Vols Fight Their Way to 31-27 Road Win at South Carolina

Vols Fight Their Way to 31-27 Road Win at South Carolina

Posted on September 27, 2020
Vols LB Henry To’o To’o / Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 16th-ranked Tennessee football team found the end zone in all four quarters during a hard-fought road win over South Carolina Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Volunteers have now triumphed in seven straight games, dating to last season.

A special teams mistake by South Carolina (0-1) in the game’s closing moments secured the victory for UT (1-0), as true freshman Jimmy Holiday secured a muffed punt deep in Gamecocks territory.

Tennessee’s defense shined in the first half and earned the stops it needed in the second to help the Vols open the third season of UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt‘s tenure on a high note. The Vols withstood a third-quarter surge by Carolina, which authored back-to-back touchdown drives to tie the game at 21-21. But Tennessee never allowed its opponent to pull ahead through the final three quarters.

Making his 26th career start, Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 19 of 31 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown. The senior graduate also rushed for 12 yards and one score.

Guarantano’s effort in the win pushed him to 5,254 yards of total offense in his career, moving him past current UT assistant head coach Tee Martin (5,206 yards from 1996-99) and into eighth place in program history.

“If you play in the SEC, (the games are) dogfights every week,” Guarantano said. “When you go on the road in the SEC, nothing comes easy. You saw that a couple times today. But I think this team is very together—the chemistry we have in the locker room, the love that we have for one another.

“The atmosphere that coach Pruitt has brought to this university has kind of been implemented throughout. You can see it in the team in these tough wins, that we never give up on each other and we’re fighting to the end.”

Tennessee tailbacks Ty Chandler and Eric Gray each logged double-digit carries and combined to net 126 rushing yards. Senior receiver Josh Palmer had team highs in both catches (6) and receiving yards (85). And grad transfer Velus Jones Jr. also made an impact in his Big Orange debut, averaging 33.0 yards on a pair of kick returns and catching five passes for 29 yards.

After taking the game’s opening kickoff, the Gamecocks dealt the first blow when Kevin Harris capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The Tennessee defense established some swagger thereafter, however, allowing just 18 yards the rest of the half.

Later in the first quarter, Guarantano engineered an impressive and efficient 90-yard touchdown drive to knot the game at 7-7. The graduate signal-caller completed all five of his pass attempts during the seven-play drive—including a pair of 30-yard tosses—before finishing things off with an over-the-top, one-yard sneak.

The Tennessee defense gave the Vols their first lead of the night when sophomore linebacker Henry To’o To’o—a Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski awards candidate—intercepted a Collin Hill pass on the opening drive of the second quarter and followed a host of Volunteers 32 yards into the end zone. The play marked To’o To’o’s first career interception and first career TD.

The Vols took possession to open third quarter and quickly marched 74 yards in eight plays with Gray cashing in from 12 yards out to give Tennessee a 21-7 lead. Gray’s sixth career touchdown was preceded by a career-long 19-yard run by Guarantano.

South Carolina was quick to answer on the ensuing drive, when a 29-yard strike from Hill to Shi Smith put Smith over the 100-yard receiving mark and found the end zone.

Then, following a missed field-goal attempt by UT, Hill led the Gamecocks on a 10-play, game-tying drive that ended with him scoring on a one-yard, goal-line sneak.

Tennessee reclaimed the lead minutes later when All-SEC kicker Brent Cimaglia made a 27-yard field goal, but South Carolina countered with a field goal of its own on its first drive of the fourth quarter.

That deadlocked the score at 24-24 with 10:48 left to play and set the stage for a go-ahead Tennessee drive that saw Guarantano deliver consecutive passes of 30+ yards. The second was a 32-yard bullseye to Palmer in the end zone. The scoring strike gave Guarantano two touchdowns accounted for against the Gamecocks for the third straight year (five passing, one rushing).

South Carolina tacked on a 45-yard field goal that trimmed the Tennessee lead to 31-27 with 3:16 remaining in the fourth.

Swarming with purpose in its white “stormtrooper” uniform, the Tennessee defense was led Saturday by Bryce Thompson and Kenneth George Jr., who totaled eight tackles apiece. Deandre Johnson logged 2.5 sacks, and true freshman Doneiko Slaughter also added a sack in his Big Orange debut.

“It felt good being able to hit that field with my brothers, “To’o To’o, who finished with six tackles and a QB hurry, said after the game. “That’s kind of what you play this sport for. You play this sport to go out with a group of men, to be able to execute a plan, to be able to depend on each other and be able to fight. I love each and everyone on this team, so it felt good being able to run out in those orange and white jerseys today.”

