Running Backs
Nathanael: C?
I have no idea how to grade UT’s running backs because they received absolutely no help from the offensive line. I thought Jeremy Banks and Tim Jordan ran with good purpose when they weren’t engulfed by the defense behind the line of scrimmage or right at the line, but that didn’t get to happen enough for me to really get a gauge on how they were playing on Saturday. Ty Chandler only got two carries and was kept out to preserve his health. I thought Carlin Fils-aime should’ve gotten more touches, though. He only had one carry, and it went for 10 yards. Madre London continues to be a non-factor.
Ben: Excused
I’m not giving the running backs a grade because it wouldn’t be fair. With how terrible Tennessee’s offensive line was against a lower-level FBS team, you can’t get an accurate read of how the running backs performed. The backs simply had nowhere to run the ball when they took the hand-off. Tennessee rushing for 20 yards is 100-percent on the offensive line.
