Tennessee is moving on from the Auburn win and into Week 6 with Arkansas next on the schedule, and the matchup gives the Vols a clear chance to target a few specific areas. If the Razorbacks keep struggling the way they have early this season, there are Tennessee players who should be in line for a big Saturday.
Mike Matthews looks like the most obvious candidate to pop. Arkansas sits No. 113 nationally in opponents’ yards per pass, a number that points directly to trouble in coverage and a real chance for explosive plays.
That lines up cleanly with Matthews’ game. He can threaten downfield, and he can also do damage after the catch if a short throw turns into something bigger.
This has the feel of a game where Tennessee’s passing attack could start to find its rhythm.
Arion Carter is another name that fits this matchup. He has already been a tackle machine for Tennessee this season, and Arkansas’ offense gives him a chance to keep piling up stops.
The Razorbacks have had problems moving the ball, especially on the ground, where they are averaging just 2.8 yards per attempt. On top of that, they are vulnerable to pressure, which can force their quarterback into scramble mode and create more chances for Carter and the rest of the linebackers to finish plays.
The third spot isn’t really about one player as much as it is Tennessee’s defensive front as a whole. Arkansas is throwing the ball on 58.9% of its plays, which ranks 8th in the nation, and that kind of volume should create plenty of sack opportunities.
The reason for all that passing is pretty simple: the offense has not been productive, and the defense has given up a lot of points, leaving Arkansas trying to play catch-up for much of the game. Add in the fact that Arkansas allows sacks 6.7% of the time, and Tennessee’s front should have a strong chance to turn pressure into real damage.
With Arkansas lacking a consistent run game, Tennessee’s edge rushers can focus on attacking the quarterback without much concern. That’s why this feels like a game where the Vols’ defensive line could take over in a hurry.
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Tennessee's Pass Rush Is Carrying The Vols For One Big Reason
Through five games, Tennessees defensive front has been doing the heavy lifting, and it has become hard to miss how much Rodney Garners group has shaped the Vols start. The line leads the nation with 23 sacks, including 10 in conference play, and it has paired that disruption with 42 tackles for loss, a total that ranks eighth nationally.
Marion Dye and Xavier Gilliam have been central to the surge, with each posting four sacks while Gilliam has also piled up 8.5 tackles for loss. The bigger takeaway for Tennessee is that the pass rush has not just been a nice extra, it has helped keep the Vols competitive in recent games, which makes the next stretch a useful test of how long this edge can hold. [Read more 🡒]
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Tennessee's Run Game Already Has Arkansas Feeling The Pressure
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That kind of success has been hard for opponents to ignore, especially with Tennessee carrying a 37-2 record under Heupel when it clears 200 rushing yards and having done so in all four of its wins this season. Arkansas defensive coordinator Ron Roberts already acknowledged the challenge ahead, and the bigger question now is whether the Razorbacks can handle Tennessees physical style well enough to slow the game down before it gets away from them. [Read more 🡒]