Tennessee football report card in 30-17 loss at Auburn

Offensive grades part 2

Offensive line: A-

Given the way Tennessee football ran the ball, it’s easy to give this offensive line an A+. The interior of the line certainly earned that, with Trey Smith leading the way, as they made things much easier for the running backs. However, they didn’t always pick up Auburn’s blitzes and allowed four sacks, one due to a missed block by Darnell Wright. That’s where the minus comes.

Wide receivers: C-

Jalin Hyatt had 37 receiving yards, and Velus Jones Jr. had 27 yards. Nobody else had more than one catch. Now, they didn’t get many opportunities, but when they did get them, such as the deep pass to Josh Palmer in the end zone in the second half, they came up short. Add in Jimmy Calloway losing six yards on a run, and this unit was barely average.

Tight ends: B-

Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren both had 28 yards apiece, by far the most productive receiving day for UT tight ends. However, Fant could not get a first down on a short-yardage pass, getting tripped up just before the marker, and they were part of the blockers that allowed four sacks. That’s why this unit gets a barely above average grade.

Overall offensive grade: C+

Sure, 17 points isn’t great, but the Vols’ offense was almost above average. They were a sack, a bad missed field goal and a horrendous red zone mistake from scoring 30 points themselves. Those mistakes matter, though.