Tennessee football: The Volquest Cheat Sheet

BATON ROUGE, La. — Josh Heupel is trying to get Tennessee to 5-0 for the first time since 2016. A win over LSU in Baton Rouge would also mean three wins over ranked opponents in 5 games. The last time, the Vols beat three ranked opponents in a single season? 2007.  

So what’s key for Josh Heupel’s squad to get their second road win over a ranked team this season?  Here are four in what we like to call the Saturday Cheat Sheet. 

Get off the field

A season ago, the biggest issue for Tim Banks’ defense was their inability to get off the field. In 2021, opponents converted 47.6% of their third downs and 44% of their fourth downs. In the Florida game, the Gators were 12 of 21 when you combine third and fourth down. They overcame 3rd and 9+ yards 7 out of 9 times. 

Tennessee had Florida exactly where they wanted them on possession downs, but they couldn’t close the deal. LSU’s offense has been inconsistent for much of the year. 

If the Vols are going to win, they can’t let LSU find a rhythm, which means they must get off the field in third and long situations. 

Finish

The most impressive part about LSU this fall has been their fight. No one can say they haven’t battled for 60 minutes. They nearly rallied for the win in the opener against FSU. Down 13-0 to Mississippi State at home in the first half, the Tigers held the Bulldogs to just 3 points in the second half for a 31-16 win. They were down 17 points Saturday night at Auburn and again rallied beating the Plainsmen 21-17. 

So if anyone thinks this LSU team is simply going to roll over or no show for an 11 am local time kick then they are mistaken which is why Tennessee must finish. 

The Vols nearly blew a 17 point lead over Florida as the Vols struggled in clock management and couldn’t eliminate big plays down the stretch. Special teams also allowed an on-side kick. 

Tennessee must finish this game with their effort and focus much better than they did a week ago against Florida. 

Match LSU’s physicality

LSU’s Brian Kelly has said his team has been in better shape than any of their opponents this year. His team has also fought for 60 minutes. Defensively, the Tigers are aggressive at all three levels and will strike. Up front on the offensive line they have started a different combination every game, but they have always been a team that plays a physical brand of football. 

Tennessee did a good job matching Pittsburgh’s physicality in week two. Pitt hasn’t shown themselves well the last couple of weeks but that game was physical. The Florida game was physical and Tennessee held their own against the run defensively and ran for over 200 yards. 

I think Saturday’s brunch in Tiger stadium will be the most physical game to date for the Vols, who are obviously coming off an open date and should be healthier. 

Tennessee looks to be getting a break with the weather. The high is only supposed to be 84 and that won’t be till the game is over. So that doesn’t hurt. 

Speed things up

Tennessee has to win first down on offense. They have to get things going to start a set of downs especially to start a possession so they get their tempo going. 

LSU hasn’t played tempo this season. FSU had 71 offensive plays in week one, Auburn had 70 last week. That’s the two high snap counts for the Tiger defense. 

Tennessee’s offense hasn’t played a game this year where they had less than 70 snaps.

How good of shape is LSU in and how well can they handle an up tempo offense which they haven’t seen this year? 

Hendon Hooker and the Vols need to test them out. To do so, Tennessee has to win first down and get the first, first down of the drive so they can get tempo going.