Normally in this space and time, we'll do a statsy preview of the upcoming game. We don't do them in the preseason because all zeroes equal zero times zero minus zero, and the spreadsheet just goes, "Huh?" We also don't do them too early in the season because a world overrun with caveats and disclaimers has had the ironic effect of causing all of them to be instantly identified and consequently ignored. So, no. We'll start too early, of course, but not just yet.
So I figured we'd take a quick moment to establish a baseline for the 2012 Vols. If you've read RTT the past year or two, you'll recognize this as the #opportunityisnowhere series, but rather than rehash everything to puree, we're just going to look at where the 2011 Vols ended the season, which of course is where 2012 begins.
Here are the things UT did well (as defined as those things in which it ranked as one of the nation's 30 best teams) last season.
| Categories In Which Tennessee Was In The Top Quartile Last Season |
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| Category |
2011 |
NCS | GS | FL | AK | GA | MSB | AL | SC | TR | MO | VAN | KY |
| Fumbles Lost | 6 | ||||||||||||
| Kickoff Return Yardage Defense | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Pass Defense | 12 | ||||||||||||
| First Downs Allowed | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Turnovers Lost | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Total Defense | 28 | ||||||||||||
Yeah, not so impressive. Defense and ball security, which, if you're like me, is a bit startling. We weren't good on offense last year? Not even in the passing game? Yeah, I know Hunter was out and Bray was injured and SEC defenses and all, but nothing? Okay.
And now for the Tennessee players in the top 30. Heads up, and don't blink.
| Player | Stat | 2011 | NCS | GS | FL | AK | GA | MSB | AL | SC | TR | MO | VAN | KY |
| Austin Johnson | Interceptions | 23 |
Yep, Austin Johnson was the only player last year to finish the season ranked in the top 30 in any category on the official NCAA stats page. Da'Rick Rogers was mostly in the 30s.
#OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE
And here is where the team's opportunity for improvement is greatest. Drumroll, please, for the stuff we need to change, beginning Friday:
| Categories In Which Tennessee Was In The Bottom Quartile Last Season |
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| Category |
2011 |
NCS | GS | FL | AK | GA | MSB | AL | SC | TR | MO | VAN | KY |
| Rushing Offense | 116 | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Offense | 106 | ||||||||||||
| Total Offense | 104 | ||||||||||||
| Net Punting | 104 | ||||||||||||
| Pass Sacks | 100 | ||||||||||||
| First Downs | 98 | ||||||||||||
| Offense Fourth-down Efficiency | 91 | ||||||||||||
| Turnovers Gained | 91 | ||||||||||||
Um, offense again, mostly. How did I completely erase all of this from my mind? I was well aware of the problems with the running game because it was an issue all season, but it's frightening to discover (remember?) how far the passing game fell by the end of the season. Oh, well, that just means it will look all that more impressive when we crank it up this season, right?
THE BIG FAT MIDDLE
And here's the rest, just for tracking purposes.
| Categories In Which Tennessee Was Somewhere in the Middle Last Season |
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| Category |
2011 |
NCS | GS | FL | AK | GA | MSB | AL | SC | TR | MO | VAN | KY |
| Scoring Defense | 36 | ||||||||||||
| Time of Possession | 37 | ||||||||||||
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | 38 | ||||||||||||
| Pass Sacks Allowed | 40 | ||||||||||||
| Kickoff Returns | 41 | ||||||||||||
| Red Zone Efficiency - Defense | 47 | ||||||||||||
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 48 | ||||||||||||
| Defense Fourth-down Efficiency | 48 | ||||||||||||
| Passing Offense | 50 | ||||||||||||
| Fewest Yards Penalized Per Game | 51 | ||||||||||||
| Offense Third-down Efficiency | 56 | ||||||||||||
| Fewest Penalties Per Game | 56 | ||||||||||||
| Defense Third-down Efficiency | 57 | ||||||||||||
| Red Zone Efficiency | 58 | ||||||||||||
| Turnover Margin | 59 | ||||||||||||
| Punt Returns | 61 | ||||||||||||
| Passes Had Intercepted | 63 | ||||||||||||
| Tackles for Loss | 67 | ||||||||||||
| Passing Efficiency | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Rush Defense | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Fumbles Recovered | 71 | ||||||||||||
| Punt Return Yardage Defense | 85 | ||||||||||||
| Passes Intercepted | 86 | ||||||||||||
So there it is. What do y'all think we have the best chance of improving quickly this season, based on our 2012 personnel and other changes?