Overall Takeaways
Tennessee needs to improve. And it starts with the coaching staff.
UMass consistently loaded the box against the Vols, but there was hardly any kind of adjustment to free up the offense. Putting Jarrett Guarantano in the game would have helped if he had better protection and a crucial catch from Brandon Johnson.
Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano’s passing charts today against UMass. QD was solid over the middle. pic.twitter.com/6ZqzbLFrQk
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 23, 2017
We still have such a small sample size for what Guarantano can do in this offense. And I’m not sure he’s been set up for success yet.
The simple fact is this: Tennessee has a one dimensional offense. Larry Scott will have to be very creative to free up his star running back, because SEC teams are going to put seven or eight guys in the box on every play and dare Tennessee to throw it.
The offensive line has to do a better job protecting the quarterback. But when Dormady does have protection, he can’t continue to use such poor footwork.
Dormady has time to throw here, but launches a pass to Wolf off his back foot. #RTIFilmStudy pic.twitter.com/x95zNgN6Sh
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 25, 2017
Plus, Tennessee’s receivers often ran their routes too deep or didn’t get enough separation on the outside. The offensive struggles aren’t all on the quarterback, but the improvement starts with the guy throwing the ball.
