Tennessee will face off against Arkansas on Saturday. The Vols, based on all indications, should win easily. However, Ole Miss’ loss last weekend is a reminder that no game in the SEC is a surefire win.
In other words, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel does not want to be Lane Kiffin after the game, as the Ole Miss head coach had to explain away a loss to a double-digit underdog. However, the two matchups are eerily similar.
The Vols, like Ole Miss, are expected to compete for a national championship and games like Arkansas and Kentucky are supposed to just be bumps in the road. However, both underdogs present a significant challenge.
For the Rebels, that resulted in a loss against Kentucky last week. For the Vols, they also have to play a road game against a team that prides itself on being tough and physical.
Could history repeat itself? Yes. Will it? Most likely not.
Here are four reasons why the Vols won’t be upset by the Razorbacks on Saturday at 7:30 EST.
Tennessee’s defense
There have been plenty of times in which the Vols didn’t play their best on the road, especially in hostile environments, in which they’ll face on Saturday. However, that shouldn’t be as much of a concern for Tennessee this season because they’re as much defense-based as offense-based in Heupel’s fourth season as the Vols’ head coach.
There are times when even the best offenses don’t travel well and struggle on the road. Communication can be a problem and, in this case, a young quarterback like Nico Iamaleava can get overwhelmed. However, defenses typically play as well on the road as they do at home. For the record, the Vols have the No. 1 total defense in yards allowed with 176 yards yielded per contest. Tennessee’s defense will be formidable no matter where the Vols play.
Tennessee’s defensive line
Apologies if I seem redundant here, but the Vols’ defensive line can win the game for Tennessee, but it can also lose it. If Tennessee fails to be disciplined in the running game and stay in their lanes when rushing the quarterback, Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green could make it a long day for the Vols. He is the leading rusher among quarterbacks in the SEC. This would be a real threat if not for depth.
Tennessee’s depth on the defensive line helps it be fresh throughout the game. However, it also makes the Vols less likely to continually bust assignments and allow Green to run free. If any Tennessee defensive linemen isn’t playing their responsibilities the correct way, they’ll be replaced with a player that can do the job. Competition will force the Vols to be disciplined if they want to stay on the field.
Arkansas can’t defend the pass
The Razorbacks rank 14th in the SEC in passing defense, allowing 226 yards per game. I’d be stunned if the Vols don’t top that number on Saturday. In fact, this could be Iamaleava’s SEC breakout party. He managed the game well against Oklahoma, but he’s yet to be a super star against an SEC team. That could – and will likely – happen this week.
Dylan Sampson and the Vols’ offensive line
Let’s start with this presumption: Tennessee’s offensive line will be healthy at the tackle position. While no one knows for sure, Heupel has said he expects tackles Lance Heard and John Campbell Jr., to be back after Heard wasn’t available against Oklahoma and Campbell was knocked out in the first half of the Sooners matchup.
This may surprise you, but Sampson is the leading rusher in the SEC with 112 yards per game. He also has a nose for the end zone, ranking second in the nation with 10 touchdowns this season. If the Vols are healthy and can adequately protect Iamaleava, then expect a victory based on the passing game. If not, the Vols can run the ball behind a strong set of guards and center Cooper Mays.
Prediction: Tennessee 42, Arkansas 13
