COMMENTARY: Quarter-century drought at Fayetteville likely to end today
· Yahoo Sports
Arkansas has a pretty bad statistical combination — the Razorbacks have the worst scoring offense (19.8 points a game) in the Southeastern Conference and the next-to-worst scoring defense (28.4 ppg) scoring defense.
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Taking those numbers into consideration, Tennessee could have a decided edge this afternoon when they meet in Fayetteville.
Of course, this is college football. Crazy things have a way of happening when that odd-shaped ball starts bouncing around. But, if you’re a Volunteers fan, you’ve gotta like the chances of having a good experience.
While Josh Heupel and his staff work through the hiccups that are going on with the quarterback situation, Tennessee’s running game will be a reliable area on which to depend. With DeSean Bishop handling the bulk of the load, once he got better after being dinged against Texas, the Vols are second in the league in rushing (240.6 yards per game). Arkansas, on the other hand, is 14th out of 16 defending the run (146.0).
Give all the statistical edges to Tennessee. However, beyond that, the Vols aren’t quite a sure thing in this matchup.
Without any sort of consistent presence at quarterback, there is always that specter of wonder that something bad might be just over the horizon.
All indications are that George MacIntyre is going to get his first career start at quarterback against the Razorbacks. There has been no talk about what could happen if something goes off script — like MacIntyre struggling mightily or being injured — whether it would be freshman Faizon Brandon or Colorado transfer Ryan Staub who would come in relief.
Though it didn’t come out until after the Auburn game, Brandon was limited in practice with a shoulder injury from the Texas game. Word was that he took limited practice reps in the week leading up to the game.
The extent of the injury was never revealed, but Brandon certainly didn’t look comfortable against the Tigers. He never appeared on the SEC’s availability report.
No matter who does most of the playing against Arkansas, there needs to be progress made. The Vols need to generate more than the 86 yards they got out of their passing game against Auburn.
If they can, it should be easy.
Tennessee 37, Arkansas 17
CALEB JARREAU: Tennessee 24, Arkansas 10
Tennessee may not unlock its offense in Fayetteville, but it shouldn't take much to roll over the Razorbacks.
THEO COLLI: Tennessee 27 Arkansas 16
It’s once again going to be tricky to see if and how the Vols’ offense finds its footing with George MacIntyre starting. I think the team finds its groove, especially with DeSean Bishop once again leading the way. I expect the run game once again to reign supreme as the Vols handle business on the road.
TREVOR MCGEE: Tennessee 24, Arkansas 7
George MacIntyre will have opportunities to push the ball down the field vertically, and he’ll connect once. It’ll be the defense, though, that carries Tennessee to its first win in Fayetteville since 2001.
JACK GLENNON: Tennessee 33, Arkansas 10
To call Arkansas an SEC team is an insult to the rest of the SEC (yes, even Vanderbilt). Look for Tennessee to establish the ground in George MacIntyre’s first start, and stick to it throughout the afternoon.