Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ loss to Georgia Bulldogs

1. Lack of defensive line pressure finally became a story.

Lots of people will point to the Vols’ secondary allowing Jake Fromm to go 24-of-29 for 288 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. However, it all started up front. Georgia had over 240 yards and averaged over six yards a carry. UT has had issues getting a push up front, and it was finally exposed in this game. That’s why they gave up over 520 yards of total offense.

The defensive line, which replaced a lot of starters last year, was just awful from the start outside of one fourth down stop. Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley couldn’t blitz too much, though, because Fromm would then burn them. So they were limited all day, and what’s clear is that Darel Middleton is the one guy in the middle who can get a push.

Aubrey Solomon got banged up in the game, and the ends, to be fair, have actually been solid. But where have Savion Williams and Greg Emerson gone after all the offseason hype they had? They aren’t showing anything, and Jake Fromm had all day to throw in this game.

Tennessee football had these issues against the Florida Gators and Georgia State Panthers. That’s the biggest reason Dan Ellington looked so good in the opener. Sure, there have been some mental mistakes in the secondary, and the linebackers have had to develop, but the line has been the biggest culprit for the struggles.

Replacing Alexis Johnson, Kyle Phillips and Shy Tuttle would be difficult, and the injury to Emmit Gooden was always going to make it worse. It’s showing now, which is why this unit still has a ton of work to do.