Utah State @ Tennessee: 5 Things To Watch
By Zach Ragan
Jul 15, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Mack Crowder talks to the media during the SEC Football Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line Play
The Vols will be trotting out an entirely new starting offensive line against the Aggies on Sunday night.
That simple fact has been one of the biggest reason that many folks are predicting the Volunteers could possibly suffer through another losing season.
But it’s not all doom-and-gloom for Tennessee.
Four of Vols’ starting offensive linemen have been in the program for at least three years.
Left guard Marcus Jackson has started five games in his career and appeared in 24 games. Center Mack Crowder has started one game at Tennessee and played in ten games. Right tackle Kyler Kerbyson has played in 19 career games for the Vols.
Left tackle Jacob Gilliam, a fifth year senior, and true freshman right guard Jashon Robertson have the least amount of in-game experience among the revamped UT offensive line. Gilliam has appeared in just three career games at Tennessee, while Robertson has obviously never played in a game.
So while there is reason for trepidation when the Vols take the field for the first time, it’s not like they’re sending five true freshmen out there. These are players, with the exception of Robertson, that have been in a collegiate program for a long time. They may not have the in-game experience, but they know how to play.
And they were fortunate enough to sit behind one of the best offensive line groups that’s ever come through the SEC. The resources have been there to ensure this group will be successful.
Sunday night will be the first time we get to see just how good, or bad, team 118’s offensive line will be. This will be one of the most important things to watch in the Vols’ opener.