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Tennessee football vs. Bowling Green: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans (8) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans (8) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /

1. What will Vols’ ground game look like vs. BGSU’s rush defense?

You could say this is somewhat about the trenches, but it’s really about the running game overall on the other side. We’ve already discussed how Tennessee football, despite Josh Heupel’s reputation as a quarterback guru, will rely on the run first.

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Well, the Vols lost their top two offensive producers from last year, and both were running backs. Eric Gray transferred to the Oklahoma Sooners, and Ty Chandler transferred to the North Carolina Tar Heels. Meanwhile, they lost two interior linemen, Trey Smith and center Brandon Kennedy, who were among the most reliable on the team.

With Cade Mays moving to the outside to offset injuries and other transfers at tackle, most notably Wanya Morris to OU as well, the entire interior of the line is new. That means UT’s rushing attack is entirely new. Jabari Small and Tiyon Evans are expected to carry the torches now.

On the other hand, the Bowling Green Falcons had the worst rush-defense in the nation last year. They gave up 310 yards a game and nearly six and a half yards a carry. There’s no reason to believe it’ll be any better this year with three of their top four tacklers gone. As a result, despite all the new faces, the Vols should torch BGSU on the ground.

Next. Vols' top 10 season-opening wins in history. dark

If Tennessee football’s ground game can get going the way it should, the Vols can unleash the full effect of Heupel’s offense. Putting that on display in the opener will create lots of fireworks and give BGSU no chance. As a result, it all comes down to UT’s rushing attack.

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