The Vols have to get healthy here.
Tennessee has smashed their way to a 4-0 record, rolling into the open date as one of the hottest teams in the country. The Volunteers slept their way to a 25-15 win over Oklahoma last weekend, draining the clock out after building an early 19-3 lead.
Nothing about that game got too dicey for Tennessee, but a couple of moments were concerning once right tackle John Campbell exited due to injury. Tennessee was already without left tackle Lance Heard, and Campbell’s exit created some added pressure on Nico Iamaleava and some struggles in the run game.
Campbell was able to get back in the game, and now has a weekend off to get healthy. Heard will also get that weekend off, and Josh Heupel is hoping that clears the way for both to be available next weekend at Arkansas.
“Yeah, I feel like we’ll have both of those guys when we get to Fayetteville,” Heupel said on the SEC teleconference on Wednesday.
Dayne Davis and Larry Johnson filled in as Glen Elarbee moved his starting five around to deal with those injuries. Davis allowed two pressures — one off the right and one off the left — that led to two Iamaleava fumbles. Luckily for Tennessee, Oklahoma made even more mistakes which ultimately led to the Volunteers establishing a big lead.
Arkansas’ 57th ranked defense has seven sacks so far this season, ranking 76th in the country. Oklahoma has 14 sacks for reference, which is no surprise from a Brent Venables led team.
Maybe more important here will be getting Heard back into the lineup for the run game, which had plenty of moments of tough sledding against the Sooners. The 6-6, 340 pound powerhouse has already flashed in a big way as a run blocker, and his presence in the lineup would be a big boost going into what could be a tricky spot next weekend.
Tennessee and Arkansas will kickoff at either 7 p.m. ET or 7:30 p.m. ET. ABC or ESPN will have the call.