Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Malik Foreman (13) breaks up a touchdown pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Terry Godwin (5) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
5. Nickel is a Huge Issue
At the beginning of the season, it did not seem like Rashaan Gaulden getting injured for the year would be one of the worst injuries for the Vols. But it has been absolutely devastating.
Betsided
Malik Foreman has played his best and made lots of nice plays, but too often he has been beat on streak plays.
The result has been lots of big plays for quarterbacks, from Will Grier to Brandon Allen to Greyson Lambert. And Baker Mayfield had a field day in the fourth quarter.
Foreman was lucky on Saturday because he was beat on two plays that should have been touchdowns, but luckily one of them was dropped. Going into the offseason, Butch Jones might want to turn to a replacement for him if he can’t get better.
Justin Martin is finally able to see some in-game action. Perhaps the junior-college transfer could see a larger role next week if he works on getting to full strength over the next two weeks.
Martin was supposed to have world-class speed and be able to make an immediate impact coming in. Jones and John Jancek should give him the chance to play the lead nickel spot next week and throughout the second half of the season.
At least with his speed he may not be burned on hot routes as much.
Foreman also dropped a sure interception in the first quarter that was a gift to him. We do not want to pick on him too harshly, but he has been wildly inconsistent. That is something the Vols will want to address.
Next: #4: Consistency from Joshua Dobbs