5 Bold Predictions for Tennessee Volunteers vs Arkansas Razorbacks

The Tennessee Volunteers skated by this past Saturday at home against the Auburn Tigers, all the while coming out of it with new uncertainty about who will be the starting quarterback. Fortunately for Josh Heupel, a Week 6 matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks means it might not matter whether it’s Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre under center on Saturday afternoon.

Let’s dive into our predictions for Tennessee’s Week 6 matchup at Arkansas.

Tennessee Volunteers Defense Records 5+ Sacks

Entering Week 6, the Volunteers defense ranks second in the nation in sacks per game (4.0), only trailing LSU. It’s been a team effort under play-caller Jim Knowles, with seven different players having at least 2 sacks on the season. This Saturday, the Volunteers get to face a Razorbacks offensive line that ranks 138th in PFF’s Pass-Blocking Efficiency (89.6) and has allowed one of the highest sack rates (6.79%) among Power 4 teams this season. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jackson is going to be under duress throughout Saturday, taking five sacks in the game.

DeSean Bishop Leads Vols to 250+ Rushing Yards

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. After limiting DeSean Bishop’s workload early in the season, Josh Heupel unleashed the All-SEC running back against Auburn and those 34 carries were turned into 220 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. It’s certainly not wise to give Bishop that big of a workload in consecutive weeks, but 20-plus carries is doable. Facing a Razorbacks defense that allows a 4.7 yardsp-er-carry average (100th) and 172.5 rushing yards per game (95th), Heupel really shouldn’t have to spend too much time this week thinking about who executes his passing game. Give DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris and Javin Gordon 35-plus carries and wash them turn it into over 250 rushing yards in Fayetteville.

DeJuan Lane Earns Back-to-Back SEC Defensive Player of the Week Honors

The Penn State transfers have been pivotal to this unit’s unexpected success this season and defensive back DeJuan Lane (2 interceptions, 2 sacks and 2 pass deflections) is part of that group. Lane just earned Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Auburn. We think he’ll make it two consecutive weeks with his performance in Week 6 at Arkansas. Lane will pick off KJ Jackson in the first half and also record a sack of the Razorbacks’ quarterback.

Radarious Jackson Scores His First Career Touchdown

Four Volunteers’ pass-catchers have recorded receiving touchdowns this season, including freshman TK Keys. Wideout Radaious Jackson is still waiting for his moment to strike pay dirt, but he has made some big plays when called upon (12.8 yards per reception) as of late. It’s been an especially long wait for Jackson since he didn’t score in limited playing time last year either. The Tennessee native’s moment is coming this weekend. In the second quarter, he’ll get enough separation deep downfield and haul it in with plenty of space around him and then stride into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown.

Tennessee Wins by 20+ Points

It truly can’t be understated how bad Arkansas looks this season under Ryan Silverfield. In matchups against Utah, Georgia and Texas A&M this season, the Razorbacks’ average margin of defeat is 29.3. All three opponents have held Arkansas under 20 points and that figure would be even lower if Georgia didn’t allow two garbage-time touchdowns in the fourth quarter when it stopped taking the game seriously. Tennessee truly just needs a dominant defense and a great run game, both of which it has, to beat the Razorbacks by multiple scores. So, if Heupel’s starting quarterback can just protect the football and execute what’s schemed up for him, Tennessee should win this one by 21-plus points.