Nobody has mentioned it but I'm going to say it even though I'm sure I'll get push back, but Appy State's defensive linemen were basically linebackers and defensive ends. It is incredibly difficult for guards and centers to pass block linebackers and defensive ends and the pass protection was where most of the issues were. with actual offensive linemen blocking and we may be underestimating the difficulty of Now in the running blocking arena there is no excuse but I'm not putting ALL of that on the O-linemen. App State run blitzed a lot and the Vols staff did not respond for most of the game in terms of offensive calls.
After rewatching Thursday's game several times, I think the issues are very fixable. I also think much of the issues were a perfect storm of circumstances:
This can be fixed maybe not to the tune of 12-0 but there is still no excuse for anything less than winning the SEC East.
After rewatching Thursday's game several times, I think the issues are very fixable. I also think much of the issues were a perfect storm of circumstances:
- Small quick defensive linemen
- A very nonphysical fall camp
- Stars trying to do TOO MUCH
- Staff not respecting the opponent with their game plan - clearly Dobbs was told not to run; did we see a single jet sweep? this didn't even look like the Justin Worley game plan
- A very high quality (even if over matched in talent) opponent from your back yard (anyone remember that Memphis game against Peyton and the Vols
- Turnovers (the easiest thing to remedy)
- Loss of JRM for essentially the entire game
- And a team that while denying it allowed the expectations to affect their first game play
This can be fixed maybe not to the tune of 12-0 but there is still no excuse for anything less than winning the SEC East.
