For the first time this season, Tennessee football was without its star linebacker Arion Carter last week. The junior, who leads the team in tackles, was questionable all week heading into the Kentucky game, before being named a game-time decision. He ultimately didn’t play in the game. This week, he remains with a ‘questionable’ designation that will hold going into game day.
Instead, against the Wildcats, it was Edwin Spillman, Jeremiah Telander and Jadon Perlotte starting. However, it’s worth noting that this was the first time this season that Tennessee went with a 4-3 defense to start instead of a 4-2 nickel scheme.
Carter has started in each of Tennessee’s games this year prior to injury as the weak-side linebacker opposite of Telander. On the season, Carter has produced 61 tackles, good for a team high. He’s also notched one pass deflected, one sack and forced a fumble.
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If Carter is unable to go on Saturday, Spillman would likely step up to replace him in the starting unit again. William Inge’s room would also likely deploy freshman Perlotte, who has earned increased playing time in the past three SEC games. Other options are freshman Jaedon Harmon and second-year Jordan Burns, who have seen varying degrees of playing time this year.
Another valid option, Ben Bolton, is returning from injury. He has been one of the first linebackers off the bench this season, but missed the game at Kentucky with an injury. This week, he is not on the report, though.
Kickoff between Tennessee and Oklahoma is set for 7:30 p.m. ET inside Neyland Stadium. The game will air on ABC. It is the second-straight season the Vols and Sooners will meet, with UT winning in Norman a year ago.
