The Tennessee Volunteers’ 2024 season was filled with moments of promise but also clear drawbacks that ultimately shaped their performance. As a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Vols entered the 2024 season with high expectations. They had made significant strides under head coach Josh Heupel in recent years, particularly with the offense’s explosive playmaking. However, despite their offensive prowess, the 2024 campaign revealed several areas where Tennessee struggled, both on the field and in terms of overall execution. This article will delve into the primary drawbacks that hindered Tennessee’s performance during the season.
1. Defensive Inconsistencies
One of the most significant drawbacks for the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2024 season was their defense. Despite an offense that often found the end zone with ease, the defense remained a weak point that could not be overlooked. 
a. Struggles Against Elite Opponents
In the SEC, where powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU dominate, a porous defense can lead to severe consequences. Tennessee’s defense struggled particularly against high-powered offenses. In their key matchups, such as against Alabama and Georgia, Tennessee’s defense allowed far too many yards and points, exposing a major flaw in their team makeup.
Against Alabama, the Volunteers’ defense was shredded for big plays, especially in the secondary, where their corners were often caught out of position. Similarly, Georgia’s offense exploited Tennessee’s defensive schemes, breaking off long runs and dominating time of possession. These games highlighted a critical weakness: the inability to stop elite offenses when it mattered most. Tennessee’s defense was often unable to generate turnovers, limit explosive plays, or get off the field on critical third downs.
b. Lack of Pressure on the Quarterback
A recurring issue for Tennessee’s defense was their lack of consistent pass rush. Despite having some talented individuals, such as edge rusher Tyler Baron, the Vols were unable to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks. In today’s college football landscape, generating pressure on the quarterback is crucial, especially against top-tier SEC teams. Tennessee’s inability to do so allowed opposing offenses to operate at their best, leading to big gains and extended drives.
In several games, including against Florida and Kentucky, Tennessee’s defensive line struggled to put pressure on the quarterback, allowing these teams to take advantage of the Vols’ defensive vulnerabilities. Without effective pressure, Tennessee’s secondary was often left in tough situations, and opponents could make quick, accurate throws downfield.
2. Quarterback Play and Turnovers
Another drawback that hampered the Vols’ 2024 season was the inconsistency at the quarterback position. After the departure of Hendon Hooker, who had been a key figure in Tennessee’s resurgence under Heupel, the team struggled to find the same level of stability at quarterback. Joe Milton, who took over as the starting quarterback, showed flashes of talent but was not able to consistently execute Heupel’s high-tempo offense with the same precision that Hooker had.
a. Inconsistent Accuracy
Milton’s inconsistency with his accuracy became a significant concern. While he possessed a cannon arm and could stretch the field with deep passes, he struggled to consistently hit open receivers on short and intermediate throws. Tennessee’s offense requires a quarterback who can make precise throws in a fast-paced, high-scoring system. Milton’s inability to consistently do this limited the offense’s potential and often forced the Vols into situations where they had to rely on the running game or make up for mistakes with high-risk passes.
This inconsistency became especially problematic when the Vols found themselves in tight games, where every possession counted. In some of their losses, Milton’s erratic throwing led to crucial interceptions, including a particularly costly one in their loss to Alabama that turned the tide of the game. Turnovers, especially from the quarterback position, proved to be a killer for Tennessee in their biggest matchups.
b. Offensive Rhythm Disruption
Milton’s struggles with accuracy often threw off the offensive rhythm. Heupel’s system is predicated on quick, rhythmic plays that keep opposing defenses on their heels. When the quarterback is not executing at a high level, this disrupts the flow of the offense. In some games, Tennessee found themselves out of sync, unable to sustain drives and build the type of momentum that had been a hallmark of their previous successes.
3. Injuries and Depth Issues
Injuries are a part of every football season, but for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024, injuries seemed to hit key players at inopportune times, which exposed the team’s lack of depth in certain areas.
a. Injuries to Key Offensive Players
One of the major issues for Tennessee was the injury situation surrounding key offensive players. Running back Jabari Small and wide receiver Bru McCoy were both hindered by injuries throughout the season. While both players are talented and central to Tennessee’s offensive attack, their absences or limited availability affected the team’s ability to execute at a high level.
Without a fully healthy McCoy, Tennessee’s passing attack became one-dimensional. Milton struggled to establish chemistry with other receivers, and the offense lacked a go-to target to stretch the field and make plays downfield. Small’s injuries also limited the running game, forcing Tennessee to rely more heavily on their passing attack, which, as previously mentioned, was not always effective.
b. Defensive Depth
On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee was also hit by injuries, especially in the secondary and along the defensive line. The Vols’ defense lacked the depth required to withstand injuries to key players. In particular, their defensive backfield was stretched thin, and the absence of key players in the secondary resulted in blown coverages and missed assignments. This was evident in games where Tennessee’s defense struggled to contain opposing passing attacks.
The lack of depth also showed on the defensive line, where injuries meant that Tennessee couldn’t rotate as freely as they might have liked. This led to a tired defensive front late in games, which allowed opponents to establish the run and control the clock.
4. Special Teams Struggles
While special teams are often an overlooked aspect of football, they can have a significant impact on the outcome of games, and in Tennessee’s 2024 season, special teams were another area of concern.
a. Inconsistent Kicking Game
Tennessee had trouble with their kicking game, both in terms of field goals and extra points. The kicking unit lacked consistency, with several missed field goals coming at critical moments. This was especially frustrating in close games where every point mattered. A missed field goal against Florida in the second half was particularly costly, as it allowed the Gators to hang around and eventually secure a victory.
b. Return Game Issues
In addition to the kicking game, Tennessee’s return game was another weak spot. While they had a couple of explosive returners, the team struggled to consistently gain good field position on kick and punt returns. The lack of explosive plays in the return game put additional pressure on the offense, making it harder to start drives in favorable field positions.
5. Coaching and Decision-Making
Despite Josh Heupel’s success as head coach, there were moments during the 2024 season where coaching decisions raised eyebrows.
a. Game Management Issues
In close games, Tennessee sometimes found themselves in situations where the coaching staff struggled to manage the clock or make the right calls. In a particularly tight game against Kentucky, Heupel’s decision to go for it on a fourth down deep in Tennessee territory backfired when the Vols failed to convert, giving Kentucky excellent field position and swinging the momentum in their favor.
Additionally, Tennessee’s play-calling was occasionally predictable. Against some of their tougher SEC opponents, the lack of variation in offensive schemes made it easier for defenses to adjust. Heupel’s fast-paced offense can be difficult to stop, but without effective play-calling and adjustments, it becomes easier for opposing teams to anticipate plays.
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