Tennessee heads into SEC play with a clean non-conference record, but the first real test arrives fast. The Volunteers open against No. 1 Texas, and after three games, there are still a few things this team needs to sort out before the Longhorns show up.
The biggest issue so far has been up front. Tennessee’s offensive line has been inconsistent, and the problems have shown up in more ways than one.
Penalties have hurt the group, and Faizon Brandon has had to deal with far too much chaos around him. He has not taken many sacks, but the line has still allowed too many tackles for loss, and even the lesser defensive fronts on the schedule have found moments to cause trouble.
That makes the next step pretty clear: Tennessee has to figure out its five starters and settle that group. Substitutions will still happen, but the Vols need clarity on who their best five are across the front. The expectation is that they’ll get there.
Health is another major concern. Tennessee already has plenty of players out for the season, and the roster can’t afford to keep adding bodies to the list. The injury situation has hit especially hard at spots where the depth is already thin.
Running back was a good example on Saturday. Bishop was limited, Javin Gordon was out, and Justin Baker was out as well. That left Daune Morris handling snaps he already sees often, while Hunter Barnes ended up getting work early in the game when most people probably didn’t expect him to.
The Volunteers also haven’t exactly emptied the playbook yet. Tennessee has tried to keep things pretty vanilla on both offense and defense, and the full extent of what they have in reserve still isn’t clear. What is clear is that the Vols have not shown everything, and that could matter against Texas.
The Longhorns may have already revealed more of what they can do, especially after the battle with Ohio State two weeks ago. So the lingering question for Tennessee is simple: exactly how much have they been holding back?
The answer should start to come into focus on Saturday.
In Other News...
Tennessee Fans Can't Assume The Usual Checker Neyland Look Vs Texas
Neyland Stadium will look a little different when Tennessee hosts Texas on Sept. 26, because the familiar orange-and-white checkerboard pattern is getting flipped. Instead of the usual setup, fans will need to pay close attention to their assigned section color before heading in, with CheckerNeyland.com the place to confirm where they fit on game day.
The timing only adds to the buzz around the matchup, which will also bring ESPNs College GameDay to Knoxville and draw a long list of notable visitors. Peyton Manning and Arch Manning are among the names expected around the event, giving an already big Saturday an extra layer of attention for a fan base that knows the visual spectacle in Neyland is part of the show. [Read more 🡒]
Former Tennessee Coach Saw Something Different In These Vols
Jerry Macks return to Neyland Stadium came in a losing effort for Kennesaw State, but the former Tennessee running backs coach still had plenty to say afterward about what he saw from the Vols. After Tennessee rolled to a 42-9 win, Mack spoke with the media and offered a clear-eyed look at his own teams performance on both sides of the ball while also taking stock of what Tennessee looks like now compared with the program he once knew.
Mack also discussed specific players, including quarterback Rickie Collins and Tennessee freshman Faizon Brandon, while noting changes in the Vols offense and sharing his thoughts on former player Hunter Barnes. Even in defeat, his comments carried the perspective of someone who understands the program from the inside, and his observations pointed to a Tennessee team that looked different in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee-Texas Just Got Even Bigger For Neyland Fans
ESPN College GameDay is headed back to Knoxville for the 13th time, and the stage could hardly be bigger. Tennessees SEC opener against top-ranked Texas has already turned Neyland Stadium into one of the weekends marquee settings, with the pregame show set to air from the lawn of Ayres Hall and the stadium grounds before moving inside Neyland for its final hour before kickoff.
The atmosphere figures to match the billing, too, with the stadium sold out and fans being asked to dress in orange or white depending on where they sit. It is the kind of setup that has made Knoxville a regular stop for GameDay over the years, and the combination of a packed house, a national audience and a No. 1 opponent gives Tennessee a chance to make the day feel even bigger before the game itself begins. [Read more 🡒]