Taking the defense out of the equation and taking out the Jimmy and Joe's. This is a fairly simple area where we hurt ourselves every game but specifically in our losses.
Our short yardage game was not good. In fact, it was horrendous. And I'm sure some of it can be pointed towards Jimmy & Joe's on the OL but our entire offensive identity changes when we get in short yardage situations. We slow down, we run basic plays. Everything about our offense is predicated on up tempo, fast, taking advantage of personnel mismatches and numbers. Then we get in 2nd or 3rd (or even 4th) and 1 and we slow it down, make subs which allows subs for the defense, look at the sideline and take our time. Then ultimately we run some dive up the middle where we don't have any kind of advantage.
Against Bama, who knows if we win but we our first 2 or 3 of our empty early possessions had us gain 7 or 8 on 1st down and then we had to punt. Last night we had numerous 3rd and 4th and shorts that we couldn't pick up.
Anyway, this isn't a Heupel sucks post or we need to find a new guy to run our offense. Heupel was great this year. He led the program in a very respectable and competent manner that made us all proud. But this is just one area where they need to improve. Yes, our offense is terrific. That doesn't mean there aren't certain areas we can improve and that's the most obvious. Maybe some better personnel will help but the entire approach is anti Heupel's offensive philosophy.
Great year. Gave us all hope. Brought back a ton of people who were out on the Vols and they're excited about the program. Looking forward to what's next.
Our short yardage game was not good. In fact, it was horrendous. And I'm sure some of it can be pointed towards Jimmy & Joe's on the OL but our entire offensive identity changes when we get in short yardage situations. We slow down, we run basic plays. Everything about our offense is predicated on up tempo, fast, taking advantage of personnel mismatches and numbers. Then we get in 2nd or 3rd (or even 4th) and 1 and we slow it down, make subs which allows subs for the defense, look at the sideline and take our time. Then ultimately we run some dive up the middle where we don't have any kind of advantage.
Against Bama, who knows if we win but we our first 2 or 3 of our empty early possessions had us gain 7 or 8 on 1st down and then we had to punt. Last night we had numerous 3rd and 4th and shorts that we couldn't pick up.
Anyway, this isn't a Heupel sucks post or we need to find a new guy to run our offense. Heupel was great this year. He led the program in a very respectable and competent manner that made us all proud. But this is just one area where they need to improve. Yes, our offense is terrific. That doesn't mean there aren't certain areas we can improve and that's the most obvious. Maybe some better personnel will help but the entire approach is anti Heupel's offensive philosophy.
Great year. Gave us all hope. Brought back a ton of people who were out on the Vols and they're excited about the program. Looking forward to what's next.
