I was at this game and remember Waddle breaking his ankle and thought the season was done. Man, I was wrong. I believe if Waddle wouldn’t have gotten hurt Mac would have won the Heisman that year.
It’s obvious from watching this defense that Pete Golding had to go. Battle, Hellams, Byron Young, DJ Dale all played were the same players this past season (‘22-‘23) than they were this season. Outside of Christian Harris and Mathis not a single other of ‘em progressed outside of the edge rushers (Will/Turner) and CBs. (McKinstry/Brian Branch) (I’ll give Golden credit that Bama’s run stop defense for ‘21-‘22 season got better but not the sacks that ranked #4 nationally. That was Will/Turner) Glad Eboigbe is coming back but even with new starters on the line I’m thinking next season Steele will have our defense looking like monsters again. Also, I had forgotten how good those Vols WRs were even during their Fr or soph seasons. Where those two brought to Knoxville with McDonald bags?