After a much-needed bye week, the #4 Tennessee Volunteers are traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Vols are favored by 13.5 points as they look to start the season 2-0 in conference play.
Although favored by two touchdowns, Arkansas will not be an easy win. They are 3-2 on the year, and both of those losses came from ranked opponents, but by a combined margin of 12 points. If the Vols want to win big, these position groups and players will need to show up big time.
Coach Heupel says Vols need to be focused and ready for a good Arkansas football team on Saturday. #Tennessee #Vols #Heupel #Arkansas #Razorbacks pic.twitter.com/2ILQOxDJp9
— James Boofer 📸 📰 (@YankeefaninTenn) September 30, 2024
Offensive Line
The offensive line was very iffy in the Oklahoma game. They allowed Nico Iamaleava to be sacked three times, two of those being strip sacks, and the Vols only averaged 2.9 yards per carry on the ground.
The good news is that starting tackles Lance Heard and John Campbell Jr. are expected to be ready to go for the game on Saturday. Their return to the lineup is vital for stopping the Arkansas front seven who have managed 26 TFLs and 10 sacks this year.
Arkansas only allows 93 yards per game on the ground, and Tennessee is the nation’s most efficient rushing team. Establishing the run game will be important early, and will determine how successful the Vols’ offense will be.
Players to Watch:
Lance Heard, John Campbell Jr., Cooper Mays
Defensive Line
Opposite of the offensive line, the defensive line was dominant against Oklahoma. The group accounted for six TFLs and three sacks against the Sooners. Getting after the quarterback will be very important in this matchup, as opponents are averaging 2.4 sacks/game against Arkansas.
Another good sign for the Vols’ defensive line is that Arkansas has 12 fumbles on the year. The group forced two for the Vols against Oklahoma. Arkansas’ ball security issue should be a focus point of the Vols defensive line in this game and could help the Vols take the game over early.
Players to Watch:
James Pearce Jr., Tyre West, Joshua Josephs, Elijah Simmons
Dylan Sampson
Dylan Sampson fell back down to earth against Oklahoma. He had 24 carries for 92 yards, one touchdown, and only averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Arkansas, like Oklahoma, is very good at stopping the run, only allowing 93 yards per game on the ground.
Sampson will need to make the most out of his runs this week, as they may not be as numerous as last weeks’. Getting him going early is essential to the Vols offense firing on all cylinders.
Sam Pittman called Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson "bad to the bone."
Sampson has 449 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns in four games this season.
— Daniel Fair (@DanFair88) September 30, 2024
Wide Receivers
The wide receivers were relatively quiet against Oklahoma, only accounting for 10 total catches. This is largely in part due to conservative play calling in the second half. They have an opportunity to be a large part of the offense this weekend against Arkansas.
Arkansas has allowed 1,132 passing yards this season, with a majority of those yards coming from wide receivers. They have also allowed eight receiving touchdowns on the year.
The wide receivers have a chance to expose the weakness of the Razorbacks’ defense and put up seriously big numbers.
Players to Watch:
Dont’e Thornton, Bru McCoy, Chris Brazzell II
The Vols should take care of business in Fayetteville, but should not approach this game with the mindset that they can just walk all over Arkansas.
The Razorbacks will put up a good fight, and will hope they can catch the Vols looking ahead to arch-rival Florida. Josh Heupel will need to keep his guys ready and composed for the game they are playing, if they want to truly dominate this Razorbacks team.
The Vols are back in action Saturday, October 5. They will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium.
Prediction:
Vols: 42
Arkansas: 17
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