There’s a chance Tennessee Football has its easiest FBS foe in history on Saturday. This game will be about getting the backups in as quickly as possible. However, it’s also an opportunity for the starters to rack up tons of stats against a truly awful opponent. Who will do that and be responsible for ending this by halftime? These are the five Vols to watch for agains the Kent State Golden Flashes.
5. Keenan Pili
One odd stat of Kent State is just how many tackles and tackles for a loss they give up to linebackers. They have allowed six tackles for a loss to linebackers alone this year, and their style of offense combined with poor play screams for linebackers to make big plays. Enter Keenan Pili, the leader of the unit for the Vols. He will be critical to taking over, and this could be another breakout game for him.
4. Dylan Sampson
Against the Pittsburgh Panthers, Kent State gave up 145 yards on just 14 carries to Desmond Reid. Dylan Sampson could be better than that based on what he showed last week for Tennessee Football against the N.C. State Wolfpack, so he should go off early. Since he’s really just running against air, he could have 200 yards by halftime.
3. Arion Carter
Sticking with the linebackers, four of the six sacks Kent State has allowed on the year have been to that position. Arion Carter had a mini-breakout game last week against N.C. State, and he’s a rising superstar, so expectations are for him to just get better. That should create a lane for him to dominate this weekend and rack up even more stats before he is pulled.
2. Nico Iamaleava
Josh Heupel may not say it, but he clearly wants Nico Iamaleava to be the first Heisman winner in Tennessee Football history. Against a truly awful team, that should mean racking up tons of stats, at least by halftime. Iamaleava should once again go for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a half in this one, and he could potentially do even more.
1. Bru McCoy
Speaking of the passing game, Kent State has given up over 100 yards to the No. 1 wideout on each of the past two teams. Dont’e Thornton was the star for the Vols in their opener, and Squirrel White was their leading receiver last week. It’s now Bru McCoy’s turn. The leader of the unit is also the most talented, and this is his chance to be the best statistically as well.
