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Tennessee football’s five priorities for bye week in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks with linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) during the first half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks with linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) during the first half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Most fans of Tennessee football have a wide mixture of emotions heading into the bye week. Okay, the overall morale is high, as they are 4-0 and in the top 10 with two wins over top 25 teams, a 1-0 SEC record, a top 25 win on the road and a win over the Florida Gators. How can you complain about that in Josh Heupel’s second year?

However, relief has swept over Vol Nation too because of how they won their two key games, over Florida and the Pittsburgh Panthers. Despite controlling both games throughout the second half, they almost gave both of them away. As a result, they have plenty to clean up.

With such an early bye, UT may be at a disadvantage, but given the way the schedule shakes out and their injuries right now, the narrative may be flipped this year. Still, they have a lot to fix, and if they don’t the year could unravel fast with two-thirds of the season left. These are the five biggest priorities for Tennessee football entering their bye week.

Here’s what Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football Volunteers need to work on in their open date.

Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Improving pass coverage

This one’s no secret. The shocker is that it’s so low. The Vols gave up over 450 yards to Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson last week, who has struggled all year throwing from the pocket. They’re giving up over 300 passing yards a game. Anybody who watches the Vols know they have a real issue here.

However, there’s not much Heupel can do at the moment. UT is banged up at cornerback with Warren Burrell and Dee Williams out. The best they can do is try to improve the linebackers in coverage and develop Tamarion McDonald at star, which would give veteran safeties Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough more freedom.

Most importantly, though, is that Tennessee football may not have an answer here this year. Without Alontae Taylor, the Vols don’t have a true No. 1 cornerback, and they aren’t very athletic back there. Linebackers have been an issue in coverage for a year and a half too, so unless Juwan Mitchell comes on with his health, they may have no options.

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