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Tim Tebow outlines Tennessee's need for running game vs. Texas A&M

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko10/14/23

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(Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tim Tebow knows how Tennessee can run past Texas A&M Saturday, to do just that: run the football and run it efficiently.

Ranked No. 19 in the country, the Volunteers play host at 3:30 p.m. ET with a Texas A&M team searching for a big road win. How can Tennessee make sure it doesn’t happen?

Well, according to Tebow it starts with a big running game and ball control on the ground.

“The transition that Tennessee needs to make is a better running game,” Tebow said on SportsCenter. “And every time that they’re successful in the running game running for over 175 yards, they’re 19-2, they dominate when they’re able to run the ball. It’s all about equating numbers. Here you got four on four on the outside. Alright, so now I know I have six in the box with the free safety. I’m not gonna block the backside defense and that means we have five hats for five, that is great numbers of the running game. 

“Here you have the same look. Very next play, running on the opposite side. But that can’t get picked up. This is something that when they get equated numbers in the box, you have to be successful at running the ball. That’s something they were over and over again last year, but they have to be more consistent in that running game. Against (South Carolina), it was hit or miss but this week against A&M, their front seven it can’t be hit or miss. When you got equated numbers in the box, you got to take advantage of it.”

Leading the way this season is Jaylen Wright with 61 carries for 435 yards and one touchdown and 7.1 yards per carry. Jabari Small has 53 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns and six yards per carry.

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However, it’s Dylan Sampson who leads in scoring. He has 36 carries for 248 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 6.9 yards per carry.

It’s a running back by committee approach for Tennessee for the most part, but someone has to be more consistent. Joe Milton can’t do it all on his own throwing the football.

So with dominance on the ground, comes success for the Volunteers. Is that the case against Texas A&M?

Well that remains to be seen for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff in Knoxville.