Tennessee football: Vols Spring Game preview and live stream
Tennessee football takes the field for the Annual Orange and White Game. Here is the preview of the Volunteers (Orange Team) and the Volunteers (White Team).
By now, everyone knows what is happening on April 21, 2018, for the Tennessee football program. For the first time since November 25, 2017, which was a loss to in-state rival, Vanderbilt, it will be football time in Tennessee for the Volunteers.
There is no question the players are eager to get back on the football field to prove to the nation they are better than the 4-8 record they produced last year. Oh, and there is a new football coach.
First-year head coach, Jeremey Pruitt will lead the Vols out on the field for the first time. I know, it isn’t a real game, but Pruitt wants it to be as close to one as it can be.
Tennessee Volunteers Football
So long to the days of throwing footballs into a trash can for a point or a defensive 3-and-out for a point. This here is Tennessee where real football is played.
The 2018 edition of the Orange and White Game will be played as close to a real game as possible. The only exception is that both teams regardless of the score will partake in the two-minute drill at the end of each half.
The breakdown of the two teams are as follows: Orange Team will consist of the first-team offense with the second-team defense, while the White Team will consist of the second-team offense with the first-team defense. Before we preview both teams, here is the information you need for Saturday’s game.
Tennessee Volunteers (Orange) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (White)
When: Saturday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. E.T.
Where: Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Vol Walk: 12:55 p.m. E.T.
View of the Vols (Orange Team)
The Tennessee football Orange Team is led by quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, and he has his favorite targets along with him. Guarantano completed 61.9 percent of his passes last year with only two interceptions.
Brandon Johnson and Marquez Callaway hauled in 888 yards receiving last year. With one more year of practice and familiarly with Guarantano, the trio could make huge strides going forward.
Ty Chandler starts at running back for the Orange Team which is scary for the first-team defense (White Team). Chandler had a breakout game against the Kentucky Wildcats where he had 120 yards rushing on 22 attempts with two touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how Chandler does against a 3-4 defense with a pretty thin offensive line blocking for him.
On defensive the side of the ball, the Orange Team will see what four-star recruit, Jordan Allen can bring to the field from the linebacker position. Cornerback, Alontae Taylor has been spoken highly of all spring so it will be nice to see if he can produce any turnovers or big plays in the game.
View of the Vols (White Team)
The Tennessee football White Team is led by Will McBride under center. That is right; quarterbacks will be taking snaps under center this year. McBride was 17-of-40 for 152 yards with one touchdown last season.
McBride is joined in the backfield by Trey Coleman and Princeton Fant. Fant has been another player that has had a fantastic spring according to the coaching staff.
Wide receiver, Tyler Byrd is on the second team. There is no question that Byrd has the talent to do big things on Rocky Top; it is just getting it out of him. Maybe a new coaching staff is the right answer for Byrd. Watch to see if he has been able to improve under new and improved coaching.
The White Team is the first-team defense which is a defense without Darrin Kirkland Jr. They can only improve with Kirkland back in the lineup.
There are a lot of intriguing stories on the first-team defense. One is how is the defensive line going to look under and defensive-minded head coach.
Jonathan Kongbo, Shy Tuttle, and Kyle Phillips were all high-rated recruits, and the production has not been there. That is not to say they aren’t good talents, because they are. But, it will be interesting to see what Pruitt can get out of them.
Baylen Buchanan and Shawn Shamburger get the start on the corners with familiar faces in Micah Abernathy and Nigel Warrior rounding out the secondary.
Next: 5 things to watch for in Vols 2018 spring game
Jeremy Pruitt is expecting fans to come a be loud and give the players a real game atmosphere. One thing for sure is even if the fans do not treat it like a real game, the players and coaches are going to.