Ahead of Auburn's matchup with Tennessee, The Auburn Plainsman reached out to The Daily Beacon's co-sports editor Ryan Schumpert, for a Q&A previewing this year’s Volunteers team. Here’s what he had to say prior to the matchup.
Q: How do you expect the Tennessee offense to do against Auburn’s defense?
A: Ole Miss and Vanderbilt are probably the only two teams in the SEC that I’d predict Tennessee’s offense to perform well against. The Vols have been dreadful on offense this season, ranking 12th in the SEC in total points and 13th in total offensive yards. The struggles start at quarterback, where Jarrett Guarantano hasn’t taken the leap forward coaches thought he would in his second season in Jim Chaney’s offense. Guarantano hasn’t been helped by inconsistency at receiver after his two leading receivers a season ago, Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway, graduated. Tennessee will likely try to establish the run against Auburn, and then to take some shots down the field off of that. The run game is solid but really struggles to create chunk plays. This offense isn’t good enough to sustain many long drives against the Tigers defense, so whether the Vols can hit some long passes will likely determine how much offensive success they can have.
Q: How do you expect the Tennessee defense to do against Auburn’s offense?
A: As bad as Tennessee’s offense has been this season, its defense in a way has been more disappointing. The defense is what carried Tennessee to its six game winning streak to end 2019, but they haven’t been able to carry that forward this season. The unit to watch will be the defensive line. That unit was really strong towards the end of last year, returned every major piece and was expected to be consistent and capable this season. Instead we saw a first-year defensive line coach get fired four games in, and Jeremy Pruitt took over his position. That unit played better against Arkansas, especially in the fourth quarter. If they can play that way against an offensive line that I know struggled a bit earlier in the season, it would be massive for the Vols. Where I think Auburn can exploit Tennessee is in the passing game. The Vols have been susceptible to quick passes in the middle of the field, and their corners don’t play the ball well in the air. That first part feels like a recipe for a big day for Anthony Schwartz. and the second feels like the same for Seth Williams. I know he’s not been all that consistent, but if Bo Nix can be timely and accurate with the ball, I think Auburn will be able to make some plays in the passing game.
Q: Who do you expect to see at QB for the Vols? Guarantano or Harrison Bailey or someone else?
A: I think you likely could see both of them. I don’t think you will see JT Shrout or Brian Maurer, who have both played sparingly this season. As inconsistent and erratic as he’s been, this coaching staff has not moved away from Guarantano and with the redshirt-senior practicing this week after a head/neck injury sidelined him in the second half at Arkansas and last week, I’d expect him to probably still start. Now that leash is short, and I do think it’s very possible that Bailey comes in and sees meaningful action Saturday.
Q: Who are some players to look out for on both sides of the ball for Tennessee?
A: Offensively, Eric Gray will likely receive the most touches for Tennessee, but the sophomore running back has struggled to create big plays this season. Josh Palmer is Tennessee’s best receiver and is a strong down field threat with four touchdowns between 27 and 38 yards this season. Freshman receiver Jalin Hyatt is a speedy guy that they like to use as a deep threat.
Linebacker Henry To’o To’o is the heart of the defense and probably the second best overall player on the team. Tennessee’s struggled to rush the passer this season, and one of the reasons they’ve been underwhelming is the lack of production from Kivon Bennett. He was expected to be the best pass rusher but has been mostly quiet this season. However, he had two sacks in the loss at Arkansas and could possibly be hitting his stride down the stretch. Cornerback Alontae Taylor has missed the last two games with injury but could be back Saturday. He’s a bit sporadic, but a very talented player who could make a difference if he’s able to go.
Q: What’s the overall mood around the program after a hot start followed by 4 straight losses?
A: Well, the 2-0 start and eight-game win streak feels like a long time ago; I can tell you that. People inside the program aren’t saying this, but the morale overall is down and the question is sort of: “how does Pruitt get out of this and save recruiting?” With Guarantano at quarterback, Tennessee was never going to win the SEC East this season or compete with the big three (Georgia, Florida, Alabama). What I think has more people concerned in the long term has been the fact that the defense has taken a step back and that the offensive line and running game hasn’t lived up to its potential.
Q: Game Prediction?
A: Auburn 28-17
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Jake Weese, senior in journalism with a minor in history, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
