Tennessee football couldn’t afford early absences. That’s the problem.

A key moment Tennessee football’s loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers was a failed 4th and 1 from the Pitt 3 late in the fourth quarter with the Vols trailing 41-34. Josh Heupel decided not to challenge the spot of the ball after Hendon Hooker seemingly ran for a first down on the previous play. Jaylen Wright was then stopped on that run, the costliest play of the game.

While Hooker’s interception the next drive was costly, this was the costliest play of the game. Failing to convert that first down can be attributed to one major issue that was facing UT the whole game: Cooper Mays was out at center. This was a huge reason the Vols allowed five sacks.

Mays’ injury proving so costly was a problem that everybody knew about Tennessee football coming into the season. Josh Heupel’s offense would be fun to watch, and he would have talent, but there wouldn’t be enough proven depth to offset key absences.

Not only was Mays out, but Tiyon Evans, one of their running backs to go over 100 yards against the Bowling Green Falcons, was also out. Jabari Small, the other back who went for over 100 against BGSU, combined with Jaylen Wright to gain only 33 rushing yards 19 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Byron Young was still not eligible to play. LaTrell Bumphus also missed the game. Those guys were supposed to help make for an elite pass rush alongside Tyler Baron and Matthew Butler.

Without them, though, Rocky Top couldn’t get the pressure they needed all day on Kenny Pickett despite Matthew Butler getting a great push. They also allowed Pitt to out-physical them and clinch the game with three first downs on the groun don their final drive.

These types of absences are those the Vols can’t afford this year. We haven’t even talked about his quarterback, Joe Milton III getting hurt. Of course, some might say that was to the Vols’ advantage, as Milton misses so many open shots, but he would’ve known to keep the ball on that 4th and 1, and he wouldn’t have made the decision Hooker made on that interception.

Then there’s Jalin Hyatt, who left that game with an injury. Hyatt is one of UT’s breakout receivers this year and has a ton of hype behind him. Sure, Jimmy Calloway stepped up huge in his absence, but a guy like Hyatt spreads the field well.

Hyatt and Milton were less devastating. Losing guys the way they did up front on both sides of the ball, from Mays to Young to Bumphus, was much more devastating. Don’t forget, Tennessee football looked significantly worse against BGSU after Mays went down. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead and looked on pace for a 70-0 win. Then Mays got hurt, and they limped to a 38-6 win.

Part of what makes Mays’ injury so devastating to the interior of the line is the fact that K’Rojhn Calbert, who would have been a starter, got hurt in preseason and will miss at least the first two months. That forced Cade Mays to the outside.

Little things like this wouldn’t affect most teams. Heck, they probably don’t even affect Pitt. However, they affect the Vols given the issues in the program right now. So much attrition combined with a new system limits how much you can withstand.

Facing a team like the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles this week is a great way for them to get back on track. Young is now eligible, and many of these guys should be healthy. If they’re full-go for SEC play, they could shock some people, but this is the biggest reason for the ugly early start.