Tennessee football: 3 takeaways from the 2019 Orange and White Game

The 2019 Orange and White Game is in the books, and now the countdown begins. Here are three takeaways from the Spring Game.

Under the lights at Neyland Stadium is always a special thing even if it’s the Orange and White Game. Even still fans were able to get their first glimpse of the 2019 Tennessee football team.

The scrimmage didn’t start too exciting for the fans. A scoreless first quarter had everyone thinking, “not this again.” There was only one decent scoring opportunity which was a long field goal attempt, which didn’t end well.

The first points came on a 2-yard field goal from Paxton Brooks to put the Orange squad on top 3-0. Shortly after Guarantano threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Dominick Wood-Anderson on a run-pass option over the middle, chalk that up to a Jim Chaney offense.

The White team continued to work the clock at the ending of the second half that led to a 1-yard touchdown pass from Guarantano to Josh Palmer. The White team (first-team offense) was up 14-3 at halftime.

The second half was much of the same, and that brings us to our three takeaways from the 2019 Orange and White Game.

1. Jarrett Guarantano looked better as the game went on

First-team quarterback Jarrett Guarantano only got better. However, it was a shaky start going scoreless almost until halftime. Early on Guarantano wasn’t getting the ball out of his hand fast enough. That’s what Chaney likes to do, get the ball the play makers fast.

Guarantano was also throwing a lot of ball out of bounds where receivers had no opportunity to make a play.

You had to like how he settled down and finished 19-of-37 passing for 198 yards with four touchdown passes. Two of those touchdowns were to Jauan Jennings.

2. Defense looked good…maybe the offense looked bad

The first-team defense was credited with five sacks. Thanks to Emmit Gooden and Aubrey Solomon they were able to keep Guarantano and company in check for the first half.

As the game went on Maurer and Shrout began to force some throws which is never a good idea. Freshman defensive back Jaylen McCollough came up with a pair of interceptions. That’s scary to think about with the Vols already having a talented secondary.

3. Change the scrimmage to an exhibition game

Finally, teams like Tennessee need to change the way they present the Spring Game. No, I’m not talking about a Butch Jones scoring system. But, get rid of the glorified scrimmage. This idea has been making the rounds on social media, and it makes perfect sense.

Instead of going Orange vs. White, have ETSU or Tennessee Tech come to Neyland to play in an exhibition game. It could even be played with no kickoffs and two-hand touch on the quarterbacks.

Since these Power 5 schools love dollar signs, there could be a price (cheap) of admission to help offset the cost to get the small school to travel.

Players would play harder, and the fans could see real football. It honestly would not be a bad idea to if the NCAA let program play an exhibition game right before the season started either.

The countdown begins to August 31st when the Vols take on Georgia State in Neyland Stadium. Only 139 more days Volnation. Only 139 more.