There’s been a lot of frustration among Vol fans that started somewhere around the seventh sack of Faizon Brandon in the Texas game and carried though the 4th quarter of the win against Arkansas. Actually, it probably started way before that, maybe in 2024, maybe even earlier.
Watching Tennessee play offense in 2022 was like being a 10-year-old boy and turning on MTV to see Tawny Kitaen writhing on the hood of David Coverdale’s Jaguar. It stirred something inside you. Since then rule changes, lack of a consistent starter at QB, and the fact that something like 40% of the SEC now runs a version of the playbook that was unique to Knoxville just a few years ago have sucked the fun out of the Volunteer offense. Instead of Ms. Kitaen dancing on a Jaguar, it’s more like your Nana smoking Marlboro Reds leaned up against a Chrysler Pacifica.
So I get the frustration many Vol fans have with the state of the team and the head coach. I really do, I’ve been there before. Can we hop in the Pacifica with Nana and take a drive down memory lane?
On September 25, 1999, Tennessee beat Memphis 17-16 after Tee Martin hit Cedrick Wilson on a 15-yard TD pass with one minute left in the game. The touchdown was set up by a miracle 53-yard pass completion to Bobby Graham, which accounted for about a quarter of Tennessee’s offensive production for the day. I distinctly remember walking out of that game telling anyone who would listen that the game might as well have been a loss. If you can’t beat Memphis without divine intervention, then you might as well just lose to them; or at least that’s what 21-year-old me believed.
Later that year, #3 Tennessee would have its national championship hopes dashed on a trip to Fayetteville, AR, with an unranked Razorback squad beating the Vols 28-24. It was a lesson in perceived loss vs. actual loss: that Memphis game didn’t look so bad in hindsight. A win is a win. You’re not guaranteed any of them, so you should probably enjoy the ones you get.
In fact, between that loss at Arkansas in 1999 and last Saturday’s win, Tennessee would only have one other victory in Fayetteville: in 2001, when arguably the most talent-laden team UT has ever fielded went to Razorback Stadium and beat a milquetoast, unranked Arkansas 13-3. An ugly win to be sure, but not as ugly as the alternative.
If you think it’s time for Tennessee to move on from the current head coach, via con dios. I disagree, but I get it. I’ve felt it before too. Based on my personal experience with those feelings, I would encourage you to look at the whole body of work, and the overall trend of the program for the past decade-plus before making that call (I’d also remind you that the current team is 5-1 and ranked in the top 15).
But more than that, I’d implore you to enjoy the wins, whether they are ugly or pretty, because you never know how many more you’re going to see. Tennessee beat Arkansas Saturday. Do you know it?
Five Factor Box Score
Statistically, you’d never even know that Saturday fit into the category of “ugly win”. George MacIntyre threw for nearly 250 yards in his first collegiate start. DeSean Bishop was near 150 rushing. Tennessee was more explosive, had a higher success rate, and had a higher havoc rate than both Arkansas and the national mean. So why did the game feel ugly?
There were three frustrating possessions in the first half that kept Arkansas in the game. On their first drive, UT opted to kick a 51-yard field goal rather than go for it on 4th and 3 from the Arkansas 33. Later in the half, a gorgeous deep throw to Braylon Staley was called back for a phantom illegal touching, and right before half Bishop collided with MacIntyre’s arm, causing a fumble that nearly went the other way for 6 if not for MacIntyre and Radarious Jackson chasing the play down.
That’s three scoring opportunities with zero points. What if Tennessee picked up 10, 13, 17, or even (dare to dream!) 21 points from those opportunities? All else being equal, you would’ve been perfectly happy with a 24-0, or even 17-0 halftime lead. Add 17 to the final score; would you be upset after the game had UT won 41-17? I’d hope not.
And I know, if ‘ifs’ were fifths… But also consider how Tennessee went to that place and gave the ball away three times, with a brand new QB, and still won. You can’t be happy with that? Maybe I’m being too generous to the Fire Heupel crowd.
Rushing Report
Tennessee had their typical successful day running the ball. But what likely exasperated many a Vol fan was the success Arkansas found on the ground, especially coming out of the half. Add that to those frustrating first half drives by UT and it makes sense why so many Vol faithful boiled over by the end of this one.
Player Usage/PPA
Once again we see that if you hold the opposing QB to a negative PPA, you’re probably going to win the game. Between KJ Jackson and Sutton Smith you’ve got 75% of Arkansas’ offense producing -4.6 PPA. Tennessee also limited Chris Marshall, who is likely the Hogs’ most dynamic player.
George MacIntyre was solid in his debut despite a few turnovers. I maintain the fact that he will need to show some level of willingness to run the ball if he’s going to remain UT’s QB for any amount of time. He doesn’t have to run like Faizon did, but teams are not going to respect the RPO game if MacIntyre doesn’t pull the ball and run sometimes.
And the obvious point—we’ve got to find as many ways as possible to get the ball in Mike Matthews’ hands. The wildcat run with him was interesting. Need more wrinkles like that.