Tennessee Football: 3 questions for the bye week

The Tennessee Volunteers enter the bye week with a record of 4-1, but most Vol fans are still somewhat disappointed and with good reason. The most challenging game so far has been against an average Florida team and the Vols couldn’t get the job done down in Gainesville. Even in the 4 wins on the young season, the Vols have looked shaky on offense compared to last year, but that was somewhat expected after losing Hendon Hooker at Quarterback and two draft picks in Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman at wide receiver. The good news for the Vols is that without playing up to their full potential they are still in a good spot to make a run at the Sec East title and make it to Atlanta for the first time since 2007. There are a few questions the Vols must answer though as they enter the second half of the season.

Who is going to step up at wide receiver to replace Bru McCoy?

The Vols were dealt a major blow when Bru suffered a season-ending ankle injury against South Carolina last week. Bru was the best physical possession receiver the Vols had and will be missed tremendously. The good news is the Vols have had all of this week and will have all of next week to decide on a serviceable replacement. The prime candidate to take over most of the snaps is transfer Don’t’e Thornton Jr. and even though he hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, I think a steady role will give him an opportunity to showcase his talent. If he isn’t able to secure that spot though Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb are next in line. The thing about wide receivers under Josh Heupel is that pretty much anybody with hands that aren’t concrete blocks will be able to produce. The scheme does most of the work, that has been proven for 2 and a half years with receivers running wide open all over the field. Heupel and the staff just need to find the player who will maximize the big-play potential that the Vols have been missing on the outside this year.

Can the defense sustain the success they have had early in the season?

The improvement made by the Vol defense so far has been truly remarkable. Even in the Vol’s loss against the Gators the defense held tough and gave the team a fighting chance in the second half. The defensive line looks incredible, the secondary doesn’t look as porous, and the young linebackers under the guidance of Aaron Beasley have gotten better each game. The performance against South Carolina last week proved that this defense can take over a game as they held the Gamecocks to 20 points, and atoned for the horrendous performance in Columbia last year where they gave up 9 touchdowns. The Vols also lead the country in sacks with 22 total. If this defense can stay aggressive and hungry all year long, they have the opportunity to will this team to win even when the offense is struggling. As the offenses get more potent though the defense will have to remain steady as the first 5 opponents were not exactly world-beaters when it comes to lighting up the scoreboard.

Can Joe Milton put the team on his back in big games like Hendon Hooker did in 2022?

So far, the answer to this question is no. Joe Milton could only lead the offense to 16 total points in Gainesville as the offense looked out of sync throughout the game, and against South Carolina Milton threw 2 interceptions in a game that would’ve been much closer if the Vol defense didn’t show out. There is hope though as the return of Cooper Mays at center has given Milton some help in getting everybody ready before the ball is snapped, and a boost to an already dangerous rushing attack. In all Honesty, with the stable of running backs the Vols have in Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, and Dylan Sampson, an elite level Quarterback might not even be necessary to win most of the games left on the schedule. However, if the Vols want to make it back to Atlanta Joe Milton needs to be better and I’m sure he knows that more than anybody. Most of the struggles Milton has comes down to inaccuracy, and Heupel and staff need to find a way to produce points that doesn’t rely on several downfield shots because they are not being converted on a consistent enough basis. Josh Heupel has already leaned toward a passing attack focused on quick throws and simple reads, but it might need to be a bit more creative to maximize the potential of the offense. It seems like Heupel will ride Milton until he doesn’t have a choice at Quarterback so its up to him to maximize his effectiveness, and its up to Milton to take the reins and be sharper in his execution of the offense.

Everything is still in front of this Tennessee Volunteer football team. They have an excellent chance to prove that last year wasn’t just a flash in the pan, even if the way they achieve their goals looks different than last year. The Vols have two obvious strengths and those are getting after the quarterback and pounding the damn rock. Sounds a lot like Phillip Fulmer is still on the sidelines right? Well, Vol fans can only hope it’s Fulmer from the 90’s and not the mid-2000s. Josh Heupel has a chance to prove he doesn’t mind changing the way he coaches if it means a better chance at winning games, and I have full confidence that is the case. The Vols need to play to these strengths to maximize their potential in these last 7 games, and that means running the ball 50+ times a game and sending 5-6 rushers every time their opponent drops back to pass. If the Vols revert back to dropping 7 men in coverage on defense or getting pass-happy when the game is tight they won’t be satisfied with where they end up at season’s end. Let’s throw it back to the 90’s in these last 7 games. Not just because it was the most dominant the Vols have been in the modern era, but because it is likely the best path to get this program back to playing for an SEC Championship.