The Volunteers look to win their eighth straight overall—and their fifth straight home game—next Saturday when they host Missouri for a noon ET kickoff at Neyland Stadium. The game will be televised on the SEC Network, and tickets remain available at AllVols.com.

 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Postgame Notes 

-UT Athletics

Jimmy’s blog: UT plays in spurts but wins opener

Jimmy’s blog: UT plays in spurts but wins opener

Posted on September 27, 2020

By Jimmy Hyams

Tennessee played well enough in spurts to beat a team that went 4-8 last year.

Will that be good enough to register a winning record this season?

Probably not.

But for the here and now, that doesn’t really matter.

Tennessee found a way to subdue South Carolina on the road 31-27 Saturday night in the long-awaited season opener for both teams.

The Vols put together three impressive touchdown drives, scored a defensive touchdown, and put the shackles on the Gamecocks’ offense for most of the first half.

But an early special teams blunder, some errant throws by quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and a leaky secondary made you realize 16th-ranked Tennessee has a long way to go to be a legitimate top 25 team.

“We won, and that’s what we came here to do,’’ said UT coach Jeremy Pruitt. “I’m proud of them proud of the courage they had to tackle the unknown.’’

Pruitt didn’t seem too disturbed by the number of mistakes his team made. Instead, he was just glad to play, given all the adversity that has faced his team, and college football in general.

“You hate someone had to lose the game,’’ Pruitt said, “because of what all the players have gone through.’’

Football is tough enough.

Weaving through a pandemic makes if that much more difficult.

But while over a dozen FBS college games have been canceled or postponed thus far and the SEC started three weeks later than originally scheduled, Pruitt and his players – and fans everywhere – were glad to get this weekend under their collective belts.

That’s why Pruitt wasn’t bristling over a low punt snap that handed South Carolina prime field position or a few missed throws or two personal fouls against Jeremy Banks or the inability to cover Shi Smith.

“Our players found a way,’’ Pruitt said. “We knew we’d have our work cut out for us. We had limitations based on the number of practices.’’

UT was allotted 25 practices; they used 21, with several canceled due to virus concerns. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said the Vols had just 15 “functional’’ practices.

That’s why when someone asked Guarantano about getting an “ugly’’ win at South Carolina, UT’s fifth-year quarterback – or is it 15th year quarterback? – took exception.

“I wouldn’t say this is ugly,’’ said Guarantano, who was 19 of 31 for 259 yards and a touchdown. “In the SEC, when you go on the road, it’s a dog fight.’’

While UT lost two quality wide receivers and brought in four talented wideouts, it was a couple of veterans who helped make a big difference Saturday night.

Josh Palmer had six catches for 85 yards and a 32-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to break a 24-24 tie.

“We’ve made that throw hundreds of millions of times in the summer,’’ Guarantano said.

Brandon Johnson had three catches for 73 yards.

“It was fun,’’ Palmer said. “I had butterflies in my stomach (before kickoff). I was really happy to be out there today.’’

South Carolina’s offense scored quickly with new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and new quarterback Colin Hill generating a 75-yard touchdown drive on SC’s first possession.

Tennessee held South Carolina to 50 yards the rest of the first half.

Meanwhile, UT managed one scoring drive in the first half, a 90-yard march, sparked by a 30-yard throw to Johnson, a 31-yard dump-off to Eric Gray and a 1-yard sneak by Guarantano.

Tennessee led 14-7 at halftime, thanks to linebacker Henry To’o To’o’s 32-yard interception return.

In the second half, both offenses moved the ball efficiently as the Gamecocks had touchdown drives of 75 and 71 yards and field goal drives of 68 and 57 yards.

Tennessee marched 74 yards to take a 21-7 third quarter lead, then zipped 75 yards in four plays to take a 31-24 lead with 9:35 left in the game.

Guarantano said the offense was “groggy’’ in the first half.

“We went to a faster pace in the second half,’’ he said. “The hurry up worked well.’’

Maybe so, but the third down offense didn’t. The Vols were 1-of-11 on third-down conversions, in part due to Guarantano misfires.

“I feel like I was leaning back on some (over) throws,’’ Guarantano said. “There are some things I need to fix with my throws.’’

Pruitt acknowledged his quarterback missed a few targets but said he was “pretty good’’ with his decision making.

