Tennessee spent the off week trying to improve in several areas as the Vols prepare to play Arkansas this week.

Coach Jeremy Pruitt outlined those areas on the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday. Third down is one of them.

“I think the first game we were 1 for 11 or something and we won the game,” Pruitt said. “We need to be in manageable first downs, 3rd and 1 or 2 is easier than 9 or 10. Winning first down is important.

On tackling, Pruitt said, “too many yards after contact (against Alabama), they got guys in space contributed to that. We’ve got to do a better job of that.”

What’s different about Arkansas this season?

“We didn’t play them last year but I do back to when I was at Alabama, the talent level… there are many good players on the team, both side of the ball, there are 6-7 guys that have All-SEC type of players,” Pruitt said. “They are playing with confidence.”

Pruitt addressed how the quarterback play has panned out between Harrison Bailey and Jarrett Guarantano.

“It’s been good to Harrison reps, he continues to progress… he is getting more practice time. you have to do something a lot before you get good at it. He’s smart, he works hard and he continues to improve.”

About Guarantano, is he still repping with the No. 1s? Pruitt said, “There was a situation where he was hurt and other guys took those reps when he was limited. In our practices, we see who practices best, right? I’ve been doing this a long time, not many times a guy doesn’t practice well and goes out and plays well on Saturday.”

Where has Guarantano improved?

“He helps us get into the right plays… one thing about being a quarterback is how you lead the other 10 guys on the field, you have to alert other players… these are things our younger quarterbacks, the more looks they get, helps in their development. He’s done a nice job leading the quarterback room helping them understand.”