Tennessee is heading to Arkansas for its second road game of the season, and the matchup brings a few clear pressure points into focus.
The Volunteers enter the SEC contest with one loss through their first five games, a tight defeat to Texas. Their best wins so far have come against Auburn and Georgia Tech. Arkansas, meanwhile, sits at 2-3, with losses to Utah, Georgia, and Texas A&M and wins over North Alabama and Tulsa.
Vols On SI spoke with Arkansas Razorbacks insider and Razorbacks on SI publisher Jacob Davis about what Tennessee fans should be watching when the teams meet.
For Davis, the biggest Tennessee edge starts on the ground.
"I believe the key for Tennessee is DeSean Bishop and the Vols' rushing attack. He's already gained half the amount of yards gained last season through five games, and is coming off a career-high day against Auburn last week.
For Arkansas, I think it comes down to Tennessee's ability to limit Chris Marshall from blowing the top off the defense. Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey lines him up in multiple spots on offense and has thrived in every zone imaginable," Davis said.
He also pointed to Arkansas’ issues stopping the run against SEC competition.
"The Razorbacks haven't been able to stop either SEC opponent (Georgia and Texas A&M) on the ground. If they are going to find a way to pull off an upset, it's going to take selling out on the run and forcing George MacIntyre to beat a pass defense that's yielding just 199 yards through the air this season," Davis said.
Arkansas fans, Davis added, have kept showing up even as the losses have mounted. The game kicks at 3:15 p.m. CT, and he said the home crowd could become a factor if the Razorbacks keep it close into the second half.
"Arkansas is still seeing fans show up despite the losses piling up, and this game has a 3:15 p.m. CT kickoff.
Fans are desperate for a win, even if they want to see change throughout the athletic department. If for some reason this game remains close in the second half, Razorback Stadium in all its glory can and will get loud.
With a sophomore quarterback making his first SEC road start, it could spell disaster if Tennessee coach Josh Heupel's plan goes off script," Davis said.
Davis also had praise for what he saw from George MacIntyre against Auburn.
"MacIntyre has a strong arm to break a defense over the top, but it's hard to imagine Heupel going to those types of plays very often. However, he did read pressures from DJ Durkin's Auburn defense and was able to get the ball out on time and where it needed to be. He also showed the ability to fool defenders by not giving away his intended target and continued through progressions to deliver a good pass," Davis said.
On Arkansas’ side, he identified Cam Settles as the key swing piece.
"Arkansas' X-Factor in this game is going to be running back Cam Settles, especially if the run game struggles continue to be a factor this week. He has repeatedly been the Razorbacks' most complete back who can pick up backfield pressure as the last line of defense. If the Hogs can combat some of the Vols' pressure with an improved RPO attack to keep Tennessee on their heels, it could potentially open up the pass game for quick reads on short-to-intermediate throws," Davis said.
Asked for a pick, Davis went with Tennessee in a fairly comfortable result.
"I'm picking Tennessee 28, Arkansas 10, because of the Volunteers' ability to get after the quarterback and potential to dominate the Hogs' defense in the run game. It will also give MacIntyre more confidence moving forward if he becomes the guy at QB moving forward," Davis said.
In Other News...
Tennessee Escaped Arkansas But A Bigger Problem Just Followed Them Home
Tennessee finally got back in the win column with a 24-17 escape at Arkansas, and DeSean Bishops late touchdown provided the finish the Volunteers needed after a difficult stretch. The result stopped the skid, but it did not do much to quiet the larger questions hanging over the program, because the performance again left Tennessee looking like a team still searching for something more stable on offense and sharper in the moments that decide tight games.
George MacIntyres play remained part of that conversation, and the same was true of Tennessees repeated issues late in the first half, where opportunities have been slipping away in ways that can change a games rhythm. The coaching decisions also come under the microscope after a win like this, because the Volunteers return home with relief from the result but plenty of uncertainty about how well this group is positioned for the tougher games ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Coach Defends Late Decision After Tennessee Escapes Fayetteville
Arkansas came up short against Tennessee, 24-17 in Fayetteville, and the postgame conversation quickly turned to the margins of the loss. Ryan Silverfield spent his media availability walking through what went wrong, with the defense holding up long enough to keep the Razorbacks in it while the offense struggled to finish enough drives to shift the pressure back onto the Volunteers.
Silverfield also faced the inevitable questions about his late-game choice to punt instead of going for it on fourth down, a decision that loomed large with the score still within reach. He said he had a rationale behind the call and pointed to the areas Arkansas needs to clean up going forward, leaving the focus on execution as much as strategy after a game that slipped away in one possession. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees In-State Push For Lucas Cornwell Just Got More Interesting
Tennessees recruiting work on the road took another in-state step forward when the Vols hosted several 2028 prospects at Neyland Stadium for an SEC game, including tight end Braxton Rein, Jake Payne, Lee Steele and Lucas Cornwell. Cornwell, a Smith County High School standout from Carthage, got a closer look at the program and came away speaking highly of the visit, particularly his conversations with Tennessees tight ends coaches and head coach Josh Heupel.
The part worth watching now is how the Vols continue to shape their evaluation of Cornwell. There is still no offer in hand, but the interest is clearly there, and the staff has already had conversations about whether he could eventually grow into a tackle spot in college. For an in-state prospect this early in the process, that kind of versatility talk can matter, and Tennessee has at least put itself in position to keep the conversation going. [Read more 🡒]