Beyond avoiding penalties, Tennessee must get two critical things right to avoid a stunning loss to Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats have played good football this season, and stopping them will be a tall task for the Tennessee Vols’ defense.
Tennessee obviously has to cut down on penalties this weekend against Kentucky.
Penalties cost the Vols a win against South Carolina two weeks ago. Tennessee can’t afford to go down a similar road on Saturday against a Kentucky team that doesn’t make many mistakes.
Beyond being more disciplined, there are two other things that Tennessee must do to avoid a loss to Kentucky.
The two keys to a win for Tennessee against Kentucky
The first thing Tennessee has to do on Saturday is find a way to defend the Wildcats’ tight ends and running backs.
Kentucky isn’t trying to beat teams down the field. Instead, they’re trying to control the clock by leaning on quick throws to tight ends and running backs, who can then make plays in space.
Tennessee’s defense has been willing to give up the underneath stuff at times this season, but that’s what this Kentucky offense wants to see schematically (the quick throws also help mitigate the pressure from Tennessee’s defensive front).
Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will need to have an answer in order to prevent Kentucky from going on long drives, which would put the pressure on Tennessee’s red zone defense to keep touchdowns off the board (the Vols are tied for fifth in the SEC in red zone defense… they’ve allowed 11 touchdowns and six field goals in 22 trips).
“Will Stein’s done what I think everybody at all levels of football should do, and that is he’s living in the passing game with his tight end and his running backs,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs on Friday on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will. “And I think that’s hard for teams to cover. I think defenses are pretty hell-bent on not giving up big plays, so they’ll put their safeties back a little bit and then [offenses] try to run stuff underneath.
“Kentucky’s got 69 receptions to tight ends and running backs out of Kenny Minchey’s 160 completions this year. They’re going to throw it underneath and they’re going to try to throw it and let guys run with it. We see it every week in the National Football League, whether it’s Jahmyr Gibbs or whatever tight end is the flavor of the day for that particular team you’re watching on TV. Teams that are committed to throwing that underneath stuff and taking what the defense gives you find success.”
Tennessee needs its linebackers — specifically Arion Carter and Amare Campbell — to have a big game against the Wildcats. Those guys will be important in coverage and they’ll need to tackle well (I could see a Vols linebacker getting an interception in this game).
Defensive back Qua Moss will also be important. I would think that Knowles will try to use him as a playmaker in the box against Kentucky’s running backs and tight ends.
We obviously don’t know how Knowles will attack Kentucky’s offense, but I think he’ll do his best to make the Wildcats beat Tennessee vertically. That may mean Kentucky hits an explosive or two, but I think Knowles will be willing to take that risk instead of letting the Wildcats do what they’re comfortable with underneath (and if UK does hit an explosive and score, the silver lining is that it’ll save some clock for UT).
The second thing the Vols need to do in this game is move the ball efficiently through the air.
Kentucky has been good against the run this season. I don’t know if they’ll be able to shut down the Vols’ running game, but Tennessee needs some answers if they do.
“I think the Kentucky defense is going to be better suited to deal with the Tennessee run game,” said ESPN’s Cole Cubelic this week. “So Tennessee is going to have to throw their way out of it at some point to win this game.”
The answer for the Vols is getting the ball in wide receiver Mike Matthews’ hands as much as possible.
“I just think you have to continue to be creative (with Matthews),” said Hubbs this week on The Mike Keith Show. “He is your best playmaker. He is your best guy ball in hand in terms of being dynamic and explosive. You’ve got to continue to try to get him the ball in different ways and lean on him because he’s your most explosive guy.”
Hitting a deep shot to Matthews would obviously be great for Tennessee, but they just have to find a way to get the ball in his hands in space for this offense to be at its best against Kentucky. Direct snap, screen pass, slant — whatever it is, get the ball to Matthews and let him be a playmaker. He’s a Sunday player and he can be a huge weapon for the Vols in this game.
Commit fewer penalties, play good defense underneath, and get the ball to Mike Matthews. If Tennessee does those three things, I think they’ll win this game.
