Despite a disappointing year overall, it wouldn't be a stretch to argue Tennessee offense improved as the season went on despite losing running back Jalen Hurd.
Tennessee's offense finished second in scoring to only Alabama in the SEC and has plenty of playmakers. While there were times this season the offense could have played better, including an 8-quarter stretch against Alabama and South Carolina, that side of the ball was the highlight of the team in 2016.
The state of the Tennessee offense right now
Everything starts with senior quarterback Josh Dobbs. The second team All-SEC pick at signal caller has been Tennessee's best quarterback in a decade.
He had career highs in both passing yards, 2,655, and rushing yards, 713, and was responsible for 36 touchdowns on the season. Although not the most accurate passer, he has improved his long-ball throws and the deep-ball was a key to Tennessee's success on offense.
As for the playmakers, Alvin Kamara and John Kelly are a fantastic duo that combined for over 1,500 total yards, most of it coming after Hurd quit the team. The receivers are led by the tall duo of Josh Malone and Jauan Jennings who combined for 17 receiving touchdowns this season.
Up front the Vols will be without Venzell Boulware, who started the last couple of games for Tennessee, but there is plenty of depth along the interior of the line that they should be ok.
What was the high point in 2016 for the Tennessee offense
There could be several answers here. You could go with the Vols scoring 201 points in their final four games of the regular season, but the high point to me was when the Vols ripped off 35 second-half points to beat Florida for the first time since 2004.
The Vols were down 21-3 at halftime and even thought an interception on their first possession of the second half, but the offense stayed calm and poised and scored on five of its next six possessions to beat the Gators, 38-28.
Yes, that was early in the year, and yes, the Vols scored more points several times this season, but that game meant so much to the fan base and the program that it won't soon be forgotten.
What was the low point in 2016 for the Tennessee offense
I'd have to say it's a tie between not showing up against South Carolina and scoring only three second-half points against Vanderbilt.
Coming off back-to-back losses and a chance to take the lead in the SEC East, Tennessee's offense only scored 14 offensive points against the Gamecocks and had less than 300 total yards. Coming off a bye week, and with so much at stake, it was a brutal performance.
Tennessee then went on a three-game winnings streak and positioned itself to likely play in the Sugar Bowl if they defeated Vanderbilt. All was going to plan in the first with the Vols leading 21-7 in the second quarter and 34-24 late in the third quarter.
But, the Vols' offense couldn't help out its putrid defense (more on that later) and Tennessee lost an incredible opportunity to play in a meaningful bowl game (no offense Music City Bowl or Nebraska).
Biggest concern for Tennessee's offense against Nebraska?
Nebraska has a good defense but I don't know how many teams they Huskers played, outside of Ohio State, that has as much offensive firepower as Tennessee does.
With that being said, you just never know which Tennessee offense will show up, especially after the long break. Is this team motivated after finishing 8-4 when the SEC Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl were on the line the last few weeks of the season?
If this offense is rolling, they are great. If not, they are inconsistent and turnover prone. Josh Dobbs turned the ball over way too much the first half of the season but cut that down over the last four games. If those turnovers return, the offense will stall too much.
To win this game against Nebraska, what needs to happen on offense?
Taking care of the ball is the top priority. Tennessee moved the ball on basically every opponent outside of Alabama this year. Where they got in trouble was in turnovers. Whether it was the first half against Florida, the seven turnovers against Texas A&M, the interceptions and fumble against South Carolina or the late fumble against Vanderbilt, turnovers have been Tennessee's undoing all year.
Again, Nebraska has a solid defense, but Tennessee is no stranger to solid defenses and still scored consistently against defenses like Georgia, Florida and Virginia Tech (all ranked higher in total defense than Nebraska).
If Tennessee doesn't turn the ball over they will put up points. Now, whether or not they win, I don't know, because, well, this defense, you'll see for yourself.
