the demeanor has been there all along. If your quarterback is the one of the steadiest guys on a team, that is invaluable.
So what needs addressing ASAP? Penalties are at the forefront. Against Georgia Tech, they got a little sloppy at times. Especially when they felt the game was in hand. The Vols committed eight penalties in the fourth quarter alone for a total of 97 yards. For the whole game, they committed 14 penalties for 142 yards. That aspect of the game is fixable, and has to be especially before Southeastern Conference play begins against Texas on Sept. 26. Heupel called that out first and foremost after the win.
“Certainly the fourth quarter, the penalties, just not very good,” Heupel said. “So that’s multiple phases of the game. So disappointed in that.”
He was clear that it needs fixing, but he did not act like the sky was falling, and I wholeheartedly agree. Penalties come down to discipline, and discipline is the kind of thing a staff can clean up fast when the players buy in.
“When we come back Monday, get a lot better from it, then we’ll have a chance to continue to grow, and that’s what good teams do,” Heupel said.
The other spot that needs attention is special teams. The blocked punt early against Georgia Tech was preventable, and it is the kind of self-inflicted mistake that can flip a game before the offense ever settles in. Tennessee was fortunate it did not cost them. Heupel put the moment on Jackson Ross for overthinking his read, and while he expects it to be a lesson learned, that is a rep the Vols cannot give away once the schedule gets heavier.
“Sometimes you get defined by one play in a game,” Heupel said. “We’re fortunate that we overcame that play. But he’ll learn from it and ultimately we got to be better than that.”
When it comes to the trenches, the Vols have succeeded there. At times, they do tend to get beat or be shown much resistance, which is normal. This is major college football and the guys on the other side are there for a reason. When conference play starts, we will be able to really see where Tennessee measures in that area, especially on the offensive side.
Heupel liked what the line put on tape against Georgia Tech, and the run game numbers backed him up. Tennessee finished with 299 rushing yards, led by DeSean Bishop’s 147 and two scores.
“Just in general, I thought the offensive line played really good football tonight,” Heupel said. “It’s hard to rush for 300 yards. You know what I’m saying? Proud of those guys.”
What I liked was how the running game grew as the night went on. Tennessee made a statement in the opening drive that the run was going to be huge, and they stuck with that.
“The run game, as you’re fitting in, you’re getting a feel for what you’re seeing on the other side of the line of scrimmage,” he said. “It’s a little bit like a boxing match, where you’re feeling the opponent out. Ultimately the threes and fours became sixes and sevens, and then ultimately late you start popping a couple of them, too. DaSaahn Brame, big time block on the last one.”
That is a good sign for a group that will need to hold up against a different level of competition soon. Georgia Tech had its moments up front, and Heupel noted the right side had to shuffle after Jesse Perry got banged up. The line still finished the game on the ground, and that says something about the depth. Heupel pointed out it is really seven or eight guys doing the work, not just the starting five, and that kind of rotation matters over a full SEC slate.
The real measuring stick is coming. Texas and the rest of the conference will bring bigger, faster fronts than what Tennessee has seen so far. If the offensive line keeps trending the way it did in the second half against the Yellow Jackets, the Vols will be in good shape. That is the part I will be watching closest when league play opens.
Two games in, the foundation is solid. Tighten up the penalties and continue polishing across the board, and this team should be ready for a good fight when Texas comes to Knoxville.
