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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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Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee linebacker Deandre Johnson (13) celebrates a sack he made during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee linebacker Deandre Johnson (13) celebrates a sack he made during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /

7. Which pass rush shows up?

Both Barry Odom and Derrick Ansley loved to rely on pressure from their front seven when it comes to defense. Throughout the year, their pass rushes have shown up at different times. However, the one that shows up in this game will have a major advantage, and to be fair, this could come down to pass protection as much as anything else.

What stands out for the Vols is individual talent. Deandre Johnson was crucial in Tennessee football’s win over the South Carolina Gamecocks with two and a half sacks, and he had another sack against the Missouri Tigers. However, he had a targeting call that knocked him out against the Georgia Bulldogs and hasn’t come down with a sack since.

On the Arkansas Razorbacks, the pass rush has been more collective. Dorian Gerald and Eric Gregory each have one and a half sacks, and nine players overall have at least been in on a sack this year, with seven of them having at least one solo sack. This type of rotation makes them dangerous to deal with, meaning the play of the UT edge blockers has to improve.

It’s a safe bet that the Vols’ pass rush gave them their win at South Carolina and the Hogs’ pass rush kept them in the game with Georgia and the Auburn Tigers while also helping them to beat the Ole Miss Rebels. If one team begins to get a lot of pressure in this game, then it’s pretty clear they’ll have a huge advantage.

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