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Tennessee Football: Vols travel down to face Auburn after the bye week

By Kyle Schmidt

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Since 2011, Tennessee has only won one game coming off a bye week.  Saturday, they will go on the road to Auburn and try to change this trend.

After having a bye week, things are not getting any easier for the Tennessee Volunteers.  As they continue on what might the toughest five-game stretch in college football, this week they find themselves preparing to take on the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.  Auburn, who just suffered a loss to Mississippi State, will be looking to defend their home turf and get back in the win column.  Tennessee will be looking for their first win in the SEC since November 19, 2016.

Although Auburn opened as an 18.5 point favorite over the Vols, many feel like this could be the upset win Tennessee fans have been waiting for.  Here is a look at what you need to know about the Tigers.

Offense

The leader on offense for Auburn is junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham.  While Stidham has not been perfect this season, he has a big arm and is capable of beating you with the deep ball.  The Tigers are averaging 200.33 yards/game through the air but only have five touchdowns through the air.

Auburn is definitely a run-heavy team.  So far this season, the Tigers have run the ball 235 times compared to 171 passing attempts.  They are averaging 4.2 yards/carry and have scored 13 touchdowns on the ground.

The leading rusher for the tigers is JaTarvious Whitlow with 427 yards and 4 touchdowns.  However, they have a committee of running backs who contribute; Kam Martin, Shaun Shivers, and Anthony Schwartz.

The offensive line for Auburn has struggled so far this season and they have allowed 13 sacks.  If they expect to hold off Tennessee, they will have to give better protection for their quarterback.

Defense

On defense, Auburn has the 20th ranked defense in the FBS.  They have had a consistent pass rush and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this season.  Auburn has also been successful at stopping the run.  Their run defense is only allowing 135.5 yards/game and has only given up 3 rushing touchdowns.

The secondary has done their part for the defense, racking up 8 interceptions through 6 games. The leaders for their secondary are defensive backs Jeremiah Dinson (39 tackles) and Daniel Thomas (37 tackles), both with two interceptions.

The leading tackler for the defense is senior linebacker, Deshaun Davis.  Davis has racked up 53 tackles (24 solo, 29 assist) including 1 sack and 7.5 tackles for loss.  The offensive line for Tennessee will have their hands full trying to slow down the Tigers pass rush.

Summary

If Tennessee expects to have a chance in this game, they are going to have to be better on the offensive line.  If they are able to establish some sort of a run game, it could open up things down the field and allow Guarantano to take some shots deep.  They will have to be able to get some big plays on offense if they want to get the upset win.

Defensively, Tennessee is going to have to capitalize when Auburn makes mistakes.  Against Georgia, the Volunteers forced 4 fumbles and was not able to recover a single one.  Tennessee’s secondary is going to have to start taking the ball away and everyone has to start tackling better.

Darrell Taylor has emerged as a pass rusher for Tennessee after getting three sacks in the game against Georgia.

In order to get back to winning football, the Vols will have to be clicking on all cylinders.  It is going to be a hostile environment and the Auburn Tigers are going to be hungry after being upset by Mississippi State.

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