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Tennessee football vs. UTEP: 10 keys for Vols against Miners

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

3. Awareness of Vols’ linebackers and safeties

We knew this was going to be an issue. Tennessee football is transitioning to a 3-4 defense, and inside linebacker and safeties struggle the most with that. The result was the onslaught you saw the West Virginia Mountaineers give this team in their season-opener.

Last week against the ETSU Bucs was a game against a more balanced offense that Randy Sanders wants to run, and those are easier to defend. But this week, the Vols are going up against another team that likes to use lots of misdirection.

Dana Dimel bases everything in his offensive scheme around the mobility of his quarterback. And using Kai Locksley, he’s going to try to fool the Vols as much as possible. Zone reads and passing plays are very dangerous.

As a result, Jeremy Pruitt’s guys need to be as aware as possible so they can stay in the right positions. Again, that’s a tough ask for a team that is still learning its new system. The good news for the Vols is that the Miners are also learning their new offensive system to counter it.

Also, Darrin Kirkland Jr. has picked up the defense already, it seems. That means he could play a huge role in shutting down anything this team might try to do. Once again, he’ll have to come up big. And the other UT linebackers and safeties need to continue to develop in this game as well. That’s the most fundamental way to stop these guys on Saturday.

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