Tennessee Vols Win OT Thriller Over Florida | Defense SHINES, Nico Iamaleava Get Right For Bama? 

I’m impressed with how many points our defense has taken off the scoreboard

tim banks needs a raise as well his defense has held this team together so far

I've seen *way* too many losses to florida to be upset about that

Mike Matthews needs to see the field. Nimrod dropped at least 2 last night.

You have an alpha dog sitting on the sideline . Mathews is monster . Bru is banged up but is an alpha. its time for these recievers to step up. time for Nico to show up.

The D is crazy good. Go Vols, and a W is always better than a L.

i feel half empty this team this year is not prepared for a playoff push

After the last three games, I think the issues come down on the coaching staff. They're not adjusting to the personnel they have. The tackles aren't up to the job of making this offense run the way it's designed to, which means they need to change the design. They have to get Nico out of the pocket to mask the poor O-line play, as well as help move the secondary to get receivers open where Nico can hit them. But after three games, it appears Huepel and Halzle are not willing to change anything - they're content to let Dylan Sampson be the entire offense, lean on the defense, and settle for the 8 or 9 wins that strategy will get them. It's derelict for how much they get paid.

A win is a win. Play calling saw improvement on the first drive of the game, and for portions of the 2nd half. And I also think our offensive play calling after the missed field goal in overtime was perfect.

I’m just now grateful that we at least chopped one noggin off of Tennessee’s 3-headed monster that is Florida-Alabama-Georgia (hated in that order) 😂 But realistically, it’s just best to set our expectations to the 8-4 or 9-3 we can almost certainly pull off & then anything better than that (due to luck or not) will be gravy

Don't think this team will be able to hang with the Texas's, Oregon's, Ohio State's, and maybe not Alabama and Georgia... hell, I'm nervous about the Vandy and Kentucky games. Nico still has yet to show me something

I agree with you J.D. I really think the Vols are where they are now because the defense is so stout! They are a force to be reckoned with, but The Vols offense is not quite there yet. The offense is still a work in progress, but I do believe Heupel and Halzle will figure it out- keep dialing it in little by little with Nico and the offense; just keep teaching and coaching up Nico to be able to get to the next level. In the meantime, they will keep utilizing Sampson and the running game and playing lockdown D until Nico is wheelin' and dealin' out there!

Half full... Tennessee has sucked for so long, that I'm happy to beat Florida. I know that sounds sad. Tennessee has a real coach now and is recruiting well. We have a freshman QB that is having trouble escaping pressure and needs to hold the ball better. He'll get better. I see improvement year over year. I'll take what I can get.

Beating Florid is beating Florida for Tennessee. Doesn't matter the ranking or talent of the teams. The game is just like that. Since 1990, when Tennessee beats Florida, we end up with 10 wins. Im super proud of the win. Will say that the big reason i am irritated with our offense, is Nico missing on the long balls. Three he missed against UF. Two were guaranteed six. That and nicos no look over the top thriw he continues to throw Three total picks off that same throw now

I'm watching a green redshirt Freshman who still needs to season up. I wasn't expecting Dan Marino out of the gate. He'll get better every game.🤙

I think you’re spot on with the receivers J.D. They are showing some of the same issues as last year that I saw. Chas Nimrod really annoyed me during the game because he dropped at least two passes that he should’ve caught and at times it doesn’t even look like separation is the issue but executing the play and coming down with the ball is. This offense needs to gel like it did in the first 3 games in a hurry now. I think Heupel letting off the gas against Oklahoma got the offense out of rhythm and they haven’t gotten that mojo back.

If he hits those two long balls this is a different conversation

I just wanted a win and I got it. The first half looked like it was a lost cause but they didn’t quit!

You went WAY easier on us than I thought you would. I appreciate the encouraging words. I've been surprised and disappointed the last couple weeks. We've got a great record so far, but with Alabama and Georgia still on the schedule, I feel uncomfortable to say the least😕 gonna support our boys no matter what, but really holding out hope for them this season to du something great. Would love to see them wake up and become the force I know they could be. GBO🍊

Best Def in College Football, where is our offenses

The Vols need to put Mike Matthews in. That kid is gonna be a game changer, a dog. Idc if he's a true freshman, put him in and watch him cook.

The receivers were there, were open, big plays, Nico missed them

If the OL could block for more than 1.5 secs and not get holding penalties, that would help too

Good show JD! Glad we won this week. Some folks are happy relying on luck, won this week, lost last week. Discipline and quality execution wins championships. If you're happy winning a few games depending on luck then go with that. If you want to see us win a championship, it's been more than a quarter of a century since our last, then you are wanting to see discipline and execution, that's what I am hoping to see because i would like a championship. Stop Sampson, you stop us. We have to be balanced and multidimensional to reach that elite status of champion.

Our defense for the most part has been on point.

If Nico ain’t throwing you the ball, how the hell are you supposed to step it up?

I don't really care how we arrived at the result.... Tennessee beat Florida. Glass is half-full.

Need to put Mike Matthew’s in. Guy can ball out!

