The Tennessee Volunteers are entering year four under head coach Josh Heupel. It’s been an offensive led turn around in Knoxville, however, 2023 felt a bit of a down year on that side of the football. During 2022, an (11-2) season for the Vols, Tennessee finished first in point with 46.1 per game, they averaged 525.0 yards per game, and averaged 7.2 yards per play while being the sport’s most explosive offense according to advanced analytics.
The 2023 season didn’t exactly go that way. They finished 37th in points per game with just 31.8, they averaged 448.1 yards on just 6.5 yards per play and the offenser sputtered during the majority of games. So, what’s was the reasoning for decline? Well, you could start with a loss of weaponry on the outside in an offense that’s predicated on a deep choice passing attack, but the most obvious answer is the decline in quarterback play from Hendon Hooker in 2022 to Joe Milton in 2023. Now, in 2024, the Vols turn to perhaps they biggest recruit in the recent history, QB Nico Iamaleava.
