Tennessee football: 5 takeaways from Vols’ 24-0 sluggish win vs. UTEP

Tennessee football is 2-1 on the season after a sluggish 24-0 win vs. UTEP Miners. Here are five takeaways from the Volunteers’ win.

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but Tennessee football beats the UTEP Miners and takes a two-game winning streak heading in their first conference game against the Florida Gators.

We knew this type of game was coming. Playing two horrible teams in back to back weeks is always tough to get up for. Plus, Florida is on the schedule next week.

I’m not one to question every decision the coaches make, but man do I have a lot of questions. What was up with the quarterback rotation? Moreover, do the coaches not trust the passing game?

Nonetheless, Volnation is glad the game is over and we can all over forward to Florida week. However, I’m not certain that is such a good thing. The Vols looked awful.

So let’s break down exactly how everything went. Here are five takeaways from Tennessee football’s blowout win against UTEP.

1. Sloppy game all around

Games like this never need to be played. I know it is invaluable experience for the younger players but what a snoozefest it was to watch. The Vols turned the ball over twice on stupid mistakes that they aren’t going to be able to make against SEC teams.

Despite moving the ball on UTEP’s defense, Tennessee couldn’t find a way to get the ball in the end zone. On one possession, Jeremy Banks was stretching the ball over the goal line and fumbled to stall the drive. Simple stuff he will learn you just can’t do.

The Vols are going to have to clean it up to have a chance in the SEC this season.

2. Another mistake free game from Jarrett Guarantano

Say what you want about Jarrett Guarantano, but he is playing good football. He was 12-of-16 for 168 yards with one touchdown. Yes, I know those numbers don’t jump off the page, but I think Tennessee has their quarterback.

Guarantano had control of the offense the entire game and made a lot of great play call changes at the line of scrimmage.

For the protection he is getting from the offensive line, and frankly, the play calling hasn’t been great, Guarantano is having a heck of a season. There should be no question who the starting quarterback is moving forward.

3. The defense played well…again

Before everyone comes at me, yes, I know who the past two opponents were. However, the Vols defense played great again. They only gave up 39 passing yards to Kai Locksley. Before the game we mentioned Locksley isn’t going to kill you through the air, but only 39 yards is impressive.

Tennessee even held Locksley in check on the ground as he only rushed for 24 yards. UTEP as a team only rushed for 95 yards.

4. The offense is improving

Yes, I know the offensive line still isn’t great. In fact, it is still the worst position group for the Volunteers. But, the offense as a whole is improving, and it shows on the field.

At halftime, the Vols had 259 total yards on offense. They only had ten points to show, but 259 in a half is impressive. I looked at a couple of games from last season, and 259 yards at the half was almost as much as the Vols had in a few games last season.

Here is how the games broke down last season. 287 against LSU, 285 against Missouri, 142 against Georgia, 253 against South Carolina, 108 against Alabama.

Interesting to note the Vols now have more 50-plus yard plays this season with five than last year with 4.

5. Ty Chandler is really good

Running back Ty Chandler saw his first extended amount of action of the season. And, boy was it a nice performance. Chandler ended the game with 12 carries for 158 rushing yards and one touchdown.

He brings something to the team that the other backs can’t. He has untouchable speed. Chandler had what appeared to be a ten-yard run that he took to the house 81 yards down the sideline.

The Vols carry a two-game winning streak into Florida week. If they want to have a chance they have a lot of things they need to work on this week in practice.