For the eighth consecutive season, Tennessee began the SEC season 0-2 following a 24-20 loss to Arkansas at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Here’s a breakdown of what transpired:

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • Butch Jones has a problem on his hands: The Oklahoma loss was annoying and the Florida loss was devastating, but the Arkansas loss was downright predictable for many Vols fans. Anytime your fan base is expecting you to lose a close game at home to a 1-3 team, it is a statement about the state of the program.
  • The Vols had to stop the run, and didn’t: Any path to victory for Tennessee against Arkansas involved stopping the Razorbacks’ rushing attack. Instead, both Alex Collins and Rawleigh Williams both eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground.
  • Second-half time of possession made the difference: Probably related to the bullet point above, the Vols just didn’t get the ball enough in the second half to win the game. The Razorbacks held the ball for 21:57 minutes out of a possible 30.
  • Tennessee is desperate for WR production: This unit can match recruiting stars with any group in the league, but the output this season has been among the league’s most disappointing groups. Von Pearson and Josh Malone led with three catches apiece and Josh Smith had 34 yards receiving.
  • Hopes of a trip to SEC Championship Game should shift to a bowl: It is time to re-adjust expectations. After five games, the Vols are much closer to missing a bowl game than they are making the SEC Championship Game. With games vs. Georgia and at Alabama looming, the season is dangerously close to getting away from Tennessee.

REPORT CARD

Offense: C — The numbers don’t jump off the page as being bad, but it is hard to grade a group that scored only one touchdown at any better than average.

Defense: C– — Tennessee simply could not stop the Arkansas rushing attack. The Vols were hardly the first victims of a Razorbacks team that likes to wear teams down with a physical line and talented running backs, but 50 carries for 275 yards is rough.

Special Teams: A — Evan Berry returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Vols’ field goal defense unit had a nice night as well, blocking a field goal and sniffing out a fake field goal.

Coaching: C- — At some point, the coaching staff has to be accountable for the 2-3 record. Butch Jones has pointed to youth, inexperience and injury as reasons for struggles, but it is ultimately his job to overcome those.

Overall: C- — Another close game against a quality opponent, but ultimately another early-season loss for the Vols.

GAME PLAN

The Vols set the tone early in the game with a special teams touchdown and were clearly making a concerted effort to improve their passing attack this week after a one-sided effort against Florida. Tennessee’s defense went into the evening knowing that it would have to stop the Arkansas running attack to win the game, and they were unable to do so. How much of that is a lack of a game plan versus a lack of execution is likely in the eye of the beholder.

GAME BALLS

  • RB Jalen Hurd: The one constant on this team is a solid effort from the talented sophomore. He totaled 90 yards rushing on 19 carries and had 51 yards receiving.
  • LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: Aside from perhaps Missouri’s Kentrell Brothers, has there been a more impressive linebacker in the league through five weeks? The junior led the Vols with 10 tackles in this game.
  • DT Shy Tuttle: The true freshman had one of his better efforts on Saturday, blocking a field goal and collecting five tackles from the interior of the line.