Tim Tebow: Tennessee is 'not the same team' since beginning SEC play

Tennessee was nearly unrivaled in offensive production through the first three weeks of the season.

Averaging 63 points against non-conference opponents, that scoring total has been cut in half and then some since the Vols started SEC play. Held to 25 points against Oklahoma in a conference-opening win, Josh Heupel’s squad scored just 14 points during the loss to Arkansas in Week 6.

Ahead of their matchup against Florida at home, Tim Tebow attempted to get a pulse on the Tennessee offense. He looked toward the stat sheet for evidence that the Vols have fallen off track since SEC play began.

“This team started so hot,” Tebow said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning ahead of SEC Nation. “Non-conference, they were dominating. 639 yards per game, but in-conference, yeah, you cut that by 300. That’s not the same team that’s been playing the last few weeks, and they’re just not on the same page.”

The former Florida Gators quarterback brought out the film against Arkansas to break down what exactly has been going wrong for the Volunteers offensively since conference play began.

“Look at this 3rd & 11, we call it money down. This is not money. It’s max protection, and all your receivers are walking. What is Nico supposed to do? You have to be on the same page,” Tebow said. “Another opportunity — you start a two-minute drill. You have a bubble up to the top, [Iamaleava] looks at it, doesn’t like it, looks the boundary. What are we doing? Blockers just standing there not blocking. How are you supposed to be successful when your team’s not on the same page?

“This is an offense that has so many gifts, but they’re not on the same page.”

Notably, the Vols have not played a conference game inside Neyland Stadium this season. The matchups against OU and Arkansas were both on the road, so Saturday’s game against Florida is the first chance for Tennessee to be backed by their home-field advantage.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN.