Tennessee’s pass rush is coming off one of its best games of head coach Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ tenure two weeks ago against South Carolina.
The Vols front four showed serious potential in non conference matchups against Virginia, Austin Peay and UTSA but struggled in their SEC opener against Florida.
Tennessee showed that the non conference games weren’t a fluke against South Carolina as its front seven made life miserable for Gamecocks’ quarterback Spencer Rattler. James Pearce Jr. totaled two sacks and Tyler Baron added another as the Vols totaled six in the win.
South Carolina has one of the SEC’s worst offensive lines and Tennessee took advantage of that in a big way. With Texas A&M traveling to Neyland Stadium this weekend, the Vols’ defensive front is staring down another opportunity for a big game.
Texas A&M’s offensive line has been inconsistent at best and bad at worst. The Aggies have struggled to run the football against nearly everyone they’ve played this season and Tennessee’s defense has excelled at stopping the run this season.
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That gives Tennessee an opportunity to put the Aggies into an abundance of third-and-longs. That’s where the Vols’ defense has thrived. The Vols’ third down pass rush package has been lethal this season and is helping pick up a Tennessee secondary that has played better this season but still has deficiencies.
“Any time you can get home with four, your coverage variety starts to expand, and it gives guys a chance to not just always be in one-on-one situations,” Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks said earlier this week. “Our front has done a really good job of getting to the quarterback, but I would tell guys, just like I said last year, I think our secondary has done a really good job of buying some time to give those guys a chance. It always goes hand in hand, but when you can get home with four, it definitely takes some pressure off the back seven in general.”
Alabama’s ability to pressure Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson was the difference in the Crimson Tide’s win in College Station last week. Johnson has been prone to hold onto the football and take sacks this season. If Tennessee can win on early downs than its front four will have the opportunity to get after Johnson in obvious passing downs.
That’s been a recipe for Tennessee defensive success and Texas A&M offensive struggles so far this season.
Kickoff at Neyland Stadium is at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell are on the call for CBS.