“Jarrett made some good plays. But he was high on a lot of throws. We got to figure out where we are offensively and be more consistent.’’

Considering UT had lost its last two openers under Pruitt, getting a road SEC win was satisfying.

“We were relentless,’’ said Palmer. “You need to have mental strength to play in the SEC. It’s better to have mental strength than physical strength.’’

Tennessee had just enough mental strength to start the season 1-0.

NOTEBOOK: Nickleback Shawn Shamburger was a late scratch due to injury. He was replaced by true freshman Doneiko Slaughter, who had trouble staying with Shi Smith (10 catches, 140 yards). Smith burned UT for 11 catches and 156 yards last year. … DL Darel Middleton, RB Dee Beckwith (ankle) and TE Austin Pope (back) did not play. … USC led in time of possession by 9:30 but UT won the turnover battle 2-0, which proved pivotal. …  UT is now 2-5 in its last seven trips to Columbia, S.C. … Vols OL Cade Mays did not play as he has yet to be cleared by the SEC. Mays was given a waiver by the NCAA earlier this month. … UT outrushed SC 133-89 this year and 134-78 last year.

 

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Week 1 SEC football score predictions, analysis; Vols get road win

Week 1 SEC football score predictions, analysis; Vols get road win

Posted on September 26, 2020
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 – Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Each week, I’ll share my predictions and info on SEC football games. These are straight-up winners only. The point spread is just as a barometer for how big of a favorite or underdog each team is.

2019 SEC Game Prediction Record: 103-20 (84%)
2020 SEC Game Prediction Record: 0-0

Saturday, September 26, 2020
Noon
#5 Florida Gators at Ole Miss Rebels
ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy , Marty Smith
ESPN Radio: Sean Kelley, Barrett Jones
Point Spread: Florida -14
Vince’s View: The assumption was that John Rhys Plumlee would be Lane Kiffin’s guy at QB, but that’s not necessarily the case. Matt Corral is listed with him as “or” on the depth chart, forcing the Gators to prepare for two very different quarterbacks. The belief is Florida QB Kyle Trask is a big reason why many view the Gators as the favorites in the East. With the first-game unknowns, I default to who appears to be the better team. Kiffin will be must-see-TV all season in the SEC.
Score Prediction: Florida 31 Ole Miss 14

Noon
#23 Kentucky Wildcats at #8 Auburn Tigers
SECN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
Point Spread: Auburn -7
Vince’s View: Love the names in this game. Kavosiey Smoke and Boogie Watson for UK. Big Kat Bryant and Smoke Monday for Auburn. This is a dangerous game for Auburn because of the DL losses by Auburn and the stout offensive line of the Wildcats, who likely have a Top 3 OL in the SEC and probably Top 10 in the country. This one though comes down to quarterback play. What does Terry Wilson look like post-injury? Will Bo Nix elevate his completion percentage from the 57.6% he delivered as a freshman? I’ll say Nix wins the QB battle and Auburn survives at home.
Score Prediction: Auburn 20 Kentucky 17

3:30 pm
Mississippi State Bulldogs at #6 LSU Tigers
CBS: Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jamie Erdahl
Point Spread: LSU -16.5
Vince’s View: There’s so much intrigue in this one, even though it looks like another mismatch on paper. We all know everybody that’s gone from the field and sidelines for the 2019 National Champs. Trust me though, there’s still a lot of talent to work with. LSU’s wide receiver group, even without Jamar Chase (still a big loss,) has great potential. Mike Leach is also must-see-TV in 2020. How quickly can he win and make the offense prolific in Starkville like he’s done everywhere else? He has an experienced QB in Stanford transfer KJ Costello to work with. Can Leach be successful in the SEC with an offensive approach? Not in year one in an SEC-only slate.
Score Prediction: LSU 38 Mississippi State 21

4:00 pm
#4 Georgia Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
SECN: Dave Neal, DJ Shockley, Tera Talmadge
Touchdown Radio: Brett Dolan, Danan Hughes
Point Spread: Georgia -28
Vince’s View: The Bulldogs defense looks like one of the best units in the country. Georgia will use a struggling Arkansas program on a 19-game SEC losing streak to figure things out on offense. Razorbacks first-year head coach Sam Pittman jumps right in against one of the league’s best and the team he had great success with, Georgia. Feleipe Franks gives Arkansas some hope at QB, but the talent gap between the two programs is massive at the moment. The last SEC home win for the Razorbacks was November 5, 2016 vs. Florida. It’s been nearly 4 years since Arkansas won in the league at home. Insane. There are young skill players at Georgia and some talent left on the OL, but the question is who plays QB for the ‘Dawgs and how good is he? Georgia is the only SEC team to not release a depth chart as of Friday. Hope that massive competitive edge drawn from holding that info back pays off for you.
Score Prediction: Georgia 31 Arkansas 0

