Tennessee football stock report following Week 10 of 2020
Stock down
Pass defense
It’s only getting worse. Tennessee football had two weeks to fix some of the issues that were plaguing its coverages in the first half of the season. The Vols then allowed an Arkansas Razorbacks team that is not built to score a lot to throw for three touchdowns on its first three offensive drives of the second half. Feleipe Franks torched UT in the third quarter.
What stands out about the pass defense now is the fact that this unit isn’t just inept at covering the slot. Treylon Burks, Arkansas’s go-to wideout, also got a touchdown in this game, meaning everybody is struggling. Sure, Alontae Taylor and Shawn Shamburger weren’t on the field last Saturday, but the trends are too obvious. UT is struggling severely.
Coaching
Nobody could deny this one. The Vols had two weeks to get ready for Arkansas, and while the bye looked like it paid off at halftime as they had a 13-0 lead, it’s clear they didn’t focus on one key thing while they were off: halftime adjustments. Arkansas poured it on them in the second half, and the running game went away.
Sure, it was partially due to Jarrett Guarantano’s injury. However, it also had to do with Jim Chaney’s play-calling being so predictable. Then, when Harrison Bailey came in late, Chaney didn’t try a pass with him until 4th and 4, when Jeremy Pruitt decided to go for it in the red zone. That decision was also questioned. All of this puts the staff under pressure now.