The Tennessee Vols have a clear offensive identity.

And they need to lean into that identity the rest of the season to be the best version of themselves.

The Vols’ offense struggled early against Auburn while featuring three wide receiver sets.

It wasn’t until Tennessee committed to 12 personnel (two tight ends) in the second half (which came after a quarterback change) that the offense seemed to find its groove.

“I think the thing you learned (in the Auburn game) is who they are identity-wise right now — regardless of the quarterback spot,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs on Tuesday on WNML’s SportsTalk. “This is a football team rooted in running the football, and I think they’re more rooted in the two tight end stuff than they are anything else. They seem more comfortable there in the run game. They seem more comfortable there in pass protection as well.

“I think that’s where you’re hanging your hat right now until you can try to figure out what you’re going to be or what you can become and how much you can grow offensively. And I think once Tennessee got into that (12 personnel), it bothered Auburn. I thought they wore Auburn down.”

Hubbs added that going to 12 personnel against Auburn helped sophomore George MacIntyre, who replaced freshman Faizon Brandon at quarterback, settle into the game.

“They went two tight ends and didn’t ask George to do a ton of things,” noted Hubbs. “He delivered when they asked him to do things. He started five-for-five, he got the ball out of his hands on time, he stayed in the pocket and felt a clean pocket. He just played more efficient, and they turned around and handed it off a bunch more. … It was all about the run game, and it was all about getting dialed in in the run game and just continuing to lean on those guys. And the two tight end sets is largely why they were more efficient. But then when they had to make a play, the quarterback (MacIntyre) made the play he had to make.”

Auburn head coach Alex Golesh admitted after the game that Tennessee’s 12 personnel caused some issues for the Tigers.

“In the second half…we couldn’t stop the run,” said Golesh. “They got into 12 (personnel) and we couldn’t stop the run.”

Tennessee’s offense will need to evolve as the season progresses — the hope is that one of these young quarterbacks can become more dynamic in the passing game — but for now, the Vols need to live in 12 personnel. It’s clearly what they’re best at doing right now. They don’t need to try to get cute against Arkansas this upcoming weekend. They just need to do what they do well and trust that their players will out-execute the Razorbacks’ players.