Tennessee – Florida … Aftermath

The Tennessee – Florida aftermath seems to be the same nightmare we have awaken from for a decade. It is like Bill Murray’s Ground Hog Day movie. We have lived it many times before.  I just wish we would have the opportunity to go back and change a few plays like Murray could in the movie. I know Coach Jones does as well.

The Vols, as so many times in the past, looked to have the better team all day long. The Vols, as so many times in the past, proved the best team does not always win. We lost one to the Gators on a controversial “non” catch in the end zone ruled a touchdown several years back, and now lose on controversial made field goal of which time had clearly expired on the play clock.

Florida is obviously on a different clock than most others in the SEC. They get a few extra seconds more than say a Kentucky or Tennessee. We knew that was coming when you saw the head referee though. He has been tough on Tennessee in the past. But, that is not what caused this loss. Florida’s defense held the Tennessee offense in check all day long, and it was the ineffectiveness of the Vols ability to convert turnovers into points that inevitably led to the outcome. Good teams capitalize. We didn’t. Simple.

Here is the good news. Tennessee was the better team on Saturday. Tennessee’s young freshman showed they belong. My goodness did Derek Barnett look good! Todd Kelly, Jr made a play to give the Vols a golden opportunity at the 13 yard line of the Gators when up 9-0.

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Hurd ran hard, although Bajakian’s zone read and the offensive line never gave the back an opening a mouse could run through. Josh Malone had some flashes although a few drops were made. Medley hit three pressurized field goals that were anything but chip shots. The other “older” youngsters Cam Sutton and Jalen Reeves- Maybin played as well as someone can play.

The fact that Tennessee was the better team shows what Coach Butch Jones has done with this last recruiting class. Our team speed, and overall team strength is not even in the same category as we have witnessed in the last few years. When this next class signs, this team will be on its’ way to greatness, if………it finds a quarterback.

Here is the bad news. We lost, again. It was unfortunately a very bad day for Justin Worley who had played well in losses to Oklahoma and Georgia. He was again harassed all day long by a Gator defensive line that was men against boys at the line of scrimmage. Justin was sacked 6 more times, and one caused the fumble that set up the Gators offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter.

His worst play came after the interception from Todd Kelly, Jr. The Vols decided to throw into the end zone on the turnover, and Justin threw off of his back foot falling backwards to a covered Marquez North (who lost his footing). The ball was intercepted and the game remained 9-0, and gave the Gators hope. It is all they needed. The Vols had them on the ropes and was about to knock the Gator out when Justin rang the bell for them.

The rest is history. Florida wins, again.

Bajakian must fix his offense. He does not have the offensive line to run his scheme. I know that. Honestly, Worley is not a zone read quarterback. We all know that, and we all know what Bajakian has to work with up front.  I understand his dilemma, and I know it is harder on him than it is on me. However he also has a bevy of talented receivers and running backs that can make plays.

I have maintained since the first game of the season that if Worley would keep at least 3 times per game, this run game would be more successful. He did not keep it one time against Florida. He did not keep it one time against Georgia. Coach Bajakian does not have Auburn’s Nick Marshall. But Worley can pull it down and get you three or four yards and some respect that he “might” keep it.

Another offensive observation. We seem to attack the sidelines better than any offense in the country. I tweeted Saturday that “I did not understand why everyone was so upset about offensive production. We had over 500 total yards in my estimation. The problem was 300 of that was east-west yards”.

We throw east-west, we run east-west, so maybe we call this the east-west offense . This would be similar to the naming of Bill Walsh’s famed west coast offense. Maybe the checker-boarded stadium confused the offense and we just “went” to a checkerboard wherever it may be.

Look, Bajakian is going to be fine when he gets his guys here. So many of us SEC fans and Tennessee fans are used to the I formation and running it right at you. The zone read is hard to grasp. I readily admit that I do not understand what the concept is. I never ran this before. Coach B has been successful everywhere he has gone, and I will assume he will be here as soon as he gets an experienced and stronger offensive line, and a quarterback built to run this offense. This is in no way slighting Justin Worley, please understand that.

My bottom line is this. This team is rebuilding beautifully. Coach Jones is getting the best of the best to come and play at Tennessee. It takes players. It takes time. It takes experience. And that goes for players and coaches. Coaches will say their young teams must learn how to win. Guess what. The coaches have to learn how to win as well.  The coaches learn from each game as do players. I can guarantee you this coaching staff learned more by getting beat 10-9 than by winning 9-7. It will help more in the long run in my opinion.

This situation will come up again with a conference title on the line, and this staff will have learned from this game. At least that is my take. Time will tell, but that time is much needed. We need Florida kind of time. Extra.