Despite the heartbreaking 31-24 loss in overtime to the much-under appreciated Oklahoma Sooners, you have to be impressed with what you’ve seeing from the University of Tennessee in regards to its prospects for the future. It’s one thing for journalist such as myself to proclaim you better get Tennessee while you can — as I did last season way before the hype train veered out of control this past offseason — it’s a whole ‘nother thing for that team to go out and actually look the part.

And while there may be a groundswell of discontentment from a proud fan base of one of the very best programs in the country, from an outsider’s perspective I really like what I see from the Vols in a surplus of ways: commitment to establishing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, run concepts and personnel.

While I’ve continually lauded head coach Butch Jones for recruiting as well as some of the coaches in fictitious movies, it may be time to praise him for his open-mindedness in hiring coaches who bring something totally different to the table than him — especially on the offensive side of the ball.

When Jones was tasked at replacing long-time offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who was with Jones as an OC at various stops since 2007, many felt it would be in his best interest to appoint someone on staff familiar with his spread-to-pass concepts to, at the least, evolve the scheme he’s worked so hard to master.

So when he went out and hired former Central Michigan University head man Mike DeBord — for whom Jones once worked under as an assistant coach — it appeared as though Jones made a faux pas by hiring the seemingly 78-year old coach (just kidding; he’s only 59).

I’m here to tell you: Today’s football concepts have been around way before you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye. As much as we marvel at what some geniuses like Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles), Gus Malzahn (Auburn) and Rex Ryan (Buffalo Bills) are scheming up, when you delve deep into the schemes it usually reveals that the core concepts are from yesteryear.

This is why bringing in an old head like DeBord, who is universally known for his traditional schemes, is worth its weight in gold for a team looking to compete in the baddest conference in the land against teams who eat finesse schemes for breakfast.

But what better way to evolve your scheme than to bring in someone with principles that differ from yours? We can plainly see the toughness that DeBord has helped to instill into the offense by way of the run game. I’ve constantly marveled at the talent of the Vols’ 6’3″, 240-pound running back Jalen Hurd, but it wasn’t until now that I feel he will reach his full potential as DeBord has brought a power element to a team normally known for finesse concepts.

Let’s not get it twisted; Tennessee will never be mistaken for a between-the-tackles rushing juggernaut like Louisiana State University, however, its evolution in the department is very apparent.

VolsCageSweep

Here’s a concept that popped up quite a bit on the film review: a center and guard (CAGE) sweep (Pin & Pull) out of “Cheetah personnel.” Notice how the strong-side defensive end is aligned in a Wide-9 technique to keep the run from being bounced outside; “Y” Ethan Wolf pushed the 9-technique past the play while interior lineman Jashon Robertson and center Coleman Thomas were able to provide the convoy — with the latter springing the play.

(And with Hurd running that rock at the Tennessee Titan’s stadium, he looked it exactly like the 6’3″, 235-pound Eddie George who electrified the Titans’ faithful for eight seasons starting in mid 90’s.)

HurdDG-Lead

Check out this variation of the previous sequence, this time with the play-side and opposite guard leading the way. Although Hurd bent the run past the numbers, the Vols’ physical offensive line and TE formed an alley for him to get yardage off-tackle.

While this run ended up generating an explosive play, you can expect running back coach Robert Gillespie to preach to him about taking the direct path, which appears as though it would’ve generated even more yardage as 99 percent of the defense would’ve been in a trail position.

KamaraCounterOF

This is one my favorite concepts in football: “Counter OF.” This concept is of the man-blocking variety equipped with a pull from the back-side guard as well as a collision block from the H-back. One of my new favorite players, senior tight end Alex Ellis (6’4″, 238 lbs), shows his physicality with a nice collision block of the “fill” defender.

Transfer RB Alvin Kamara, 5’10”, 215 pounds, is perfect for a scheme with a multiplicative rushing attack as he possesses great agility, quickness and sound vision; he’s equally adept at zone and man concepts.

I’m seeing a ton of variation with the Vols’ rushing attack, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The program is in a pivotal year where Jones has to show some serious progress or risk losing the fan base like his counterpart, University of Arkansas head man Bret Bielema, is experiencing after losing a couple of inexplicable games to perceived inferior competition.

Both teams were the talk of the offseason in their respective divisions, but so far it’s the Vols that have held their end of the bargain behind physical play on offense and defense. We’re starting to see player development after a couple of stellar recruiting classes and it stems from putting players in the right situations to succeed.

Check back with me when I examine how zone principles and other concepts are helping the designer-run game for quarterback Josh Dobbs.