After a big win against the South Carolina Gamecocks, complete with a bit of an offensive explosion and a second-half defensive shutout, how are the Vols’ statistical rankings trending now?
Offense
Currently doing well: Passing Yards per Completion
Needs attention: Passes Had Interception, Total Offense, Red Zone Offense, 4th Down Conversion Pct
Climbed out of the Bottom 30: Scoring Offense, First Downs Offense, Completion Percentage, Passing Offense
Fell out of the Top 30: Nothing
Climbed into the Top 30: Passing Yards per Completion
Fell into the Bottom 30: Nothing
Moderate improvement almost across the board last week, which is a good result against a good defense.
Defense
Currently doing well: Intercepting passes
Needs attention: First Downs Defense, 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense, Tackles for Loss
Climbed out of the Bottom 30: 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense
Fell out of the Top 30: Nothing.
Climbed into the Top 30: Nothing.
Fell into the Bottom 30: Nothing.
Mostly holding steady or slightly improving in most defensive categories.
Special Teams
Currently doing well: Punt Returns (woo!), Blocked Punts (woo!!), Kickoff Return Defense, Blocked Kicks
Needs attention: Net Punting, Kickoff Returns, Punt Return Defense
Weirdness. Tennessee’s really good at some things on special teams, but some areas we thought would be strengths (punting, primarily) are faltering. Somebody call the Colquitt Helpline.
Turnovers and Penalties
Currently doing well: Um . . .
Needs attention: Turnovers lost
On turnovers, the team appears good at getting, but bad at giving. Penalties were good early, but are oddly getting worse as the team is improving. I’m guessing there might be some sweet spot with penalties. You want to play both clean and aggressive, but those things may sometimes be at odds with each other.