Tennessee football exits its first open date of the 2024 season 4-0 (1-0 SEC) and ranked fourth nationally in the AP Poll. The Vols have largely been dominant through the first four weeks of the season, outpacing Chattanooga and Kent State by over 60 points while also cruising past NC State and Oklahoma.
The four lopsided wins have Tennessee racing out to program record pace both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Tennessee’s 218 points scored is its most through four games in the modern era (1933). The Vols’ 28 points allowed through four games is their fewest allowed since 1966 (20), according to Tennessee football Sports Information Director Bill Martin.
Through first 4 games, @Vol_Football:
• 218 points scored – most in modern school history through first 4 (since 1933; pre modern rec is 237 in 1914)
• 28 points allowed – fewest allowed by UT through first 4 since 1966 (20) pic.twitter.com/Hli6RuZVaf— Bill Martin (@Bill_Martin) September 30, 2024
The exciting part for Tennessee football is that its offense has yet to hit its stride, particularly in the passing game. Josh Heupel called a conservative game against Oklahoma with two starting offensive linemen injured while Tennessee leaned on its ground game and 12 personnel in its win over NC State.
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Tennessee did rack up points in wins over Chattanooga and Kent State. In fact, the Vols score 140 of their 218 points this season in those two games. However, Tennessee’s passing game finding another gear would help counteract the harder level of competition as the season progresses.
Not only is Tennessee’s defense off to one of its best starts in program history, seven of the 28 points they’ve given up actually came on a Nico Iamaleava pick six against NC State.
The Vols rank in the top five nationally in a number of team statistics through September including scoring offense (1st), scoring defense (2nd), total offense (3rd), total defense (1st), rushing offense (4th), rushing defense (2nd) and passing defense (4th).
Tennessee returns to the field this week when they head to Arkansas to face the Razorbacks. Arkansas boasts a pass defense that has struggled this season and presents opportunities for the Vols’ passing attack to have success.
Kickoff between the Vols and Razorbacks is at 7:30 p.m. ET at D.W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night. ABC is broadcasting the game.
