The Arkansas Razorbacks put a slight dent in Tennessee’s Faculty Soccer Playoff positioning final season, so coach Josh Heupel’s No. 12 Volunteers will attempt to keep away from a repeat of that sport on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.
Holding a 13-7 all-time sequence edge, the Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will meet up with the new-look Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1) who’ve received the final 4 matchups.
A two-touchdown house underdog final yr, Arkansas dealt No. 4 Tennessee its first setback, 19-14.
Because the convention continues an outstanding 2025 — eight of the AP High 25’s high 14 at present ranked colleges are SEC ones — Tennessee will look to rebound from that disappointing loss in what was a 10-3 season, ending with a crushing first-round CFP exit to eventual nationwide champ Ohio State.
The Arkansas defeat helped drive Tennessee to hit the street for an 8-9 matchup that the Buckeyes received simply, 42-17.
The Razorbacks began their bye week by firing sixth-year coach Sam Pittman, who was simply 14-29 in convention play and embarrassed 56-13 by visiting Notre Dame in Week 5. They then promoted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino on an interim foundation.
Petrino, 64, went 34-17 from 2008 to 2011 with Arkansas, however he was dismissed in April 2012 for a scandal triggered by his mendacity a couple of bike accident that concerned him and a feminine assistant with whom he was having a relationship and giving money to.
The OC-turned-HC stated his protection must step up in opposition to Tennessee’s pass-slinging first-year quarterback Joey Aguilar, particularly contemplating Petrino fired three defensive coaches on Day 1 on the helm.
“They are a problem, they’ve at all times been a problem,” Petrino stated. “They unfold the sector, however they need to run the ball. So the largest problem is, how do you defend the go and cease the run?”
The Volunteers lead in nation in scoring (51 pts per sport) and rank sixth in whole offense (536.4 yards per sport).
“I went into loads of video games the place you thought, ‘Aw, man, that is going to be a shootout,’ and at halftime, it is 10-9,” stated Petrino, who has diminished game-week observe from 4 days to 3 and determined to maneuver from the press field to the sidelines to run his offense. “Actually, I really feel like we have to go in and be capable of transfer the ball and rating factors.”
Heupel’s orange-clad defenders should decelerate Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Inexperienced, who leads the nation with 367.8 whole yards per sport.
The 6-foot-6, 224-pound former Boise State standout has tossed 12 TDs and produced two 100-yard dashing video games.
“You have to play gap-sound and get off the blocks,” Heupel stated Monday of containing the Lewisville, Texas, playmaker. “He is dynamic. He is obtained nice lengthy velocity, and you have got to have the ability to deal with him. Within the totally different constructions we’re enjoying (up entrance defensively), our hole integrity goes to be necessary.”
Added Heupel: “Bobby’s executed it at a very excessive stage for a very very long time. It is a good soccer workforce … that will have been on the flawed facet of the scoreboard a bit bit.”
Heupel stated All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy “continues to do a terrific job” in his restoration from ACL surgical procedure, however will possible be unavailable.
–Discipline Stage Media
