It is never a good time to try out a new quarterback in the
middle of the season, but if you had to pick a conference opponent to do it
against, Arkansas is the ideal candidate. The Hogs may be the worst team in Power
4 football. The fans are actively boycotting the game, and you can get tickets
as cheap as $30 on ticket master. There is a serious swine contingent gunning
for Hunter Yurachek. Nothing goes better with college football than some smoked
hog, so excuse my BBQ puns and lets dive in.
The Rub
The last time the Vols traveled to Fayetteville the Razorbacks
stunned Tennessee in a tight game where the Tennessee offense struggled to move
the ball. That game likely saved at the time Head Hog Sam Pittman from getting
smoked. Now the Vols travel back to Arkansas, where they have not been
successful since the turn of the century, hoping to make some burnt ends. It
feels like Tennessee made some kind of supernatural deal in exchange for Clint
Stoerner’s 1998 stumble and fumble. Since then the Razorbacks have had their
number. Ribbing aside, these teams have some history together being one of each
other’s cross-division protected matchups when the conference initially split
into divisions in 1992.
Low and Slow
The recipe for success is not a secret. Run the ball.
Tennessee does it well and should lean on it while they ease George MacIntyre
into the starting role. Right now the official story is that Faizon is dealing
with an injury. Whether that is smoke before the Alabama game or there is some
fire to the rumor that MacIntyre will be the permanent starter remains to be
seen. If the Offense finds a spark under MacIntyre, you can bet the Volunteer
faithful will have some thoughts on the matter.
Ideally, Tennessee will be able to let George air it out
some after the run is established so we can see how he fairs in the offense. Tennessee
scored on 3 of its first 4 offensive possessions in the second half after
George took over. Tennessee was also driving before time ran out in the first half,
thanks in no small part to some poor clock management by the coaching staff.
The Best Brisket Requires Patience
If you have ever cooked a brisket, you know the hold is
important. Smoking meat, like football, requires patience. You can’t look
ahead. Tennessee is very much in a look ahead spot with Alabama on deck next
week for the Third Saturday in October. If you get caught looking ahead then Arkansas
can make you pay just like they did in 2024. Fortunately I think there is too
much buzz around the QB situation for the team to not take this game seriously.
This is a great opportunity to get right and build confidence towards the rest
of the season. The best teams get better every week. I think we have seen that
from the defense. It is time for the offense to start pulling its weight.
Spareribs and Baby Backs
MacIntyre entered the season as the back up with the staff
opting in favor of the potential of Faizon Brandon. However, MacIntyre was a
highly recruited QB in his own regard. The former 4 star is a Tennessee native
playing all four seasons of high school football for Brentwood Academy in
Nashville, Tennessee. Personally, I love a Tennessee kid who wants to play for
the flagship institution of the state. He had some fire when he entered the
game against Auburn. Some people would be rattled, but George looked ready for
the moment. I still think Faizon’s potential is through the roof, but it might
be a good thing to let the backup who has an additional year in this system try
to steady the ship. It is a long season, and the Tennessee defense is ahead of
schedule. Hopefully, the passing game can complement the running game, and the
team can get back to the CFP.
Smoke Rings
Tennessee’s keys to the game are don’t turn the ball over.
Arkansas is not a good team, don’t let them hang around at home because of
early turnovers. That is always something in the back of your mind when you
start a backup QB. Beyond keys to the game, a key to unlock the rest of the
season will be to get the passing game going. I would like to see more vertical
passing plays instead of NINE (9!) run plays in a row like I saw against
Auburn. The Arkansas defense is not very good. Pick them apart like pulled pork
and let your new QB get some confidence.
Prediction: Tennessee covers the big spread.