7:00 pm
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide at Missouri Tigers
ESPN: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Allison Williams
Point Spread: Alabama -29
Vince’s View: Alabama is the worldwide leader in depth chart “or” listings. The Crimson Tide cleared things up for us with 27 listed for this game to start the season. The biggest intrigue will be when we see 5-star true freshman QB Bryce Young. Missouri is outmatched in a lot of areas under first-year head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
Score Prediction: Alabama 38 Missouri 3

7:30 pm
Vanderbilt Commodores at #10 Texas A&M Aggies
SEC+: Lowell Galindo, Andre Ware, Taylor Davis
Point Spread: Texas A&M -30.5
Vince’s View: Texas A&M has two things that you look for in teams to buy into, an experienced winning coach and an experienced starting quarterback. A&M running back Isaiah Spiller is a stud. The wide receivers are talented but really young. The Aggies need a better Kellen Mond at QB and the line of scrimmage must be better in 2020. Those things shouldn’t matter against an struggling Vanderbilt program that doesn’t have anywhere close to enough talent to be competitive this season.
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 42 Vanderbilt 7

7:30 pm
#16 Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks
SECN: Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang
Point Spread: Tennessee -3.5
Vince’s View: It doesn’t appear Tennessee will have OG Cade Mays in the season opener as the expected waiver formality from the SEC has become a hurdle that may not get settled. I think the existing transfer rule that’s a hang-up shouldn’t be looked at the same in this challenging 2020 season. That goes for the other two players awaiting word. Look for Jerome Carvin to start at RG in place of Mays. With Wanya Morris missing a lot of camp, you may see Jahmir Johnson get the start at LT with MOrris still getting some snaps. The o-line is the strength so the depth will come in handy out of the gate. Highly recruited RB MarShawn Lloyd could have been the difference-maker SC needed on offense, but he was lost for the season due to a knee injury, If the Gamecocks find someone to have a career-day running the ball, as has happened against UT in these match-ups in the past, it will be a rough sign for what the Vols have on the defensive line this season. That unit needs to find difference makers and pass rushers to improve off of last season. Another big key in this game is Tennessee’s young wide receiving group against maybe the SEC’s best CB duo in 6’4 Israel Mukuamu and 6’1 Jaycee Horn, two potential early-round draft picks. Will Muschamp really likes his group of wide receivers, so it will be interesting to see if UT’s corners have improved. The usual first-game factors that can cost you games like, tackling, turnovers, penalties, redzone issues, etc. will likely play a big role in this game. I think UT’s special teams will be a strength this year, but due to so many players missing time in the preseason due to contact tracing, the Vols didn’t get good work in on special teams until late in preseason practice. It probably won’t be pretty, but UT will make enough adjustments and plays to get the win on the road to move the Tennessee win streak to 7 straight, dating back to last season.
Score Prediction: Tennessee 27 South Carolina 20

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net.

SEC record predictions for 2020 season; Vols 3rd in East

SEC record predictions for 2020 season; Vols 3rd in East

Posted on September 25, 2020
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 – Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

It’s prediction time for the 2020 SEC football season.

Here’s how I see the season going down with record predictions and analysis.

SEC East
Georgia 8-2
Florida 8-2
Tennessee 6-4
Kentucky 5-5
South Carolina 4-6
Missouri 2-8
Vanderbilt 1-9

SEC West
Alabama 9-1
LSU 7-3
Auburn 6-4
Texas A&M 6-4
Mississippi State 4-6
Ole Miss 4-6
Arkansas 0-10

SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia

Vince’s View: With the departure of so much talent and elite coaching in Baton Rouge, Alabama is back to having the best roster in the SEC. With so many unknowns week-to-week on player availability, the records of most teams were more difficult to project than the order of finish. I think this season is going to be so unusual with a fair share of upsets.

Tennessee’s coaching staff should help them adjust within games to give them an edge at times, which will be critical this season. UT has closed the gap to Georgia and Florida because of UT’s improvement, but both are ahead of the Vols in the rebuild, especially Georgia. I’m not ready to give the East to Florida like some others. Georgia’s roster is better than Florida, plus the Bulldogs should have one of the best defenses in the country.

