KNOXVILLE — As we’ve almost reached the midpoint of the University of Tennessee’s football season, there remain more questions than answers as to what to expect from the Volunteers, but one thing has become clear: Believing this year’s offense can mirror the electric scoring of last year is just not realistic.
Regardless of how good of a play designer and play caller head coach Josh Heupel is, this offense does not have the parts needed for the rapid-fire scoring of a year ago.
But that’s OK. With a defense that continues to show signs of improvement each week, the offense can succeed by being steady and simple. And Saturday night’s 41-20 win over South Carolina provided the blueprint for how UT can approach the heart of its Southeastern Conference slate.
It wasn’t big plays that provided the biggest reason to believe in these Vols. It was the methodical body blows they landed on their first possession — nine plays, 94 yards — and their opening drive of the second half — 12 plays, 75 yards — that were most impressive.
Both ended in tone-setting touchdowns, and with a shred of doubt still hanging over the game after the Gamecocks pulled within 14 points in the fourth quarter, Tennessee answered with a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive to seal the win.