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Tennessee football stock report after Week 7 of 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction
Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction /
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Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) scores a touchdown in the second quarter during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction
Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) scores a touchdown in the second quarter during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction /

Stock up

Running backs

This one is obvious. Tennessee football’s running backs were the one positive on Saturday. On the Vols’ one touchdown drive, Eric Gray and Ty Chandler gained all 75 yards. Gray led the way with 24 catches for 128 yards and three catches for 20 yards. However, Chandler had 12 carries for 51 yards, one catch for four yards, a key fourth down conversion run and a touchdown.

Both players were elite in the game. Jabari Small even came in and had two carries for 12 yards. Altogether, these guys combined to have over 200 yards from scrimmage and gain 191 yards on the ground. Jim Chaney used to love using multiple running backs when he was with the Georgia Bulldogs. He should try to get back to that with the Vols.

Interior blockers

You could really just say the run game in general has a high stock. The Vols’ interior blocking was as much a reason for the running backs’ success as the running backs themselves. In fact, the combination of these guys and all the struggles elsewhere makes it an indictment against Chaney for not running the ball more the past couple of weeks.

Despite the issues in protection, Trey Smith has been superb throughout. The same holds true for Brandon Kennedy. After struggling for a couple of weeks, Cade Mays settled down and lined up at guard for much of this game due to an injury to Jerome Carvin. He was superb as well. It’s hard to see, but this remains a strength of the line.

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