The West is bunched up, 2 through 4 and then at 5 and 6. Very little separates those teams, with all having questions. LSU still has tons of talent at WR and on defense, especite losses. Plus, the Fighting Coach Os have the easiest schedule in the league, which should matter.

Like everyone, just thankful that we’re here and that we’ll have football. I won’t take it for granted.

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net.

Cainer’s Corner: South Carolina Game Mailbag

Cainer’s Corner: South Carolina Game Mailbag

Posted on September 25, 2020

By: Eric Cain / @_Cainer

Each week during the 2020 Tennessee football season, Eric Cain will call for your questions to answer in a Friday afternoon post. If you have a question on Tennessee, its opponent or anything in between – please email Cainer: [email protected].

You can also tweet him at @_Cainer or find him on Facebook at Cainer On-Air.

 

Week 1: South Carolina

Saturday, September 26

7:30 pm ET —  Williams-Brice Stadium

Columbia, S.C.

 

Henry To’o To’o – Vols LB / Credit: UT Athletics

Tennessee opens the season as 3.5-point favorites on the road in Columbia. The Vols carry a six-game win-streak into the outing dating back to last season where the streak started with a 41-21 victory over the Gamecocks inside Neyland Stadium on October 26.

The win also snapped an 0-7 record against head coach Will Muschamp, dating back to his days at Florida.

Though the Vols own a 26-10-2 record all-time versus South Carolina with a 9-7-2 record on the road, UT seeks its first win at Williams-Brice Stadium since the 2014. The Vols have lost two-straight at the venue.

Jeremy Pruitt enters year No. 3 as head coach of the Volunteers and boasts 15 returning starters on offense and defense with a bevy of contributors back for 2020. Tennessee recently announced a contract extension for Pruitt – through the 2025 season – which comes with a $400,000 raise up to $4.2 million annually beginning in 2021.

Will Muschamp brings back a veteran club on defense with two of the best defensive players in the conference. On offense, first-year coordinator Mike Bobo pegged graduate transfer Colin Hill as the Gamecocks day one starter under center – as the two know each other very well from Colorado State.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 pm ET and the game can be heard right here on The Sports Animal.

 

Question: “If Cade Mays gets cleared today, could he still travel?” – Bill on Facebook.

Cainer’s Take: I’m being told the team plans to depart for Columbia early this afternoon. Maybe 1 or 2 o’clock ET. I’m also being told it’s unlikely Mays will travel if not given the greenlight beforehand. Jeremy Pruitt said earlier this week the team will travel 70 players and will play 70 players. I don’t think the coaching staff wants to waste any spots on the plane. As always, things can change.

 

Question: “What’s more likely? UT gives up 0 sacks or JG (or QB2) throws 0 INTs? UT rushes for 150+ yds or UT passes for 250+ yds? SC records a defensive TD or UT records a special teams TD?” – Adam on Facebook.

Cainer’s Take: I’ll work in chronological order here.

First, I’ll say it’s more likely Tennessee’s offensive line doesn’t surrender a sack. Even without Cade Mays or the potential of Darnell Wright or Wanya Morris not in the starting lineup – this Volunteers front-five is experienced and nasty. They have all played together and have been battle tested. The sack numbers improved gradually a season ago, but the QB hits were drastically decreased.

Second, both are very possible and both could happen. But I’ll go with the 150+ rushing yards. Since you didn’t clarify a single player, that is a team stat and I believe Eric Gray and Ty Chandler can combine for over 150 yards behind that offensive line any game of the year.

Lastly, defensive touchdowns are probably easier to obtain in today’s NFL with the kickoffs virtually non-existent anymore. Luckily, we still see some returns in the college game. And for that reason, I’ll say Tennessee scoring on special teams. Newcomer Velus Jones Jr. was an All-Pac 12 returner and Bryce Thomson is always dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Question: “What do we know about the SC starting QB?” – Scott on Twitter

Cainer’s Take: I know he’s a tough guy. Colin Hill is coming off his third (!!!) ACL tear throughout his collegiate career. It takes some type of work ethic and mental toughness to overcome all those setbacks and be in line to be a starting quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.

Hill was solid at Colorado State. Not great, but serviceable when healthy.

He stands in at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and has appeared in 18 games with 11 starts in four years. Hill has thrown for over 3,300 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes. He owns a career 137.7 QB rating.

