Tennessee football vs. Georgia: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Bulldogs

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Oct 9, 2021; Knoxville, TN, USA; From left, Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III (38), defensive back Trevon Flowers (1), and linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) celebrate a fumble recovery against South Carolina in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Will the Vols linebackers get off any blocks to contain the run?

Here is why Tennessee football has struggled so severely on third down. The Vols linebackers have been struggling to get off blocks all year, and they were at the heart of the team’s tackling problems against Kentucky. This has created issues beyond just stopping standard run plays.

Issues at linebacker have resulted in quarterbacks having their best games on the ground against Rocky Top. Matt Corral ran for 195 yards. Bryce Young ran for nearly 50 yards, which he doesn’t do. Will Levis was four yards away from topping his best rushing performance as well until a couple of key sacks late ended that.

Stetson Bennett won’t be any easier for the Vols. He’s a pocket passer, but he can be mobile when he needs to be. As a result, if Kirby Smart wants to, he and Todd Monken can design plays for Bennett to use his legs, and UT may not be ready for that.

The problem is that the Vols were already thin at linebacker, then Juwan Mitchell suffered a season-ending injury. There are young guys who have potential, but the main guys, Aaron Beasley and Jeremy Banks, are a converted safety and converted running back respectively. Tim Banks just needs help here.

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