The Volquest Staff Picks: No. 23 Tennessee vs. UTSA
Tennessee looks to get back to the win column after last week’s disappointment at Florida. For the Vol faithful and the Vols, it’s not just about outcome on the scoreboard, but it’s about how you play and what kind of improvements do you make in some key areas this week. The Volquest staff weighs in with their weekly picks.
Brent’s pick
Tennessee looks to bounce back this week against a UTSA team that’s looking to find their way offensively as well. The question with the Roadrunners is will Frank Harris play at quarterback.
The question for the Vols is how will they bounce back after a really poor first half performance and a disappointing loss at Florida. Offensively for Tennessee, it really starts in the line of scrimmage. Yes, the focus of many is on the quarterback position, where Joe Milton can and needs to play better, but up front that offensive line has to play better than they did Saturday night.
For this offense to work, they have to be out to run against light boxes forcing the defense to commit to stopping the run. They couldn’t do that well enough against Florida.
Defensively they have to tackle better, be better in third down situations and they have to be tighter in coverage in the underneath passing game and in the quick game where the ball is traveling 0-10 yards in the air.
Tennessee is going to see it till they play it better than they did a week ago. That starts with not giving up so much ground and tackling better. Tennessee’s eyes on defense must be much better as well.
While the sky has been falling all week, the reality is now this team has to grow. They have to take a step forward on Saturday and it starts by winning.
Tennessee will win, the growth will be debatable.
Tennessee 38, UTSA 20
Austin’s pick
I’ve thought long and hard this week about my pick because I could make a real case this is like UAB 2005 but I just think they will play better at home. I think getting Dont’e Thornton involved more after last week is something that’s way more doable because I think he took some confidence out of that game. Bru McCoy also needs more targets. All that leads to Joe Milton and his efficiency this week.
I’d continue to feed Jalen Wright and get Dylan Sampson more involved.
Defensively I’m getting Rickey Gibson more and more action. I’m playing Gabe Jeudy Lally way more as I thought he was a bright spot last week.
Last season after the Vols lost to South Carolina, some were thinking Vandy would be a game and it was…..until kickoff. I’m going to go same thing this week.
Tennessee 48 UTSA 20
Eric’s pick
It’s a get-right game for Tennessee this week and yes, I understand how dangerous UTSA has been the past two years. But through three games thus far, this team has not been as explosive and is obviously dealing with some uncertainty with starting quarterback Frank Harris. There’s a reason the Vols are favored by three touchdowns and I expect a big win at home to build some confidence heading back into league play.
Tennessee needs to be the bully. The offensive line needs to get a push and the Vols need to get back to running the football. Joe Milton needs to be better, but this offense MUST get back to running tempo and be quicker with the operation. Tennessee is not playing with tempo right now – and when you aren’t running with tempo and can’t move the ball on the ground against a 4–5-man box, what are you?
It’s nice to sit here and say Tennessee ‘needs’ to do all of this, but will it? It’s been two rough weeks in-a-row and I don’t think it gets to a third. Block Trey Moore on the edge and move the football offensively. Wrap up, run your feet and play a lot on defense.
Regardless of what happens, fans won’t feel any better until Tennessee beats South Carolina next week – if that happens. So, go out and score a 50-burger, find some confidence behind the home crowd and do something to feel good about yourselves. I think that happens and I think Tennessee rolls in this one.
Tennessee 52, UTSA 17
Grant’s pick
I picked Tennessee to win in The Swamp last week. I picked the Vols to hammer Austin Peay two weeks ago. So that’s two huge whiffs. And here I am today picking Tennessee to beat UTSA by four touchdowns. Which means the margin of victory will probably be closer to four points.
The first half at Florida had to be pretty humbling for this Tennessee football team. Aside from a handful of drives against Virginia three weeks ago, these Vols haven’t looked anything like what most people expected them to look like. Now it feels like the only true win today would be a dominant, high-scoring win with good football from start to finish. We haven’t seen that, or anything close to it, at this point.
Joe Milton III and his offense needs a fast start that can be sustained through the first quarter and beyond. The defense needs to make a statement that they’re not nearly as bad as Florida made them look in the first half in Gainesville. From the coaching staff on down, Tennessee needs to make a statement with a big response against an inferior team.
Tennessee 49, UTSA 21
Matt’s pick
UTSA has questions at the quarterback position, and there is going to be a lot of chatter around Joe Milton. But at the end of the day, Tennessee has to start winning when the box is in their favor. They’ve got to protect Joe Milton and allow the receivers to keep stretching defenses. Until you can start winning against four man rushes, it doesn’t matter who is at quarterback the majority of the time. Joe can also be better in areas of the game, but it doesn’t all fall on him.
Tennessee has to get going up front, and I think that starts with feeding Jaylen Wright early in this one. Dylan Sampson also has to be more involved this week. The Vols didn’t get young guys a lot of reps against Austin Peay, so they have to do that this week, in my opinion. Josh Heupel wants to see Rickey Gibson continue to come along, well he has to get some snaps this week ahead of South Carolina.
Tennessee has typically done an excellent job of coming out ready when playing at Neyland Stadium during the Josh Heupel era. I am chalking Austin Peay up to the weather and rain delay. The Vols come out focused and take care of business to setup an important matchup against South Carolina.
Tennessee 52, UTSA 21
Rob’s pick
This should be a fairly easy win for Tennessee, but more importantly the Vols have to work on some issues that emerged at Florida.
The penalty problem has got to get fixed. Tennessee has drawn 24 flags in three games. Among SEC teams only Arkansas (with 25) has been worse. Sloppy play will kill you in close games and right now Tennessee is a sloppy football team.
The offense has got to find its mojo. Milton is not Hendon Hooker. If you didn’t believe that before the season you certainly believe it now. That doesn’t mean this offense can’t be productive, but the people around Milton have to step up, starting with the offensive line.
The Vols never got their tempo going at Florida for a number of reasons (penalties being one of the big ones). Tennessee needs to feel itself going fast again and rattling off chunk plays. This should be a chance to make that happen.
Defensively the first half last week was just a disaster. Tackling has got to be better or guys need to sit. It’s that simple. There were some straight up embarrassing moments from an effort and technique standpoint last week. Improvement must be made.
If Harris is out this week the secondary isn’t going to be hugely tested, and even if he is available he’s not working with SEC talent on the perimeter. This should be a chance to play some guys in the secondary and find out if there’s anyone who hasn’t gotten a long look yet who can help.
No disrespect to UTSA, but this game is all about Tennessee. The Vols need to throw down a strong performance and build some momentum with South Carolina coming to town next week.
Tennessee 48, UTSA 17
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