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Tennessee football: Five reasons Vols could upset Auburn Tigers

By Caleb Calhoun

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 8: General view of a pylon at Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama State Hornets on September 8, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 8: General view of a pylon at Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama State Hornets on September 8, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Oct 10, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) rolls out to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) rolls out to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Vols have the personnel to force Bo Nix into making mistakes

Derrick Ansley and Jeremy Pruitt rely on their edge rushers and complex blitz packages to stop defenses. That unit finally came alive again in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks for the first time since Tennessee football’s season-opening win on the road over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Meanwhile, the way to beat Bo Nix is key. You have to force him to throw from the pocket. This is exactly how the South Carolina Gamecocks beat him. They kept him in the pocket, and he threw three interceptions. The same holds true with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Defensive coordinators who studied under Nick Saban have the exact scheme to force Nix into making mistakes, even if they don’t make great head coaches in general. Expect Pruitt to follow the lead of Kirby Smart and Will Muschamp and make sure Nix can’t get out of the pocket to use his dangerous mobility.

If Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett get enough pressure, the Vols could pull out the shocker. Don’t forget that pressure was how they pulled off the upset in 2018. A repeat performance could give them a repeat outcome, and they have the players to bring it.

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