Jeremy Pruitt said earlier this week that Hill “knows the system” and is familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo – who varied his offense a little while at Colorado State, but ultimately stuck with the pro-style mindset. Hill will be under center a lot of the time and South Carolina will employ multi-tight end sets with the use of a fullback and H-back from time-to-time.

Kind of like what Tennessee tries to do.

Bottom line, Bobo wanted a quarterback that knew the offense day one. He might not be the starter all season long, but he will be against the Volunteers. With Hill knowing the offense, it’s up to him to make some plays while the other 10 guys are playing catch-up.

 

Question: How will the Vols young receivers stack up against South Carolina’s secondary? How good is South Carolina’s defense this year?” – Parker on Twitter

Cainer’s Take: South Carolina returns starters at all three levels of the defense, including preseason All-SEC selections in defensive backs Israel Makuamu and Jaycee Horn, as well as defensive lineman Aaron Sterling and linebacker Ernest Jones.

Makaumu (4 INTS) and Jones (97 tackles) are the two impact players and both led the defense is those respected categories last year. The Gamecock defense gave up just under 400 yards per game in 2019, which finished closed to the bottom in the conference.

Like Tennessee in many areas, experience is the best teacher. South Carolina will be playing confident over there with the returners and are coached well by Muschamp. This sets up a tough matchup for Tennessee’s inexperienced receiver group.

Josh Palmer is now the No. 1. Brandon Johnson has been here forever. Those guys know what to expect. For Tennessee, it’s about getting Cedric Tillman, Ramel Keyton and Velus Jones Jr. involved early and bringing along freshmen Jalen Hyatt, Jimmy Holliday, Jimmy Calloway and Malachi Wideman.

I expect this group to be fine the more it plays. Saturday might not be a highlight reel for them, but I believe some plays will be made. Hopefully, they come at crucial points in the game.

Question: “How do you think the Vols Defense will do against the GameCocks revamped offense in this game? How do we stack up?” — @GoVols1914 on Twitter

Cainer’s Take: It’s a new system for South Carolina this year – and it’s game one. It won’t be perfect, and Tennessee needs to take advantage of that. The Gamecock 2019 offensive unit finished near the bottom of the league in total offense, but did protect the football fairly well (14 turnovers was 5th-best in SEC, 20th-best in country).

It helps that Colin Hill knows the system and will be under center, but Tennessee returns eight starters and a ton of experience on the opposing side of the ball. The Vols will play upwards of nine defensive linemen in this game – and that’s okay. Remember, strength is numbers with that unit. The hope is Derrick Ansley can play Aubrey Solomon some (missed some practice) and the line will play with more physicality – a concern during fall camp.

Linebackers are a huge question outside of Henry To’o To’o. Both Quavaris Crouch and Jeremy Banks will play on the inside, but Tennessee needs to identify a clear pass-rusher on the edge to replace the production of Darrell Taylor. That position will be by committee as well, with Kivon Bennett leading the way.

The secondary is going to be good, or it should be. It returns four starters and plugs in junior Trevon Flowers at strong safety this season. It has depth as well with freshmen Keyshawn Lawrence and Donieko Slaghter pushing for playing time.

I think Tennessee’s defense, if playing physical, is set of for better success Saturday compared to South Carolina’s new offense.

Question: “With all the uncertainty that is COVID-19 contact tracing, how do you think it will impact the game? Many players missing a lot of practice time which COULD cause a lot of fundamental break downs such as poor tackling, broken assignments and coverage break downs.” – James on Twitter

Cainer’s Take: Well said. In fact, I don’t know if I have much to add to this. (watch me type 500 words)

Yeah, Tennessee has had an issue with Knox County’s COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. It’s caused the Volunteers to sometimes miss upwards of 50 players at a time for practices that spanned over a two-week stretch. Jeremy Pruitt said four players (one being Wanya Morris) have been quarantined twice.

It’s hard to get better when you’re not on the practice field. For that reason, I believe Jahmir Johnson starts out at left tackle game one with the hope of Morris seeing the field for a few series. That’s just one example that I know of and there very well could be more. Jeremy Pruitt said Wednesday that he will no longer be announcing the COVID numbers as it’s ‘not fair to the players who are going to play.’

I also think he views it as a competitive disadvantage.

So, yes. I believe this game will be very sloppy. Poor tackling for sure. Ugly special teams. Maybe some missed assignments here and there. But Tennessee has a lot of experience in key areas (OL, QB, RB, DL, secondary). It will need to rely on that experience to make up for some fundamental lapses here and there due to the missed practice time.

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