Finally Finding the Endzone
For a struggling Tennessee offense, the Kentucky game couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Wildcats defense is average at best. And they struggle stopping the downfield passing game. So this is a good chance for Jarrett Guarantano to regain some confidence after two tough starts to begin his career.
Tennessee will show this look a lot today. UK may have a hard time tackling Chandler and Jordan on passes in the backfield #RTIFilmStudy pic.twitter.com/NHm4ZeHZtU
— Will Boling (@will_boling) October 28, 2017
Without John Kelly on the field, Tennessee should rely even more heavily on its running backs to catch the ball on the perimeter. We’ve seen UT run this look with Ty Chandler all season. And Kentucky had a hard time stopping it against the Gators.
But when Tennessee relies on its receivers in the screen game, it has to get blocking help quickly to the outside. Kentucky’s corners can easily make open field tackles when the slot receiver doesn’t do his job.
#RTIFilmStudy rolls on…
UT’s slot receivers need to hit their blocking assignments to the outside. If not, look out. pic.twitter.com/2rADTGzTqq
— Will Boling (@will_boling) October 28, 2017
There will be room up top. And in order to open up these short passes, Guarantano will have to air it out.
This might be the day Tennessee puts together some big plays in the passing game. UK’s defense cannot defend the deep ball…#RTIFilmStudy pic.twitter.com/F7PtGzR9L5
— Will Boling (@will_boling) October 28, 2017
The glaring weakness of this Kentucky team is its inability to defend the pass. I’m not sure Tennessee is hurt too much by losing Kelly. If the Vols can rely on its receivers to get separation behind the defense, they’ll win.
But if the offensive line doesn’t give Guarantano time to throw, it could be a long night for the Vols without their star running back there to bail them out.
