Though 100,000 fans packed Neyland Stadium for Saturday’s evening matchup with the Kennesaw State Owls, their collective focus was not on the game they were spectating.
Rather, Tennessee fans are looking ahead to next week.
Though the Volunteers won 42-9, they looked unprepared for their season-defining matchup with the Texas Longhorns one week from today.
For starters, Tennessee’s star running back, DeSean Bishop, failed to establish his typical presence on the ground, as he managed just 42 yards on nine attempts.
Aside from Bishop, Tennessee’s rushing attack was strong, as Duane Morris totaled 14 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.
“We need everyone inside of that room,” Heupel said. “Duane [Morris] ran [the ball] really well tonight… He has grown so much.”
Though Bishop’s struggles can be partially attributed to the absence of backfield partner Javin Gordon, he had zero excuse to struggle against the likes of Kennesaw State, which yielded 230 rushing yards in a 31-17 loss to the Georgia State Panthers a week ago.
More concerning, however, was the fact that Tennessee also regularly failed to convert on third downs, particularly in the first half.
Despite playing their starters on both sides of the ball for the entirety of the first half, Tennessee went just 1-for-6 on third downs, while Kennesaw State converted twice on as many tries.
Tennessee being outpaced by Kennesaw State on third downs is completely inexcusable.
And if this trend were to continue, the Volunteers would be left with little chance of success against a stout Longhorns defense.
Last week, the Texas defense held the Ohio State Buckeyes (the nation’s No. 1 team at the time) to just 3.03 yards per rush, and six of 14 on third downs.
If Texas can suffocate a Buckeyes offense led by junior quarterback Julian Sayin, and Heisman candidate Jeremiah Smith, imagine the havoc they will wreak in Knoxville if the Volunteers turn in a similarly lethargic performance.
Therefore, Bishop’s 4.7 yards per carry against Kennesaw State, combined with the Volunteers’ lack of success on third downs become incredibly concerning.
Fortunately for Tennessee, what entered the season as the biggest question mark has perhaps become the offense’s strongest asset.
True freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who now holds a career record of 3-0, turned in yet another exciting performance on Saturday night.
The Volunteers’ signal-caller completed 18 of his 26 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, throwing no interceptions.
Though the Volunteers’ offense remains rather conservative through three weeks, Brandon is yet to throw an interception.
“Just taking what [the defense] gives me,” Brandon said. “[Just trying not] to do anything extra.”
Though three games is undeniably a small sample size, this serves as an encouraging sign for Tennessee, as Joey Aguilar threw 10 interceptions a season ago, a handful of which cost the Volunteers late in SEC games.
Also encouraging for Tennessee was its defensive performance.
The Volunteers held the Owls to just 294 total yards, and 3.4 yards per carry.
The Volunteers also had three pass breakups, despite forcing just one turnover.
“We played smarter tonight,” Heupel said. “I thought [the defense] was really active tonight. We have gotten better every week.”
Though their defense was strong, the Volunteers will need to be at the top of their game against the Longhorns again on Saturday afternoon.
UP NEXT: In what could be a make-or-break game for the Volunteers, they will welcome No. 1 Texas to Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon ET.