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Tennessee football report card in 44-21 loss at Georgia

By Caleb Calhoun

ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 10: Jaylen McCollough #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers strips the ball from Jermaine Burton #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 10: Jaylen McCollough #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers strips the ball from Jermaine Burton #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Oct 10, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback: C-

Jarrett Guarantano was under immense pressure for all three turnovers in the second half. He also throw two touchdown passes in the first half. However, on his first two turnovers, Tennessee football had the lead. It was third down. Under pressure the way he was, he should have taken the sack. The decisions knocked a B grade against an elite defense down to a barely average grade.

Running backs: D+

We could give Ty Chandler and Eric Gray credit for combining for over 100 yards from scrimmage. However, they only had 16 carries for 36 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, they had a lot to do with Guarantano being under pressure, as they struggled to pick up Kirby Smart’s blitzes. In fact, those issues were so bad that we had to give this unit a below average grade for the day.

Wide receivers: B+

Brandon Johnson had two great first downs. Josh Palmer had two great touchdown catches. Ramel Keyton came alive. This unit was not the problem for the Vols. It was the only one carrying the group. However, Cedric Tillman struggled to get separation at times, Jalin Hyatt had negative yards for the day, and there weren’t enough chances to make plays, so they get a B+ grade.

Tight ends: D

With only LaTrell Bumphus and Jacob Warren making catches, and both having just one in garbage time, receiving by tight ends was useless. As a result, blocking would be the key. Well, with the atrocious running game and the amount of pressure Jarrett Guarantano was under, it’s safe to say they didn’t come through there either, which is why they get a below average grade.

Offensive line: F

It was just a bad day for Tennessee football’s offensive line. Cade Mays and Wanya Morris got destroyed around the edges, and the interior could not create running lanes all day. Add in 35 yards worth of penalties, and there’s no way to spin it. This unit was awful. It’s got a lot of work to do to revalidate its preseason hype after this one.

Overall grade: D+

Jim Chaney’s unit scored only 14 points, and it had three second-half turnovers. So it spotted the other team 13 points. There’s no way around it, these guys played horrible. Until garbage time late, the unit hadn’t even gained 200 yards, and that’s why it’s a below average grade.

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