Tennessee was able to tune their game against an overmatched opponent last weekend. This weekend, the UTEP Miners come to Neyland stadium riding a 14-game losing streak. This includes a loss to FCS Northern Arizona in week one. Tennessee should have no problem handling this opponent. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean there aren’t things to watch for as the Vols prepare for SEC play. There are still several questions and outright mistakes the Vols look to correct before the third Saturday in September arrives. Below, you will find the three critical items that need to address this Saturday. These are going to be our Tennessee key three for the week.
The Tennessee Key Three: What do the Vols need to show against UTEP?
After a tough week one matchup exposed Tennessee, the back to back home games against an FCS and a lower tier FBS opponent gives this coaching staff an excellent opportunity to address these concerns. There were several items the Vols were able to clean up in the 59 – 3 blasting of in-state ETSU. Still, there were other items that are worrisome as the Gators loom on the schedule. Without looking ahead too much, here are the most important takeaways needed from the UTEP game.
Offensive Line Cohesion and Development
Make no mistake, the offensive line play for Tennessee has been subpar thus far this year. West Virginia’s defensive front has added some nice pieces over the offseason, but this was still far from an SEC front seven. There’s no reason a defensive tackle should have a free lane to the quarterback. This was the case on the first play in Charlotte and Jarett Guarantano took a dangerous hit. Maybe more concerning was the consistent penetration that ETSU achieved before the weather delay last weekend. While many believed this offensive line could be a strength of the team, it seems they will again be a liability until proven otherwise.
Tennessee had to overcome a large hurdle when Brandon Kennedy went down in practice with a torn ACL before the ETSU game. In our newcomer’s article, Kennedy was Identified as a key newcomer to watch this year. He could have provided stability to the interior of this line. This has forced offensive line coach Will Friend and the rest of this staff to shuffle their lineup.
This coaching staff still needs to find their top five combination. They started last week with Ryan Johnson shifting back to center with Jahmir Johnson and Chance Hall working at guard. However, there were several combinations that were utilized against the Buccaneers. Part of this was due to the flow of the game and the chance to rotate some young guys.
But, Jeremy Pruitt has stated this week that they are still fluid with the starters here. This staff does not seem opposed to rotating men in this position to keep players fresh either. It is yet to be seen if this will help give them a competitive edge to impose their will late in games or hurt this unit build chemistry early in this season.
This Week
For the game this weekend, the offensive line needs to dominate. With talented players such as Cece Jefferson preparing to come to town, the line needs to gain some confidence bullying an inferior opponent and settle on a lineup this staff is comfortable with to build chemistry. This is key as the meat of this imposing schedule begins. If UTEP is able to consistently disrupt Guarantano and the rest of the backfield this week, it will not bode well for the rest of the season in the SEC. Tennessee needs to play four quarters of SEC football in the trenches. The fans, coaches, and players need to gain some confidence in this much-maligned unit moving forward.
Fast Start Out of the Gates
Another popular talking point this week has been the lack of energy and execution Tennessee has shown early on. If ex-coach Butch Jones talked about energy vampires last year, then the UT sideline early in games seems to be Transylvania. The Vols have come out flat in two straight games. West Virginia could be chalked up to a tough opening game in a new system, but there is no reason the Vols should have been held to under 25 rushing yards well into the second quarter against an FCS opponent.
This Week
Tennessee needs to show that they can come out swinging early in games. With a razor-thin margin for error, this team needs every advantage it can get against stellar competition in the coming weeks. This group cannot get accustomed to these slow starts if they want to compete and make a bowl game. With another overmatched opponent coming to Neyland, Tennessee needs to make a statement with an early touchdown and get the offense clicking early.
Tennessee’s coaching staff may need to use the scripted start to their advantage and dial up some energy and excitement with more aggressive play calling early. Tyson Helton has shown he wants to establish the run early. A couple of early, deep play action passes will work to keep the defense honest. This will prevent UTEP from loading the box and open up some running lanes for Tim Jordan, Jeremy Banks, and company. Whatever it takes, the Vols need to prove that they can be dangerous for four full quarters. This team needs to be ready to play starting from the opening kick.
Domination, Part Two
Finally! It seemed long overdue for the Vols to decimate an overmatched opponent when they were heavy favorites. Over the past decade or so, Vols fans have watched with frustration as they sweated out close games with the likes of Ohio, Appalachian State, Wyoming, Southern Miss, and several other subpar opponents. In this edition of David vs. Goliath, the Vols flipped the script and dominated their opponent as they should have. With defensive and special teams touchdowns the Vols cruised for the majority of this game. Also, an aggressive backfield presence headlined by Banks wreaked havoc.
This week
Tennessee fans know who is on the schedule next week. This is always an anticipated matchup, and the Gators are reeling from a humbling loss to Kentucky. Tennessee fans are eagerly anticipating Neyland at night when the swamp lizards crawl into town. Still, this team cannot get caught looking ahead and allow UTEP to make this a game.
Tennessee needs to take care of business, answer a few questions especially in the trenches, and gain some experience for youth while limiting the reps of your starters as much as possible. In order to do this, Tennessee needs to take advantage of a struggling opponent in the Miners. This game is a perfect opportunity to continue to gain confidence and momentum while getting the opportunity for development in a game setting. The Vols should be able to blow another opponent out. Frankly, there should be no reason for this team to struggle on Saturday. Look for the offense to aim for a few more scores themselves while the defense and special teams attempt to maintain their dominant form in this game.
