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Tennessee football: 10 things Jim Chaney must do to improve Vols offense

ByCaleb Calhoun|
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
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1. More Ty Chandler!

Amidst everything we just talked about, including better protection, a quicker release, more creative play-calling, adding more weapons and an aggressive passing game, the biggest change Jim Chaney needs to make is using a running back more. That running back is Ty Chandler.

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    • Tennessee football had a fever on offense last year. And the only prescription was more Ty Chandler. He may have some issues blocking, and the offensive line may not have always been there for him.

    But Chandler is a superstar with the ball in his hands. There’s no denying that. The guy had 115 carries for 630 yards, averaging five and a half yards a carry. He added 19 receptions for 183 yards. Oh, and he had 113 kickoff return yards. Altogether, he had seven total touchdowns.

    With all due respect to Tim Jordan being the fundamental back and Carlin Fils-Aime being right there behind him, Chandler needs to get the ball as much as possible next year. He is the most dynamic weapon on the team, even among all the other receivers.

    So while Jauan Jennings should be the go-to receiver in the passing game, Chandler should be the go-to player overall. Oh, you can still use Jordan and Fils-Aime. But they should be guys to spell Chandler. And Jeremy Banks should be the short-yardage power back. Eric Gray could see some action for depth as well. Chandler, though, is the guy that needs the most touches.

    In recent years, Tennessee football has enjoyed major success with all-purpose running backs, from Alvin Kamara to John Kelly. Jim Chaney has respect for all types of running backs, as he just produced two 1,000-yard rushers. Now, he has a guy in Chandler who could also set offensive records in his system.

    A major indictment against Tyson Helton was not giving Chandler the ball more. Chaney can’t avoid that mistake. As the passing game explodes, Chandler should be the top yardage getter next year by a long shot. He should be the guy to add the key versatility and make the offense thrive. That is how the UT offense will be complete.

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