Tennessee Volunteers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Preview and Prediction
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3) return to the friendly confines of Fayetteville on Saturday playing host to the Tennessee Volunteers (2-3). Both teams seek to get back to even on the season while keeping hopes alive for a shot at postseason play in this SEC cross-divisional showdown.
What started out as a promising season, ranked No. 16 with two wins in the column, has turned into a three-game slide for the Volunteers. Tennessee has faced three standout defenses in Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama and must now take on an improved Razorbacks squad. Before the three-game slide, Tennessee posted wins over South Carolina and Missouri putting 31 or more points on the board. Since the hot start, Tennessee’s scoring efforts have been cut in half averaging 15 points a game.
The good news for Arkansas fans, the Hogs have been on a lose one, win one streak this season putting the Volunteers in their crosshairs for a victory. The Razorbacks get back after coming home from a 42-31 loss to then- No. 8 Texas A&M. Arkansas outgained the Aggies 461 to 422, but failed on two field goal attempts and was stopped on 8-of-11 third down tries. With Tennessee fresh off a bye, Arkansas is in for another slugfest.
Tennessee vs. Arkansas
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Spread: Tennessee -2
When Tennessee Has the Ball
Which Tennessee team shows up this weekend? The one that ran for 232 yards while throwing for 190 against Missouri or the team that was held to 302 yards against Alabama? Vols’ tailbacks Eric Gray and Ty Chandler will be happy to know that the Razorbacks’ run defense has been slipping of late. Auburn rushed for 259 against the Hogs followed by a 242-yard effort for Ole Miss and 182 for the Aggies.
Tennessee field general Jarrett Guarantano has yet to have that breakout performance during the 2020 season. Throwing for a season-high 259 yards in the opener against USC, he has struggled to push the ball downfield consistently settling for the short to intermediate routes. His 6:3 touchdown to interception ratio helps paint the picture. Guarantano’s primary weapon on passing downs is Josh Palmer. Palmer has brought in 19 passes for 295 yards with four of the team’s six receiving touchdowns. Gray and Chandler are options out of the backfield for Guarantano.
The Hogs have been solid against the pass limiting teams to 245 yards per game. If the opposing team scores 30 or more points, chalk up a loss for Arkansas. A strength for Arkansas most of the season on defense has been getting off the field on third downs. A&M exploit that converting 7-of-11 tries.
When Arkansas Has the Ball
Regardless of the opponent, game by game the Arkansas offense is improving and becoming more balanced. Senior transfer quarterback Feleipe Franks had another very good all-around game against A&M throwing for 239 yards and three scores without an interception while rushing for 91 yards. The accuracy was not pinpoint completing 23-of-31 and he took four sacks, but he is gelling with his guys.
The bad news for Tennessee’s defense, Rakeem Boyd appears to be fully back. Battling injuries over the first four games, Boyd had a season-high 18 carries for 100 yards with a touchdown against the Aggies. His presence in the box will help open up lanes for emerging superstar receiver Treylon Burks. Burks posted his fourth 100-yard plus game of 2020 last time out snagging seven for 117 yards with two touchdowns. More touches are coming freshman tight end Hudson Henry’s way. Henry was more of chain mover securing six for 33 in the A&M game, but those opportunities will start popping for big gains.
Tennessee is allowing 33 points per game to the opposition. Volunteer fans might be quick to point out having played two top-5 teams in Georgia and Alabama. For those fans, four of Arkansas’ five games have been against top-16 teams, two in the top-10 including Georgia. The Hogs’ offense struggled to put points up on the board over the course of the first four, but the 31-point output against A&M is a sign of the improvements made.
Final Analysis
Tennessee and Arkansas have a lot of similarities, namely proud programs trying to get back their previous winning ways. The path forward for both squads is still daunting this season, it’s the SEC, and both need this one for a postseason invite. The Hogs have the forward momentum and homefield advantage plus have won two consecutive against the Vols and three of the last four.
Prediction: Arkansas 28, Tennessee 21
Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 16 Treylon Burks