Other than the run game, I feel every piece of the offense is a half step off where we need to be. In a vacuum, that’s not a big deal, but together, it leads to a deficient offense. I hope we can fix those half steps and become good on offense

I'm not seeing what everyone else is seeing in Nico. He looks more like Guarantano then what I am being sold

You said it "gloves" can't feel the football "dropped football"

The biggest problem with the offense that you didn't mention is the tackles can't pass block

Tennessee needs to be ranked #8 about as much as I need to be in the Olympics! What a joke. They're getting worse every week!

Remember RED SHIRT FRESHMAN many many years left

Win over Florida never bad. But if want to make playoff or have shot at Atlanta, glass looking a little empty right now.

I'm honestly surprised and happy that we were able to win a game in OT, but at the same time I feel like we should've won by three scores

If he can go through his progression's faster, it’ll be over for everyone in the sec but until then, Tennessee will continue to struggle on offense.

I feel like the biggest problem on the offense is the O line by far. They're not giving Nico and the receivers to open stuff up

Nico will be fine. He has had the fear of God put in him by facing 3 hungry SEC pass rushes along with an underperforming offensive line. Going to take some time to adjust to that

The OL is the key to this thing either clicking or looking like it has the last couple of games. I still don’t get why we let Mincey go to KY. Maybe Heard will get in shape and his feet won’t look like he’s in quicksand going forward.

Half full for sure

I try to remind myself "he is only 20". But Lagway is younger surrrounded by less talent. And did more.

Offense needs work. Either way a win is a win and I’m super happy about it. Eventually Nico will be the best QB in college football I swear it.

I think part of the blame for the offense struggling has to be laid straight at the feet of the OC and the Head coach. First 4 games the tight ends were used often with great success, these last two games the tight ends haven't even been targeted more than 2 times. That's unacceptable. The tight end room is good and have proved themselves, and the play calling the last two games hasn't been good. But like coach says it takes all 11 guys operating as one and that hasn't been the case the last two games. I hope they can get it figured out soon because the Defense can't carry the whole team on there backs for much longer without having a rash of injuries. GBO

I like what you said get him in better spots and also he needs help at the wide receiver position Nico that is

Last 2 games 0 points first half, I'm a glass half full kinda guy the defence is elite, if the offence puts it together they are the type of team who can beat anyone.

That defense is our offense at this point. I want to know what’s causing this sputtering. That offense is barely breathing

I’m 51-49 in favor of glass half full-if only by virtue of us overcoming the mental hurdle that is Florida. Once again our inability to kill off a game when leading due to terrible situational offensive play calling. We can’t be running it on 3rd and 10 late in the fourth.

If Tennessee offense can get going they have a chance with anybody.

We are ass. Im trying to be optimistic but nico is a turnover machine, bro is an 8 million dollar gaurantano

Our repeated holding penalties hurt badly…just one of those not happening maybe would have been a TD for TN

My vols have issues. The oline being the biggest one and nico being second

I don’t want a “bend, don’t break” defense, I want a stone damn wall. We can’t keep depending on the lucky breaks, the stripped balls on the one yard line, the over throws, and the miss cues on their offense. The lucks going to run out before too long.

I feel my glass is half paper!

Our defense is elite

Yeah I don’t feel great about this team. I’m not going as far as some and saying we suck. But I also don’t feel like we are a serious NC contender either. Our OL play is horrid

i think its the offensive line also its the first time in forever we beat florida back to back at home

Nico right now is worse than Joe. We cant blame the overthrows on Joes arm strength anymore. Nico HAS to figure out how not to overthrow the long ball

Our coaching staff the o line and Nico have some stuff to figure out fr fr our running backs are monsters that and the defense is the only thing we got right now sadly

The defense only gives up touchdowns when they are tired. The offense keeps those 3 and outs under 1 minute of playing time eventually the defense will give up a score.

Without our Defense and Dylan Sampson, we'd be 3 - 3 right now with wins over UT Chat and Kent St. Think about that Vol Fans

no lie were having trouble moving the ball at points ,, now has that got to do with who is calling plays at that point in the game, I dont know. But something goes on for us to all of a sudden have a drive then not

Listen Alabama would’ve paid for the outcome we had last night when they played Vandy. GA barely survived KY. When talent is this close it comes down to execution. The teams that execute the plan are the most successful. And that’s for both sides of the ball. GBO!

As a Vols fan. If Tennessee doesn't get the pass game going they won't make it to the playoffs

Heupel needs to fire the OC

I'll take it, because even in years we are way better than them, we play our absolute worst game of the year. We were only saved by the "coaching" of Billy Napier.

IOL needs to block, Nico will get better with experience. We just opened the playbook last night for the first time and he looked better than last game.

My guy, blow your nose! Go Vols. Glass half full. Fix some offensive inaccuracy and protection and you’re winning out.

