Jimbo Fisher previews key Week 7 road matchup against Tennessee
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Texas A&M travels to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Volunteers off a bye week in Week 7. The Aggies need a bounce back in a major way after dropping a close one to Alabama at Kyle Field last week.
And though the Vols’ offense hasn’t quite lived up to last year’s impressive unit it’s still potent – especially at home.
Jimbo Fisher met with reporters Monday for his weekly press conference and spoke on the Vols and where their strength comes from on offense. Immediately, he talked about the Vols’ trio of running backs: Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson.
Tennessee’s rush offense is averaging 231 yards per game and 6.31 yards per rush, both No. 1 in the SEC.
Here’s what Fisher had to say about the Vols:
“They’re a very good team. They’ve got a 3-back system, 0(Wright), 2 (Small) and 6 (Sampson), their running backs that all have juice, they’re strong,” Fisher said. “You think of them as fast, but they’re 210-15 pounds? Those guys are all really good players up there. Their receiver, 10… he’s got juice, Squirrel (White) is… it’s like a Squirrel trying to get that guy, but he plays physical for a guy who’s 165-70 pounds. He can run, the receivers outside are tall.”
The Vols under Heupel are known for their offense, but Tennessee’s defense has been greatly improved so far this season and may even be outplaying the offense right now.
Here’s Fisher’s assessment of the Vols’ defense under DC Tim Banks:
“Defensively, they’ve got rush guys on the edge. (James Pearce) and (Roman Harrison) can bring it, backer (Aaron Beasley) is all over the place making plays. They’re physical up front with (Omari Thomas), those guys are big. And the safeties tackle well.”
You can hear more from Fisher ahead of Week 7 below:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
