Monday's 3-2-1: It's 'Florida Week'
It's time for the 3-2-1 report. Three observations, two questions and a prediction as preparations start for the No. 23 Florida Gators.
Three things we've learned in Saturday's win:
Quinten Dormady is the starter at quarterback– No one is saying that Quinten Dormady was perfect on Saturday — because he was far from it. Dormady threw a really bad red zone interception. He held the ball too long a couple of times, but he also made some plays, highlighted by his line of scrimmage check on the beautiful touchdown throw to Brandon Johnson. Dormady also had a stretch of nine straight completions at one point.
Now, Jarrett Guarantano wasn't bad in his debut. He wasn't overly accurate but showed a big arm and some nice mobility. Guarantano threw a touchdown pass and had a drop in his debut, as the redshirt freshman went 4 of 12 for 42 yards.
The defensive front must be more disruptive – Tennessee's starters of Kahlil McKenzie, Kendall Vickers, Jonathan Kongbo, and Darrell Taylor combined for 8 tackles on Saturday, 1 TFL, no sacks and only one quarterback hurry. Everyone knew there would be a drop-off in production off the edge with the departure of Derek Barnett, but the Vols must be better than that.
As conference play opens, Bob Shoop's defensive front must win more 1-on-1 battles at the line of scrimmage, particularly off the edge.
We also learned that the staff apparently still has trust issues with some young guys on defense, as none of the freshmen defensive linemen or linebackers got on the field until the final two series of the game.
Vols improved on special teams – After an average year last season in the kicking game, the Vols are off to a really good start on special teams. Punter Trevor Daniel has been terrific, averaging just over 47 yards a punt in two games. Three of his four punts Saturday pinned Indiana State inside the 10-yard line.
Aaron Medley had five touchbacks on seven kickoffs Saturday. Ty Chandler had a 91=yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Marquez Callaway had a 36-yard punt return. Against Georgia Tech Evan Berry had two kick returns near mid-field.
Tennessee did have two special teams penalties on Saturday and they remain unknown at placekicker as the Vols have not attempted a field goal.
Two questions heading into Gator week:
1 – What do we know about the Vols' defense?
Bob Shoop's unit didn't give up a big play Saturday. They didn't surrender a third down conversion and they only gave up seven points. The seven points came after an offensive turnover, giving Indiana State a short field.
But what do we really know about the Shoop's unit? The Vol secondary hasn't been tested to this point. The defensive front hasn't been as productive as they needed to be. But Bob Shoop hasn't shown multiple looks either. They haven't blitzed. On Saturday, the Vols' defense looked slow at times getting to the sidelines. Is that because there are speed issues? Was that because of Indiana State's scheme? Or was that because the linebackers played over 90 snaps Monday night?
2 – Can Tennessee win in the offensive trenches?
The Tennessee-Florida game has long been about who can run the ball the best. Rarely has a team won the rushing battle and lost the game. Through two games, the Vols have 308 yards on 59 carries, averaging 5.2 yards a carry. Tennessee has only given up one sack to date, but it did result in a fumble.
Michigan rushed for 215 yards on 49 carries in week one against the Gators. Can Tennessee line up and run the ball against the Gator defense? History says they have to if they are going to beat the Gators.
One prediction: Shoop will be aggressive
Due to scheme and the lack of needing to, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has not played aggressively through two games. Shoop has not blitzed this season.
Shoop has not shown multiple looks. Shoop has been basic in his approach and they haven't played their traditional defense the first week of the season, going with a great deal of 4-3 looks.
On Thursday, Shoop said it wasn't fair to judge his defense this year simply off the Georgia Tech game. After the win over Indiana State, Jones said because of the schemes they have played they are a work in progress defensively.
On Saturday against the Gators, Shoop's defense will look differently than it has to this point.
The question is how effective will it be.
