All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football blame pie: Who’s most responsible for Vols 1-3 start?

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

4. Jim Chaney and Jeremy Pruitt on third and fourth down: 15 percent

Overall, the play-calling hasn’t been horrible for Tennessee football. Jim Chaney and Derrick Ansley, with the exception of the opener, have dialed up the right plays. The problem from the start has just been execution.

However, that’s a bit of a different story when it comes to 3rd and short or 4th and short. Yes, the issue remains execution, but the bigger problem is the fact that Pruitt and Chaney don’t make the obvious decisions at times.

For instance, on 3rd and goal from the three-yard line against the Florida Gators, Chaney called the right slant patter to Jauan Jennings, and Jarrett Guarantano hit him in the facemask, where the ball bounced off of into the air before it was intercepted. However, a draw play or rollout would have been safer and made more sense there.

Against the Georgia State Panthers, he also telegraphed a passing down on 4th and short one time. Another time, he did not call a quarterback sneak on 3rd and inches. Then, against the BYU Cougars, he called a toss and a reverse on two 4th and short plays.

These are major issues that need to be fixed. Chaney and Jeremy Pruitt have got to be as confident on their fourth down calls as Pruitt is in his decision to go for it to begin with. These mistaken play-calls are a big reason for the 1-3 start. Also, the decision to go for it is another reason. If Pruitt goes to Brent Cimaglia on those two 4th downs against BYU, UT wins that game.

Home/Vols Football