5 Biggest Takeaways: Tennessee falls in controversial loss to No. 20 Missouri
Here are five takeaways from Tennessee’s 29-21 loss to No. 20 Missouri.
1. Tennessee’s offensive line still a work in progress. The Vols offense struggled in Saturday’s game. Missouri’s pass rush brought constant pressure to quarterback Joshua Dobbs, recording six sacks. Tennessee still needs to improve its protection as its offensive line matures and gains more experience. Granted, Missouri’s defensive line has played well all season, and it man-handled the offensive line Saturday.
2. Joshua Dobbs was contained. Dobbs saw a humbling performance after a three stellar appearances. The sophomore was held to 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 24-of-37, while rushing for just 13 yards on 17 attempts. Dobbs did look sharp on Tennessee’s final possession, leading a 79-yard scoring drive, but struggled overall after entering with weeks of high praise.
3. Wide receiver drops. Tennessee missed out on several scoring opportunities due to dropped passes. The biggest lapse came in the fourth quarter with the Vols in Missouri territory. Dobbs threw a pass that bounced off freshman Josh Malone’s hands and into those of Kenya Dennis. Several other plays saw Tennessee drop would-be first downs that halted offensive drives. With Marquez North out for the remainder of the season, the Vols must find stability in the passing game.
4. Play calls. I’m not sure what Mike Bajakian’s fascination with short passes is. The Vols focused on swing passes and screens even as the Tigers’ lead grew. Tennessee’s only risky play call was its fake field goal pass that resulted in a touchdown. Otherwise, the Vols stuck with a conservative offensive game plan that provided little success.
5. Still room for improvement, team is growing. The hype surrounding Tennessee entering this week’s game makes the loss all the more frustrating for its fanbase. But the Vols exceeded in several areas — such as defense and special teams — and improved on flaws late in the game. Tennessee started seven true freshmen on Saturday, which shows the lack of depth and experience on the current roster. However, the Vols are making progress in their rebuilding process. Tennessee should claim bowl eligibility next week against Vanderbilt and end its regular season on a high note.