The O line cannot pass blocks or read who is blitzing and who is not. Just look at the grading on the O line yesterday; it was terrible. Nico is struggling, and its okay to say it. The people crowned him a God from the get go but he is not. He has so much potential, but he is young. TN's past two QBs were 25 with years of experience. Nico will be fine, it is just gonna take time. O line has to also improve. The defense is solid as can be; I do not believe this O line can fix these pass protection issues anytime soon. Maybe have Nico scramble more and utilize his legs. He can throw pretty well on the run and can be dangerous on his legs. As of now, Sampson is king of the offense, and that's about it. Defense won them the game yesterday along with billys bad play calling. TN has home advantage next week against the tide where I have no idea what to think about that game. Bama defense is not that good, but Bama's offense is solid. As of now, my fear is Bama will pull away with time of possession and TN lack of ability to move the ball to sustain drives and actually get points on the board. GBO!

Our offense trash but I do think it comes together eventually

Big Tennessee fan but, we do not look like a top 25 team.

This is what happens when you go 2 whole games and don't let the kid nico throw the pigskin. To start the game last night the whole crowd was booing because he chose to run at the first three plays and then punt. You get a little bit of rust you could tell he just wasn't in his groove and was thinking too much about the throws I was at the game last night. If he just unleashes Nico and let him be him there's no limit to where we could go but as long as coach keep the reins and blinders on him we're not going to be successful in Alabama is going to mop the floor with us. 🤷🤦

I remember when Tennessee fans thought they was going to the natty. They look awful on offense. Like last year iowa bad

Reminds me of Butch Jones and Jarrett Guarantano, all the talent but can't seem to get anything out of it, and the whole hes a freshman is a useless argument when he is named the starter. Not to mention Lance Herd needs to be benched so fast.

I TOLD YOU AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR NICO IS NOT ALL OF THAT,

Tennessee is still our kryptonite but we just beat ourselves.

The offensive line was not good and I feel they have been exposed. UF is NOT a good football team and we barely pulled out the win. Very happy we won but this should not have been close. Nico.... well we don't know what is going on. Not accurate in the last couple of games and the pick was inexcusable. Doesn't help Nimrod dropped three in a row.....

❤ Go Hawgz ❤

i just don’t see heuples offense not clicking

The Nico train has officially come to a halt. 3 weeks ago I was so high on Tennessee. But watching them lately it's become apparent they aren't really that. Nico is no better than Joe Milton. Last month they were acting like he was the 2nd coming

Booby Hill’s best roster at home needed OT against Sunbelt Billy who is all but fired and QB2 and RB2. Is what it is and yea a win is a win I guess 😂

Now it must be said that we have beat Florida 2 out of 3.

I’m just glad for another win against Florida. We always lose to Florida. 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊

Might be a hot take but if mertz and montrell Johnson jr didn't get hurt florida would've won

Same ole Vols

Vols don't suck but they aren't a top 12 team either. Maybe a light switch goes off for nico later in the season. That might be all it takes. The alpha dog is sitting on the bench.. Mike Matthews.

Play calling being dictated by how the O-line is playing..... good on runs, but 8th graders do better pass blocking. Crap pass blocking leads to QB happy feet and skittish. Fix the O-line tackles and we might have something.

Dam yall we just beat Florida. Dont listen to these people that try to down play this! We owned OT. The second our team got down 10 they turnt it up! We need yo play to win and not play, not to lose. This is offensive im speaking about. Does this team play to the level of competition? I think that answer is obvious. Florida is one of the most talented programs in the country! We have much better teams lose to them. WE BEAT FLORIDA! Nico is a freshmen and he beat Florida. He is a freshmen , yall remember any other freshmen QBS? THESE CHANNELS ARE CONTENT STARVED AND CONTROVERSY BRINGS THEM MORE VIEWS. GB🍊 . Next up Alabama! I will take a 1 point win in every game if thats what it takes. I want a championship and i dont give AF if we dobt look pretty getting it done;)

Tennessee is not that good

JD wasn't pretty .. but I will take a win any day GBO.. 🍊

Elite defense....zero ofense...this team is iowa 23

Lol ya the defense shined against an offense with no pulse. UT is NOT a top 10 team.

This is the thing guys who ever is calling the plays is terrible and if it’s Josh he lost

You’ve been way to high on Tennessee boss they will be a 3 loss team typical season under Josh

Well they dropped tennessee down to 11 for a reason~~ After tennessee plays alabama~georgia They wont even be in the top 25

We suck. We might beat Bama because it looks like they suck too, but then again we may lose to Vanderbilt 😂

Our defense is strong our offense has to get going. Nico has been to this point very overrated

I was praying florida go for 2. I had the moneyline lol. I mean why not ..the way the season has gone...multiple injuries. That defense had florida setup to win( nice job kicker on that fg miss.. coach let the rb run the ball and have chipshot fg attempt). Least they played hard finally

Nico has been so off Target

As a Vol fan we need to stop with the “generational QB” talk. He is NOT a generational talent at QB. From what I’ve seen, Arch is better. Nico does not have the “it” factor. He’s not a natural leader. His attitude is nonchalant. He has NO fire.