After one of the most emotional victories in this history of Tennessee football, the Vols get a break with a much needed off week. However, that doesn’t mean it’s pool time. The Vols have things to work on here.
These are the four things that must get fixed before Tennessee plays Arkansas on Oct. 5.
Get healthy up front
Tennessee was closer to losing to Oklahoma than you might think. Sure, the Vols seemingly dominated the game, but with two offensive tackles out due to injury, the Vols could have easily given up another strip-sack and lost the game. The Vols have to get healthier on the outside or they’ll struggle later this season.
Senior Dayne Davis tried his best against the Sooners, but he had a couple of busts, likely because he’s had to learn two different positions in recent weeks and throughout his career. The problem is he’s never been able to settle at a position. He’s played center, left guard and both offensive tackle positions in the past two seasons.
One would think Lance Heard will be ready to play by the Arkansas game, considering most thought he would be able to play on Saturday against Oklahoma. That, for some odd reason, didn’t happen. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said both Heard and fellow tackle John Campbell, Jr., should be ready to play against Arkansas on Oct. 5. Campbell was knocked out of the Oklahoma game in the first half.
Every Vol should have a pep in their step after a bye week, but the Vols just need a couple of offensive linemen to be able to “step” before Tennessee plays the Razorbacks.
Find another tailback
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop has certainly lived up to his coaches’ preseason hype. He seems entrenched as the Vols No. 2 tailback and is a good fit for the Vols’ offense. Starting tailback Dylan Sampson has been a beast as an all-around tailback compared to his scat back past. There would be nothing wrong with Sampson continuing to refine his pass blocking skills, but that’s for another column.
It’s important to note that both tailbacks aren’t huge and the meat of the Vols’ schedule lies ahead. Tennessee has to have freshman Peyton Lewis or sophomore Cameron Seldon ready to play simply because the odds are the Vols will get a tailback banged up at some point this season.
Continue development at receiver
Tennessee would love to be able to rotate a trio of receivers in between drives. That was part of preseason talk that has yet to come to fruition. So far this season, the Vols have relied on the same three receivers when games were still in question: seniors Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton Jr., and sophomore Chris Brazzell II.
Other than junior Squirrel White, the Vols haven’t turned to many other players in clutch time, which should be considered the first half against North Carolina State and the entire Oklahoma game. If the Vols really want to rotate receivers in more often, like junior Squirrel White, sophomore Kaleb Webb or freshman Mike Matthews, this is the week to do it.
Relax – just a bit
Tennessee is fortunate that the the Vols had an off week following such an emotional trip to Oklahoma. It meant a lot for Tennessee’s players and, of course, head coach Josh Heupel as he returned to his alma mater. The Vols can breath a bit, but not for long if they want to compete for a national championship.
