After its first open date of the season, Tennessee football is back in action on Saturday afternoon as they host Arkansas in a SEC showdown at Neyland Stadium. The Razorbacks have been one of the SEC’s most disappointing teams so far this season but is hoping a coaching change can spark life into the team starting this week. Each week, the RTI team will provide game predictions for Tennessee’s matchup. We move on to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
More From RTI: Tennessee Tight End Remains Questionable Ahead Of Matchup With Arkansas
Ric Butler
Tennessee Football returns to Knoxville for its only game in Neyland Stadium in the month of October. The next time we see the iconic venue open its gates after Saturday will be for the Oklahoma game on the first day of November.
I think that we’ll see Tennessee’s offense operate in routine form on Saturday. Joey Aguilar leading things down the field, another strong performance from Chris Brazzell, and more. Arkansas’s defense has been bad. Like, really bad. And while there have been some coaching changes on that side of the ball, you can’t expect some big grand change that makes the Razorbacks immediately unrecognizable. I think Tennessee has a chance to really use tempo in this game to disrupt any new calls or schemes that Arkansas has been working in, which could present explosive plays down the field.
That all being said, I’d probably take the over in the game (if I were a betting man), which is currently set at . I do think it’s going to be a high-scoring game. Arkansas’s offense hasn’t been the problem. Yes, only scoring 13 points against Notre Dame was a rough look, but they’ve been above 30 points every other game this season. They scored 35 in a road loss to Ole Miss. Taylen Green is a dynamic quarterback who, frankly, is considerably outperforming his team as a whole. Tennessee’s linebackers need to play fast and be smart in this game. Green can kill a defense and resuscitate a drive with his feet. Tennessee’s got to bottle up the ballcarrier and tackle better than we saw two weeks ago.
The return of Daevin Hobbs, plus another week of Jaxson Moi getting his feet under him, makes a big difference in this game. I think Tennessee has a respectable lead for the majority of the game, but Bobby Petrino and Taylen Green’s never-say-die attitude keeps things close enough to cover the spread. I feel confident that Tennessee gets revenge and ends a four-game losing streak to the Hogs this weekend in Knoxville.
Prediction: Tennessee 41, Arkansas 31
Ryan Schumpert
With Tennessee’s remaining home schedule, there are very few games on the Vols’ schedule that is easier on paper than this game. I feel confident that Tennessee will win this game, but I’m unsure what it looks like or whether they will cover the near two touchdown spread.
Arkansas has truly been a tale of two sides of the football. The Razorbacks have been nearly elite on the offensive side of the ball but have also been one of the worst teams in the SEC on the defensive side of the ball. The big question for me entering this game is if Arkansas can find some level of life on the defensive side of the ball. If the Razorbacks are even just below average defensively, they have an offense that is capable of making this game competitive.
That’s the one thought that has continually popped in my head about this game all week. Watching Florida earlier this season, I didn’t think the Gators were just a horrible team. But I thought they had a truly dreadful offense that was pulling down a really strong defense. When Florida got competent offensive play against Texas last weekend, they were able to upset Texas. Now, Florida was at home and Arkansas is on the road. And Florida has more offensive talent than Arkansas does defensive talent. It’s not a one-to-one comparison, but it is an interesting perspective on how Arkansas can pull the upset.
However, Arkansas is not going to upset Tennessee in this game. The Vols have been too good at home and are the better team in this game. But they have to come ready to score points to win. This will be a great test for Tennessee’s defense.
Prediction: Tennessee 38, Arkansas 28
Ryan Sylvia
It’s been widely talked about that Arkansas has overhauled its defensive staff after the firing of Sam Pittman. While it can’t get much worse, it’s also hard to imagine it will completely fix the inadequate play on that side of the ball. With Tennessee’s offense rolling and striking early so far, it might take some minor miracles for the Razorbacks to string together stops.
On the other hand, Arkansas’ offense has been a strong point led by quarterback Taylen Green. Bobby Petrino likely won’t hold back any punches and should empty the clip in this one, too. However, the addition of Daevin Hobbs to the interior of Tennessee’s defensive line could go a long way in helping stop the run. If the Vols can clamp down in that aspect with added depth up front, it’ll make it all the harder to take advantage through the air.
Throw in the revenge factor of Tennessee losing in Fayetteville a year ago and the Vols’ remarkable home record, and it’s really tough to see Arkansas walking in and winning this one. I expect an early lead for Tennessee that it doesn’t surrender as it continues its program-record streak of 40+ point games.
Prediction: Tennessee 41, Arkansas 28
