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Tennessee football: 5 concerns Vols revealed at 2019 SEC Media Days

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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3. Handling success seems like an issue.

When you look at comments that came from the players, they basically admitted that they could not handle success. And in some cases, they gave off a vibe of still not knowing what you do with success when it comes.

This started with Jarrett Guarantano. He said the Vols’ road win over the Auburn Tigers meant a lot to the team last year. In fact, he touted it as a turning point and something that could help them out for this year.

"“It was definitely a boost for this year with being able to learn from what we went through in a big away game.”"

Here’s the problem with that quote. Tennessee football made it to 3-3 with that win, and their final six games included four who were clearly more beatable than the Tigers. The Vols lost to two of them, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Tigers at home meant that every game after Auburn outside of the Alabama Crimson Tide should have been easier or on the same level. And they went 2-3 in those five games. So how was Auburn a boost? The Vols did not handle that game well.

Darrell Taylor admitted it more. Remember, UT beat the Kentucky Wildcats after Auburn. And Mizzou at home and Vandy on the road should have been on par or easier as they had gotten to 5-5 after that. But they got blown out in both games. Despite guaranteeing a bowl, Taylor had no tangible explanation for those losses.

"“I think it was just us not doing what we were supposed to be doing. If we just stay the course and work on the things we need to work on, we will be successful for a whole season.”"

Okay, so they didn’t do things right, but what have they done to fix it? Daniel Bituli discussed being more confident, and he added that the Vols “are not worried at all” when it comes to trying to reach a bowl this year. But maybe too much relaxation after success cost them last year. It’s a mentality issue that needs to be resolved, and Tuesday didn’t show that it would be.

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