Tennessee Offensive Grades Week 2: NC State

Scoring the Vols vs. Wolfpack, as if they didn't score enough themselves

This week’s grades go through the 8th offensive drive for UT, when the Vols take a 37-3 lead in the 3rd quarter. The game is statistically in garbage time after that point, so the grades don’t include the final two touchdowns—but they also don’t include Nico’s pick-6.

Players are awarded +1 for noticeably good play, up to +2 for outstanding play (and -1 down to -2 for noticeably/outstandingly poor play). An average grade of 0.0 would mean you just did your job without standing out positively or negatively.

Drive 1

Drive 2

Drive 3

Drive 4

Drive 5

Drive 6

Drive 7

Drive 8

Overall Grades vs. NC State

Takeaways:

• Nico played really well. The one interception on the grade sheet was a bad choice, but I’d rather him trust his arm too much than not enough.

• The OL played well too. They are under a microscope in these reviews because they are visible on every play (unlike the WRs, for example). Heard and Mays are absolute difference makers. Didn’t feel like Spraggins had a negative game overall, but the the film’s the film.

• The TEs are playing exceptionally well. All three have been weapons in both the run and pass game. Going to 12 personnel put a ton of pressure on NCST’s three-man front.

• Because the Wolfpack dropped eight into coverage most of the night, the WRs had very few chances for flashy, explosive plays. But they did incredible work in the run game. Most of the plusses this week for the WRs come from downfield blocking. Just absolute team-focused, unselfish play.

• Dylan Sampson needs to be getting more national attention. He is special.

Grades Year-to-Date

[Previous: Chattanooga]