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Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Josh Heupel and Pat Narduzzi have faced each other three times already, and they each have unique styles. That creates unique situations for players who need to step up when they face each other, and it’ll be no different for Tennessee football when the Vols take the field against the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road Saturday.

Last Thursday’s opener against the Ball State Cardinals didn’t reveal much, but UT certainly looked a lot better than it did against a MAC foe a year ago. Pitt was better-tested, facing the West Virginia Mountaineers and winning 38-31, but it took more out of them.

Still, that game revealed a lot about what Pitt will do this year and the type of team they have under Narduzzi. There are also recurring things related to the program, and that makes it crucial for certain players from Rocky Top to step up Saturday. These are the five Vols who will be key in Tennessee football’s visit to Pitt Saturday.

These Tennessee football Volunteers players will be crucial at Pitt.

Young fans high five Tennessee offensive lineman Gerald Mincey (54) after the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2606
Young fans high five Tennessee offensive lineman Gerald Mincey (54) after the Tennessee vs Ball State football game in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Utvsballstate 2606 /

Gerald Mincey. 5. 839. Offensive lineman. r-Sophomore. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

6’6″ 337 pounds

There is still no clear starter for the Vols at left tackle with Darnell Wright moving over to right tackle. That still makes Jerome Carvin key at left guard, and as we’ll get to later, UT will need to establish the run game in this one. As a result, Carvin will still be crucial. However, left tackle play is absolutely critical for Rocky Top.

Gerald Mincey and Jeremiah Crawford are the co-starters on that side, but Mincey played more snaps and had a higher PFF grade against Ball State. As a result, he’s the guy to watch for. Habakkuk Baldonado is the reason left tackle play is so crucial, as either player will be blocking him, and he was Pitt’s leader in sacks last year.

When these two faced off in Knoxville, Tennessee football gave up three sacks and lost two fumbles from those sacks. As a result, Mincey will be crucial in this game. It’s his first real test since transferring to the Vols from the Florida Gators, and if he plays poorly, it will be a problem.

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