Tennessee football: 10 things for Vols to work on during bye week

5. Short-yardage plays

You can put it on the play-calling, the interior blocking and the lack of power running backs in the system with Jeremy Banks moving over to linebacker. All of those are issues combined, but the offensive line rotation becomes a factor when we bring up the interior blocking. Still, regardless of the reason, Tennessee football is looking as bad as it did last year on short-yardage plays.

It started in the opener against the Georgia State Panthers. After going up 14-7 and getting the ball back, the Vols had the momentum and a chance to put the game in hand. But they failed to convert a 3rd and inches, and after they punted, Georgia State scored a touchdown. It completely changed the game.

Against the BYU Cougars, meanwhile, they failed on two 4th and shorts, one on a straight running play and the other on an attempted reverse. They also failed on two 3rd and shorts. Make no mistake, this is a huge issue, and it’s one the Vols have to figure out.

Play-calling could be better, as they could use more quarterback sneaks, particularly if they keep Jarrett Guarantano in there given his size. Jeremy Pruitt could also use more of either Banks or Quavaris Crouch so Jim Chaney has a power option.

But on top of that, the interior blocking just has to improve. An SEC team should be able to line up and get a first down on an obvious running play with less than a yard to go. That the Vols are struggling on that front is a major concern, but they have the tools to fix it. This bye week should focus on doing that.