If there were two main problems with Tennessee’s performance against Georgia, one would have to point to the Vols’ downfield passing attack, or lack thereof, and Tennessee’s defensive pass rush, or lack thereof, against the Bulldogs.

Let’s begin with the Vols’ pass rush issue that surprisingly crept up on Saturday in Athens. Despite being thought of as one of the best defenses in the nation with one of the best defensive fronts in the nation, the Vols only managed to make two plays behind the line of scrimmage against the Bulldogs. 

Tennessee had two tackles for a loss and no sacks against Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who had been sacked five times in the Bulldogs’ previous game against Ole Miss.

“We didn’t get home and we’ve got to find the quarterback,” Heupel said in his weekly press conference on Monday. “He was too comfortable for most of the night.”

Indeed. 

Perhaps it’s time to reassess the Vols’ defense with two games remaining in the season. Alas…

Tennessee is tied for third in the SEC, along with South Carolina and Texas A&M, in tackles for a loss per game, 7.3, this season. 

Tennessee’s defense is tied for 10th in the SEC, along with Missouri and Vanderbilt, in sacks per game with 2.2. That doesn’t seem very elite.

“End of the day, they got a hat on the hat and protected well and did that in different ways,” Heupel said of the super-safe pocket that Georgia was able to create. It’s worth nothing that Tennessee didn’t even have one registered quarterback hurry against Georgia.

Heupel credited the Bulldogs for utilizing max-protection formations to insulate Beck from the Vols’ pass rush. He also said play-action was a factor in slowing Tennessee down. However, Heupel maintained that the issues with the Vols reside in Knoxville.

“There’s just too many instances of Tennessee hurting Tennessee on Saturday,” Heupel said. “That’s not taking anything away from Georgia.”

Tennessee was also hurt by its lack of a downfield passing attack. The Vols longest completion of the night was just 17 yards, which went to junior receiver Squirrel White. The Vols tried to take a couple of deep shots throughout the game, but ultimately had to settle for a passing attack that was predicated on underneath passing routes and was mediocre at best.

Some of that blame has to lie on quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Sure, he’s just a redshirt freshman, but much more was expected out of the Vols’ once explosive passing game and the prospect who flipped NIL on its financial ear.

“For the most part, been really good,” Heupel said of Iamaleava’s pocket presence this season. “When the pocket’s been clean, he’s stayed in there until the bodies were maxed out and you’ve got to make a play. There’s been occasion when the color flashes and he gets out. 

“That’s part of his game too – extension of plays and making plays outside of the pocket. All in all, as a young guy, he’s been solid, but (needs) continued growth there.”

Iamaleava is ranked eighth in the SEC in passing efficiency with or without the downfield pop that Tennessee fans were used to. The Vols were ultimately undone by a fourth quarter that was dominated by Georgia. The Bulldogs managed a 12-play, 92-yard drive that put the Bulldogs up 31-17 and ended any chance the Vols had to win the game in Athens.

“You’ve got to go take the game in the fourth quarter,” Heupel said. “There’s a lot of reasons, but we didn’t get it done.”

When asked about why the Vols fell short against Georgia, Heupel said, “I always try to point a finger at myself first.”

Later in his press conference, he added, “I know that’s not the sexiest way to say it, but at the end of the day, it’s doing your job at a high level.”

That certainly didn’t happen when it came to the Vols’ passing game or ability to pressure Beck on Saturday.