3. Tennessee linebackers’ ability to contain Terry Wilson
Benny Snell Jr. may be banged up. Terry Wilson may not be that great at throwing the ball downfield. However, through nine games this year, Wilson has done just enough to win seven of them, including throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to beat the Missouri Tigers.
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As a result, Tennessee football still has to take this guy seriously. The biggest key in doing that is limiting his mobility. With Snell, Wilson likes to rely on misdirection plays to take off and find open running room. You just don’t know where he’s going to go.
And this is where the Vols’ linebackers come in. Last week, they did a great job of containment behind the play of Daniel Bituli. This week, Bituli along with Darrin Kirkland Jr. in the middle have to make sure they stay in position because they will be key to containing Snell.
Together, the two have begun to thrive in picking up Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme. But this is where it will be significantly put to the test. On top of Kirkland and Bituli, the outside rushers have to do their part as well.
Darrell Taylor and Deandre Johnson can’t fall for any of the misdirection plays or make the wrong move on what Wilson does with his RPOs. Otherwise, Kentucky will make just enough plays on offense to control the Vols. Again, even with a limited passing game, Kentucky is 7-2. So Tennessee football has to make sure this happens.