Arkansas- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

November 14, 2011 Mike Mozingo 5 comments

Tennessee went to Fayetteville Saturday. I think that may have been the highlight: The fact that there was a game on.

The Good

The top 6 tacklers on Saturday were first-year guys, and all have at least 2 more years of eligibility left: Izauea Lanier, Curt Maggitt, Justin Coleman, Brian Randolph, Mo Couch, and AJ Johnson. This is a good sign for the future.

D’Anthony Arnett also showed a couple of flashes of potential.

That’s it. That’s all I have. Normally I am a pretty optimistic guy. I even waited until Monday morning to write this to allow some perspective, and let the silver linings shine through. I am having a hard time. Please feel free to add some good things in the comment section.

The Bad

There were missed opportunities all night. Tennessee missed three 4th and shorts. The running game is so bad right now that Tennessee went empty backfield twice…and was stopped twice. This isn’t Oregon, or Houston. Tennessee runs a pro-style offense, and the running game is so bad that they can’t get two yards?

The back-breaking play of the game was right before halftime when Justin Worley was picked off. That was bad, but Tennessee’s entire second half performance was worse.

The Ugly

A complete lack of play-makers right now. Did you see the catch that Jarius Wright made? The one where Justin Coleman had great position, and Wright still tipped the ball to himself…twice? Everybody who watched any highlight show at all saw Joe Adams‘ electrifying punt return. Did you see the gaping hole that Dennis Johnson ran through, untouched for 71 yards?

Now did you see the pretty pass that Justin Worley threw to Da’Rick Rogers for 48 yards? Where Rogers was caught-from-behind? Did you see Marlin Lane’s 45 yards scamper where he was caught-from-behind? Where are the elite athletes?

Tennessee looked completely outclassed…By ARKANSAS. I expected to get beat by LSU and Alabama. I know Arkansas is #8 in the country. But did that many great athletes leave Knoxville after the Fulmer and Kiffin tenures? I know there is know senior class to speak of, and there isn’t much a junior class either. I know that this is about the youngest team in the country. But I also know that if you’re good, you’re good, and I don’t see a whole lot of good on the roster right now.

Would Tennessee be better with Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter? Of course. But would those two guys make that much of a difference? I thoughts so at one point, now I am not so sure.

I think the poster boy for this team is Zack Rogers. I’ve never met him, but I’ve met people who have, and they say he is a nice kid. Great. I am glad he is a nice kid. But I can’t think of a decent Tennessee team, much less a good one since integration that Zack Rogers would be in the two-deep. And he starts!

I am not savvy enough to tell you how much of this is coaching, and how much is a lack of talent. I think it’s a chicken/egg type thing. But I know this: Prior to 2011. Tennessee had lost 11 conference games in it’s history by 30+. That number is now at 14. 21% of the worst losses in Tennessee’s history have been this season…now that’s ugly.

Tennessee football Tennessee Football

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NashvilleVol 5 pts

I wanted to add some comments for the "good" but I'm speechless. Even as bad as we are, we'll still beat UK. I honestly don't think we even have a chance against Candy (I can't believe I'm saying that), but if we pull the "upset" ... we still go bowling. Losing all the starters we have, and still getting to a bowl game would be a great end to an otherwise miserable season.

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newtonrail 5 pts

I'm no happier than any other Vol fan who watched game, but I do wish take exception to a couple of things. The Wright catch that was juggled fooled Coleman and the camera man, in that it felt like it was dropped. That's no excuse not to finish play, but Coleman wasn't the only one fooled. As far as Zack Rogers, he's been a whipping boy since he's been at Tennessee, partly taking on Austin's failures. Austin wasn't very good, but Zack when healthy has talent. His health and inability to put on muscle are his weaknesses. He's fast. He blocks down field better than any WR they have, and he should as Jr. I attend all home games and watch for those little things. Frankly Bray threw to D Rogers, Hunter, and Rivera, and when Zack or other receivers got throw earlier, it was a surprise. I go back to seeing my first game in '56, but even in post '68 era there have been many receivers worse than him. One real recent just skated on child/ teacher charge in Sevier County last year.

Mike Mozingo 5 pts

I think Coleman played great coverage on Wright's catch. My point on that (at least the point I was attempting to make), is that we don't have anybody playing right now who can do those things. I want someone for UT to make those plays again. Zack Rogers may be our best downfield blocker as a receiver. But if he is, then that is sad. Twice on run plays he and Rivera missed blocks that resulted in no gains. It's not that Zack Rogers is terrible, but he shouldn't be seeing the field. He's not that good.

mike Mozingo I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on Zack. You are not alone in your opinion of him, although Austin caught more flak. It's not popular to say this but some of it's reverse descrimination. By that I mean because he's white, he's assumed to be slow (untrue) and not good WR, by some. Not accusing you of this, but I know some of the people who sit around me at home games feel that way.

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Arkansas- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly