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Tennessee football at Arkansas: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 1: View of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, home of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and John McDonnell Field before a game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Razorback Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 1: View of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, home of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and John McDonnell Field before a game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Razorback Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Sep 26, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Excitement for Arkansas vs. rest for Vols

Given the fact that they are coming off a bye week, Tennessee football has reason to be excited and should be well-rested. The Vols were dealing with multiple injury issues up front and a few other issues elsewhere, but they should be much better with that rest. Guys like Wanya Morris, Jerome Carvin, Bryce Thompson and Jeremy Banks should be in much better position.

However, another question is whether or not they have the proper excitement for this game. After all, UT is still on a three-game losing streak and below .500. Also, they have lost all three games by at least 23 points. One of those losses coming to the Kentucky Wildcats likely does even more to hurt their morale, as that was one of the must-wins on this team’s slate.

On the other hand, the Arkansas Razorbacks are much more excited about their 2-3 record under Sam Pittman. If not for a bad call against the Auburn Tigers, they could be 3-2, and they have played every team close.Unlike Jeremy Pruitt, Pittman is in his first year, and Arkansas has the toughest schedule in the nation, so the program is playing this season with house money.

Given these facts, the Hogs are likely to be much more excited about playing this game. UT initially wrote this off as a circled win but now is desperate to win it. Will the gap between desperation and motivation outweigh the Vols’ rest? After all, Arkansas has been in some brutal matchups recently. We’ll know on Saturday.

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