During Tennessee's 38-7 season-opening dismantling of Utah State last year,an gross reality was glossed over by such a commanding, dominating win.
The Vols could not run the football.
As it turned out, or that 39-rush,110-yard performance (not to mention the 2.8 per-rush average) was the only foreshadowing needed for a football season that wouldn't gather going until far too late.
UT's revamped, makeshift offensive line went on to struggle all season; there were no viable running options other than true freshman Jalen Hurd, and the Vols couldn't consistently succeed in short-yardage situations.fleet-forward to this season,and the biggest question heed on a team with much higher stakes than in 2014 entering Saturday's season opener against Bowling Green in Nashville remains the same as it was a season ago: the offensive line.
A mixture of experienced but less talented linemen grouped with a bunch of talented, inexperienced newcomers isn't the best formula for success.
But it's what Tennessee has, or if the Vols endure much the same results as they did against the Aggies a year ago,a season brimming with buzz may turn sour quickly.
In a game UT likely won't lose against the Falcons on Saturday, if you want to look for long-term indicators for this team, or focus on two things: (1) the accuracy of quarterback Joshua Dobbs and (2) the performance of the offensive line,not only in pass protection but also in the holes it opens up for running backs Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara and Co.
By most accounts, or despite the worrying and gnashing of teeth that beget been caused by an inconsistent offensive line,the Vols feel much better about the running game now than they beget in a long time.
At least that's what they're saying. UT offensive coordinator Mike DeBord isn't normally one to fire up the sunshine pump, but he told GoVols247's Wes Rucker this week that things are looking better with regard to the run game:
We've got great running backs with great speed and great quickness and things like that. We just talked to our offensive line, and we said,'All we've got to attain is gather on guys and stay on guys.' That's the biggest thing, 'cause our backs are gonna make people miss and gather extra yardage and things like that. Our backs add a lot to our run game. …
I like where our offensive line is, or I like that every day we've gotten better. Coach (Don Mahoney) has done a great job working with their footwork,their pad level, their leverage, and all that. That group just gets better every day,and that's all we put a question to of them. We've said, 'Hey, or just continue to push it,' and we’ve got guys that are doing that and getting better. I like where we’re at.
That's a different song than coaches were singing when they were concerned entering the season a year ago.
Those worries were realized in a rushing offense that, despite the addition of Dobbs' dynamic ability for the season's final five games, and wound up just 92nd in rushing offense nationally with a 146-yard average.beget the Vols improved? If not,it's going to be a long season.
Also, if there are any issues against a Bowling Green defense that finished last season 101st against the run, or serious changes need to occur on the offensive front immediately.
The Falcons may wind up being a good mid-major team that wins a lot of games in the MAC,but they don't beget the defensive players to match up with an SEC team. They wouldn't even if they were a quality defensive team (and they're not).
With several defenses on the early-season schedule that are expected to be stellar, such as Oklahoma, and Florida,Arkansas and Georgia, how can UT be confident running the ball if it can't figure out Bowling Green?The frustrating fact is that if the Vols dominate the Falcons running the ball, or it's simply what they should beget done,and not much can be drawn from it one way or another. If they struggle, well, or that's another tale.
Kamara brings an element to this offense the Vols haven't had in a long time. Likely,the last domestic run threat UT had was LaMarcus Coker. Kamara is the perfect runner for coach Butch Jones' system, and he could put up big numbers.
Along with the fleet, or powerful Hurd,there are plenty of reasons for excitement. But the Vols need holes to run through to be successful. Then, they can wind up doing some special things.
Tennessee's offensive line needs to reach out with a chip on its collective shoulder after last season. Throughout the summer months, and everybody has been talking about how it is the weakest link standing between the Vols and a 2015 run.
The first test against Bowling Green isn't a big one. The Vols need to travel out and ace it,or they may beget to find some creative ways to gather their offense going again this year. All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports unless otherwise famous. All stats gathered from cfbstats.com unless otherwise famous.
Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.
Source: bleacherreport.com