The Fearless Prediction spent the bye week vacationing in America’s fun city, Watertown, NY, or as it is known to my northern readers, the Cabo San Lucas of Jefferson County. But now we are rested and ready to tackle the Vols’ next game, when they welcome Arkansas to Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee fans hoping for their first night game of the season were disappointed that the powers that be gave Vols-Hogs a 4:15 p.m. kickoff. But it’s looking like a picture-perfect day for football in Knoxville.
Let’s talk about the visitors first because, man… there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Arkansas football.
The Sam Pittman experiment ended following 5+ seasons and a 32-34 overall record, 14-29 in SEC play. The final straw for Pittman came on Sept. 27, when the Razorbacks lost at home to Notre Dame 56-13.
But do not weep for the quirky, yet likable, Pittman. Further proof that the buyout life remains undefeated, Pittman will receive nearly $10 million as a parting gift.
The interim coach at Fayetteville? Meet the new boss… same as the old boss. Bobby Petrino rides again! Petrino was the head coach at Arkansas from 2008-2011 and most recently had been working as the Arkansas OC, but he is best known for a motorcycle crash in 2012 which led to his firing. Young people, get on the Google machine. It was quite the saga.
But Petrino has 7 weeks to prove to Arkansas boosters that he should be given the job full-time once again. Heck, stranger things have happened. Remember, Petrino got the Louisville gig twice.
Does he have a lot to work with? Offensively his group is pretty good. Ranked 8th in total offense (514.6 yards per game) and 22nd in scoring offense (37.4 points per game), the Razorbacks rely on QB Taylen Green to do a lot. Green throws for 279.6 yards per game, with 12 TD passes and 5 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 88.2 yards per game. He carries the football more than 10 times a game, exposing him to more and more hits. Mike Washington is 2nd on the team in rushing with 78.6 yards per game. O’Mega Blake is tops in receiving with 79.8 yards per game.
For the most part, Petrino has that offense moving in the right direction. Defensively? There’s a lot of work to do. The Razorbacks are ranked 117th in total defense (425 yards per game allowed) and 109th in scoring defense (30 points per game allowed). That doesn’t bode well for Arkansas because the Vols’ offense is clicking at a level not seen since its record setting 2022 unit. The Vols are scoring 51 points per game, top in the FBS. Their 536.4 yards per game places them 6th nationally in total offense. QB Joey Aguilar and WR Chris Brazzell II are each playing at such a high level that their names are being mentioned for major postseason award consideration.
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The Vols’ defense took a hit statistically in that Mississippi State game, and is now 76th in total defense (373.4 yards per game allowed) and 102nd in scoring defense (29 points per game allowed). Arion Carter continues to lead the team with 49 tackles. Joshua Josephs is up to 5.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. And right there is what the Vols can hang its hat on defensively. UT is tied for first nationally with 4.2 sacks per game. Getting pressure on Green will be key for the Vols to win this game.
One year ago, the Vols were upset 19-14 by the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. This is a chance for the Vols to get some revenge for that game, and 3 others. Tennessee has lost its last 4 meetings with Arkansas.
Tennessee has had 2 weeks to get ready for this game. It gets the game at Neyland Stadium, a place the Vols haven’t lost to an opponent not named Georgia since November 2021. There is no excuse to lose this game… and they won’t.
Fearless Prediction: Tennessee 42, Arkansas 21
Mark Nagi has covered Tennessee athletics for over 20 years. He is the author of “Decade of Dysfunction,” an in-depth look at all that led to the crazy coaching search of 2017 at Tennessee. The book is available on Amazon.
