What We Learned From The Tennessee Volunteers Loss To The Oregon Ducks

Sep 14, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Worley Is A Stop Gap

It’s clear by now — Justin Worley is definitely not the answer for the Vols at quarterback.

Unfortunately for the Vols, they don’t really have a better option right now.

Worley has done a good job of protecting the football, which is what the coaching staff asked of him. He hasn’t, however, been able to make the big-time throws that a starting quarterback in the SEC should be able to make.

You can’t put it all on Worley, as some of the Tennessee receives dropped some catches they should’ve made, specifically true freshman Josh Smith.

Worley did make some pretty bad throws though against Oregon. Over the first three games of the season he’s missed on some routine throws where receivers were wide open.

Vol fans will have to endure Worley, until one of the freshmen steps up and proves themselves worthy of being a starter on Rocky Top. Judging by the coaching staff’s reluctance to give either Riley Ferguson or Josh Dobbs any playing time, it could be a while before any switch is made.

The Speed Just Isn’t There For Butch Jones

Saturday’s game was a matchup between two up-tempo offenses, but there was a clear difference between the two teams — speed.

The speed will eventually be there for Butch Jones, but as of right now the speed required to run his offense just isn’t there. The speed differential was so evident yesterday, that even when Oregon made mistakes, there was nothing the Vols could do.

Don’t fret Vol fans, help is on the way. Jones already has one of the top recruiting classes in the nation coming next season.

Marlin Lane Is Better Than Rajion Neal

If you go by just the numbers, you can understand why Rajion Neal is the starter. If you actually watch a game however, it’s clear that Marlin Lane is the better running back of the two.

Neal missed several inside running lanes and tried to bounce the run outside too often against Oregon.

Lane runs harder than Neal and often time picks up one or two extra yards at the end of the play. Those extra yards can make a considerable difference in a game.

Rajion Neal is a better asset in the passing game, but Marlin Lane should be the Vols go-to running back.

The Defensive Line Is Bad

There’s no way around it. Tennessee’s defensive line just isn’t up to par. The Vols are getting no pass rush.

With all the extra time afforded to opposing quarterbacks, they’re finding receivers wide open in the middle of the field.

You can only ask your defensive backs to cover receivers for so long. If the defensive line isn’t doing their job then it doesn’t matter if you have a secondary with Deion Sanders and Champ Bailey — receivers will get open.

The Vols need a lot of improvement in this area. They have the personnel, but they’ve got a lot of work to do.

Vols Are As Good As Anyone — For At Least One Drive

Well if there was some good news from Saturday’s loss to the Ducks, it’s that for at least one offensive and defensive drive, the Vols were as good as anyone in the country.

Unfortunately for Tennessee, it was only for one drive.

Even though the Vols have a lot of work to do, it’s encouraging to know that Tennessee is at least capable of playing with anyone.

Now they need to work on consistency, something that Butch Jones stresses on a daily basis.