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Tennessee football: Five reasons Ball State could upset Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

The Vol Walk before a football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football Bp
The Vol Walk before a football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football Bp /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ball State has a power running game to face a questionable Vols’ run defense

Losing Matthew Butler and the major issues at linebacker this year raise tons of questions about just how good Tennessee football will be at stopping the run. That wasn’t a bad part of their game last year, but if there’s a drop-off while the secondary issues remain the same, then we’re talking about an awful defense this year.

Luckily for Vol fans, or unluckily depending on how you look at it, Ball State is perfectly positioned to reveal if this will be an issue. Although the Cardinals have new players at guard on both sides, both players have been in the system for at least four years, so there is plenty of experience.

Then there are the running backs themselves. Carson Steele is the main back, and he had 891 rushing yards in addition to 157 receiving yards last year, making for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns. Despite his receiving yards, his frame at 6’1″ 215 makes him more of a power back.

Behind him, though, is Will Jones, who gained 300 yards on the ground last year along with three touchdowns. he also had 131 receiving yards, and 5’10” 208 pounds, he’s another back with a stocky frame. That makes for an actually decent one-two punch.

These two averaged just over three and a half yards a carry, but they can wear you down, and that combined with the Vols’ potential issues in run defense could cause problems. It could also allow Ball State to control the clock, which will mess up Tennessee football’s tempo on offense.

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