Tennessee Game Grades: Georgia Game
Here are my grades for Tennessee’s game against Georgia.
Offense: B+
Tennessee’s offense finally found the rhythm and (a little bit of) the consistency that they’ve lacked in the first half of this season. Behind an impressive game from Joshua Dobbs and an unsung but almost heroic effort by the offensive line, Tennessee rallied from a 21-point second quarter deficient to get the biggest win in the Butch Jones era.
Quarterback: A-
It seems as though as Joshua Dobbs goes, so goes the Tennessee offense. Dobbs’ stats in the end were “A+” caliber: 25/42 (59.5%), 312 passing yards, three TDs and one INT with 18 carries for 118 yards and two rushing TDs. That’s a 300 yard passing game, 100 rushing game, with five total TDs. Impressive. Only an inconsistent first half kept Dobbs from getting a top rating. Although some of that was due to continued drops from the receivers. Dobbs ran noticeably hard tonight, almost looking like Jalen Hurd at times. His decision making was better as well, although late in the game there looked to be two or three option misreads where Hurd had path the edge. Either way, 38 points against a very good Georgia defense is impressive. For Tennessee to salvage this season, Dobbs will have to find the consistency that has alluded him so far this season.
Running Backs: A-
The Vols ran for 207 yards behind a injury-riddled offensive line. I’ve already discussed Dobbs’ rushing numbers – and that’s a large part of this A- effort, but Jalen Hurd again ran like a freight train. His numbers weren’t that impressive (80 yards on 20 carries) but he punished the Georgia defense and had very few negative plays. And as has been the trend all season long, Hurd and Kamara added 8 receptions for 46 yards and some key first downs on those patented Mike DeBord third down screen play. Kamara added two receiving touchdowns. Hurd’s fumble at the goal line (returned for a touchdown) was the one big mark against the running backs tonight. Another strong performance from the Tennessee running game and the running backs.
Receivers: B-
Toughest grade of the night. We finally had some clutch catches – most notably Josh Smith’s late in the first half on fourth down. Josh Malone also had some good catches and ran hard after the catch. We might look back at Smith’s catch as the single turning point moment in this season much like Hurd’s touchdown run against South Carolina last year. But there were two brutal drops in the end zone in the first half; and Preston Williams missed a clutch catch in the fourth quarter that might have sealed the game. Overall, a much better performance, but the receivers need to help out Dobbs by consistently pulling catches you ought to make. It’s all about consistency from here on out for the receivers.
Offensive Line: A
A completely overlooked effort tonight but an offensive line that suffered three injuries to starters. At the end of the game, three of the five linemen were either substitutes are not playing the position they started the game. Bottom line is the line’s preparation and effort won this game. Jack Jones, in particular, looked great in his first extended play of his career. When we go back and look at the film and consider the situation the line was in, this group performance will be appreciated even more.
Defense: B-
The final score in this one is a little deceiving. Georgia had 31 points, but the defense only gave up two touchdowns. Remember, the Bulldogs scored on a fumble return and a punt return. The stats didn’t look great, giving up 279 yards offense and 165 yards rushing and getting no turnovers, but this was a “bend-but-don’t-break” performance tonight that worked just well enough to escape with the win.
Defensive Line: B-
The defensive front was better tonight, but still not up to expectations. Much like the offensive line, however, there were two key injuries on an already injury-thin defensive line. They were able to get a little more pressure against the quarterback than in previous games, but the Vols still can’t get sustained pressure with a three- or four-man rush. And while Sony Michel had 145 yards, the line got better as the game went on in bottling up the Bulldog rushing attack. Like most of Tennessee’s units, tonight represented a nice improvement but one that must be sustained for Tennessee to get back on track this season.
Linebackers: B+
Probably the best game by the linebackers all season against top-tier opponents. Again, the stats might be a little deceiving. The linebackers did a good job of eliminating the middle and defending the screens, although Defensive Coordinator Jancek helped out with Barnett spying on a good percentage of plays. The linebackers effectively defending the second level and tight ends in the passing game made Georgia rely on outside routes and deep routes and this prevented Lambert from getting into rhythm for most of the game.
Defensive Backs: C+
The secondary had another tough night. Cam Sutton got beat for a touchdown and Georgia bailed Tennessee out on dropped touchdown pass in the final minutes of the game. Another game with no interceptions and the Vols dropped an easy interception in the last minute that would have sealed the game. The defensive backfield did just enough, especially at the end, to secure the victory tonight. This defense has the potential to be really good, but all three units have to put it together all at once.
Special Teams: B+
The Vols special teams were solid again tonight. Aaron Medley made the one field goal he was asked. Evan Berry continues to be very strong in kickoff returns. And Cam Sutton’s fourth quarter return was a spark on energy when the team needed it. Tennessee did give up a punt return for a touchdown, but that was assisted by a blatant no-call that spring the returner. And Trevor Daniel’s punt pinning Georgia inside the one-yard line on its final drive proved critical. Daniel continues his stellar season.
Coaching: B+
The single most important coaching job this week was keeping the team’s head in the game after three brutal losses in the last four games. And the single biggest coaching job in the game was keeping the team’s head in the game after being down 24-3 – even after outplaying Georgia thoroughly in the first quarter. The team’s fight and mental state are clearly well instilled. The offensive game plan seemed balanced and once Dobbs got into a rhythm the Georgia defense looked spread out and off balance – exactly what this offense is designed to do to defenses. I still have some questions about the defensive play calling, especially blitz timing and packages. This coaching staff has received an unfair amount of criticism for the 2-3 start. They haven’t been perfect, certainly. But they’ve had this team ready and prepared and it paid off tonight.
The Vols took one step away from the brink tonight. And they have the bye week coming up. Then an away game with Alabama. After that, though, the schedule turns favorable. Tennessee will have Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt with North Texas squeezed in. You can assume an Alabama loss puts Tennessee at 3-4, but you also have to think Tennessee will expect to win those remaining games. Can Tennessee have another strong second half and salvage an 8-4 season? If they find the consistency they found in the second half tonight, absolutely. If not, it’ll be another painful reminder of the struggles of this program.
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