Tennessee football vs. BYU: 10 keys for Vols and Cougars

3. Can the UT linebackers contain BYU backfield?

Assuming Tennessee football’s defensive line doesn’t do enough to stop the BYU Cougars’ rushing attack, the Vols’ back seven will have to improve dramatically. And that might be a bit more difficult than you think.

As Shawn Elliott last week brilliant incorporated elements of Steve Spurrier’s Fun-n-Gun with the spread option to maximize Dan Ellington’s skills as a dual-threat quarterback, UT could not stop the Georgia State Panthers on the ground. Well, BYU has similar personnel, including one guy who once played for Elliott and has beaten the Vols.

Running back Ty’Son Williams transferred from the South Carolina Gamecocks and had seven carries for 45 yards and a touchdown last week. Like Ty Chandler, he was underused. Meanwhile, despite throwing two interceptions, quarterback Zach Wilson is a very accurate passer usually, and he was 21-of-33 for 208 yards while rushing eight times for 43 yards.

That versatility puts more pressure on the Vols’ defense to get something going. They bit on every option last week and were incredibly out of position, particularly at linebacker, far too many times. It was embarrassing.

Simply put, the Vols need to find a way to contain Wilson and Williams and not bit on every misdirection play like they did last week. If the Cougars aren’t forced into obvious passing plays like they were, they could torch Jeremy Pruitt’s team on the ground. It’s already happened to UT once, and now it looks likely to happen again.