Tennessee football is looking to stay unbeaten on the 2024 season as they head to Fayetteville for a conference showdown against Arkansas.
The Vols have not truly been tested this season and they’re two touchdown favorites against an Arkansas team that’s 3-2 (1-1 SEC) with a pair of narrow losses away from home.
Taking a look at three keys for Tennessee to take care of business on the road and return to Knoxville ahead of a long home stand in the middle of conference play.
More From RTI: Tennessee Announces Five Captains for Arkansas Game
Win On The Offensive Line Of Scrimmage
Tennessee gets starting offensive tackles Lance Heard and John Campbell back against the Razorbacks is a huge boost for the Vols’ offense. Still, the sample size of meaningful play for Tennessee’s offensive line this season is small. In that sample, they’ve been fantastic run blocking and a tad shaky in pass protection.
That matches up with Arkansas’ defensive line. The Razorbacks have been strong against the run this season. It won’t be an easy game for Tennessee to run the ball but the Vols’ rushing attack has been good enough to think they’ll still have success. If Tennessee is solid running the ball than I have a hard time seeing how Arkansas can win this game.
Arkansas’ pass defense has been gettable and its pass rush has been middle of the pack in the SEC. If Tennessee’s offensive line can give Nico Iamaleava time up front than I think the Vols will hit big plays in the pass game.
If Tennessee’s offensive line can win in either area than I’m confident they’ll win this game. If they win in both regards than I’m confident they’ll score 40 points.
Force Taylen Green To Beat You Methodically With His Arm
Like Tennessee, Arkansas has one of the SEC’s best rushing offense. Unlike Tennessee, there hasn’t been a ton of reason for optimism with the Razorbacks’ passing attack this season.
In fact, Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (162) has attempted 74 more passes than Nico Iamaleava (88) this season and only has 344 more passing yards. Green has been inconsistent and inaccurate passing the football this season. He’s hit some big plays but has struggled to throw the ball accurately over the middle and when the field shrinks.
The Razorbacks have run for 16 touchdowns in the red zone this season. They have one passing touchdown in the red zone.
If Tennessee can continue to limit big plays in the passing game and make Green move the ball methodically with his arm against a stout pass rush than it’s hard to see Arkansas having constant offensive success.
Red Zone Offense
One of the main areas that Tennessee talked about the need to improve this offseason was red zone offense. Through four games, the Vols have not been great offensively in the red zone.
Tennessee has scored just 15 touchdowns on 24 trips to the red zone this season and they’ve padded the stats in red zone trips against Chattanooga and Kent State.
Improved red zone efficiency is one of the top areas that Tennessee’s offense can still improve and I’m confident they’ll have chances in this game. If they can capitalize and score seven points instead of settling for three than Tennessee should roll in this one.
