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Tennessee football at LSU: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; A general overall view of the LSU Tigers logo at midfield at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; A general overall view of the LSU Tigers logo at midfield at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) is all smiles after making a defensive stop 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
Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) is all smiles after making a defensive stop 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 /

4. Which linebackers play containment better?

Mobile quarterbacks once again make this crucial. Tennessee football’s linebackers still struggle in coverage, but they have dramatically improved over last year in containment. Don’t forget that Jeremy Banks and Aaron Beasley allowed Matt Corral of the Ole Miss Rebels to run for 195 yards on them last year.

Two weeks ago, despite the issues through the air, UT did a good job of forcing Anthony Richardson to stay in the pocket. Once again, they’ll have to contain Jayden Daniels, and since Daniels is more of a horizontal runner, even more pressure is on them. Juwan Mitchell being back helps, but this is still a huge question.

Meanwhile, Hendon Hooker continues to be a dominant dual-threat, and LSU’s linebackers will have to play containment as well. Florida struggled on that front severely, and it wasn’t just in the designed runs called by Josh Heupel. They allowed Hooker to get the best of them plenty of times when plays broke down.

LSU linebackers Greg Penn III and Mike Jones Jr. will have to stay in position against this offense. Failure to do so could result in another Heisman-like performance from Hooker. As a result, this is another situation in which both teams need the same thing from their linebackers.

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