It’s a long list, and it won’t be easy against a Tennessee unit for fourth-year coordinator Tim Banks that leads the nation in total defense, allowing 176 yards per game. Additionally, the Volunteers are second against the run (50.8 yards per game) and in scoring defense (7.0 points per game), and fourth against the pass (125.3 ypg).
Tennessee averaged 7.6 tackles for loss per game under Banks, and finished in the top 15 in the nation and top 2 in the SEC in tackles for loss during his three seasons under coach Josh Heupel and Banks .
“If we let them attack us, it’s going to be a tough challenge at times,” Pittman said. “They’re not going to have a tired guy on the field. They don’t need to because they are talented and have a lot of depth there. Indeed, the Volunteers performed well at almost every defensive position, and had 31 tackles for loss to tie for 32nd in the nation. Tennessee is 94th with just seven sacks (three less than Arkansas’ 10 sacks). Heupel said he thinks Arkansas’ defensive play against Tennessee’s pressure will be key.
“Their offensive line is playing well, in my opinion,” Heupel said Wednesday. “We’ve done a good job of impacting the quarterback, which is with our front four, and we’re also able to do that as part of our pressure packages on normal downs and third downs. “I think we’ve improved radically in terms of pressure. We’ve done a better job of containing our effort. Our linebackers and linebackers have done a good job applying pressure.” The Volunteers could step up the pressure against an offense of l Arkansas has shown weakness in that area. Green was sacked three times in each of last week’s 21-17 loss to Texas A&M. “Taylen is a tremendous athlete and we as an offensive line have to put him in the best position possible to showcase his skills and be able to make plays,” senior guard Josh Braun said. “We have great players all over the offense with JJ (Jackson), (Andrew) Armstrong, Taylen, (Isaac) TeSlaa, (Isaiah) Sategna. “I mean, we’re talented in every area and we have to keep our end of the business We have to execute our game plan. »
TeSlaa, who caught five passes for 120 yards last week, his best as a Razorback, and a touchdown, said Green has been solid in practice this week.
“It’s just based on what he’s been trained to do, which makes this offense work,” TeSlaa said. “I think he’s done a great job since he came in, doing that, just being a leader and a great player. Obviously, no matter how things go in the game, he’s always going to be a great leader and a great player, and we all saw that on tape. I think he just relies on his athleticism and his ability to make plays.”
Jackson averaged 132.3 rushing yards per game through three weeks, but his rushing routes were more limited in SEC games against Auburn and Texas A&M, averaging 56 yards in those games. The 6-2, 233-pound transfer from Utah has scored a touchdown in five straight games and has caught nine overall.