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The Monday 3-2-1

It's time for the 3-2-1 report. Three observations, two questions and a prediction as the struggling Vols prepare for a trip to Tuscaloosa.

Three things we learned in the Vols loss to South Carolina:

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1. Tennessee is a trainwreck in the redzone especially inside the 10 – As we noted following the game, Tennessee had -17 yards in 8 snaps inside the 10 yard line. Against, Georgia the Vols never got inside the redzone. Against UMass they had two snaps inside the 10, a run went for -1, and Dormady threw an 8 yard touchdown pass. Against, Florida they had 7 snaps inside the 10, they totaled -1 yard and an interception.

After running six plays against Georgia Tech inside the 10 that resulted in 10 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Vols last 17 snaps inside the 10 have generated 1 touchdown and -13 yards.

Can we say disaster?

2. The passing game is a struggle – Regardless of who the quarterback is there are major struggles throwing the football. Saturday, Jarrett Guaratano was sacked 7 times. Some of that was him holding the ball too long and some of it was poor pass protection. The biggest issue is the receivers and their inability to generate separation. The result is that they aren't generating big plays. The Vols last 41 completions have generated 397 yards. That's an average of 9.6 yards a reception. If you take out a 66 yard catch against UMass by Brandon Johnson, that average drops to 8.3. Tennessee can't stretch the field.

3. Rashaan Gaulden is the Vols best defender – Gaulden had 10 tackles on Saturday. According to the PFF College Football Twitter account, in pass coverage Gaulden gave up two receptions for just four yards on the five passes he defended. Gaulden had one less tackle than Tennessee's three linebackers (Sapp, Jumper, Bituli) had combined. Gaulden for the year has 40 tackles, 3 TFL's, an interception and a forced fumble.

Gaulden is Tennessee's best defensive player, yet he still comes off the field when Tennessee goes to their three linebacker set.

Two questions heading into Alabama week:


1 – Can the Vols score?

Tennessee's 9 points in the last two games is the lowest two game point total since 1981. The Vols haven't scored a touchdown in 32 possessions. Alabama is the best defense in the SEC giving up only 10.1 points a game. They have given up 12 points in their last two games at all. In the Vols 10 game losing streak to the Tide, Tennessee has scored less than 10 points 6 times.

2 – Can Tennessee hold up for 4 quarters?

Everyone knows the challenge that Tennessee is facing this week. Alabama is the best team in the country and it doesn't appear close. They are dominant in the SEC. They are the most physical team and it's not close. To have a chance at a monumental upset or to keep it respectable Tennessee has to find a way to play 60 minutes. Defensively they don't have the depth to do that and offensively they can't execute that consistently.

In the last three games in the secon half, Tennessee has been out gained 537-211 yards, out rushed 383-33 and out scored 36-3. Finishing is a heck of a challenge for the Vols this week.

One prediction: There appears to be no answers

Butch Jones was asked what's the answer to his wide receivers finding a way beat press coverage.

Jones said go back to work. And that's right, but six games into the season and facing the best team in the SEC and the best defense, there just doesn't seem to be any answers for the Vols.

I will give this team credit, they played with plenty of pride on Saturday. Their effort was good. They mailed nothing in. But despite playing hard, it wasn't enough to win because of this team's inability to win one on one match-up's and the lack of schematic creativity to help them out.

Tennessee is an unheard of 5 touchdown underdog heading into Saturday which paints a very clear picture about where things stand at this point.

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