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Tennessee football stock report following Week 12 of 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 21, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers receiver Velus Jones (1) carries against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers receiver Velus Jones (1) carries against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (0) holds back and takes a touchback after intercepting the ball in the end zone at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Auburn and Tennessee are tied 10-10 at halftime.
Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (0) holds back and takes a touchback after intercepting the ball in the end zone at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Auburn and Tennessee are tied 10-10 at halftime. /

Stocks to buy

Pass defense

Hear me out. For as bad as Tennessee football’s secondary has been all year, it actually showed some signs of life against the Auburn Tigers on Saturday. The Vols had one busted coverage, allowing for Bo Nix to throw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Schwartz.

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If you take out that play, though, Nix only has 166 passing yards and no touchdowns. Don’t forget that Bryce Thompson had an interception as well. This was not like the Arkansas Razorbacks game, in which the Hogs consistently torched the Vols. Sure, there were some other lapses on the day, but that blown coverage was the only big issue. The unit may be improving.

Wide receivers

As opposed to the Arkansas game when they didn’t get enough chances, the Vols’ receivers did get chances against Auburn. They just didn’t come through. Josh Palmer missed a shot at a jump-ball in the end zone, and a part of the reason for the pick-six was him breaking the wrong way on a route in the end zone.

Top five Vols performers in 30-17 loss at Auburn. light. Related Story

Still, this was a bad day for the receivers, and at some point, Jim Chaney’s going to utilize them more. He’s got three more games to do it, and these guys could certainly finish the year with a splash if they do things right. They have the talent.

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